September 10 – October 31: Popcorn Fundraiser
It is the time for our annual popcorn fundraiser again! The funds we raise through popcorn sale helps cover registration fees, trips, and activities for the scouts. It is also a great learning opportunity for them to gain experiences in public speaking, math, salesmanship, perseverance, and teamwork. In addition to the valuable learnings, it also comes with tangible rewards. We highly encourage every scout, regardless of age or experience, to participate in the fundraiser!
Popcorn Kernels: Ravi Kotnana, Chris Chen
Ways to sell popcorn
- Show and Sell (store front sales) — set up a table merchandised with products in front of stores. Parents and scouts approach incoming customers for support. Highest potential and generate more than 90% of our overall sales.
- Show and Deliver (wagon sales) — parents and scouts take products in wagons and sell door-to-door in the neighborhood.
- Take Order — parents and scouts go door-to-door and collect orders, return them to popcorn team and deliver at a later date.
- Online Sales — share fundraising page (or scout code) via email or social media. Supporters visit and transact on-line at www.trails-end.com. Makes it easy to get support from friends and family who do not live close-by. A good way to generate extra sales without additional time from parents and scouts.
Store front sales
Getting ready
- Download Trail’s End App. (Text “APP” to 62771 to download, or download from Appstore/GooglePlay). One account per scout, so Mom or Dad will have to set up the account and share the login information with the other parent. Select "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit.
- Siblings can share one account and combine their proceeds and donations toward the pack rankings.
- After activation and sign-in, go to “Storefront Sales” and find shifts available for sign-up on the calendar (calendar icon).
- Signing up for 2 or more shifts is recommended. That almost guarantees your scout will get multiple rewards which gives them positive feedback for a good job done.
Selling popcorn
- !! IMPORTANT !! If you have the first shift of the day, please pick up inventory and supplies the night before your shift from Popcorn Kernel Chris Chen.
- Set up — set up table and tablecloth with banner secured in front of the table. Set up display products with price label affixed. Set up Pack donation bin and Square Credit Card reader.
- Start of shift — please arrive 10 minutes before your shift begins. Verify inventory and proceeds with previous shift scout/parent. Make sure there’s $60 in small bills in cashbox for change. Take envelopes with all proceeds thus far for the day to a secure location such as your car trunk that’s not visible. We would like to minimize the amount of cash we keep at the table for safety reason.
- Sales — Be friendly, smile and greet everyone. Show gratitude even if someone does not show interest. Record each sale in Trail’s End App with the appropriate payment type and also write it down on the tracking form. Always say thank you.
- End of shift — count inventory and proceeds with the next shift scout/parent. Put all proceeds and donation from the shift, along with the tracking form, in a new envelope, then label, seal, and hand it to the next shift scout/parent.
- End of day — return remaining inventory, all supplies, and all proceeds in envelopes to Chris Chen.
What is our goal? What are the rewards?
Our goal is for every scout to sell $250
Every scout who sells $250 or more (popcorn proceeds + donations) win an Aluminum Sports Water Bottle!
The top three highest fundraisers through popcorn proceeds + donations will win the following prizes:
- 1st: $300 gift card for Disneyland!
- 2nd: REI two-person tent with footprint
- 3rd: Solar charger power bank
Additionally:
- Every scout who sells popcorn gets a Popcorn Patch
- $250 or more — receive an Aluminum Sports Water Bottle! (Only takes about 1-2 storefront shifts)
- $500 or more — qualify to win Amazon Gift Cards from Trail’s End
- More than half of participating scouts won last year
- $1000 or more, not including Top 3 winners — receive a Digital Alarm Clock OR an day-hike first-aid kit!
Pack volunteer credit
Every shift gives you 1 hour toward the pack volunteer credit. For shifts that require pick-up/drop-off of the inventory at Chris’ place, you get 1 more hour for the extra time needed. If we change location mid-day, the scout/parent of the starting shift of the new location need to tear-down and set up the table, and will get 1 more hour of credit.
Tips and things to remember
- All cub scouts to wear Class A Uniform.
- Be courteous and respectful.
- Cubs may ask “Would you like to support local cub scouts?” to approach customers.
