DISCLAIMER :: Due to privacy issues this site contains little personal information about the Rooftop community. Any images or personal information on this site has been provided with permission. If you need to contact a fellow Rooftop family, please see your Rooftop Directory.
Rooftop Alternative School PTA. All rights reserved © 2006-2007
Rooftop Alternative School is a K-8 School in the SF Unified School District
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE ROOFTOP AUCTION AND CHILDREN'S ART SHOW?
We have three main goals: to support our children by raising money to pay for the many "extras" they have at Rooftop-from the Art Program to the Garden and Sensory Motor. We also want to strengthen our school and relationships by fostering leadership and opportunities to serve the school. And we hope to build a sense of community by all working together toward this common goal.
HOW MUCH DOES THE AUCTION RAISE FOR ROOFTOP?
This year, the PTA hopes we can all pitch in and again raise over $90,000 from this event. That's a lot of money, but we hope that about 600 people will attend.
WHAT DO YOU WANT EACH FAMILY TO DO?
We know everyone is juggling a lot of stuff, from work to kids to school. But if possible, we hope each family will commit to these 5 things:
100% participation by each class on SOME level;
Bring in 3-5 donated items from local businesses, your friends, or the "services" you can offer;
Take on at least one auction job, big or small (see HOW TO VOLUNTEER)
Come to the Auction and Children's Art Show on March 15, 2008 and If you can't come, sell 2 tickets to a friend or family member.
WHAT IS A "SILENT AUCTION"?
Local merchants and Rooftop families donate some 1100 items that will be displayed around the Hall of Flowers during the Auction. Some are certificates for services and goods, others are items like jewelry, wine, and furniture. Each guest has a bid number. You can go around the room and write the $$ bid you want to make and your bid number. When that section closes, the highest bidder "wins" the item.
HOW AND WHEN DO I BID AND PAY FOR AUCTION ITEMS?
You can use credit card to make purchases at the auction
When biding, please use your assigned bid number when filling out the bid sheet or you will not get your item
You will need to stay until the close of the entire auction evening in order to pay for the item
CAN I BID ANY AMOUNT?
No, there is a starting bid listed on the sheet. After that, you must go up by a certain increment. For example: Creighton's Restaurant $50 Gift Certificate, bidding starts at $25. Increments are $5. So if there is a bid of $30 you must be willing to bid $35 to "go over" the last bidder.
WHEN WILL BIDDING CLOSE?
The silent auction opens at 5p.m. You'll see signs posted on the tables and the Kiosks listing when each section closes. There are lots of sections: Edibles and Potables, Home and Office, Funtastic Furniture, etc. You should try to be there when the section closes to make sure you have the high bid, if you really want the item.
WHAT IS THE "LIVE AUCTION?"
After the Silent Auction closes, everyone moves into the next room, where the "Live Auction" items are displayed. These are usually bigger items, and projects that each class makes. This is traditional auction, with real auctioneers taking bids. If you want to bid on an item in the Live Auction, all you have to do is hold up your hand or catalogue and make sure the auctioneer notices you!
HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?
If you purchase them in advance, tickets are $30 for adults. This is a grown-up party, so no children, please. You can also buy a $20 ticket if you bring a dessert. Your guests are also $20. Teachers and staff receive one complimentary ticket. Alumni Families can purchase special tickets for $15. If you buy tickets at the door, they are $40. [TICKETS]
WHO SHOULD I INVITE?
Grandparents, relatives, friends who like to support public schools. Alumni. Friends who like getting great deals. And new this year, why not "invite a friend" in the school-someone who has been too shy to come in the past. Make a date with another Rooftop family and tell them you can have fun together!
HOW DO I PURCHASE TICKETS?
Fill out the ticket form that will come in your Auction Packet in January. Write out a check to the "Rooftop PTA."
WILL I GET AN ACTUAL TICKET?
No, you will receive a receipt of purchase. Your name will be held at the door for check-in. Please download a the appropriate ticket order form or contact the [Ticket Coordinator] with any questions.
WHAT IF I CAN'T COME, CAN I STILL BID ON ITEMS?
It would be great if you did! Call a friend and ask them to place your bids for you.
HOW DO I GET BUSINESSES TO DONATE ITEMS?
