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Tonight we will talk a great deal about planning an awesome year of program for your Scouts.
Funding that program is key to making it happen.
We would like to share with you some information regarding the premier fundraising event in the council—popcorn.
Before we talk about popcorn 2003 let’s look at some recent history
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Even with a tough economy the popcorn sale showed growth in 2002
 was a success, however there were a number of  issues and necessary improvements that needed to be made
NEXT SLIDE
Tonight we will talk a great deal about planning an awesome year of program for your Scouts.
Funding that program is key to making it happen.
We would like to share with you some information regarding the premier fundraising event in the council—popcorn.
Before we talk about popcorn 2003 let’s look at some recent history
NEXT SLIDE
Even with a tough economy the popcorn sale showed growth in 2002
2002 was a success, however there were a number of  issues and necessary improvements that needed to be made
NEXT SLIDE
Although the sale is open 26 days the average Scout sold only 6.5 days.  What can we do to take full advantage of those 6.5 days?
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Three things to help meet your unit’s funding needs:
Ideal Year of Scouting – Make the Plan and work the plan
Spend more time selling and less time delivering and collecting
Increase average price per container and dollars sold per customer through the product line up
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What has the Great Rivers Council done to help you fund your unit’s needs?
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By increasing the number of containers sold in 2003 over 2002 your unit can earn 50% commission (including prizes) on the sales over 2002.
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Here is how we get to 50%
The base commission is 28% which is the average unit commission from 2002
No hoops to jump through this year.  We know that you know being at this kick-off is important.  That is why you are here. We know that you know it is important to have a budget and program plan.  How many have those plans in place already from your August Program Planning session? (Ask for a show of hands)
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The key to increased sales is selling the same number (or more) containers than last year.
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Review points on screen
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Review points on screen
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The goal is for the entire unit budget to be funded primarily by one fundraiser – popcorn sales.  Parents don’t need to be writing checks all the time to fund their Scouts experience.
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Point 1– Trail’s End changed the products last year which resulted in less product per container. Although this was designed to keep prices stable, the consumer had a negative reaction to the decrease in quantity.
A stand alone Kettle Corn product was the most frequently listed desire from consumers and leaders – It is being tested in
Point 4– We learned (or relearned) the value of higher price points in terms of saving unit leaders and parents time. For example:
We as a council sold 4086 containers of the least expensive item—popping corn—and those sales accounted for $28602 in gross sales. On the other hand we sold only 1979 containers of the most expensive item—the three way tin– and that accounted for more than $59,370 in gross sales. So we made significantly more on the three-way tin with only half of the sales.
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This method will not only increase sales it will save you and your parents precious time.
Customers are more likely to buy higher priced items at home rather than outside of a store. This is different from the Show-and-sell approach used by some.
No second visit. The entire transaction is taken care of at one time.
Units can order up to 50% of last years take-order amount by October 27 online at www.trail-end.com.  This product is delivered directly to the unit’s popcorn chairman’s home.  It should be ordered in whole cases.  There will be a small cost of added delivery of between $.75 and $1.00 a case that will be more than offset by the increased sales.
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This slide compares the Take-Order sales results to the Show and Sell (outside of Wal-mart) type approaches.  Show and deliver orders have proven even more sucessful on the councils that have used them.
By returning more to the units in commissions our hope is that the unit will use some of this commission to motivate Scouts by providing Scout accounts.
How many use Scout accounts now? (Show of hands)
Trails-end.com in the IYOS section offers a tool to track Scout account balances.
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Just as important as budgeting, planning your program, setting goals, communicating to your Scouts and their parents, raising the money, and executing the plan are the Scout accounts.  They provide a Scout a opportunity to affect what they are able to do in Scouting.  If a Scout has funds that he has raised through Scouting in his Scout account he is more likely to participate in Scouting activities (mom and dad don’t have to write a check)
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Review points on screen
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Won’t accept last names for security purposes.
Keep track of individual Scout accounts so that they may “Earn their own way”
Keep detailed record for every Scout.
Have we made strides in these areas?
Next we’ll share what we expect from you.
We hope you offer your Scouts the option of using a portion of the units proceeds toward their Scout account.
We are asking that you place all of your orders online at www.trails-end.com
If you do not have internet access or ability we hope you can find an internet savvy person within your unit.  If not, feel free to contact your district popcorn chairman.  They can help you through the online process.
When you pick up your popcorn we will have patches for your Scouts.  We simply ask that you bring a listing of each of your Scouts and the amount of popcorn that they sold this year.