wayne on mon 9 aug 04
Antoinette:
A valid concern. Go ahead and be grumpy...you deserve it!
Every state has an office in charge of registering
charities, in one form or another.
If you check your state's website (try www.ms.state.us
or www.mississippi.state.us)
you can usually find out which state agency or office it is.
They can help you determine if it is indeed a "legitimate"
charity (if you don't already know.) That's a start.
Being in the position we are, we are often asked
by telephone to fund charities through donations of services
and products for auctions (and cash).
We cull 90% by simply stating that all requests
for donations must be made in writing, for "review by our
Board of Directors, since our budget for giving is limited."
Funny, the fly-by-night charities never seem to be able to
put the request in writing. Hmmmmm.....
(there are only two of us on our Board of Directors, BTW :>)
Wayne Seidl
Key West, Florida, USA
North America, Terra
Latitude 81.45W, Longitude 24.33N
Elevation 3.1 feet (1m)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Antoinette Badenhorst"
To:
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 1:16 PM
Subject: How do one handle donations.
> Dear Clayarters,
>
> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these
calls
> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent
auction
> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never
heard of
> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this
should
> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see
these kind
> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not
for
> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there
regarding
> pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start
saying:
> "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me
lately. Am
> I just grumpy of what?
>
> Antoinette Badenhorst
> 105 Westwood Circle
> Saltillo MS
> 38866
> 662 869 1651
> www.clayandcanvas.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________
__________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Joseph Bennion on mon 9 aug 04
Antoitette,
Here is how I handle this sort of thing. I almost always donate
something to legitimate groups in my area as it puts may name and work
in front of a lot of people in a favorable light. It is actually cheap
advertising. If it is a group I don't know well or don't care about I
give them something small. If it is a cause I am passionate about I
give them something substantial. To protect my pricing structure I
insist that they start the bidding at my studio price. If they don't
want to do that they don't get a pot. I also insist that they display a
stack of my newsletters with the featured pot.
Joe the Potter
--- Antoinette Badenhorst wrote:
> Dear Clayarters,
>
> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent
> auction
> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard
> of
> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this
> should
> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these
> kind
> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not
> for
> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there
> regarding
> pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start saying:
> "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me lately.
> Am
> I just grumpy of what?
>
> Antoinette Badenhorst
> 105 Westwood Circle
> Saltillo MS
> 38866
> 662 869 1651
> www.clayandcanvas.com
>
>
______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
=====
Joseph Bennion PO Box 186 Spring City, Utah 84662 435-462-2708 www.horseshoemountainpottery.com
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
William Melstrom on mon 9 aug 04
I know a metal artist who had the same complaints. After a jury convicted
her of a class B misdemeanor, she pulled out a folder filled with thank you
letters from all the organizations that she had donated to. Established as
a valuable, contributing member of the community, she got a very light
sentenance.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Antoinette Badenhorst"
To:
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 12:16 PM
Subject: How do one handle donations.
> Dear Clayarters,
>
> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent auction
> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard of
> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this should
> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these kind
> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not for
> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there regarding
> pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start saying:
> "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me lately. Am
> I just grumpy of what?
>
> Antoinette Badenhorst
> 105 Westwood Circle
> Saltillo MS
> 38866
> 662 869 1651
> www.clayandcanvas.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Mike Gordon on mon 9 aug 04
Thats what the "Ole Delete Button " is for. If you don't respond they
never know if the e-mail address is good or not, Mike Gordon
On Aug 9, 2004, at 10:16 AM, Antoinette Badenhorst wrote:
> Dear Clayarters,
>
> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent
> auction
> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard
> of
> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this should
> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these
> kind
> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not for
> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there
> regarding
> pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start saying:
> "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me lately. Am
> I just grumpy of what?
>
> Antoinette Badenhorst
> 105 Westwood Circle
> Saltillo MS
> 38866
> 662 869 1651
> www.clayandcanvas.com
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Antoinette Badenhorst on mon 9 aug 04
Dear Clayarters,
I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent auction
is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard of
and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this should
be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these kind
of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not for
free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there regarding
pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start saying:
"buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me lately. Am
I just grumpy of what?
Antoinette Badenhorst
105 Westwood Circle
Saltillo MS
38866
662 869 1651
www.clayandcanvas.com
Rikki Gill on mon 9 aug 04
Hi Antoinette,
I only donate to causes I support. I think of these donations as
contributions to a cause I believe in. Usually I am happy to donate, and
don't donate otherwise. Monetary donations are harder for me, and I think
of this as an easy way to give.
