How to Make Your Popcorn Sales POP!

It's that time of year again!  

We hope this is our ONE AND ONLY fundraiser for the year, but in order to make that happen, we need EVERYONE's help!  So what can you do help?  By doing what Scouts do best --- giving 110%  

We will have the trifecta of programs this year:

1. Show & Sell booths set up at storefronts throughout our community each weekend where we can make direct sales with the total sales being split evenly between the two Scout volunteers with those amounts going toward their final total;
2. Online Sales so that you can reach friends and family that are not in our community which will also count toward your Scout's final total; and 
3. Mobile app that will enable you to take credit/debit card payments directly from your mobile device during our Take Order campaign that begins September 3.

A way to make this your Scout's best year ever is to consider the following:

Go where the people are

Going door to door in your neighborhood or your grandparent's neighborhoods around town is the easiest way to make sales. Saturday and Sunday, we have booths reserved where the majority of the families seem to go – the stores!  This is why we are present at Show & Sell. Both of these just make lots of sense to start planning your sales strategy.

Don’t scare easily – be confident in your case

Face it -- these boys in uniform are ADORABLE!  Don't let a simple "No" discourage them. Be sure they are greeting passers by with a friendly, “Hi there!" followed by, "Would you like to buy some amazing Cub Scout Popcorn?” And make sure our Scouts approach every passerby with the same blind enthusiasm – never fearful of defeat or judgment. Confidence is key – especially at first - definitely with Show & Sell.  Once they make their first sale with take order, it's ON!

Have plan B ready

“Sorry bud, I’m in a big hurry,” is something they'll hear at Show & Sell. Let them reply with, “That’s o.k.! Think about it and we’ll see you on your way out, thanks!” Have them watch their tone after being denied and let it be as happy (or even happier) than before. If someone isn't interested in popcorn for themselves at Take Order door-to-door sales, remind them that they can make a donation and Trail's End will send popcorn to our soldiers on their behalf. 

Have a great product

We aren't just selling popcorn, we are selling SCOUTING!  Over 70% of what we sell goes BACK INTO SCOUTING!  The popcorn is great, but our customers are really investing in THESE LITTLE GUYS MAKING THE SALE!  

Follow up when you say you will

If your Scouts greet people at the Show & Sell and tell them they'll check back as they leave, remember that and be enthusiastic as they depart.  Know your delivery dates for take order.  Have him make thank you notes to attach to his orders for delivery.  

Be yourself

Let these kids get excited about their sales!  High-five each other when they make one, not only because they're building their final sales total for prize incentives, but because they're doing their part to pay their way!  Have your Scouts tell those who purchase popcorn from them, "You are GOING TO LOVE THIS!" and make it convincing!  It really IS good stuff!  

Thank people better

When your scout makes a sale, have them TELL PEOPLE what it's helping accomplish. "Thank you so much, this is going to help me get my own compass."  "Thank you, we are hoping our sales pay for our entire October campout!"  Give them a reason to feel good about giving money to Scouting -- they are funding the experience for these boys! 

Have fun & be funny

Engage with your customers!  Humor lightens the room, builds trust and relaxes people.

Test and retest

Learning how to respond to different people with the same positive attitude teaches all kinds of amazing skills they can use later in life -- be it market testing and implementing on the fly. You don’t have to be mailing millions of pieces of direct mail to use ‘test packages’. Gauge what resonates best and hone your key marketing messages as you go.

Exclusivity works

Let the boys use their dwindling product supplies at Show & Sell as incentive... “only 2 boxes of Unbelievable Butter microwave popcorn left!!!!” Stated simply, if you want people to want something -- just tell them they can’t have it. This really is one of the oldest marketing tactics. Why do you think QVC has a ticker showing the clock wind down or the ‘units available’ sell out? Same with giving. Whether it’s exclusive giving circles, parties for levels or the CEO’s monthly email to the planned giving council – create something they can’t have, then give it to them.

Use what you’ve got

It’s easy for organizations and staff to get caught up in what we don’t have. An “if only” mindset can slow progress and quell energy. Instead use the Strengths Finder approach, turn ‘good’ into ‘great’ and forget about the rest. Our strengths are an awesome Pack, enthusiastic boys, dedicated leaders and the hopes that we can fund our entire year without fees, costs or a burden to our families so that they can enjoy EVERYTHING about Scouting without a price tag.  THAT is what the program should be about!  

HELP US MAKE THAT HAPPEN!!!

Adapted from an article here.

Sign Up Night! THIS TUESDAY!

