I had typed up a quick response to this yesterday and then decided not to post it till I thought more about it. Now that the MSBA issue has been clarified and is better understood , I'm glad I waited.
The next issue is the raffles in general. I think it should be one big raffle with all tickets in a bucket and then drawn for a specific prize that is announced ahead of time. That is , we say , "Next ticket is for the Slipknot popper" and then draw a ticket. That way everyone is in the game for every prize and it keeps it exciting. We can mix up the order so there are higher and lower valued prizes mixed in as the night goes on. This also keeps it interesting and exciting.
I think a general auction like that keeps it in a better spirit than the Chinese raffle. You walk up to the table and buy $20 worth of tickets that by the luck of the draw may win you something big or small but you are in on everything. All you know when you buy the tickets is that $20 is going to the site and the rest is up to luck.
I understand the concept of the chinese raffle but feel it puts the ticket buying into a more pointed mode towards winning a particular prize if you can spend more money. One of the great things about a general raffle is that even if you can only donate a dollar (which is in the sprit of the event) you still could win a great prize if you are lucky.
I think the idea of a general raffle contributes to the success of the night as a big event. Maybe it doesn't maximize the take but thats not the only thing happening at this gathering. First of all the gathering is intended to promote the friendships we have here. Its a night out with your friends. Maybe we generate more cash with other scenarios but a general raffle where anyone could possibly win any given prize is more exciting and I think makes for a better gathering for all.
As far as the bigger ticket items go , I have mixed feelings. There is definitely a large dollar value to a charter trip (not slighting Bloo here but I know more about the value of a fishing trip than I do the value of a particular piece of artwork so I used that example). The question is , do we try to generate more cash by auctioning the trip or raffling it seperately or do we throw it into the big pool of prizes and figure it will mean more sales of raffle tickets in general but a lot more excitement for all?
I'm truly asking that as a question. Honestly , Smokey and I have been on Chet's boat and its a great trip! Smokey , David and I fully intended to bring several hundreds of bucks to try to buy that trip at auction which I understood it would be. I'm not trying to belittle the value of the trip. I'm just saying that if its going to be raffled instead of auctioned , we got to seriously consider whether it makes for a better Feb 15th event if its a seperate raffle or part of a big raffle unique to that night.
God this post has gotten lengthy (I'm on a roll!
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Last point is that there is a lot to be said about Clammers comment that we should stick with the plan. It was my understanding that this donation by Chet was to help make this a big night out. To change strategies at this late date to include more people or maximize profits or whatever , does IMO detract from the original plan and the bigness of this outstanding program put together for the 15th.
Of course all of the above is just my opinion right now. I reserve the right to deny everything said and change my mind at the drop of a hat!