VOLUNTEER | AUCTION

Lights, Camera, Auction!

WPT Auction WPT Auction is our biggest volunteer event of the year. With the help of more than 800 enthusiastic volunteers, WPT will auction off more than 4,000 items on live television. Whether you enjoy the excitement and energy of being on camera or prefer to help out behind the scenes, we have the perfect job waiting for you!

goRegister online

Online registration will be open in April, 2012. 

Have questions?
E-mail us at volunteer@wpt.org.
Call us at 608-265-4436

 

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
Why Volunteer?
  • A fun and easy way to give back to the community.
  • Show your support for public broadcasting.
  • Meet new people.
  • Enjoy tasty food donated by local businesses.
  • Earn service hours for your school or club.
  • Get a behind-the-scenes peek at live television production.
Volunteers at work

Your Gift of Time Makes a Difference

In 2010, WPT raised more than $305,000 making it possible to provide quality programs, educational activities and community outreach initiatives across the state.

Action Volunteers

Auction Group Volunteers

Businesses, professional groups, social clubs, and campus and high school groups are welcome — a great team-building activity for your organization. Volunteer with your group.

AUCTION JOBS
 

What types of Auction Jobs are Available?
The best part of Auction is that we have a wide variety of volunteer jobs available both on set and behind the scenes.  Can’t wait for this year's Auction to start?  Check out our pre-Auction volunteer opportunities! 

Pre-Auction Volunteer opportunities

Volunteers at workWarehouse and Set Construction:  Build WPT Auction from the ground up with our team of construction volunteers. Dates TBA.

Farmers' Market Auction Promotion:  Join us at the Capitol Square the Saturday before Memorial Day to hand out promotional materials and encourage people to tune in.

During Auction may 30 - june 3, 2012

Bid Filer:  File confirmed and processed Auction bids.  This is a great job for anyone that enjoys detailed oriented projects.  

Bid Qualifier: Call viewers who are bidding on Major and Showcase items to inform them about the bidding process.  For Major items, when the sell time has arrived, volunteers will call the bidders to auction off the items! 

Bid Runner: KIDS WELCOME!  Hustle bids from the phone bank to bid sorters and confirmation callers—a great job for kids 10 and older.

Bid Runner Captain: Make sure bids are delivered to the right places by supervising bid runners. *New captains will need to attend a evening training session. Date TBA.

Bid SorterVolunteers at work: Organize bids coming in from the phone bank and flag the winners. 

Board Captain: Experienced bid sorters may become Board Captains who track high bids on each board.  *New captains will need to attend an evening training session.  Date TBA.

Confirmation Callers: Congratulate high bidders on their success and let them know how to pick up their items. 

Data Entry: Type bid information into our computer system. You'll need to be very comfortable using computers.

Display DesignersVolunteers at work: Locate items in the warehouse and arrange them attractively for on-camera display.

Merchandise Movers: Get items in front of the camera on schedule and pack them off to the warehouse afterward—a great position for anyone who enjoys a physically active job.

Online Bid Recorder:  Copy online bid information for Auction items onto paper forms.  As needed, call bidders to explain the bidding process.

Phone Bank: It's wild, hectic and noisy!  Talk to the public and take their bids — volunteers 16 and older. 

Phone Bank Captain: Experienced phone bank volunteers may become captains.  Captains make sure that bids are recorded accurately and relay the bids to the boards as quickly as possible. *New captains will need to attend an training session in May.

Pick Up and Pay Cashiers: Greet customers, ring up their sales and thank our bidders.  Computer experience is a must. 

Pick Up and Pay Runners: Locate items in the warehouse and present them to their new owners.

Raffle Ticket Sales:  Sell raffle tickets and assign express bid numbers to viewers.

Volunteer Café
Serve food donated by local businesses to volunteers in our Volunteer Café.

LOCATION
 
map of Vilas Hall

When and where is Auction held?
Auction takes place May 30 -June 3, 2012 at the WPT Studios in Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Auction Parking Options
Google Map to Vilas Hall
Auction Web site

 
AUCTION FAQ
 

PDFCurrent Auction Volunteers
Download our Information Sheet for additional details about volunteering.

What types of shifts are available?

Weeknights or weekends, we have plenty of options available for you:

Wed. 5/30-Fri. 6/1
6:15-9:15 p.m.
8:30 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

Sat. 6/2
3:15-6:45 p.m.
6:00-10:00 p.m.
9:15 p.m.-12:15 a.m.

Sun. 6/3
3:15-7:00 p.m.
6:15-11:15 p.m.*-Showcase

Exact times may vary depending on position; check our online registration for more information.

What type of time commitment is involved?

Shifts are approximately three to five hours, and include training and refreshments.

What is the minimum age to volunteer?*

Auction is a fun and exciting volunteer experience for the whole family. We have positions available for kids as young as 10.

*The minimum age to volunteer at the phone bank is 16.


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