Our Popcorn Committee has been making calls trying to obtain a commitment form for the upcoming 2015 popcorn sale.  The completed commitment forms can be emailed to Sherry, faxed or mailed to Council. (765-459-5625 or PO BOX 865, Kokomo IN 46903)  Please get those completed and submitted by July 31st so we know to continue to send communications.  (All unit leaders will remain in eblast communication unless they "opt" out.)

The Show and Sell orders will be due to the Council by Friday, August 14th so we need to know if your unit is participating in order to continue to receive communications regarding the popcorn sale.  Please review the package options  here.  You are able to order multiple package options and additional popcorn will be available depending on inventory supply.  Please email your package order to Sherry by Friday, August 14th, 5:00 PM. 

Show and Sell Package Options 

If your unit is looking for a NO RISK fundraiser, then Show and Sell popcorn is the fundraiser for you.  Check out the package options to determine what best fits the needs of your unit sale and Sell, Sell, Sell!  Set up show and sell booths and canvas the neighborhood(s) as a unit doing show and deliver.  Your unit has the option to return any unopened, non-damaged containers to council by Friday, October 9th. The monies will all be due Friday, December 4th for both show and sell and take order so no risk up front to the unit!

Your unit's show and sell popcorn will be picked up at your District Popcorn Kick Off.

North Star - Tuesday, September 8th, 7:30 PM, Camp Buffalo

Peshewa - Wednesday, September 9th, 7:00 PM, Greentown Fairgrounds

Wabash Valley - Thursday, September 10th, 7:00 PM, Cary Camp

If your unit still has not designated a kernel, try using the Family Talent Survey to identify your parents' skill sets, engage a new parent or two.  Does your unit have an issue finding parents to step up and help fill this role?

"Ignite the spark of "Scouting" into your families and communities

Involve your families and Scouts in your program planning.  Ask the parents what they would like to see their Scout do or accomplish. Ask your Scouts what they would like to participate in, then begin to establish your  program plan and the budget.  Share that with your families, show them everything they and their Scout will get over the next year with the proceeds of popcorn. 

Studies have shown that the average time spent selling is 7-9 days of the 30 day sale period.  Excite them with a program they want to invest 10 days a year to finance! 

Your unit needs to incentivize your Scouts on a unit level also.  Implement a highest seller award, or 1st - 3rd highest or maybe incentivize each Scout by investing a percentage of their individual sales into a Scout account within the unit.

If your unit collects registration fees and unit camping registration fees along with other unit/district/council activities fees, then you need to sell popcorn in order to provide an affordable exciting program with no extra fees as long as they are invested in Popcorn Sales. The program you set should award your Scouts and their families the opportunity to experience many "first" experiences while they earn ranks and achievements that are academic, civic and sports related.  The Scouts learn to live the Scout Oath and Law all while teaching them self-worth, teamwork and leadership skills that will carry them into adulthood.

Once they see the program plan that has activities from their feedback and if they invest just 10 days selling "Popcorn to support Scouting," they can have a full expense-paid program.

If your unit needs help planning, presenting and getting your parents on board, contact Sherry and the popcorn committee can get scheduled to meet with your families about Popcorn and what needs to happen to be successful! 

Fishing Derby

Bring your Scouts out for a day of fun and fishing at Camp Buffalo!  This year's fishing derby will be held at the Buffalo pond from 10AM-1PM on Saturday, August 1st.  There will be prizes for those lucky enough to land a big one! We will also have a prize for the smallest fish! Join us for a day of fun in the sun August 1st. (Disclaimer: Sun may come in the form of liquid sunshine.)

Roundtable

Reminder that this season's roundtable sessions will be kicking off at Buffalo on Saturday, August 8th from 10AM-1PM.  We will have a presentation on Journey to Excellence for both the District and later for individual units.  Information will be made available as to the training needs of your unit, so leaders will know who to have register for Octobers roundtable where classes will be offered to raise our trained leaders in areas from committee members to den leaders and more.  For those of you that may have missed the June 27th membership meeting, Jason Revord will be on hand to answer any questions you may have for membership plan. 

Welcome to Scouting

The North Star Welcome to Scouting 2015 will be held at Camp Buffalo September 11th-12th.   This year's theme is Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)!  The Cub Scouts will be on the case to solve a mystery, learning science and having fun along the way.  Registration will begin at 5pm on Friday the 11th with the option to camp both Friday and Saturday.  Events will be held all day Saturday, and meals will be provided.  We will have a flyer at the August roundtable and will also send out an email blast in early August.  Registration will also be made available on Campmaster in early August. 

OA Fall Ordeal is August 14-16th at Camp Buffalo. This event is open to all members. Come join your brothers for all of the Fun, Food, and Fellowship the Lodge has to offer. This is another opportunity for those candidates to complete their Ordeal requirements to become members of the OA. It is also a great time for Ordeal members to pursue their Brotherhood. We have some special event patches for this event. Only 150 of these patches are being made so they will be quite collectable. The first 150 people to pre-register get a free event patch. Youth get a free event lodge flap for each ceremony they do. Contact Matt Bowman if you would like to do a Ceremony. Deadline for pre-registration is August 10th. The Banquet on Saturday is open to everyone. Pre-registration is a requirement for attending only the Banquet. Registration is available online through CampMaster, or pick up a registration form at Buffalo Trading Post, Council Office, next round table, or at the Lodge web page. No walk-ins for the Banquet will be accepted.
 
OA Fall Fun Fellowship is November 20-22th at Camp Buffalo. This event is open to all members. This is a totally FUN weekend!!!! This year's theme is Jedi Knight of the Sash. That's right, the Lodge has added a Star Wars twist to our Knights of the Sash event of two years ago. You will not want to miss out on this one so mark your calendars now!
 
Takachsin NOAC Patches
You don't have to be a Garfield and Odie fan to collect these great patches. Sales have been great and are selling fast. Proceeds help send the youth to the National Order of the Arrow Conference being held at Michigan State University. So far we have earned enough to pay $200 of the fees of each youth attending and now we are working on transportation cost. We will sell out of these patches at NOAC so if you want any now is the time to order. Order forms are available at the Lodge web page ,and thank you for supporting the youth of Takachsin Lodge.