Focus: This month’s issue of
Baloo’s Bugle is dedicated to Chris. Chris has been editing and delivering
Baloo’s Bugle on a monthly basis for nine years. This month, Chris couldn’t
produce an issue because she needed time to be with family and to face some
medical challenges. Thanks to the efforts of wonderful Scouters like Barb
Stephens, Steve Tobin, and Frank Sharpy, we’ve been able to piece together
this issue. If anything it is a demonstration that Scouters can pull together
in a pinch and achieve great things. That is a fitting tribute to the life
Chris has breathed into this monthly newsletter.
At the same time that we want to dedicate this issue to
Chris, we also want to remember the lives of the brave astronauts that were
lost in the Columbia tragedy. It was the wish of their families that the
space program continue and that children still be encouraged to dream of
space. In this issue we have reprinted some “Space” theme material from an
earlier issue of Baloo’s Bugle. While we do need to express our sorrow at the
terrible loss, we also need to help our Scouts to look ahead and to have
hope. Please look over the space items carefully and use your own discretion
as to whether they may be appropriate in your program.
Fund Raising Hints
If you have an
independently wealthy patron to sponsor your unit, consider yourself lucky. If
you are like the rest of us, from time to time you need some funds.
Almost all Councils have at least one
Council-wide fund-raising event per year. These are usually a candy or popcorn
sale. Many units are able to make all or most of their re-charter funds during
this event. These fund raisers have the added benefit of helping the Council
fund itself for the upcoming year. There are sometimes different options for
the units, such as prize or no prize, and so on.
When you need additional funds, what are
you to do? The first thing we need to focus on is what are the rules for your
own Council? Is there a period during United Way, for example, when it would
cause a conflict to be out looking for funds? Do we need to stay clear of our
FOS Community Campaign? These important conflicts can easily be avoided by a
simple phone call to your friendly District Executive.
OK, you are clear of conflicts, supported
your Council, and still need money, what do you do? There are many ways to
raise money and there are even some that can raise a LOT of money. Some
Units have raised over $600.00 by having a dessert auction at a Unit function
such as a pot-luck dinner. Make a contest out of it. If you have creative
things to sell, people will buy them. For instance, a cake sale with “food”
theme–cakes that look like pizzas, fudgecicles, or the Queen Mary. If you can
work with your Chartered Organization and use their space, maybe have a feed
of some kind. Invite the church groups, PTA, or whatever. RV washes at a
location along a highway. See if the local school district needs a bus
cleaning party. Some larger businesses may hire your unit to clean the parking
lot or weed and prune their property. Some coupon companies will pay for
neighborhood flyer distribution. Try to talk your local landscape mulch
supplier into letting you ask their clients if your unit can spread the mulch
that they buy for a donation.
There are countless fund-raising ideas on
the ‘net. BUT, make sure that you stay safe AND legal. Whenever there is a
doubt, call the Scout office nearest you.