- Customers are delighted when cubs talk to them. Cubs can tell them which popcorn is their favorite.
- If customers are not sure if they are willing to buy popcorn, encourage them to donate any amount to the donation bin and thank them.
- Make sure customers know we take credit cards. Some customers may not have enough cash with them.
- Please mark it down on your calendar when you sign up for a shift and make sure you do not miss it.
- If you need additional popcorn or have any question, please call or text Chris/Ravi. We will have someone on standby during popcorn sales hours.
- Always smile and say thank you.
- Congratulate your cubs for their results!
For additional information about online selling and additional selling tips, please visit www.trails-end.com
When selling door to door, please follow these safety rules:
- Never enter someone’s home.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you.
- Always walk on the sidewalk and driveway.
- Always sell with another scout or adult.
- Remember to wear your Class A uniform, be respectful and have fun!
Happy selling!
2020 Popcorn Fundraiser is on!
Why do we do this?
This is a key fundraiser for our pack and council, the Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC).
73% of all popcorn funds will go to support scouting locally - proceeds are shared between GGAC, our local district – “Meridian District” and our Pack. GGAC and Meridian District use these funds to support activities such as Webeloree, Summer Day Camp, insurance, training and much more and keep participation costs low. Our fundraising effort helps to make Scouting a great experience for our scouts. Here is a sampling of the Pack 1776 activities supported by your fund-raising efforts and participation:
- Halloween Party
- Pinewood Derby Equipment, Awards and Facilities Rental
- Pack Camp Outs, craft and skill station supplies, food
- Blue & Gold Celebration entertainment and dessert
- End of the Year Graduation
Benefits to Your Scout:
- Teaches Scouts the value & process of setting and working toward goals
- Gives Scouts a strong sense of accomplishment through recognition
- Enhances communication, leadership skills and confidence in your Scout
- Scouts can earn a participation patch and rewards
- Scouts can earn their way to a Pack adventures.
Donations to the pack are preferred!
If friends and family are not interested in purchasing popcorn, perhaps they would be willing to make a donation to the pack. They can do so by submitting cash or check to you or donating directly using a credit card on our pack payment portal. Make sure you email us to let us know a donation is coming as we are unable to track donations.
What is our goal?
Our goal is for every scout to sell $200.
Each Scout should strive to achieve $200 in sales
- $100 from sales made to family & friends
- $100 from sales made to neighbors and parents co-workers
Prizes and Rewards:
- Each scout will earn a patch for making a sale or obtaining a donation.
- Based on their total sales, scouts will select the prize or prizes from Trails End they'd like and enter the codes on their order form before returning it on 10/20
- The top earner (sales of popcorn + donations) wins the Grand Prize - a Nintendo Switch Lite! For the purposes of pack awards (not through Trailsend) families with more than one scout can combine their sales & donations
How to Sell:
This year everyone needs to download the Trails End App or make a sales page on Trailsend.com as:
- All sales will be online
- Tracking Inventory will be online
- Credit Card sales willbe online.
- Door to Door / Sales to families can be made through the APP.
You may download the App on your on. If doing so, select "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit. The Pack will send one family member an invitation to set up an account with the Trails End App that is linked to Pack 1776. You can also text APP to 62771 for a link to download the app.
Unfortunately, we can only send one invitation out per scout, so Mom and Dad, one of you will get the invitation and have to set up the account and give that log in information to the other parent.
Selling Online
Online Direct
- Scouts can ask family and friends far away to support them by purchasing popcorn through the Trails End site online. You will receive an email from the Pack via Trails End with the subject line “Welcome to the NEW Trails End. Sign-in & raise money now!”. Follow the steps with your scout to set up your scout’s account. The new Trails End site allows you and your scout to customize his or her ‘page’ and from there you can send invites to your family and friends.
- Scouts can record an Online Direct sale in the Trail’s End App while selling door-to-door or over the phone. This allows the scout to initiate the order and send a link to customers to enter credit card info to complete the transaction.
