Quick Bites 2021-22 Cookie Program
New Cookie! Adventurefuls™ are a chocolate cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt.
Getting Started A successful Cookie Program is girl-led. Work with girls to create a year-long troop activity plan, then set cookie goals to support the troop budget. Download the GSEMA Troop Budget Plan at gsema.org/forsellers. o
Ensure all Girl Scouts are registered members for the 2021-22 troop year.
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Complete the required paperwork (available at gsema.org/forsellers): o Troop Cookie Coordinator (TCC) Volunteer Agreement o 2021-22 Troop Bank Account Form o 2021-22 Annual Girl Permission Form (all caregivers must complete for their Girl Scout)
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Review the digital Cookie Book (gsema.org/forsellers) for all program policies and procedures.
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Ensure each Girl Scout has cookie selling materials. Service Unit Cookie Mentors (SUCMs) for each town will provide TCCs with a packet of troop materials, which includes a copy of Quick Bites, cookie order card, recognition insert, parent guide, money envelope, and receipt booklet.
If you need to be introduced to your SUCM, please email customercare@gsema.org.
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Log into Smart Cookies. Once your troop has completed the required paperwork, the TCC will receive an email from Smart Cookies with a registration link starting on Nov 22.
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Submit the Cookie Connector opt-in form (found at gsema.org/forsellers) for your troop’s online Direct Ship link to be included.
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Join an online Prep Talk and/or review training videos at gsema.org/forsellers.
TCCs are responsible for the following in Smart Cookies: o o o o o o
entering Planned Orders entering booth locations allocating packages to Girl Scouts submitting recognition selections managing troop finances managing troop inventory
New to the Cookie Program? Review the Cookie Rookie section of the digital Cookie Book (gsema.org/forsellers) for a full glossary of cookie terms, advice on how to hold a booth sale, policies, and more!
What's new this year? QR Codes and TinyURLs
Improved Online Selling
Under the resources menu in Smart Cookies, troop and girl users have the ability to create their own QR codes and TinyURLs.
Smart Cookies has more virtual cookie booth options and improved contactless and cashless transaction features. See the digital Cookie Book for more details.
Cookie Program Calendar 2021-22 November 10
Smart Cookies online Prep Talk
22
Smart Cookies registration email sent to all registered Girl Scouts and Troop Cookie Coordinators who have submitted the required paperwork
22
Girl Scouts can begin selling online through Smart Cookies
December DECEMBER 2020 5
Virtual CookieFest
7
Cookie Cupboards open (see schedules in Smart Cookies)
15
Smart Cookies online Prep Talk
17
Scheduled withdrawal from troop bank account
23
All GSEMA offices and council cupboards close for the holidays at 2 PM
January DECEMBER 2020 11
Smart Cookies online Prep Talk
13
Scheduled withdrawal from troop bank account
February FEBRUARY 2021 11
Scheduled withdrawal from troop bank account
18-20
National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
28
Smart Cookies online Prep Talk
March MARCH 2021 1
Recognition opt-out forms due to GSEMA and last day to register Girl Scouts for the Cookie Program
11
Cookie Program ends and all Cookie Cupboards close
15
Last day to allocate packages to Girl Scouts, submit recognition orders, and transfer packages to troops in Smart Cookies
18
Scheduled withdrawal from troop bank account
April AR 1
Scheduled withdrawal from troop bank account and last day for Girl Scouts to sell leftover cookie inventory
25
Recognitions shipped to Service Unit Cookie Mentors
May MAY 2021 TBD
Cookies for a Cause at Hanscom Air Force Base
TBD
500 Club Celebration at Canobie Lake Park Dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 safety updates.
How Girl Scouts Sell Cookies Order Cards Girl Scouts use order cards to collect orders and report them to the Troop Cookie Coordinator.
Direct Sales, Booth Sales, Virtual Booth Sales, or Council Organized Booth Sales (COBS) Troops pick up cookies at a Cookie Cupboard after placing a Planned Order and sell direct to customers.
Online Sales Using Smart Cookies Girl Scouts create and send e-cards to friends and family or post their link from Smart Cookies on a trusted social media page. Customers can order and pay online, and choose to have cookies shipped directly to them or hand delivered by the Girl Scout.
