Dear Parents of Pack 4600:
I want to tell you all about our Pack’s fundraiser for 2009: Scout Popcorn. We did this last year and sold about $4,000. This is the only fundraiser we do for the year, so it’s important that every scout gets involved in selling popcorn. Last year, the money we earned from popcorns sales combined with $1 per den meeting dues, we had enough money to pay for:
- all awards, patches, and participation ribbons (avg. $40/scout)
- Pinewood Derby cars, trophies, track rental fees, and decorations
- Blue & Gold Banquet
- pack flag (approx. $120)
This year we want to do better and make this even a more memorable year than last year. This Pack Committee this year decided that we are going to eliminate the $1 per den meeting dues. Instead, we’re going to let your scout’s popcorn sales do the talking.
What this means is that each scout will have a goal of selling $100 worth of popcorn. We understand that some parents would like the opportunity to “opt out” of the popcorn sale. Parents may opt out of the sale by notifying Chris Bayer and paying a $30 fee. If the scout sells less than $100 in popcorn, the parents will still pay an “opt out” fee based on the amount of popcorn they sell. For example, if a scout sells $50 of popcorn, the parents would pay $15 fee.
Look at this way. If we did the same thing as last year, you would still pay $16 in dues ($2/month from Oct-May) over the entire scouting year. This is $14 more were asking for. Honestly, we really are not looking for the parents to have to pay this. We want the scouts to do their best and sell popcorn to help support this pack. This way it will guarantee that we will have the funds we need to pay for the same events we did last year and maybe more (like paying the scout’s books, neckerchiefs, slides for next year), if we can sell enough popcorn.
Show and Sell Popcorn Locations & Dates
What is Show and Sell popcorn? This is popcorn our pack already ordered and has in stock to sell right away. Our pack earns more money by selling popcorn this way instead of individual take orders and it gets the scouts comfortable and more educated on how and why we sell popcorn.
Currently we have secured 2 locations where our pack will be selling popcorn. Our Show & Sell Events have been planned as follows:
- September 12th: Kroger at 5021 at Teasley Ln, Denton from 10AM – 2PM
- September 13th: Trinity United Methodist Church from 8AM – Noon
We need at least 4 scouts and their parents to assist with each of these dates. Ideally, we would like to break the day into 2-4 hour chunks, but we will need full coverage of 4 scouts for the entire time. If you can only come and work for a few hours, that’s OK. Please contact me (Chris Bayer) at 630-267-4699 or email thebayers4@verizon.net to sign up for any of these time slots. Your participation is critical to making the year a success.
I have also included guidelines for the Show & Sell Events for your information. Please also feel free to contact me with questions that you may have.
Take Orders
Take order popcorn gives the scout an opportunity to sell popcorn individually and get awarded it. Based on the amount of popcorn the scout sells determines the prize(s) they can get. Order forms and prize sheets will be handed out at the pack kickoff meeting on Thursday, September 17th. Please visit http://www.trails-end.com/trailsend/scouts/ for some selling practices and safety tips for selling popcorn.
Our council has also added an incentive to the “Fill It Up” program this year. In the past, a scout would receive a special patch for filling up the entire order form. This year, the council will give each scout a cool Nerf marshmallow shooter, which I bring to the kickoff meeting to demonstrate. NOTE: The council will be monitoring the order forms this year to make sure that there are not duplicate orders for people on separate line items. For example, grandma and grandpa cannot be separate orders, unless they live at different addresses. However, this rule doesn’t apply to businesses.
Scouts can start taking popcorn orders on Saturday, September 19th. All orders (including money collected) and prize selections must be turned into your den leader or to Chris Bayer by October’s pack meeting (Thursday, October 29th). Please make a copy of your order form before you turn it in.
We will distribute your popcorn to you either at your den meetings or on a specific date at Trinity United Methodist Church during the week of November 15th. Any outstanding money you haven’t collected from orders must be turned into your den leader or Chris Bayer by Saturday, December 5th. Popcorn prizes will be distributed in late December/early January.
Internet Sales
This is a new program that was introduced to our council this year. Friends and family will be able to place popcorn orders online at http://www.orderpopcorn.com/ and have their orders shipped directly to their house. I will be sending out an email explaining the online ordering process. When an order is placed, the scout gets the credit and is applied towards their take order goal. However, online orders will not be combined with take orders for prizes. They are two separate programs.
Show & Sell Guidelines
We have found that there are a number of key items that need to occur if we are to have a successful Show & Sell Event. These are the guidelines that have worked well for us in the past:
- Each scout must be accompanied by an adult at all times. There can be no exceptions to this rule. You may not drop your child off with another parent. We do this because we need a parent to stay at the table at all times to help with money and customers and also if a child should need to use the bathroom or need a break then that parent needs to go with the child.
- Please arrive at least 5 minutes before your start time. This insures that you can see how things are going, where things are, and relieve the people in front of you.
- Scouts must be in uniform. We want to show the public our best, so it is very important to have your scout uniform on. Shirts need to be tucked in and we must look neat and clean.
- Please dress appropriately. Please plan on changing weather. If it is cold, please bring a jacket. Once you are there to work your set time we cannot have you running home because you don’t have a coat. Please plan ahead so you are comfortable while you are there (a scout is prepared).
- Please take care of personal items before you come to sell (bathroom, lunch, etc.). This will help ensure that the public will get our full attention.
- We have a certain number of slots for scouts and their parents to help us with these events. If you sign up, please remember your date and time, as we are counting on you to be there. No shows cause hardship on those who are left to cover your shift.
- Please talk to your child about their part in the popcorn selling. Help them understand how they are helping the pack by helping to raise money to provide for awards, events, outings, and the like. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the concept of responsibility and personal growth. You may also wish to speak with them about how to sell. Some children are a bit shy, so you may want to help them by giving them things to say when people are walking by. Something like: “Would you like to buy popcorn to help support cub scouts?” Something polite, short, and to the point.
- Boys are not allowed in the stores without an adult for bathroom breaks, etc.
We really appreciate all the help you can give us to make this year a really good year. If you have any questions please let me know 630-267-4699 (email thebayers4@verizon.net).
