Can someone in the area be my proxy and bid for me?
I don't want to give the school a fixed number. I want a live body that can call me. I might go over my "limit" if it's within reason at the last minute...
I am not sure whether 1. you know what others have bid(my guess is this would be the case to raise more money from charity's point of view) 2. you can bid again.
It seems kind of silly to be upset by being outbid when you are participating in an auction with public bids.
Speaking of eBay, it's amazing how many users harm bidder proceedings by 'staking their claim' rather than making a single bid at their latest opportunity.