The Cookie Lineup (L to R) Lemonades™ • Thin Mints® • Peanut Butter Sandwich Caramel deLites® • Shortbread • Peanut Butter Patties® Caramel Chocolate Chip (gluten & nut-free) Toast-Yay!™ • Adventurefuls™
The Perks Troops earn $0.90 per package sold Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops may choose to opt out of the recognition program and earn an additional $0.05 per package. Troops opting out of recognitions are eligible for the theme patch, 500 Club and Crossover Patch (if participated in Fall Product Program) once they achieve the required milestone and packages are allocated in Smart Cookies.
Cookie Credits In addition to recognition items, Girl Scouts can also earn Cookie Credits once they have sold 100 packages of cookies. Credits can be used for GSEMA programs and camp, in GSEMA shops (excluding online), at camp trading posts, and for GSEMA or GSUSA Destinations programs.
Number of Packages Sold
Cookie Credit Earnings Rate (per pkg.)
100-199
$0.10
200-499 500+
$0.15 $0.20
How Girl Scouts Sell Online Smart Cookies is the Girl Scout Cookie Program online portal. Volunteers and girls are able to manage every aspect of their cookie business from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
abcsmartcookies.com
How Troops Sell Online GSEMA Cookie Connector Submit the troop Direct Ship link found in Smart Cookies to GSEMA to be included in the Cookie Connector, launching on Nov 22. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase cookies from a randomly selected troop. Find the Cookie Connector opt-in form at gsema.org/forsellers.
GSUSA Cookie Finder All troops’ Direct Ship links are automatically included in GSUSA’s Cookie Finder starting on February 18. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase cookies from a randomly selected troop. At this time the Cookie Connector will be deactivated.
In Smart Cookies, Girl Scouts can create goals, track their progress, send e-cards, view and select recognitions, and more. GSEMA encourages Girl Scouts to post their sales links on family- and friend-facing webpages such as a private Facebook page. Girl Scouts may also post their sales links on public-facing social media webpages.* Girl Scouts engaging in digital marketing and sales activity beyond friends and family should adhere to all GSEMA online safety policies, which can be found in the digital Cookie Book. Please remember that Girl Scouts, not caregivers, sell Girl Scout Cookies. Girl Scouts can sell online in two ways:
Direct Ship A customer places an order and pays online, and cookies ship to them directly. GSEMA will pay 50% of the customer’s shipping costs for all orders of six packages or more.
Girl Delivery A customer places an order online (they choose whether to pay online or pay cash to the Girl Scout), and the Girl Scout delivers cookies in person. Girl Scouts must report these sales to their Troop Cookie Coordinators in order to fulfill the order with cookies picked up at a cookie cupboard.
Online Posted Links Troops may post their Direct Ship links or virtual booth links on personal or public webpages.* Please check with your Service Unit Cookie Mentor for town page schedules and policies before posting. *Cookie sale links cannot be posted on re-sale sites such as Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Failure to comply could result in Smart Cookies account deactivation.
2021-22 COOKIE PROGRAM THEME
Ordering Troop Cookies All cookies are ordered through Planned Orders in Smart Cookies and are picked up at Cookie Cupboards. The deadline to enter Planned Orders in Smart Cookies is 10 PM Sundays. Cookies can be picked up throughout the week. TCCs can place as many orders as necessary throughout the cookie program. Cookies are ordered by the case. There are 12 packages in a case. To correct or adjust an order, call the Cookie Cupboard hotline at 844-727-2884.
How to Place a Planned Order: 1. In Smart Cookies, Choose Planned Orders under the Orders tab 2. Select cupboard, pick-up date, and time 3. Enter the number of cases for each cookie variety in the Cases column 4. REQUIRED! Enter the pick-up person’s name and phone number in the Order Notes box (A photo ID will be required to pick up cookies) 5. Double-check the order and click Save
How to Enter a Booth Sale in Smart Cookies: 1. Click on the Booth tab and choose Troop Secured Booths. Two tabs will appear: Booth Information and Appointment Times. 2. Enter the required information for the cookie booth in the Booth Information tab and click Save. Note: do not click the “Booth Permission” box. 3. Click Request Appointment Time from the Appointment Times tab, select the date and start/end times of the cookie booth sale, then click Save. The window will close and the cookie booth sale will appear in the table. 4. Click the “Request Troop Secured Booth” box. GSEMA will approve cookie booths within 48 business hours. Note: If you have multiple dates and times at the same location, you can edit the cookie booth and add additional dates. Click My Reservations, click the cookie booth in the Booth Sale Table, scroll to the far right and click on the three stacked boxes to edit the cookie booth. Tip: Use the Booth Divider in Smart Cookies to allocate packages sold during a booth sale.
