SaveAround's Community Conversation

Now is the time to have your middle school and elementary school principal meetings. You know, the ones you scheduled back in late April through May?!?!? Remember that article from the April 29th edition about checking in with principals throughout the month of May?!??! :)

As you go through the summer months, it is your time to shine. This is when you put the “extra” in front of “ordinary”. This is when you do the things that people don’t see that will make all the difference in the long run. Develop and cultivate those relationships during June and July while things are a little “different”. The routine changes, the schedule changes, stress levels are lowered, and you can show up to see the principal and any new customers in a much more relaxed setting. Principals might be dressed in shorts and a polo vs a suit and tie.

Keep in mind that principals and administrators are 12-month employees. They don’t get summer off and it’s actually quite the opposite. A lot of their most meaningful work is done during the summer before students return for the Fall school year. Effective principals are planning ahead for the coming year, they are working through any transitions with their staff, submitting year end evaluations, and looking ahead to the coming months. They are already in next year’s school mode much earlier than you might think. Showing up for the planning meetings in the summer conveys several things to your principal and potential ally:

You work just as hard in the summer aka “down” months as they do.
Planning ahead is a good thing.
Well executed plans are a necessary part of a successful fundraiser.
You follow through and can be counted on.
You are in it to win it and as a result, you are in it for the long haul.
You can’t beat principal referrals for potential customers in the school.
The principal is one of the best to have on “your side”.
Make a good first impression. Keep it up.
Principals talk and share with other administrators (good and bad).

Take a vacation and take some time to refresh, rejuvenate, and recharge. Keep in mind that these next two months of super ultra productive activity can help you line up a spectacular fall season. Take advantage of this time to schedule additional Fall business or a January sale. Remember that sometimes you are working on two selling seasons at the same time.

APPAREL INCENTIVE PROGRAM 2023

(Previously Announced January 8, 2022)

* Minimum of 200 sellers
* T-shirt = 3 books sold
* Long sleeve = 10 books sold
* One color print maximum
* Minimum 30 items earned or 200 total books sold (either one).

Fine Print:
Apparel stock will vary in color depending upon availability (i.e. grey, white, etc.)
Apparel sourcing may cause delivery delays (prepare your groups accordingly)
Contact person/sponsor MUST enter the final order in the chairperson portal.
No extra shirts will be printed after the final order has been submitted and received.
If minimum items are not met, there will be a charge. ($6/t-shirt & $9/long sleeve t-shirt)
Hoodies are not available in this program.
Any questions regarding the Apparel 2023 Incentive? Contact sales@savearound.com

Leftover books - now what?

As you go through the spring/summer cleaning purge and are getting your office in good order for the coming school year, you have discovered a few books that are leftover. What should you do with them? They will make a great thank you gift and are excellent tools for prospecting. Leave one behind with the secretary as a thank you and then also leave one for the coach that you just missed. Attach a note or a business card and follow up with them. If you’ve done that then plan to recycle.

Checks and Returned Books

PLEASE make sure that payments (checks) are mailed to the P.O. Box address. Some groups are including the payments with their box of returned books that goes to the warehouse. In some cases, these check payments are lost, misassigned or missed altogether because they are in a box of books in the warehouse and not picked up via the P.O. Box by the accounting team. When this happens the group will be delayed in closing out and that will also delay your commission being processed and paid in a timely manner.

ALL payments need to be mailed to P.O. Box 2399, Binghamton, NY 13902

ALL returned books need to go to the Warehouse address using the provided shipping label.

If you have any questions about how to remit paymentsor return books, please contact the Group Relations team (grouprelations@savearound.com).

Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
It is considered a federal holiday in the United States in which we honor and mourn members of the military who passed while serving in the United States Armed Forces. There are a number of Memorial Day activities that families can enjoy each year with some meaningful traditions that honor those who have served as well.

1. Poppies - People wear poppies to honor America’s war heroes in a Memorial Day tradition dating back to the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae. Inspired by the poem’s image of red poppies scattered through cross-shaped grave markers, American Moina Michael and France’s Anna E. Guerin started selling artificial poppies as a fundraiser for children affected by the war. Many Americans pin a poppy on their shirt as a sign of respect.

2. National Moment of Remembrance - To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, President Bill Clinton signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” in December of 2000. The law encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

3. Flag at half staff - Federal guidelines say the flag should be displayed at half-staff only until noon, then go up to full-staff until sundown.

4. “Taps” - During the Civil War, a U.S. general thought the bugle call signaling bedtime could use a more melodious tune, so he wrote the notes for “Taps” in 1862. Another officer later used the bugle song for a funeral, fearing the traditional firing of rifles might sound like an attack. Now, “Taps” is a traditional part of Memorial Day celebrations.

5. Visit local cemetery - Some of the graves in a veteran cemetery are well maintained and decorated by families. Bring flowers and lay them by a grave that doesn’t have any.