Instead of sending an email to discuss popcorn, I thought it might be more helpful to post it on our website.
Why sell popcorn? Lots of reasons!
The troop receives a 35% commission on popcorn sales.
Scouts will receive 25% of the gross sales for their Scout account. If the Scout sells $1000 in popcorn through the various methods, that's $250 for their Scout account. That's $250 less you will need to pay for summer camp next summer. The 25% Scout commission is allocated differently, depending on the sales method:
Storefront Sales (where 1-2 Scouts stand in front of a store and ask patrons to support local Scouting): We'll have 3-4 storefront sales this fall. The total of all storefront sales is added up, and then a proportionate amount of sales is allocated to each Scout depending on the number of hours worked as a fraction of the total hours of all Scouts.
Online Sales and Wagon Sales (selling to friends and relatives): This is allocated based on exactly what the Scout Sells.
The Troop receives the remaining 10% for our troop account to pay for camping supplies, awards, and other items.
Doing these fundraising activities helps the Scout earn his own way.
Many of the customers who frequent our locations have purchased popcorn or made donations in the past and are expecting us to be there.
Scouts learn to interact with other people. They handle the money and process credit card sales. They learn how to handle rejection and perhaps persuade customers to support Scouting.
Scouts can also earn a choice of gift cards for prizes depending on how much money they raise.
OK. So, how does this all work?
I'll cover the Storefront Sale now and get to the Online and Wagon Sales in the future. I've arranged with the owners of a couple of North Falmouth locations to run these fundraisers. We set up a table with popcorn products, and the Scouts ask those passing by to "support local Scouting." If they decide they want to help, they'll either choose a popcorn item and purchase it from us or donate some money to buy popcorn for "heroes and helpers." As mentioned above, the Scouts earn money for their Scout account and may also be able to earn a gift card. We'll be hosting 3 or 4 Storefront Sales from now until October. They'll most likely be in North Falmouth. There used to be a lot of units competing for Stop & Shop and Walmart, so I tried the North Falmouth locations many years back, and they usually work very well. Also, our troop is the North Falmouth troop, so there's less competition in this area.
Scouts must register and sign up for shifts using the Trail's End app or website. We also process sales utilizing the app, allowing us to accept credit cards without paying additional fees!
Do Scouts need to use the app?
Each Scout needs to be registered online. I cannot register the Scout for you. The Scout can register, or the parent can register the Scout. Parents must register Scouts under 13 years old. If you have multiple Scouts in the troop, you can use the same email address to register more than one Scout. When you register, you create a unique username and password (the username is NOT the email address). Please keep track of this since it will be used to log into the app, sign up for shifts, and do Wagon Sales later on. At least one Scout on the shift must know the username and password to sign into the app when they show up for the Storefront Sale. I will have a tablet and a Square reader that the Scouts can use to record sales. For Wagon Sales, they will need to use their own (or their parents) smartphone to record sales. I'll talk more about Wagon Sales later. This is where you sell to friends and relatives.
Where can you find the app?
The app is compatible with most Apple and Android devices. Search the Apple App Store or Android Play Store for "Trails End." Before you download the app, make sure it says it's from Weaver Fundraising, LLC.
How do you register?
After you download the app, click on the Register button in the app. You can also go to portal.trails-end.com and click on Register Scout or Unit Leader towards the bottom of the page. If your Scout doesn't have an email address, just use the parent's email address.
When registering, you'll be asked for your unit code. Our unit code is 6SEQW. You can also search by zip code and troop number.
If you don't remember your username or password, the trails-end.com login page has a link that will help you reset it.
I can also send you an email or a text message through Trails-End.com that will include registration instructions.
If you were in Cub Scouts or another troop, you need to move your Trails-End account to our troop. For info on how to do this, please see:
https://support.trails-end.com/support/solutions/articles/17000137962-how-do-i-move-a-scout-to-a-new-unit-
Sign Up for Storefront Shifts
After you register, you can sign into the app or website and sign up for a Storefront Shift in the Storefront Sales area of the app. I currently have two spots per hour open. The system will let you sign up for as many open shifts as you want, but I ask that you limit it to 2 shifts per Scout until Friday at 6 PM to allow others the opportunity to sign up.
Adult Supervision
I'm generally at each of the sales. However, due to BSA Youth Protection rules, I either need an additional registered adult leader (21 or older) or each Scout's parent must stay.
Hopefully, this is clear. If it isn't, I'll try to walk you through it. Please let me know if you have questions.
Paper Order Form with prices - use this form to become familiar with the products that we have. Although there's an order form, if you're going to take orders from friends, family member, neighbor's, etc., it's importanat that you use the Wagon Sales area of the app so that you get credit for your sales. If you don't have the product available to deliver immediately, please make sure to mark it as "undelivered".
Scout/Parent Guide - Here's some information that will help you get ready to "sell" Scouting, including tips, the different ways to sell, and the rewards that are available. Additional information is available in the training section of the app or at portal.trails-end.com
Scout Rewards - In addition to money for their Scout Account, Scouts can earn Gift Cards. This year there's a variety of choices.