Welcome to Conserving Carolina's Conservation Celebration benefit auction! <img id="fff-36d53c91-734e-4c74-bbe0-42643ec46f8a" src="https://images-kewj8e9mgc.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/09/04/1a268c8c-f8c7-489e-b533-9d01d14aeca8/AuctionLandingEditorObj/1dac358e-e773-494b-911f-8e87c7e27867.jpg" alt="" width="869" height="111"> The auction will be open online from September 15 at 8:00 am to September 22 at 8:00 pm. Browse a curated selection of unique guided outings, trips, experiences with staff members, and so much more. Best of all, when you bid on these extraordinary items and one-of-a-kind experiences, you're protecting the places you love. It's a win-win! To learn more about the mission and work of Conserving Carolina, please visit <a href="https://www.conservingcarolina.org">www.conservingcarolina.org. </a> Thank you for supporting Conserving Carolina!   Auction FAQs and Instructions Will auction items be available at the Sept. 21 Conservation Celebration event? No. The auction will take place entirely online. You do not have to attend the event to participate in the online auction.  Who can participate in the Online Auction? The auction is open to everyone 18 years and older. You must be 21 years and older to bid on any alcohol-related auction package. We encourage you to share the link with your friends and family. To participate in the auction from the convenience of your home, register to create an account with the bidding host site. Be sure to save your login information and password. Please note that the password can only include numbers or letters. You do not have to create an account to simply view the items but will be prompted to create an account upon bidding. We recommend bookmarking this direct link to the auction so you can check back frequently. www.new.biddingowl.com/conservingcarolina What technology will I need to participate? To view and bid on auction items, you will need access to a computer or mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet with internet connection. To receive text notifications regarding your bids you must provide your mobile phone number upon registration with BiddingOwl. How do I make a bid and view auction items? Detailed instructions on how to view auction items and make bids are included at the end of the FAQs. How do I win a prize for the most bids? The person who makes the most total bids during the auction will win a Conserving Carolina hat and prize package. Each bid you make whether you win or lose the item will be tallied. This is not related to the amount of money you bid. The goal is to bid as much as possible! Please remember that by making a bid on any item for any amount, you are agreeing to pay that much for the item should you win and you will be responsible for prompt payment. Can I pay with cash or check by mail or in-person? Winning bidders will be notified via email on Sept. 23 and will be responsible for prompt payment. An email invoice will be automatically generated and sent to you from BiddingOwl and will include a payment link. You may use this link to pay via Paypal or credit card. However, you are not required to pay via Paypal. If you would prefer to pay via cash, check, or credit card over the phone, please contact Jenn Tutor at jenn@conservingcarolina.org or 828-697-5777 ext.209. Please consider paying with cash or check to help us avoid credit card processing fees. How do I receive my certificate/gift card? The auction will close automatically at 8:00 pm on Sunday, Sept 22. Winners will be notified on Sept. 23 via email. To receive your items, you must have already paid for your items via Paypal, credit card or by mailing check to Conserving Carolina at 847 Case St. Hendersonville, NC 28792. Once payment is received, your certificate will either be emailed or mailed to you. Please see auction item description to know if it will be emailed or mailed. Can I still donate an item to the auction? Thank you for your interest. Please contact Jenn Tutor at jenn@conservingcarolina.org about auction item donations. Please note that only trips, services, and experiences will be included in the auction (no physical items). What is the purpose of the auction? The online auction is a fundraiser for Conserving Carolina. Funds raised from the auction will be used for conservation, restoration, and inspiring appreciation of the natural world. To learn more about the impact of this fundraiser, and the projects it makes possible, please visit www.conservingcarolina.org. Who do I contact if I have other questions about the auction? Please contact Jenn Tutor at jenn@conservingcarolina.org or 828-697-5777 ext.209 during normal business hours for assistance. <h2 class="font_2">Auction Instructions</h2> Register a BiddingOwl Account BiddingOwl is the platform that manages the bidding for the virtual auction. If you registered for the Conservation Celebration and/or purchased a trip raffle ticket, you still need to create a BiddingOwl account to place a bid. Please save your login information. If you do not remember your login information, use the Forgot Password prompt upon signing in. You will be asked to enter your name and contact information. The system will create an anonymous Display Name. To receive text message notifications, enter your phone number and select the checkbox next to Notification SMS. You will receive text messages when you’ve been outbid.  Go to www.new.biddingowl.com/ConservingCarolina. Then click on the blue Bidder Login button at the top right of the screen. You can edit your profile anytime by selecting the grey circle button at the top right of the screen and selecting Profile. Login: Go to the auction website at www.new.biddingowl.com/ConservingCarolina  and login using the blue Bidder Login link at the top right of the screen. If you have trouble with the login, reset your password.   Auction Items: At the top left of the homepage, there is a grey Categories navigation menu. Select All or select the category of interest. Now the fun starts! Search by Categories: You can view specific item categories by using the grey menu at the top left of the screen. Select the category of choice to see items specific to that category. Sorting: You can also sort items using the Change Order or Change Status drop-down menus on the top right of the screen.  View Items: To view an item in more detail, click on the picture of that item. This will take you to that item’s description page. On this page you will be able to read the details, see the current bid, and make a bid. Return to view all items: To return to all items view, select the back button on your internet browser or use the Categories navigation menu to select All Items. Bidding: If you are ready to bid on an item, select that item’s picture to bring up the full description. To place one bid at a time enter the amount you wish to bid in the text box next to the green Bid button. Then click the green Bid button. A prompt will ask you to confirm your bid.  You must use bid increments according to the Minimum Bid Increment amount that is listed below the bid box. You can come back to the item and place a higher bid using this feature at any time. Or use the green Auto Bid button to let BiddingOwl automatically increase your bid up to an amount of your choice. Enter the maximum amount you're willing to pay for the item. The online platform will increase your bid as needed to keep you winning until your max bid is reached. For example, you place a $100 auto bid. The starting bid is $50, with increments of $10. If someone else bids $70, the system will automatically bid $80 for you. If no one else bids, then you win the item for $80. If someone else bids $110, then the system does not place a higher bid. To see a list of all items you have bid on, select the grey circle button on the top right of the screen, then select Bid History or Auto Bids. Thank you for your support of Conserving Carolina!

BiddingOwl Presents: BiddingOwl: Free Charity Fundraising Auction Software