Marketing Your Scout
2019 Popcorn Show & Sell
September 6-22, 2019
Many things are new this year, so please read the below and download the Trails End App
Does your scout need to practice his or her public speaking, good manners, or accepting rejections gracefully? Selling popcorn is a great way to practice all these skills! This year we booked opportunities at different locations; try them all! Sales earned at the store, along with your individual sales to friends and neighbors, all count toward your scout's Trails End Prizes and rewards through Pack 1776!
Why do we do this?
This is a key fundraiser for our council, the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council (MDSC). MDSC does not receive any funding from the national registration fee that is charged to Pack 1776 for each scout and leader.
73% of all popcorn funds will go to support scouting locally - proceeds are shared between MDSC, our local district – “Meridian District” and our Pack. MDSC and Meridian District use these funds to support activities such as Webeloree, Summer Day Camp, insurance, training and much more and keep participation costs low. Our fundraising effort helps to make Scouting a great experience for our scouts. Here is a sampling of the Pack 1776 activities supported by your fund-raising efforts and participation:
- Halloween Party
- Pinewood Derby Equipment, Awards and Facilities Rental
- Pack Camp Outs, craft and skill station supplies, food
- Blue & Gold Celebration entertainment and dessert
- End of the Year Graduation
We've chosen to do a shorter sales period this year.
This year we are concentrating our fundraiser into the first 3 weeks of September. We have multiple storefront locations reserved with Draeger’s, Starbucks and Safeway.
This year everyone needs to download the Trails End App as:
- Signing up for sales shifts will only be on the App.
- Tracking Inventory will be on the App
- Credit Card sales will be used through the App by using a Pack supplied Square Reader or typing in the credit card number.
- Door to Door / Sales to families can be made through the APP.
You may download the App on your on. If doing so, select "Meridian" for the district and "Pack 1776" for the unit. The Pack will send one family member an invitation to set up an account with the Trails End App that is linked to Pack 1776. You can also text APP to 62771 for a link to download the app.
Unfortunately, we can only send one invitation out per scout, so Mom and Dad, one of you will get the invitation and have to set up the account and give that log in information to the other parent.
We are no longer using a standalone Square account like we did last year since Trails End is covering the credit card transaction fees if we go with them.
What is our goal? What are the rewards?
Our goal is for every scout to sell $250.
Every scout that sells $250 or more will receive a cool camping headlamp!
The top three individual sellers will a prize:
- 1st: 2 x “1-Day” Single Park Tickets to Disneyland (Peak Time Tickets);
- 2nd: AKASO Brave 4 4K 20MP WiFi Waterproof Action Camera With Remote Control;
- 3rd: Mini RC Helicopter Drone 2.4Ghz 6-Axis Gyro 4 Channels Quadcopter
Every scout that sells $250 or more will have their winter camping fee discounted (we are looking towards participating in an overnight at the Monterey Bay Aquarium).
Scouts that sell $350 or more can earn Amazon Gift Cards through the Trails End Reward Program. Click here for the prize flyer.
Parents Earn Volunteer Hours This Year
New this year! A parent may earn 1 hour of volunteer credit per 2 hour shift. This goes towards the 8 hour volunteer deposit. Only one credit per family per shift. There is no limit on the shifts you may staff - each 2 hour block will earn your family a 1 hour credit.
Be sure to read Pack 1776 Popcorn Sales Station Instructions
Be sure to read PACK 1776 Popcorn Sales Station Instructions (2019) If you’re the first or last shift, you must pick up or return the popcorn and cash box to our Popcorn Chairperson Govind's home.
Alternatively, you can also:
1) Show and Sell at the locations where we have reserved spots. See the App for these locations and times.
2) Take Order: let your customers choose all the flavors of the Trails End App; collect the advance payment. Popcorn will be available for you to pick up and distribute in mid-November.
3) Online: Set up an account at trails-end.com and sell online. Note that Trails End will ship the popcorn for fee.
When selling door to door, please follow these safety rules:
- Never enter someone’s home.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you.
- Always walk on the sidewalk and driveway.
- Always sell with another scout or adult.
- Remember to wear your Class A uniform, be respectful and have fun!
First time selling? Here's a video on what this is all about!