Good luck, Rikki Gill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Antoinette Badenhorst"
To:
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 10:16 AM
Subject: How do one handle donations.
> Dear Clayarters,
>
> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent auction
> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard of
> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this should
> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these kind
> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not for
> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there regarding
> pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start saying:
> "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me lately. Am
> I just grumpy of what?
>
> Antoinette Badenhorst
> 105 Westwood Circle
> Saltillo MS
> 38866
> 662 869 1651
> www.clayandcanvas.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
Gail Phillips on tue 10 aug 04
This month's Crafts Report has an article that includes this exact topic, and the gist of it is that the exposure you are likely to get do not "yield introductions to collectors that turn out to be financially meaningful". The title of the article is, "Professional Guidelines Update for Craftspeople". You can view the entire Professional Guidelines at: http://www.snagmetalsmith.com/infocentral/professionalguidelines.asp.
- Gail Phillips
Something to think about.
-------------- Original message from wayne : --------------
> Antoinette:
> A valid concern. Go ahead and be grumpy...you deserve it!
>
> Every state has an office in charge of registering
> charities, in one form or another.
> If you check your state's website (try www.ms.state.us
> or www.mississippi.state.us)
> you can usually find out which state agency or office it is.
> They can help you determine if it is indeed a "legitimate"
> charity (if you don't already know.) That's a start.
>
> Being in the position we are, we are often asked
> by telephone to fund charities through donations of services
> and products for auctions (and cash).
>
> We cull 90% by simply stating that all requests
> for donations must be made in writing, for "review by our
> Board of Directors, since our budget for giving is limited."
> Funny, the fly-by-night charities never seem to be able to
> put the request in writing. Hmmmmm.....
> (there are only two of us on our Board of Directors, BTW :>)
>
> Wayne Seidl
> Key West, Florida, USA
> North America, Terra
> Latitude 81.45W, Longitude 24.33N
> Elevation 3.1 feet (1m)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Antoinette Badenhorst"
> To:
> Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 1:16 PM
> Subject: How do one handle donations.
>
>
> > Dear Clayarters,
> >
> > I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these
> calls
> > from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent
> auction
> > is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> > basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never
> heard of
> > and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this
> should
> > be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see
> these kind
> > of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not
> for
> > free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there
> regarding
> > pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start
> saying:
> > "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me
> lately. Am
> > I just grumpy of what?
> >
> > Antoinette Badenhorst
> > 105 Westwood Circle
> > Saltillo MS
> > 38866
> > 662 869 1651
> > www.clayandcanvas.com
> >
> >
> ____________________________________________________________________
> __________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Gary Elfring on tue 10 aug 04
AB> I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these calls
AB> from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent auction
AB> is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
AB> basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never heard of
AB> and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this should
AB> be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see these kind
AB> of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not for
AB> free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there regarding
AB> pricing of art/craft.
I donate pieces to 4 or 5 auctions a year. They always send me a nice
thank you note and tell me how much my piece sold for. (Evidently they
think I can deduct the price they received, which of course I can't,
from my taxes.) So far all of my pieces have sold for considerably
more than my studio asking price. And I get a number of people who visit my
shop after seeing my piece at auction.
I only donate to causes that I feel are worthwhile.
http://www.elfringpottery.com
--
Best regards,
Gary
Antoinette Badenhorst on tue 10 aug 04
Thanks for all the answers. Gail I did not receive my crafts report yet,
but will look forward to it now. In my personal view I do think one need
to invest in your own community if you expect for the community to
invest in you. I like the written requests, since they are professional
in most cases and these organizations do not take donations for granted.
I also like the idea of something in return for a donation. In our area
we have a wonderful relation with the Salvation Army, handling the
annual Empty Bowl Event. They understand that if they have to come back
to us for more bowls, they almost have to get into a partnership with
us. The thing that really pushed my button, was this person calling me
for a donation so that they can pay for a person's funeral. What really
made me mad about this was the fact that I felt so sorry for these
people and that I could not say no. I do not think all donations will
promote one's business. Some organizations simply do not understand
art/craft and just do not promote it. In such instances I think it might
do more harm than good, in particular if they sell good art/craft under
the valued price. I am afraid it is a very popular way of raising money
in our state lately, but I will make sure next time that they do not
sell my work at wholesale, but at retail prices.
Nice day everyone.
