Popcorn
Our Trail’s End 2020 LHC Popcorn Kickoff Presentation is Here! Click/tap picture above or here >>2020 Longhorn Council Popcorn Kickoff << to access the presentation. It is available via PDF and also, for a limited time, via recorded Zoom meeting.
Stay plugged in for any popcorn updates! https://longhorn.ihubapp.org/c/popcorn/feed?postTypeId=whatsNew
The 2020 Popcorn Leaders Guide has been updated, as of 7/25/2020.
Previously posted…
The 2020 LHC Popcorn Sale is officially upon us with our Trail’s End & Longhorn Council Popcorn Kickoff scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 9 AM via Zoom. Unit Kernels will need to register in advance to get their unique Zoom log in link. Please read the full details on our kickoff (RECORDED Zoom meeting and Presentation now available and linked here as well) >> click >> 2020 LHC Popcorn Kickoff.
We welcome our Council Popcorn Kernel, Dr. Lynne Cox, who will help lead the way with her team of LHC District Kernels. The list of 2020 LHC District Kernels is complete and can be found here: >> 2020 LHC District Kernels << click to view
2020 Longhorn Council Popcorn Calendar
To stay connected to your LHC Popcorn 2020 internal communication, please click here or the popcorn 2020 picture below:
Popcorn Sales are an excellent way for the youth to earn their own way and pay for summer programs locally, out of state, and for high adventure. In addition, operating this sales campaign is an excellent way for the youth to learn skills in goal setting, project management, sales communications, and self confidence.
2020 Popcorn Sale FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does SNS mean?
SNS is the Show and Sell campaign. It is also identified as “Storefront Sales” in the Trail’s End App. Text “APP” to 62771 to download the Trail’s End App. This is where the units set up at a store front and sell the products they have on hand. Locations are secured by the unit volunteers who approach businesses and get permission to sell. We ask units to remember the Scout Law and Oath when setting up store front locations and when selling popcorn at store front sites.
What does TO mean?
TO is the Take Order campaign. It is also identified as “Wagon Sales” in the Trail’s End App. This is where the scouts sell using an order form and deliver the product at the end of the campaign. If a Scout has product on hand in their “wagon,” they can sell & deliver what is available, so they do not have to return to the customer’s residence. This method works for door-to-door sales, workplace sales, and family and friend’s sales. A fillable PDF form is now available for TO sales to be collected via email.
When do I order the product?
https://www.longhorncouncil.org/home/support-scouting/popcorn/
There are two primary times when units order product, but units will have weekly access to product throughout most of the popcorn campaign. The first orders are due late July or early August (see our current calendar on the website). Due to COVID-19, Longhorn Council and Trail’s End are going to limit units’ initial orders. Units’ first SNS orders for the 2020 campaign should be no more than 35% of what they originally ordered in 2019. Precautions are being made to limit excess inventory exposure of units and the council. Should another Shelter-In-Place order be directed by state health officials during the popcorn sale, any unsold product would be difficult to move.
As the units sell through their initial SNS product and need more, they can place a replenishment order through the TE website by 11:59pm on Sunday evenings. The replenishment product will be available for pickup on the Friday of the same week. Replenishment will happen weekly from late August to mid-October (see Longhorn Council calendar on the website). Weekly replenishment can also function as an initial unit order if the unit needs more time on the front end of the campaign to get organized. ***Replenishment orders that are due to be delivered to our Waco Council Office; please check with your DE or Field Director, Bryant Butler for exact pickup times. Unfortunately, time varies due to limited council office hours in Waco.***
The second major order is placed near the end of the campaign (see our current calendar on the website.) This order is the final order, it should include all the product needed to complete the TO requests for the unit. At this time the unit will enter the specific quantities of product, to fill the TO sales with little to no product left over.
Can I return product?
New this year due to COVID-19…there are NO returns on popcorn.
When can my unit sell?
Due to COVID-19, TO and online sales can begin as early as July 1st and continue through the entire sales season (see the current calendar on the website).
SNS sales start the day the product is delivered to the units, usually in mid-August (see our calendar for this year’s dates). TO Sales must be completed before the final orders are due. The unit sets the date of when the TO are to be turned in to the Unit Popcorn Kernel. This is to ensure there is enough product ordered to complete delivery of TO sales.
Where can my unit sell?
SNS can take place anywhere the unit volunteers get permission to sell. We request that the sales locations are establishments whose values align with BSA values. We also prefer units avoid selling Popcorn in locations that were used for Super Saver card sales. It can hurt the relationship with these businesses. Units can use the sample letter to ask for permission to sell or can use their own. Find the sample letter in the resources page.
For resources and sample templates:
https://www.trails-end.com/resources
How can customers pay with Credit Cards?
Scouts can use the Trail’s end App and have customers pay for the product on a credit card. The Trail’s End App is powered by Square, accepts all major credit and debit card payments, and TE covers the service fees. In these uncertain times, we encourage units and Scouts to maximize the credit card feature in the Trail’s End App to limit physical contact with cash. Credit cards also lead to higher sales because 75% of the public rarely carry cash for miscellaneous purchases. Consumers tend to spend more with a credit card, which leads to higher sales when a credit card payment option is available.
How do I order popcorn?
New this year due to COVID-19…no late orders will be accepted. Please make sure orders are submitted by the published deadlines (see the current calendar on the website).
All orders are entered in the Trail’s End system (https://www.trails-end.com/). Units need to be registered with Trail End to submit the order. We recommend the unit has two designated people registered with Trail’s End before the campaign begins. One person designated (the Popcorn Kernel) to submit orders and one person as back up. It is important that the orders are submitted on time to ensure the availability of product.
How will the product be distributed?
The SNS product will be distributed from one main warehouse. The units that place orders will be sent an email with the location and times for pick. This information can also be found on the website. Replenishment and TO products will also be picked up from this location.
How is commission calculated?
Commissions are calculated on the actual sales. Commissions for TO are calculated at the time the unit submits the final product order. The unit is allowed extra time between orders, product delivery and payment for collections, although we strongly encourage units to charge the customer at the time of purchase, so delivery is easier. Commissions for Online sales are calculated once the product has been shipped to the customer.
How much does my unit earn?
The Commission structure is explained in detail in our Leader’s Guide, but the base commission is 30% of sales and it can be increased by the amount sold.
What resources do I have for marketing?
https://www.trails-end.com/resources
Units can use their networks, social media outlets and relationships they have with local businesses to promote Popcorn sales. Units can use collateral and images from the internet, the BSA Marketing toolbox or the LHC popcorn campaign. Units are free to promote sales as they see fit but are not allowed to change the sales price. We ask units to remember the Scout Law and Oath when advertising and promoting sales.
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Unit Training Webinars <<click to register for training <<
Saturday, July 20th at 11 AM CST Saturday, August 24th at 11 AM CST |