First, I would like to thank all the families that came out to our Popcorn kickoff, we counted over 100 people in attendance last night! Thank you for bringing drinks and ice and ice cream!

There seemed to be some confusion on working the show and sells and I wanted to explain that better. When you sign up for a show and sell date, we think it is best for the parent and scout to only do a two hour shift. That way the kids and parents don’t get completely drained. So, while we have the location for the whole day, we are only asking that you sign up for a single shift. Last night I added to the on-line signup sheets 2 hour shifts, so you can sign up for a time that you want to work. Right now I am really looking for people to work this weekend, so if you can spare 2 hours this weekend please help the pack. It is an easy way for your scout to earn money towards their scouting goal.  Click here to sign up for shifts https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkpQdwXbAa_UdFh4X0UweWh6RmpJVk5QeFZEX05HRUE&usp=sharing

This is what I covered in the talk last night.

Why do we sell popcorn you ask? Great question, we sell popcorn one because the district asks us to, we earn 35% of the sells, that money is what we use to purchase all the awards the boys earn, so tonight you have seen an awards ceremony that is just summer awards.  We are an active pack and go and do a lot so our boys can have a great overall scouting experience.  To do that it takes money to reward their hard earned effort.  The money also covers trophies for our Derbies and to pay for pack expenses, like when we host gatherings.

What can selling popcorn do for you? Each scout can earn what we call scout bucks, that is 10% of what they sell will go into an account that the scout can use to buy books, uniforms, or pay for events. This helps parents offset some of the cost of scouting.

Ways to sell – Door to Door sell – you can take the order form around to your family and friends and get orders, or you can check out product that you can take with you and sell as you go so you won’t have to make a return trip.  You are financially responsible for the product.

Show & Sell – We have setup locations for every weekend that we are allowed to sell.  This 5 week window to sell is set by the Old North State Council. We are asking each family help work at least (1) 2-hour shift at one of the locations. We are limiting it to 2 scouts per time slot to allow the scouts the opportunity to earn decent money while they work.

Online Sales – If you have family or friends not close by, this is a great way to sell, you setup an account then send emails.  They can place an order and have it sent to their house.  You can setup an account at http://www.trails-end.com/

What can scouts earn that is fun you ask? I have handed out the flyers, this year they have the fishing club, gift cards and other items that the council offers as prizes.  Our pack also offers prizes for selling $100 the space derby rocket kit, for $200 the rain gutter regatta kit and for $300 pinewood derby kit. Also in addition to those prizes, each week the kid that raises the most money each week between all sell options will get a compass.  Also each kid that raises the most money in their den gets to put a pie in the face of their den leader.  Lastly every kid that sells at least $400 name will go into a pot for a chance to put a pie in the Cubmaster ‘s face!

Goals we have set a goal of $300 per scout and $8,000 for the pack.  I must admit we set our goals before we started with recruitment when our pack consisted of 22 kids, we now have 50 kids registered to our pack and if all those kids sold $300 of popcorn should sell $15,000 worth of popcorn!  I think we can do that!  If we sell at least $8,000 the pack will host a pizza party on November 14 here at the community building and we will run our space derby race that night!

In closing we still need people to help this weekend sell popcorn.  This would be a great opportunity to work on that popcorn goal!  The signup sheets are here and I will again send out the link to sign up online for locations on Wednesday morning!

Thanks for joining Pack 65 and helping 65 educate our young scouts by providing a great adventure in scouting.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to email me.

Yours in Scouting Lisa