Antoinette Badenhorst
105 Westwood Circle
Saltillo MS
38866
662 869 1651
www.clayandcanvas.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Gail
Phillips
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 12:18 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: How do one handle donations.
This month's Crafts Report has an article that includes this exact
topic, and the gist of it is that the exposure you are likely to get do
not "yield introductions to collectors that turn out to be financially
meaningful". The title of the article is, "Professional Guidelines
Update for Craftspeople". You can view the entire Professional
Guidelines at:
http://www.snagmetalsmith.com/infocentral/professionalguidelines.asp.
- Gail Phillips
Something to think about.
-------------- Original message from wayne : --------------
> Antoinette:
> A valid concern. Go ahead and be grumpy...you deserve it!
>
> Every state has an office in charge of registering
> charities, in one form or another.
> If you check your state's website (try www.ms.state.us
> or www.mississippi.state.us)
> you can usually find out which state agency or office it is.
> They can help you determine if it is indeed a "legitimate"
> charity (if you don't already know.) That's a start.
>
> Being in the position we are, we are often asked
> by telephone to fund charities through donations of services
> and products for auctions (and cash).
>
> We cull 90% by simply stating that all requests
> for donations must be made in writing, for "review by our
> Board of Directors, since our budget for giving is limited."
> Funny, the fly-by-night charities never seem to be able to
> put the request in writing. Hmmmmm.....
> (there are only two of us on our Board of Directors, BTW :>)
>
> Wayne Seidl
> Key West, Florida, USA
> North America, Terra
> Latitude 81.45W, Longitude 24.33N
> Elevation 3.1 feet (1m)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Antoinette Badenhorst"
> To:
> Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 1:16 PM
> Subject: How do one handle donations.
>
>
> > Dear Clayarters,
> >
> > I never had a problem helping out people, but lately all these
> calls
> > from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent
> auction
> > is getting on to me. If it is people that support one on a regular
> > basis, it is one thing, but mostly it is people that I've never
> heard of
> > and will not hear of again. What really makes me feel like this
> should
> > be stopped, is the fact that I've seen lately that people see
> these kind
> > of silent auctions as a way of getting art/craft very cheap if not
> for
> > free and that send out a wrong message to the public out there
> regarding
> > pricing of art/craft. I make fun of it and say I should start
> saying:
> > "buy one, get one free", but this is seriously irritating me
> lately. Am
> > I just grumpy of what?
> >
> > Antoinette Badenhorst
> > 105 Westwood Circle
> > Saltillo MS
> > 38866
> > 662 869 1651
> > www.clayandcanvas.com
> >
> >
> ____________________________________________________________________
> __________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
> >
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
________________________________________________________________________
______
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Maid O'Mud on tue 10 aug 04
Great article - a good read.
Sam Cuttell
Maid O'Mud Pottery
RR 1
Melbourne, Ontario
N0L 1T0
CANADA
"First, the clay told me what to do.
Then, I told the clay what to do.
Now, we co-operate."
sam 1994
http://www.ody.ca/~scuttell/
scuttell@ody.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gail Phillips"
.
> This month's Crafts Report has an article that includes this exact topic,
and the gist of it is that the exposure you are likely to get do not "yield
introductions to collectors that turn out to be financially meaningful". The
title of the article is, "Professional Guidelines Update for Craftspeople".
You can view the entire Professional Guidelines at:
http://www.snagmetalsmith.com/infocentral/professionalguidelines.asp.
>
> - Gail Phillips
>
Merrie Boerner on tue 10 aug 04
Hi Antoinette,
It is the socially acceptable thing to do in Mississippi.....the word
"gracious" comes to mind. Southerners give to every cause...just give more
to one you are devoted to and maybe a mug to someone else.....it is a way of
life down here. You would probably prefer for the word around town to be,
"she was a most generous, giving person" than "the bitch didn't think we
deserved a thing"......
Some of us donate for the thrill, some for the publicity, some cause we
can't say no. It is a religious thing for me.
Remember the Beatles song that said, "The love you take is equal to the love
you make"
Peace,
Merrie
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.735 / Virus Database: 489 - Release Date: 8/7/2004
Snail Scott on wed 11 aug 04
At 12:16 PM 8/9/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>...lately all these calls
>from any Tom, Dick and Harry, needing donations to hold a silent auction
>is getting on to me...Am
>I just grumpy of what?
Grump away! More artists should, too.
Charity auctions are a big scam. Not a deliberate
one - they're usually run with the best of noble
intentions - but a total rip-off nonetheless.