2014 Popcorn Sales – Danville Draeger’s location moved to San Ramon Walmart
Popcorn Sales will continue at the following stores:
- Lucky's San Ramon 21001 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon
- Walmart San Ramon Walmart, 9100 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon
Please sign up on SignUpGenius if you have not signed up for this exciting event! Remember, sales earned at the stores, along with your individual sales to friends, neighbors, relatives, and parents' co-workers, all count toward your Trails End Prizes !
Parents/shift leaders who want to accept credit card payment, please email our Pack Treasurer Silvia Yeh with your name, email, den #, and your Scout's name. Please also download the free PayAnywhere app to your smart phone:
.
Lastly, be sure to read these instructions.
With the Take Order form, you can start selling today. Please view the training video below to see how easy it is to go out there and get people to support cub scouting!
Also, click here to learn how to sell online!
Online Popcorn Sales Promotion
Scouts: How would you like to win an X-Box One Console!?
The Mt. Diablo Silverado Council is working with Trail's End to offer additional prizes to all Scouts selling popcorn online starting Wednesday, November 13 through Friday, December 20.
Your Scout will receive a drawing entry to win a X-Box One Console for every online sale he makes starting November 13. The more sales your Scout makes, the more entries he will receive!
Along with the drawing entries your Scout can earn a $5 Wal-Mart Gift Card for every 3 items sold during this promotion.
Is your Scout just short of the $2,500 prize level to qualify for the Trail's End Scholarship Program? If so, this is his opportunity to get to the qualifying level while earning more prizes!
Scouts: Click here to learn how to sell online.
Leaders: Click here to learn how to track your unit's online sales.
This program does not qualify for the Mt. Diablo Silverado Prize Program or Bonus Clubs.
2013 Popcorn Sales – Danville location moved to Fresh & Easy
Popcorn Sales begin this Saturday & Sunday at the following stores:
- Safeway Gale Ranch Plaza - 11060 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon
- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market 460 Diablo Rd, Danville (near Diablo fwy exit)
New den leaders, please sign up at the Sign-up-Genius invite
Please contact your den leader if you have not signed up for this exciting event! Remember, sales earned at the stores count toward your Trails End Prizes! These prizes are listed on the Face-to-Face Take Order forms that were handed out at the last Pack Meeting. These sales and the individual sales you make selling to friends, neighbors, relatives and parents co-workers will count towards your Trails End Prize.
As an additional incentive announced at the Pack Meeting, to drive individual Face-to-Face Take Order sales, we've added more prizes to help motivate our boys.
- Take Order Popcorn sales - $10 Target Gift Card for every $100 popcorn sold on Face-to-Face forms - sell $500 worth of popcorn, get a $50 gift card!
Also, the Den that sells most on an average per cub basis gets an ice cream party prize! With the Take Order form, you can start selling today. Please take some time to view the training video, so that you can see how easy it is to go out there and get people to support cub scouting!
Yuji Yamada
Pack 1776 Committee Chair
2012 Popcorn Sales – Starts This Weekend at Safeway!
Popcorn Sales begin this Saturday & Sunday at the following Safeway stores:
- Gale Ranch Plaza - 11060 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon
- Diablo Plaza - 2505 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon (West side of San Ramon)
New den leaders, please sign up at the Sign-up-Genius invite from Popcorn Chair Mette Spears. If we run out of slots, we can add additional shifts.
Please contact your den leader if you have not signed up for this exciting event!
Remember, sales earned at the stores count toward your Trails End Prizes! These prizes are listed on the Face-to-Face Take Order forms that were handed out at the last Pack Meeting. These sales and the individual sales you make selling to friends, neighbors, relatives and parents co-workers will count towards your Trails End Prize. Objections in Sales does happen in businesses, but when it comes down to it, resolving this can make all the difference to how much product you sell. From this, you can start building connections with potential clients and generate more sales.
As an additional incentive announced at the Pack Meeting, to drive individual Face-to-Face Take Order sales, we've added more prizes to help motivate our boys.