It's time to kick off a new year in Pack 1910 and we want YOU to join us!  Our annual Cub Scout Sign Up night will be Tuesday, August 30 from 6:30-8pm.  

If you picked up a flier at Ridgeview Elementary's Meet the Teacher, this is the night we've been talking about!  Are you ready to see what all Pack 1910 has in store for YOU this year?  Be sure to stop by Tuesday night, August 30, and sign up to BE a Cub Scout!

WHO:       Boys in Kindergarten - 5th grade in the Keller and surrounding areas
WHAT:     Cub Scout Pack 1910 Sign Up Night
WHERE:    United Methodist Church of Keller, Scout House, 1025 Johnson Road
WHEN:      Tuesday, August 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. come and go
WHY:        Because -- IT IS FUN!  

Scouting promotes and encourages family togetherness.  Time is a valuable commodity and what better way to spend it than investing in lasting memories with your son.  More than ever, today’s families struggle to find time to spend together. Cub Scouting helps to support your family by providing ready-made opportunities for you and your son to do things together.

Your son needs to belong to a group of boys his own age. Through this sense of belonging, he builds his self-esteem and learns to get along with others. As a parent, you want to be assured that the groups that your boy joins will teach values consistent with good citizenship, character development, physical fitness and spiritual growth. The Boy Scouts of America has been weaving these lifetime values into fun and educational activities since 1910.

In a society where your son is taught that winning is everything, Cub Scouting teaches him to “do his best” and to be helpful to others.  Servant leadership.

He will learn to live by the code of “On my honor.”

But... we know that boys do not join Cub Scouting to get their character built.  Boys join Scouts.... because it's fun!!!

Our program is full but it's not complete without YOU!  If you are unable to attend Cub Scout Sign Up Night, please complete the informational form on the website and someone from our membership committee will be in touch with you shortly. However, the best way to start is to jump in with both feet and be ready to have fun!  

Your adventure starts Tuesday!  We look forward to meeting you!

Online Popcorn Sales

You can create your account TODAY and get selling!  Your son has already been added to the national database and his online account sales will link directly to our Pack so that we can see his totals!

Popcorn Selling Tips

While we want full participation from every Scout, we want to make sure that we are reminding them not only of what they should be doing to make sales, but also what they should be doing to STAY SAFE!

• ALWAYS wear your uniform
• ALWAYS smile and introduce yourself
• ALWAYS tell your customers why you are selling popcorn
• KNOW the different kinds of popcorn you are selling
• ALWAYS say "Thank You"
• ALWAYS make a copy of your order form
• ALWAYS have a pen

• NEVER enter anyone's home
• NEVER sell after dark unless you are with an adult
• DON'T carry large amounts of cash with you
• ALWAYS walk on the sidewalk and driveway
• ALWAYS sell with another scout or with an adult

Have your Cub practice what he's going to say.  Write it on little cue cards.  Let him stand in front of a mirror.  Rehearse with him.  Ask him questions he might get so that he knows how to respond.

Hi, my name is ___________, and I am a Cub Scout with Pack 1910. I'm selling popcorn to raise money for the things I like to do in Scouting like ______________. This popcorn is DEEEEEEEEElicious and there are many different kinds to choose from. Will you please help support me in Scouting? 

(Always be sure they say "Thank You" when you are done whether they make the sale or not.)

Let's Get Popping!

This page on our blog has all the new and pertinent information on our annual fundraiser! It talks prizes, deadlines and everything else!  We need everyone to sign up for at least one slot in our Show & Sell drive, you have the ability for On-Line Sales that are now tied into your over-all totals for incentives AND we will be doing take-order sales beginning September 1.  The Sign-Up Genius can be found HERE.  

And ALL the information can be found by clicking RIGHT HERE. 

Popcorn for Parents

A great watch on the benefits you may not realize your son is gaining from participating in this sales program that benefits not only our pack but Longhorn Council as well!  

Why Choose Scouting? It Brings You Together as a Family!

Adopt-A-Street

Pack 1910 has partnered with the City of Keller's Adopt-A-Street Program and now we have our own designated stretch of road to help keep our city beautiful!

We are now responsible for the one-mile stretch of Johnson Road between Chandler and Pearson.  

More information will be provided to our den leaders in order to utilize this opportunity for community involvement and clean up activities.  

All of us working together makes it easy to do our part to continue to...