The charity makes money for their worthy cause,
by way of a classy-sounding event that generates
plenty of awareness. The patrons get nice art
for bargain-basement prices and a entertaining
social evening. The artist is the only one who
gets nothing. Nada. Zip.
The sponsor will usually say that you can deduct
the value of your donation from your taxes. Well,
it just ain't so. As the maker, you can only
deduct the value of materials, and that's what,
maybe $5.00 tops? (Remember, labor doesn't count,
and you can deduct materials regardless of whether
you donate it or not.) The sponsor may truly not
know this, but if that's the case, then they ought
to be told, right?
(Ironically, if someone bought your item and then
donated it themselves, they could deduct the full
retail value of your creation, but you can't.)
The charity will tell you that you'll get 'exposure'.
Well, some smartass artist once observed that a
person can die of exposure. ;) Your piece may go
to some eager collector whe perhaps never heard of
you before but will become your biggest fan, or an
impoverished admirer who could never have paid your
retail price, but odds are, it won't generate any
new business. If you're contributing a small, quick
piece, maybe it's no big loss, but when someone
comes asking for the donation of a piece that was
two weeks in the making, I get pissed off. Sometimes
they'll auction off professional services at these
events - a free haircut and manicure, a one-hour
consultation, a dinner for two - what's the value
of these things? Two weeks' pay from the donor? I
doubt it. And odds are the piece won't sell for
even a quarter of the regular price. I've watched
a lot of good art sell for less than what it cost to
make it, or even less than the shipping to get it
there. That's not a sign of an appreciative audience
who will become your future clientele.
Did you know that a disproportionate amount of
charitable giving (and this is just the recorded
amounts) comes from the poorest half of the
population? Well, that includes most of us. And most
artists are suckers for a worthy cause. So we smile
and feel flattered when asked to contribute to these
events. Well, the charity does all right from it,
and the donors get what they want; the only poor
saps getting hosed are the artists, time after time.
Still, the charities keep asking, because we keep
giving it to them. Well, stop! Demand the respect
that they'd give any other professional for the
value of their work.
There are a few good charity auctions out there,
with generous patrons who pay worthwhile prices, or
which set reasonable minimums and even give the
artist a percentage of the sale like a real art
dealer, but they are rare.
If you feel strongly about their cause, sell that
piece through your regular channels and write them
a check for the price. You'll know how much your
donation to them will be worth, its value won't
be absorbed in hiring a caterer and an event hall,
you'll have sold the piece to a real customer
without undercutting any of your previous buyers,
AND you can actually deduct it.
-Snail Scott
Millie Carpenter on wed 11 aug 04
I will only donate pots to organizations that I would donate my time or
money to in any case. I look at a lot of these requests the same way
that I do all the begging letters that come in the mail. one reason
that I feel this was is that I have been on the other side. And I have
had to go
asking for donations for goods and services auctions for a number of
different groups, arts, religious scouts, etc. one thing that I saw
with SOME of these organizations, not all, was that after we had
solicited all of our own members, we would see who knew which business
owners in the area. and then we would divide up the rest of the local
businesses and do cold calls in hopes of whatever we could get. we
never expected everyone to contribute, the feeling was sort of like
throwing a seine net. And whatever was there when it was pulled up
was more than we had when we started. and the goal was to get
financial support for the organization.
Millie in Md. feeling sad after watching Imagine
John Rodgers on wed 11 aug 04
I just donated a set of four dinner plates and four salad plates to a
charity raising funds for a library and theatre. A worthy cause. It was
a silent auction which was preceeded by a $50 per plate dinner. The sets
didn't go for what they were worth, but did raise $130 for the charity
and netted me back four requests for pottery. So you never know.
Sometimes yea, sometimes nay. But worked this time.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Bobbruch1@AOL.COM on fri 13 aug 04
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes
<<<<< ....some kindred other Artist...
And they each 'buy' one-another's work for some made-up
inflated or actual or whatever price they decide on...and,
essentially, (just) trade pieces, (no actual money changed
hands,)...which, each then 'donates' to the
whatever-charity-thing...and then, each claims the big juicy
yassah-massah reciept for the 'write-off' and is, therebye,
just as right-with-the-law, as any poor pilgrim could
stand...
Phil, I think that is called tax fraud. If you ever got an audit,
you could be asked to produce a receipt for the purchase,
i.e., proof of the basis for which you are taking the deuction.
JMHO
Bob Bruch
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