- $100 Take Order Popcorn sales - 1 Skylander game figure or $10 Target Gift Card
- $150 Take Order Popcorn sales - Pie in Face
- $200 Take Order Popcorn sales - 2 Skylander game figures or $20 Target Gift Card (Please note that the prizes are not cumulative, meaning that earning the $200 prize mean they only get the 2 Skylanders or $20 Gift Card, and not the $100 prize of $1 Skylander and $10 Gift Card)
- $300 Take Order Popcorn sales - 3 Skylander game figures or $30 Target Gift Card (Please note that the prizes are not cumulative, meaning that earning the $300 prize mean they only get the 3 Skylanders or $30 Gift Card)
- $400 Take Order Popcorn sales - 4 Skylander game figures or $40 Target Gift Card (Please note that the prizes are not cumulative, meaning that earning the $400 prize mean they only get the 4 Skylanders or $40 Gift Card)
- $500 Take Order Popcorn sales - 1 Skylander Giants Portal Owners Pack Game or $50 Target Gift Card (Please note that the prizes are not cumulative, meaning that earning the $500 prize mean they only get the game or $50 Gift Card)
Though, everyone can get a prize and the Pie in Face.
Also, the Den that sells most on an average per cub basis gets an ice cream party prize!
With the Product flyer and Take Order form, you can start selling today.
Please take some time to view the training video, so that you can see how easy it is to go out there and get people to support cub scouting!
Yuji Yamada
Pack 1776 Committee Chair
Popcorn News
News from Meridian district:
Thank you to everyone who sold popcorn. Many of our Troops and Packs had very successful sales this year. Our top 5 overall were:
Pack 995--$30,100+
Pack 814--$12,100+
Pack 205--$11,700+
Pack 536--$10,700+
Pack 689--$10,400+
The top 5 biggest increases from 2010
Pack 995 $10,500+
Pack 205--$10,100+
Troop 216--$9,300+
Pack 814--$4,200+
Pack 1776--$3,600+
Way to go! Over all MERIDIAN DISTRICT did $150,000+ in total sales which is an increase of 28%! AMAZING JOB EVERYONE!!
Popcorn Training
Pack 1776,
The popcorn season has arrived! Our sales goal for this year is $5000. Not only every scout participating in this annual fundraising event receives a patch, more prizes and rewards are available for top selling den and scouts. There are many ways to participate. Besides the upcoming show-and-sell at Safeway and Lucky, scouts can sell door-to-door and online. Learn more about this at our first Pack Meeting on Wednesday, September 9th.
Meanwhile, get a head start and check out the training videos for tips on selling popcorn. Contact our Popcorn Kernal Yuji Yamada if you have questions.
Stella Lei
Webmaster
Popcorn Drive Schedule
Our Show-and-Sell Popcorn Drive at Gale Ranch Safeway is coming up and the schedule is posted below. When selling popcorn, make sure the following:
- If you are the first den for the day, den leaders, please arrive about 10-15 minutes early to help set up.
- A Den leader, Assistant Den leader or designated leader must be present at the time of the shift.
- Parents should not just drop off cubs and leave. They should supervise their child.
- Cubs should be in full Class A uniforms
- You will need to keep track of what was sold and which cub worked the shift. There will be a binder with a tally sheet that will help you keep track of this information. Each den will have their own section in the binder.
- Customers can make cash donations, if they don't want to buy popcorn. There will be an envelope for this in the cash box.
- Customers can make donations to the military. There will be an envelope for this in the cash box as well.
- Last den of the day should help clean up. We shouldn't leave a mess.
Contact Popcorn Kernal Yuji if you have questions.
| Shift | Oct 16 (Sat) | Oct 17 (Sun) | Oct 23 (Sat) | Oct 24 (Sun) | Oct 30 (Sat) | Oct 31 (Sun) |
| 12pm - 1pm | - | Den 2 | - | - | - | Den 8 |
| 1pm - 2pm | Den 11 | Den 11 | - | Den 8 | - | Den 9 |
| 2pm - 3pm | Den 7 | Den 3 | - | Den 3 | Den 1 | Den 9 |
| 3pm - 4pm | Den 7 | Den 4 | Den 2 | Den 3 | Den 1 | - |
| 4pm - 5pm | Den 7 | Den 4 | Den 5 | Den 6 | Den 5 | - |
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