You are committed to the Fall Product Sale. Your unit Committee has come up with a program plan for the year and determined a budget to make it all come true. What’s the next step for having a successful sale? Why it’s having a great kickoff to get the Scouts and their parents behind it.
The Unit Kickoff is one of the most important parts of a successful sale. Kickoffs should be scheduled for one of the unit’s first meetings in August or September. Kickoffs can happen as early as July 25
th
, (the night after the Council Kickoff), or later in September if the unit is only going to participate in Take Order and/or Online Sale.
Objectives are:
o Emphasize what the Scouts will receive for hitting their goal; prizes, Scouting programs, camp, etc.
o Get Scouts and families excited! Consider using some of the Unit’s commissions to offer additional incentives that your Scouts really want.
Tips for a Successful Kickoff
o Provide plenty of popcorn and snacks and make it exciting for your sales team-The Scouts.
o Review the year’s Scouting Program calendar and explain to the families how the entire program can be funded with one fundraiser: The Popcorn and Nut Sale.
o Determine how much product you will need to sell to reach your goal:
Ø Communicate the Unit’s sales goal and each Scout’s sales goal. Have the Scouts write their personal goals on the Take Order Forms.
o Show the Scouts what prizes they can earn by hitting their sales goal.
o Have a prize for the top seller in the Unit and/or each Den/Patrol (Ticket to local amusement park, a video game, gift cards, etc.)
o Review the Prize and Scholarship Program and all the Council Level Incentives ($1000 Club, $1,500 Club, $2,000 Club, $2,750 Club, $3,500 Club and Free weeks at camp)
o Role-play with the Scouts on how to sell.
o Review sales materials and key dates.
o Do a skit or fun activity to get the boys trained and excited about the sale, and to teach them about safety when selling.
o Sample agendas are included in the Unit Leader’s Guide
During the gathering period, have a popcorn display and samples. Use the pictures taken at camp to create a collage of activities the unit participated in last year and what you want to do this year. Have a poster with the Scout’s names and a place for them to write in their goals.
Reserve the Popcorn Popper
o The Council has a Popcorn Machine that units can reserve for their kickoff at no cost
o Kernels, oil, and bags are provided. (each pack serves about 10 people)
Reserve the Prize Table
o This year the Kernel Team is happy to share a selection of prizes from the Prize Mania Prize Program that you can display at your kickoff
o Being able to see some of the prizes that the Scouts can earn helps to build excitement and to set goals
o The unit is responsible for any prizes that are missing or broken
