Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 3 of The Illinois Commitment
RVC Employee Silent Auction Fundraising Project
Rock Valley College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
The commitment of the RVC Foundation to raise money to fund the priorities of RVC.
Description of the effective practice:
In 2004-2005 Rock Valley College had a somewhat unstable internal culture due to change in college
leadership. But in 2006, the college culture and processes have been stabilized under the new leadership of
College President Jack Becherer. In this environment it seemed appropriate for the Rock Valley College
Foundation to re-engage the internal college community in monetarily supporting the priorities of Rock Valley
College and at the same time creating an activity to imbibe a renewed enthusiasm and pride in the institution.
The RVC Foundation Employee Silent Auction, titled “Celebrating Our Gifts,” kicked-off in February 2006
with over 70 items and/or services donated from generous employees. The planning of this fundraiser/friendraiser
began in late summer the previous year. The foundation staff identified an employee group, called the
“employee support team” to assist with developing and promoting the “friend-raiser” concept to their
colleagues. Foundation staff arranged meetings and scheduled presentations over several months and identified
“the package solicitation phase” to encourage employees’ participation. The “employee support team” assisted
during the “package solicitation phase” by participating in presentations and encouraging staff when possible. A
rough draft auction booklet was created once the Institutional Advancement staff and the “employee support
team” identified their package donations. This auction booklet was used to share with employees during the
presentations to spark interest and package creativity. The RVC IT staff played an integral part in the success of
this auction, by developing a user-friendly online bidding program though our internal college network. After
three weeks of encouraging participation though motivational emails and phone calls from the foundation staff,
packages were collected, complied and printed into a final draft auction booklet, then distributed to employees
campus wide. All items and/or services donated were made available for online bidding with completion on
Friday, February 24, 2006. Over 300 bids were received.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
To be sustained by future sponsorship of the RVC Foundation
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
Each year results will be measured by the net proceeds raised. The net profit in excess of $4,500 was deemed a
success by the RVC Foundation. In addition, much anecdotal information has come to the Foundation attesting
to the positive, uplifting experience the project provided participant. Therefore, the Foundation will sponsor
“Celebrating Our Gifts” again in FY07. The $4,569.00 net profit benefits the RVC Foundation in helping to
continue to administer student scholarships, faculty/staff grants and other programs, and initiatives that are
priorities of Rock Valley College.
Contact Information
Name: Suzanne Berger
Email: s.berger@rvc.cc.il.us
Phone: (815) 921-4500
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