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The Oregon Surveyor
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Vol. 40, No. 1
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2017 PLSO Conference
By Gary Johnston, Auction Chair
T
he 2017 PLSO Education and Outreach auction
delivered substantial support to PLSO Education
and Outreach efforts, bringing in a total of $10,230.
PLSO members also added over $2,520 in monetary
donations. Donors stipulated that $5,310 be allocated
to the scholarship fund and $2,390 to outreach. The
remaining $5,050 can be allotted to either cause at
the PLSO Board’s discretion. The board will decide
how to distribute those funds at its next quarterly
meeting.
Auction evening festivities began with alumni
gatherings and a social time that also provided
everyone with an opportunity to bid on silent auction
items. After the social hour, nearly 300 were treated
to an excellent steak dinner prepared by the Sheraton
Hotel. Throughout the social and dinner events, music
was furnished by the Erin Parra Trio. After dinner, Sid
Voorhees led the live auction with the assistance of
emcee Chris Glantz.
The auction was also supported by nine students
from OIT. They received and catalogued auction
items, organized displays, and helped with other fund
raising efforts. PLSO owes them special thanks for
their efforts during the auction and throughout the
conference.
Quality donations were generously provided by
PLSO members, chapters, conference vendors,
the Sheraton Hotel, Sportsman’s Warehouse and
Portland Spirit Cruise Lines. Six items were offered at
the oral auction and over 70 were sold at the silent
auction. Throughout the evening, bidding was very
spirited and several items sold for more than the
market value. This indicated that members were not
only interested in purchasing unique items, but were
willing to generously support education and outreach.
To illustrate, the special items sold during the live
auction, included:
•
Buff and Buff transit from PLSO, loaned for a
1 year term to Bob Neathamer for $500
•
2009 BLM Manual signed by BLM chiefs and
authors, donated to PLSO by the estate of Sue
Newstetter, loaned for a 1 year term to Jered
McGrath for $700
•
Bag-o-Cash donated by PLSO conference
registrants, sold to Dave Malone for $1025
•
Custom made salmon fishing rod with reel
and tackle made by John Wise with donations
from Willamette Chapter members, sold to Teri
Bennett-Kent (Tim Kent’s wife) for $800. As an
added incentive, John threw in a Buoy 10 fishing
trip at the mouth of the Columbia River.
•
Grandfather clock donated by Al Hertel, sold to
Ben Stacy for $850
The auction was a terrific success. To further improve
the experience, post-conference suggestions
have been offered by three members and more
suggestions will be considered following review of
the post conference survey. PLSO members are
also invited to add specific recommendations by
contacting Gary Johnston at
garyjanej@gmail.com.
2017 Auction and Fundraisers
Support Education and Outreach