Scout and Parent Spirit Time
We are entering our most critical time of the year. Instead of having several “troop” fundraisers throughout the year like most other non-profit organizations, our troop has historically tried to have one major “successful” fundraiser each year. The success of our fundraiser is critical in allowing our troop to remain as active and successful as it has been in the past and to purchase equipment. Without its success, our programs could suffer or be cancelled, additional troop fundraisers may be needed, or parent/scout fees may increase for campouts, etc… The Troop Committee has always try to keep parent/scout fees as low as possible and the success of this fund raiser allows us to do this.
As members of Troop 222, participation throughout the year is not only encouraged, but is expected. The Committee realizes that we all have busy lives, but Scoutmaster Schwettmann and the Assistant Scoutmasters can’t do it all and shouldn’t be expected to. Your sons’ scouting experience is only for a short period and I encourage you to be a part of his scouting experience.
Each year we sell poinsettias, coffee and candles. Each scout is required to sell 5 poinsettias, 5 coffees, or a combination of both; candle sales are not part of the scouts required 5. If a scout does not sell his required 5, a donation to the troop of $25 is required. After a scout sells his required 5, any “individual” sales will be posted to his account.
Each scout in Troop 222 has an account. The money in his account can be spent on 5 things: yearly registration, summer camp, campouts, high adventure trips, & merit badge colleges. Any unused money is donated back to the troop when a scout leaves the troop.
The amount credited to each boys account will be finalized Nov. 2 after the committee knows the cost of these items. Typically each scout has been credited $4.00/poinsettia sale and $3.00/coffee sale. All individual candle sales will be credited to the boys’ account at $3.00/candle. Individual sales are considered any sales from the scouts’ efforts. All sales at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Foster’s Hardware and Blockbuster are considered troop sales.
The troop will be selling these items at St. Vincent’s for 3 weekends. Nov. 29th Dec. 6th and Dec. 13th. Additionally, we will be selling at Blockbuster and Foster’s Hardware on Friday, Saturday & Sunday (Nov. 27, 28 & 29th). We will also sell at Foster’s on Dec. 5th and 6th. Items sold at these locations/events do not count towards the scouts required 5.
Two parents are needed at each location when we’re selling. Your responsibilities are to keep an eye on the scouts, keep track of sales and the money. Each scout’s family is expected to work a minimum of 2 shifts; obviously the more you can work and help out during this event the better. We would also like to encourage grandparents or other family members to come work a shift if they would like to do so.
Filling these shifts is the key to a successful fundraiser. Showing up on time and with scout/parent spirit is the only thing that we ask. If you sign up for a shift and need to change it, please try to switch with someone, then alert Scoutmaster Schwettman or myself to the change. Cancelling a shift at the last minute or failing to show up presents all kinds of problems.
We pre-order the poinsettias and typically pick up our supply 3-4 times during the event. If anyone knows that they need “group sales” (10 or more) please call/email me: (817) 516-0071 or glivens@swbell.net. I can place the order and make the arrangements with you for pick-up if I know ahead of time, so please give me as much advanced time as possible. This year we’re being told that we will have red, white and rose poinsettias.
Our first scheduled pick up will be Wed. afternoon, Nov. 25th. If anyone would like a group order then, please let me know and I’ll meet you at Lowe’s that day or make special arrangements. If you would like your scouts individual 5 items on that Wed. please let me know now. Otherwise, you’ll be picking up your “minimum” 5 on Monday, Dec. 7th at our regular meeting.
Poinsettia/Coffee/Candle Coordinators: If anyone could volunteer to help with this event please call me. We could use a couple special assistants to: (1) order/pick up at Lowe’s 3-4 times; (2) order/pick up the coffee 2-3 times; (3) order/pick up the candles 1-2 times: (4) help close down and set up at the locations; (5) whatever comes up??????
To stay informed about this event and all troop events go to our web site http://www.tejastroop222.org/
Please make sure that JoAnn McCracken (jym4cm@yahoo.com) has your current email(s). Also, please come to a committee meeting if you’d like to further your involvement in your son’s scouting career, you’re always welcomed.
I think we have a great scoutmaster and some of the finest assistant scoutmasters around, so please let them know it if you feel the same. These are the adult leaders impacting your son’s scouting experience.
Sign up sheets will be available soon, so please sign up as soon and as often as you can. I look forward to another successful fundraiser and your active participation.
YIS,
Gene
Troop Committee Chair
glivens@swbell.net