On this Web site, you can down load Donor Forms and Gift Certificates. There's also a sample letter to businesses. Mail or drop these off at businesses where you do a lot of purchasing. Usually, owners are glad to support your kids. The more personal you can make the request, the better. Some parents send pictures of their cute Rooftop kids along with the request.
WHAT KIND OF DONATIONS ARE BEST?
Imagine what you'd like to buy at the Auction: restaurant certificates, movie passes, jewelry, classes for kids are all hot sellers. People seem to like wine, furniture, and vacation getaways like hotel stays or bike rides in the wine country. Does someone you know have a vacation home they'd donate for a weekend?
SHOULD I GO OUT AND BUY 3-5 ITEMS IF I DON'T GET ANYONE TO DONATE?
NO! Don't spend your money because usually we won't sell the item for full value. We always appreciate direct donations to this good cause. There's a place on this Web Site where you can actually make a donation, if you'd like.
CAN I GET CREATIVE WITH MY DONATIONS?
Absolutely!! One family organizes a softball game and auctions off the chance to play in it and attend the picnic. One mom will teach you how to make great Italian dishes. Why not offer to make 2 dozen tamales? Or tutor another child in Math? 8th graders can donate babysitting services. Teachers volunteer to take 4 students to the Zoo or to the Academy of Sciences. One of the hottest seller last year was a chance to tour Electronic Arts, a Videogame maker, with a teacher whose husband works there.
We really need to know if you are going to donate an item by MARCH 16 . So fill out a donation form and turn it in to boxes in either the Burnett or Mayeda offices. You don't have to actually turn in the item until the day of the auction, although it really helps us if you bring it before hand.
CAN I JUST LEAVE AN ITEM IN THE OFFICE?
Please don't. There are donation forms on this Web site and at each office. We really need you to fill it out so we know a) who the item is from b) how to send them a letter for their taxes c) how much the item is worth so we know how to price it.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION, WHO CAN I CALL?
Each class has a Class Auction Representative. You can start by calling your Room Rep, listed on the Web Site. We also have a AUCTION HOTLINE: 415-452-9787. Leave a message and we'll make sure the right person gets back to you. You can also [eMail] us and someone will be sure to get in touch with you..
WHAT JOBS DO YOU NEED TO FILL?
Guess what, we have a list! Your Class Room Representative should be contacting you to take a job, but it's always good to volunteer first. Jobs are first come first serve…and for some reason, everyone seems to want to be the Bartender.
WHEN I SIGN UP FOR A JOB, HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO DO?
Each job supports a particular team. Each team has a Team Leader. It's the Team Leader's responsibility to contact you and make sure you know what to do. If you have questions or don't get contacted, please help keep the system running smoothyl by contacting the Volunteer Coordaintor [eMail].
Here's an example:
Your Class Auction Rep has asked you to be on the Solicitations Team. That means you'll be making follow up calls to businesses urging them to donate. Your name and number should be given to the Solicitations Coordinators. They'll be contacting you and getting you a list of businesses to call, a sample script to work from, and a list of instructions. Now it's your job to make those calls in ASAP. Your coordinators may hold a Solicitations Meeting to answer questions and do some training if you need more support to do your job. If everything works well, YOU convince businesses to send in that donation!
WHAT IF I CAN'T COME TO THE AUCTION, ARE THERE OTHER WAYS I CAN HELP?
Sure! We need people to make calls, pick up items, make copies, do data entry….there are literally hundreds of tasks that can only be done if everyone on the community pulls together. Call the AUCTION HOTLINE: 415-452-9787 to volunteer.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT ITEMS THERE WILL BE TO BID ON?
A few days before the event, if you have purchased tickets in advance, you will receive a catalogue in your child's backpack. Your bid number will be written large on the back. We also hope to have the catalogue on-line at this Web site, so keep checking around March 8th.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND TO ENJOY MYSELF?
No! There is always great food, music, and beautiful art to see made by the kids. Your teachers are almost always there, so there will be someone you know. And…you can usually walk away with some great bargains! Items start selling for around $10-20. Often you can find items you might buy anyway: Dry Cleaning certificates, haircuts, tuition to a great Summer Camp for your kids.
