Just a quick reminder to send paperwork, contracts, questions, etc. to the Team Mailboxes instead of individual staff members. Team boxes are generally covered by more than one person and will expedite your requests.
This is a four-part series with a few reminders on how to make the homestretch count while enjoying a fabulous fall at the same time.
F - Friendly They say a smile is worth a thousand words, but how often do you really smile at others? It’s been tough recently with our smiles covered with masks and other protective gear. Despite all of that, isn’t it refreshing to make eye contact and give a big ol’ smile? You can read a lot into a person by their facial expressions. The eyes are the doorway into the soul someone once wrote. Keep things lighthearted and remember it doesn’t cost you anything to give away a smile. It might make someone’s day and might be just what they needed at that time. :)
A - Able Are you willing and able or are you just going through the motions? Are you making a difference or are you just phoning it in? Being “able” and being “willing and able” are two different things. In the world of fundraising, these past few years have seen numerous changes and lots of things to overcome - completely out of your control. However, did you stop and think about the fact that you are helping front-line workers - yes, TEACHERS - get through the day and accomplish the extra things by raising much needed funds? You are helping them make a difference by being “willing AND able”. Remember it is a “get to” and not a “have to”.
L - Lifesaver No, you aren’t a lifeguard by trade, but in a sense, you ARE or can be a lifeguard. Through fundraising, you have the ability and opportunity to “save the day”. Just because Covid-19 struck, doesn’t mean everything else stopped in its tracks. Uniforms and equipment are needed, trips and travel are gearing back up, and special projects, performances, and events are back on the agenda. Your job is very important and you are making a difference as a necessary lifesaver.
L - Lasting Impression Remember that your “last impression” will be your “lasting impression”. You can be on time 9 times, but if you are late that 10th time that is what will be remembered. Continue to be present and helpful each step of the way. Your customers have choices - both in products and who they choose to work with - make a long lasting impression that is positive, meaningful, and lasting. You are in the relationship business while raising needed funds at the same time.
Attention all I.C. reps. Whenever you are working with a group leader and filling out the closeout form - there is one more stepto complete the closeout process.
You MUST send an email to grouprelations@savearound.com to let them know that this group has entered FINAL closeout #’s in the calculator. This is the notification that tells the team to issue the invoice, ship any needed books, send return labels and update the system to match the closeout #’s that you’ve entered.
IFC Website - where is it and what’s it for?
The IFC website is a valuable tool designed with the ICs in mind. This is a website dedicated to providing the reps with support materials and everything they need in a single location. Visit www.ifcsavearound.com. Click Resources and then scroll down. You will see everything from helpful videos, to downloads, parent letter templates, order forms, editable PDFs, and archived newsletters. Each section is specifically designed for a Product Line and it's collateral or support materials are below each header.
The main sections include: Videos; Important Forms; Coupon Books (traditional and SOG - online); Apparel; First Aid Kits; Cookies & Treats; and Newsletters. You are encouraged to visit this site often as the materials you need will be located there and you can download them at newsletter regarding Sprint Sales - he has some great ideas and proven ideas that work).
Invoices, Returned Books, and Payments
Over the course of the next several weeks, we will be closing out a lot of groups that ran this Fall. There are a few important steps to ensure a smooth and efficient close out process happens and this will affect your commission, too.
A.Fill out the closeout on the chairperson portal. If you don’t know how to do this, contact sales@savearound.com and we’ll be glad to help walk you through this process.
B.Final orders will be processed. Remember we want to limit all groups to 2 shipments if at all possible. One initial order to get started and then a final order to fulfill everything. Small multiple shipments are costly and not efficient.
C.Request the invoice be sent to your sponsor and you will receive a copy, too. D.Follow up with your chairperson to be sure they received it and have passed it onto the bookkeeper or accounting department. E.Do they have any leftover books? If so we can issue shipping labels or you can pick those up to move to another group. We need to know the plans for any leftover books. F.Email Grouprelations@savearound.com to let us know the closeout information is final and to send the invoice and labels if needed. This signals the Group Relations team to match the system with the closeout #’s so when payment comes in it will zero out the account. If this step is missed the account may have a balance that carries over and your commission will be delayed.
G.Help us to follow up and collect payment. The sooner the group pays, the sooner you will receive your commission.
Payments
Payments should be made payable to Enjoy the City North and mailed to the address on
the invoice. DO NOT INCLUDE payments with returned books. Books go to the
warehouse and a check could easily get lost in the shuffle. We can accept payment by
Credit Card if that is easier.
ReturnedBooks
Use the return shipping labels provided in the final email (with the invoice).
Only books should be sent to the warehouse with those labels. Don’t include anything else (i.e. correspondence, payment, etc.). Only send books with those shipping labels.
Help follow up on both - remember this is a 2-part step in the closeout process - payment AND leftover books - are required to close out an account.
1.What year was the first Thanksgiving celebration? 1621
2.How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last? 3 days
3.Thanksgiving began as an official holiday under which president? Abraham Lincoln
4.When did the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade start? 1924
5.What meat was brought to the first Thanksgiving? Venison (deer meat)
6.Green bean casserole was introduced in what year? 1955
IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NEWSLETTER?
Do you have an idea or topic that you would like to see covered in the Community Conversation newsletter? If so, please send it to sales@savearound.com and we’ll get right on it. Remember if it is something that you would like to know more about or learn about then chances are someone else needs to know it, too.
