Volunteering for Bid Runner Captain at PBS Wisconsin Online Auction

November 01 - June 18, 2022 | Extension Building at UW-Madison

Volunteers make our Online Auction happen! Each spring, PBS Wisconsin hosts its annual auction fundraiser. More than 800 businesses donate thousands of items that are sold online to raise funding that supports PBS Wisconsin’s programming and activities.

About Bid Runner Captain

Train and supervise bid runner team. Work with volunteers to ensure bids are quickly and efficiently transferred to the item boards and confirmation area.

Bid Runner Captain Job Duties

Welcome volunteers and meet them in the café for training and orientation.
Use handouts to go over job duties. Highlight key features of the bid slip.
Provide volunteers with a tour of the studio. Identify the location of the phone bank, item boards, and bid trays.
Take runners to the confirmation area and point out the location of the manila envelopes and bid inbox.
Determine placement of volunteers and move into assigned stations.
Regularly monitor volunteers and make sure the phone bank and confirmation area has an adequate number of bid runners. Re-assign as needed.
Select 1-2 bid runners to distribute drinks.
Address and problem solve issues as they arise.
Answer questions in a timely manner.
Be receptive to volunteers’ needs.
Direct questions to your manager as needed.

Bid Runner Captain Job Skills and Requirements

Exhibit interpersonal warmth in working with volunteers.
Demonstrated leadership ability.
Strong communication and pronunciation skills.
Flexibility to deal with volunteers across a range of skill levels.
Experience working with young children is recommended but not required.
Ability to make good decisions in the moment and maintain calm under pressure.
Alert to the needs of others.
Maintains productive/helpful demeanor.
Aural acuity to hear and address questions in an environment that has noise/distractions.
Physically able to stand, negotiate stairs and walk for the duration of your shift.
Ability to discern when to ask your manager for assistance.
Previous experience as a bid runner is desirable.
Successful completion of an annual criminal background check.
Volunteers 18 or older may participate.