They did two simple things that I thought were fabulous and now I will be recommending to my Charity Auction clients.
#1) After the welcome and introductions, during the portion of the evening where guest were finishing eating their salads and entres were being dropped a woman approached our table. She shook hands with everyone at the table and introduced herself. When she had personally met everyone at the table she spoke to the table as a group and said "I am a Board Member of the organization I wanted to personally thank you for being here tonight." I was stunned in the best possible way and I as she walked to another table to introduce herself to everyone seated at that table, I look around the room and noticed many other ladies doing the same thing. What a simple, easy and free way to make people feel appreciated, included and welcomed to your event and into your circle of donors.
#2) When I sat down to at the table, my seat had a handwritten note on it. My friend Kate was the table captain | table host and had invited me to join her at the event. She is a class act and by taking 20-30 minutes to write notes to each and everyone one of us at the table she ensured that the majority of us made a donation when asked.