Time Auction is an initiative that I started back in third year at Queen’s University.  We get local businesses to donate desirable products then we get people to bid for them using volunteer hours as the currency.  For example, you might bid 30 hours working for the Red Cross to try and win an iPod Touch.

Time Auction is fun and interactive, especially because it’s a live auction with a professional auctioneer.  Prior to the event itself, we have a charity fair, where we invite local charities to come and share some of the volunteering opportunities they offer.

To date, there have been two Time Auctions: Kingston 2007 and Vancouver 2009.  Together, they have raised over 7,000 volunteer hours for more than 50 charities and not-for-profits.

Currently, I’m looking to run a Time Auction in Toronto.  Eventually, I hope to create chapters in cities across Canada so that Time Auctions can be run on a consistent basis, continually fostering and encouraging volunteerism in each community.

Feel free to contact me if you like the initiative and want to help out!