[kotomichi]

Hey there. Anyways, like the title says, I just wanted to throw out the suggestion of possibly holding a Date Auction for the Crystall Ball?

I know a lot of people might want to attend, but can't due to being single and showing up at a ball without an escort is kind of sad.

I saw the Date Auction work at Anime Midwest and Meta Con and thought it was a great idea to raise money for charity, perhaps?

[Dark Spellmaster]

I don't think the word "Charity" can be used if this goes down. Also if it does, I think that the people that sign up should be screened and they have to meet their date before the event in a public place so that the two can get to know each other.

Could be a good idea, although do you really need a date to go to the ball?

[kotomichi]

Dark Spellmaster, on 12 November 2012 - 07:02 PM, said:

I don't think the word "Charity" can be used if this goes down. Also if it does, I think that the people that sign up should be screened and they have to meet their date before the event in a public place so that the two can get to know each other.

Could be a good idea, although do you really need a date to go to the ball?

Screened? Also, what's wrong with calling it Charity? People pay money to get a date for the ball and proceeds go to some charity organization. Is that not kosher? <-- Have seen it done at numerous other occasions/cons so is genuinely confused.

Anyways, going back to the screening issue. Screening for what? I don't get it. People just put in their name, a short intro is said while they walk on stage and then the organizer starts the bid at, say, 1 dollar or whatever amount we decide to start off with. Not forgetting the disclaimer that if you're a wierdo and act like an butt to your date, you will lose your date and ACen is not responsible.

And yes, I really need a date.

[opimus.rm]

[quote name='kotomichi' timestamp='1352819070' post='1091691']
Screened? Also, what's wrong with calling it Charity? People pay money to get a date for the ball and proceeds go to some charity organization. Is that not kosher? <-- Have seen it done at numerous other occasions/cons so is genuinely confused.

Anyways, going back to the screening issue. Screening for what? I don't get it. People just put in their name, a short intro is said while they walk on stage and then the organizer starts the bid at, say, 1 dollar or whatever amount we decide to start off with. Not forgetting the disclaimer that if you're a wierdo and act like an butt to your date, you will lose your date and ACen is not responsible.

And yes, I really need a date.
[/quote
The winning bidder could be a creepy old guy , stalker type. The age between the winning bidder and the date could be inappropeiat.

This post has been edited by opimus.rm: 13 November 2012 - 12:36 PM

[Gaynor79]

It's really not hard to get a date for something like this. I assume you are attending with some friends or will meet up with people you know. Just ask one to accompany you. Or there's always the option of meeting someone new at the con. You just have to open up and talk to people.


As for the auction idea, I have seen it work in controlled settings. We used to do them at college(which has a more uniform age range) for special fundraising events. The main problem is that it's usually a friend of the person up for auction who ends up bidding on them. And when it's someone that the person doesn't know, they tend to ditch their date as soon as they get to the event and the bidder is out of money and a date. A way to circumvent this would be a pre-reg for the auction for both the bidders and those being auctioned to assure that the age ranges are appropriate. Last thing anyone needs is a 15 year old girl getting bid on by a 30 year old man.

[Bloo09]

The Crystal Ball is not a charity ball, so we will not be holding a date "auction" for charity. While other conventions do hold charity auctions they're in different states and their conventions are normally under a different classification while we are 501c3(non for profit), Illinois has some steep rules and fees. We would prefer that all donated money goes toward charity, if you feel the need to donate then please do it directly with the charity of your choice.

There will be speed dating panels(18+ only) held before the time of the ball, and we welcome folks to post on our forums looking for dates to the ball or just a group of friends to go with.

As people have posted above there are concerns of someone possibly being not safe (it can happen anywhere), someone being ditched which would ruin their night, age issues, etc. While it can be fun at other conventions it is not something that will be held at Anime Central.

[kotomichi]

Thanks for all the info, guys. I can be a naive thing sometimes, so it's nice to get slapped around with the "You're an idiot and here's why" comments.

[Oyuki]

I popped into a date auction at Youmacon 2011, and it was for their Charity Ball. I was told after being "won" that if the date ends up being a total jerk/creep, I was not obligated to stick around for more than one dance - we ended up bein' buddies through the rest of the con. Proceeds could go toward the con itself unless if state law is against that. We also got to learn to waltz and fail XD

[Bloo09]

We're looking at having another dance instruction panel this year like we had last year for learning to waltz and such, but we will not be having a date auction. Unfortunately that obligatory 1 dance is enough for a very bad situation to happen, from someone not thinking they got their money's worth if the date leaves, or worse, harassment. We do encourage people to post on our forums in the Crystal Ball section if they're looking for a date, friends to go with, etc. At least then they have some time before con to chat And unfortunately making the proceeds go towards the con would be even more complicated than a charity. We will probably have 18+ speed dating before the ball, so there is a chance to find a date through that panel

[Modestly Crooked]

There may be no date auction, but people could go here and try to find a date if need be! <3

http://www.ACen.org/...l-and-dateless/

[WithoutShade]

Bloo09, on 13 January 2013 - 10:33 AM, said:

We're looking at having another dance instruction panel this year like we had last year for learning to waltz and such, but we will not be having a date auction. Unfortunately that obligatory 1 dance is enough for a very bad situation to happen, from someone not thinking they got their money's worth if the date leaves, or worse, harassment. We do encourage people to post on our forums in the Crystal Ball section if they're looking for a date, friends to go with, etc. At least then they have some time before con to chat /> And unfortunately making the proceeds go towards the con would be even more complicated than a charity. We will probably have 18+ speed dating before the ball, so there is a chance to find a date through that panel />

Where will the dance instruction panel be this year? Last year it was kind of hard to find.

[Jessie Dean]

I agree on the no date auction for several reasons. Charity is not acceptable because to set up a charity of any sort in Chicago requires far more red tape then it's worth. Also I've done balls at conventions that had such an action and it almost always seems to end up setting the wrong atmosphere for a ball. it's a social event. you do not need a date. Often times it's a good place to find a date. The ball is a social dance meaning you are free to ask anyone to dance. get to know them have a good time. This is encourages. same thing. when we do a Waltz lesson before the dance we rotate partners regularly so people can meet each other and learn as well as get into a more social frame of mind. it's quite a good place to meet people. that's the purpose of a Ball