Fellow Members,
Have you ever tried to drink out of a firehose? That is a saying they used at the CAI Training Course that was held March 27-31 in Bloomington, IN. They used this saying in many contexts but I think it explains my experience perfectly. I attended the course with fellow members Bob Hagemann, Tim Ault and Lake Boehm. I tried to take a drink from the firehose. I got soaked.
We arrived in Bloomington on Sunday with the first official day of the course being Monday. The day started out with orientation and getting to know the fellow class members. The real work started in the afternoon where we were began learning about Auction Proposals. This is when I started to feel uneasy. Overwhelmed. It was a lot of information to absorb.
Tuesday – was great. A class in the morning, Making Money for You & Your Benefit Auction Clients, lunch and then a field trip to Christy’s – an auction house where we were able to observe their operations as an auction house and their online auction operations.
Then we were back to class at 6:00PM to start work on our Auction Proposals. And this is when the day fell apart for me. I was not prepared. I didn’t feel like I had the know-how to complete the tasks that were given to me. I was overwhelmed. And I broke. I began doubting myself in all aspects of the auction industry and started to convince myself that I needed to quit.
And I probably would have, had it not been for the tremendous support I had received from my fellow WAA Members and every other auctioneer in the class. Auctioneers from across the country gathered together to support me and help me past this difficult time. Calls. Texts. Words of encouragement. Checking in on me throughout the day. Not letting me give up.
I have never been prouder to be a part of the industry. And am reminded again of the power of the WAA and NAA in building a community of auctioneers that truly SUPPORT one another.
Only 1% of all auctioneers in the country take this course. I’m proud to be part of that 1%. And although it was difficult, I definitely recommend it. Block off your schedules now for the end of March (25-29) if you are interested in attending next year. I recommend you go into it with an open mind, a clear mind (try to keep stuff at home, at home) and a computer. A computer would have really been helpful. As well as training on how to use the computer.
I can’t wait until next year!
What you learn after you know it all.
Riley Kahl
WAA President
608-598-0777
