You can personalize that postcard by contacting Jim Sullivan, District Executive. You can also design your own information flyer/invitation and either print and mail it yourself or ask for the District’s assistance. Check back soon for a template of a flyer/invitation (currently under development).
This is an area that is highly budget dependent. Kids today are very media savvy. They are used to full color, high gloss, vivid advertising. Black ink on white paper doesn’t make much of an impression, so if you can use full color ink with PHOTOS (have releases from the parents of course). If that’s too pricey, use a colored sheet of paper with black ink. The vivid “brights” are certainly attention getting.
Have the flyer/postcard addressed to the boy, not the parents; print mailing labels directly from the list. Most elementary schools have approximately 700 students for 6 grade levels (K-5); eliminating the out-going 5th graders will reduce that number to about 585 on average. Assuming half are boys, that gets you to approximately 300 boys on the list. Since few boys join scouting in 5th grade, you could consider not mailing to the incoming 5th grade boys, further reducing the potential mailing list to approximately 230.
Utilize FIRST CLASS POSTAGE. Strategize timing of delivery to the home mailbox. Most elementary school cover only a few (1-3) zip codes, so sorting the flyers by zip code and taking them directly to your post office will help you plan the “at home” delivery day to within a one or two day window. Target a few days prior to the event. Too soon, and people forget; too close, and they’ve made other plans.
Provide a specific invitation on the postcard/flyer: to an event or to JSN, or both if they are very close together. Be sure to include a contact name and phone number for questions.