We Keep the OUT in scOUTing

ScoutingWire, the official blog of the Scouting movement, published an article by Scott Olson, market intelligence manager for the Boy Scouts of America, called Ask the Expert: Why Camping Should Be On Your Family's To Do List.  I wanted to share part of it with you because it directly correlates with why Pack 1910 is upping our camping program.  

Why is Camping Important to the Boy Scouts of America?
In addition to the basics of survival and conservation, older Scouts instruct younger campers in the basics of wilderness training, plant science and perfecting a camp’s food storage plan. Essential skills are passed from generation to generation resulting in rewarding youth-led and adult-guided experiences. 

At the Cub Scout level, camping has become an integral part of the advancement path so that the youth are prepared for the adventures of Boy Scouts.  Speaking of Boy Scouts, did you know that Boy Scouts can earn more than 136 merit badges, most of which involve outdoor experiences. Therefore, camping trips go a long way toward putting a Scout on the path toward Eagle.

The typical American’s first camping trip occurs before he reaches 18 years old. The Physical Activity Council, an association of sports recreation and leisure activity companies, surveyed 10,778 Americans in early 2015. The survey asked 6 to 24-year-olds which of 104 activities they preferred. Respondents consistently choose camping and swimming.

Researchers discovered 28% of us did nothing last year! That’s right – 83 million are sedentary. Camping encourages us to be active and enjoy the outdoors resulting in three main benefits:

First, improved physical health.

• We feel better – Oxygen emitted by plant life releases serotonin, a molecule essential to feelings of happiness and well-being. You can even lower blood pressure and body strain in the outdoors.
• Clean air and water – Lower levels of pollutants result in fewer lung irritations and illnesses.
• Greater physical fitness – Per hour calorie consumption increases for campers. Hikers burn 120-300 calories, fly fishers burn 200. Biking and swimming, gathering wood and building a temporary shelter results in healthy calorie burn and increased flexibility.
• Sunlight – Moderate sun exposure increases Vitamin D – essential for healthy bones and teeth.
• Natural food – Fishing and hunting provides nourishment without preservatives. And camp food just tastes better!

Second, greater mental health.

• Socialization – Improved mood from face-to-face interactions, teamwork and bonding without distractions.
• More Sleep – After a full day of outdoor activities, the body achieves more natural sleep when the sun goes down.
• Solving Problems – You can apply skills to overcome unexpected challenges and promote self-sufficiency by collaborating with your camping party.
• Discovery – Learn about plant science and build trust from working with domesticated animals such as horses and dogs. Be prepared to prevent insect bites and predator intrusions.
• Minding nature – The outdoors challenge you to minimize trash and leave your camping space cleaner than you found it.

Third, camping is fun! 
As evidenced by posts on the Boy Scouts of America social media pages, people love to camp and comment on successful Scout camping expeditions. Check out the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting magazine, Boys’ Life or High-Adventure bases Facebook pages, Twitters and Instagrams.

Because of this beautiful trifecta, we have upped the ante in our camping program agreeing to participate in more Council-sponsored events as well as our three Pack campouts to provide our Scouts every opportunity to experience Cub Scouts as it was intended -- OUTSIDE DOING!  Besides having our monthly hikes, we will be camping October 7-9 (with the option to attend the Council Fall Festival and Haunted Hayride the following weekend for those die-hards that can't get enough), November 11-13 at the Council Camporee, January 6-8 at CUB-O and March 31-April 2.  

Won't you join us?

A Boy's Eyes

A BOY'S EYES

"I'd like to be a Cub Scout"

His eyes were deepest blue.

"I'd like to learn, and play, and build

Like Jim and Freddy do."

"I know how to use a hammer;

I can drive a nail if I try.

I'm eight years old, I'm big and strong

And hardly ever cry."

I gave him the application

and parent participation sheet.

His eyes were filled with sunshine

as he left on dancing feet.

Next day, my friend was back again -

a dejected little lad.

"I guess I'll skip the Cub Scouts."

His eyes were dark and sad.

"My Mom is awful busy -

she has lots of friends, you see.

She'd never have time for a den;

she hardly has, for me."

"And Dad is always working -

he's hardly ever there.

To give them any more to do

just wouldn't be quite fair."

He handed back the papers

with the dignity of eight years,

And, smiling bravely, left me.

His eyes were filled with tears.

Do you see your own boy's eyes

as other people may?

How he looks when you're "too busy"

or "just haven't time" today?

A boy is such a special gift -

why don't you realize,

It only takes a little time

to put sunshine in his eyes.

(Credit given to Pat Beardslec, Den Mother, Hawthorne, California)