6. Review Manage Orders screen to verify
Cupboard Locations Additional cupboard locations may be added, see Smart Cookies for details • Andover – 143 Abbott Street • Hingham – 26 Burr Road • Dorchester/Lena Park – 150 American Legion Hwy. • Marlborough – 212 Phelps Street • Middleboro – 111 E Grove Street • Waltham – 265 Beaver Street • Wayland – 24 Oxbow Road • West Dennis – 109 Main Street • Wrentham – 560 Washington St, Unit 2 GSEMA’s health and safety policy does not allow cookies to be returned or exchanged in the Cookie Cupboard. However, you may exchange damaged cookie packages.
Inventory Tracking Always keep an accurate inventory of cookies on hand, and communicate with families throughout the program to avoid excess inventory. Unsold cookies are the troop’s responsibility. Helpful Reports: Troop Balance Summary Report: to review all financial transactions generated, and balance owed to GSEMA. Girl Cookie Totals Summary Report: to see if package allocation to girls is upto-date so they can track their progress toward their goals, like 500 Club. Mobile and Ecard Summary Report: to check girls’ online sales progress. This report will help track orders collected online that require girl delivery.
Cookie Payment Schedule All cookie payments made to GSEMA are collected via scheduled automatic withdrawals from the troop bank account. Visit gsema.org/forsellers for more information.
Balance Due as of Date
Withdrawal Date
Percent of Balance Due to be Withdrawn from Troop Bank Account
Dec 13
Dec 17
30%
Jan 9
Jan 13
50%
Feb 7
Feb 11
60%
March 11
March 18
80%
March 18
April 1
100%
GSEMA will address delinquent payments. If payment is not made by a caregiver who has taken responsibility for cookies, please complete and submit a Delinquent Payment Form, along with the Annual Girl Permission Form and all supporting documents, to Travis Sammons at tsammons@gsema.org, as soon as the situation occurs. More information is available at gsema.org/forsellers.
Resources gsema.org/forsellers Visit the For Cookie Sellers webpage for all necessary forms, trainings, and the digital Cookie Book. Digital Cookie Book The digital Cookie Book is an in-depth resource that covers every aspect of the cookie program (found on gsema.org/forsellers). Cookie Emails (every Sunday) Our Sunday cookie emails will give volunteers a heads up on what is coming up in the Cookie Program.
Team App The Product Program team will provide real-time updates via Team App on weather closures, deadlines, urgent cupboard information, and helpful tips. Download this free app to your smartphone, then search "GSEMA Product Program" team. Cookie Cupboard Hotline 844-PB-PATTI (727-2884) GSEMA Customer Care customercare@gsema.org Smart Cookies Tech Support 800-853-3730 or ABCtech@westonfoods.com
Program Recognitions OR
Theme Patch 20+ Packages
Color Inks Pen 50+ Packages
Rain Poncho with Pouch 70+ Packages
Turbo Towel 100+ Packages
Koala T-Shirt AND Super Patch 120+ Packages
oki
e P r o g ra
m
Crossover Patch 10+ fall items AND 25+ Cookie Packages
500 Club Status AND
Co
20
Koala Dream Light 400+ Packages
s
Large Koala Plush 300+ Packages
&
Light-Up Koala Journal 200+ Packages
l Fa l
Small Koala Plush 150+ Packages
COURAG ITH E W
2 1 -2 2
RISE U P
Additional Patches
COZY KIT
AND
Cookie Techie 25+ Direct Ship Packages Sold
OR OR
2 Tickets to Canobie Lake Park AND 500 Club Patch AND Bracelet and Charm OR Two Charms 500+ Packages
Cozy Kit: Super Plush Blanket Throw AND Koala Slippers AND Koalaty Dreams Sleep Mask AND 500 Club Patch 500+ Packages
Cookie Booth Patch Use Smart Booth Divider
Cookie Share Patch 15+ Cshare Packages AND
Koala Hoodie 750+ Packages
AND
Beach Towel AND Sports Bottle 1000+ Packages
Sports Bag AND Koala Clip on Plush 1500+ Packages
Achievement Bars Starting at 100+ Packages Sold increments of 100
OR
OR
Build A Computer Kit OR 2-Person Outdoor Tent (Color & Style May Differ) 2000+ Packages
Inflatable Paddleboard & Life Vest OR Samsung Galaxy Tablet (Colors & Styles May Differ) 3000+ Packages
CEO for the day! Spend time with GSEMA’s CEO Barbara Fortier! Top Entrepreneur