I asked this very same question after some very bad and poorly organized fundraisers. First, I have totalled orders and money for 3 or 4 years now and I noticed what is repeatedly bought at our school and found that offer one items doesn't work, so we try to look for companies that offer paper and candy and other items too. I prefer national companies with a rep within driving distance. I spent 6 months requesting catalogs and packets and narrowed them down by selection, rep location, and a few other things that they offer that help keep us organized-it only takes one bad one to figure out that order forms in triplicate are a must. I then presented them to our group to tell me what they thought. Then I contacted the reps. Though I am not sure about the fall fundraiser, everyone liked the catalog and they met my criteria for organization, delivery and paperwork. I signed with for our spring fundraiser because we have used them in the past and I think the new rep for our area makes it that much easier for me. She was even willing to help me personalize the selling bonuses for students to try to increase our sales even though this year they doubled what we had done in the past. Most importantly remember to listen to parents when they ask for stuff and keep in mind how much you want to make. Say everyone wants cookie dough but you know that your earn potential is less by selling one item, look for a company that offers cookie dough in the catalog. It's always give and take and I like companies that manufacture most of their own products and offer new items every year. Good luck.

I have a question, this may be off topic and if so I'm sorry, but we're trying to come up with new & exciting fundraisers for next year. What would make you choose candy over wrapping paper?

There are so many companies out there and how do you decide which one to go with? I know there are some who are very loyal to companies but it seems like there is some switching of companies and I'd just like to know what makes you pick one over the other? And which products do you prefer(food, candles, wrapping paper, etc.) & why?

Every minute counts! There are people on my local unit board that like to take the summer off but I don't want to end up cramming everything in. I'm going to do fundraising at the school next year and I was just elected to Region Director and I'm setting everything up for when I take office.
You mentioned in another post that you are PTA. I have a ton of stuff that is PTA related and even some things that are PTA/LDS. If you're interested in some of these I can e-mail them to you.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Just e-mail me and let me know!

Our "elections" (I use that term loosely as we only have a handful of parents willing to do anything) are this Thursday, so we don't have too much planned for next year yet. However, we do have our fall fundraiser already scheduled so we are OK there. [img]smile.gif[/img]

We still meet once a month during the summer to iron things out for the upcoming school year. Our principal (who is very active with PTO) won't know the exact dates of parent/teacher conferences and stuff like that until the very end of school so we can't really plan much until we get that info.

Iam always thinking, so this is when I put it to paper and really look at what needs to happen and what can wait.

I already have one fundraiser schedualed and in for approval with the school and talks for a BBQ or lunch for the staff in August (a chance for the new teachers to meet the staff and other teachers in a social setting without the worry of getting back to the students! I'm excited and can't wait to start planning....okay REAL plans!)

It's NEVER too late to plan...just remember to keep lots of carrots on hand to keep interest!

We have already started planning for next year. Since our last meeting is this coming Tuesday, and that's when we'll vote new board members in, they will take over in June. The new board will have info on what has been planned and set the dates for the different events. Committiees will be formed and they will start working during the summer to get a head start on their projects.

We have a date set for our fall festival and will order the games/equipment needed in June. I would rather have things moving along during the summer so that ideas, projects etc. don't get forgoten.