2017-2018 Girl Scout Cookie ProgramÂŽ Troop Guide Girl Scouts of Connecticut 340 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106 (800) 922-2770 gsofct.org
Table of Contents Position Description......................................................................................1 2017-2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program Overview.............................. 2-5 Program Calendar.....................................................................................6-9 Troop Cookie Manager Checklist........................................................10-11 Cookie Program Girl Training.............................................................. 12-13 Cookie Program Tips.................................................................................. 14 Troop Proceeds............................................................................................ 15 Individually Registered Girls and the Cookie Program..................... 15 The Cookies.................................................................................................. 16 Five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program........................................17 Safety Guidelines...................................................................................18-19 Digital CookieÂŽ platform .......................................................................... 20 Cookies for Heroes Program.................................................................... 21 Connecting with Customers............................................................. 22-24 Initial Order Taking......................................................................................25 Initial Order Rewards.................................................................................26 Goal Getter Sales........................................................................................27 Booth Sales............................................................................................ 28-30 Cookie Cupboards.......................................................................................31 Cookie Delivery Day..............................................................................32-33 Cookie Program Rewards...................................................................34-37 Cookie Program Finances...................................................................38-39 Volunteer Resources................................................................................. 40 GSUSA Cookie PRO 2018............................................. Inside Back Cover Service Unit Cookie Manager: Phone/email address: GSOFCT Product Sales team can be reached via email or 800-922-2770. Ann Nunn-Hacku Director of Product Sales, ext. 3333 anunn-hacku@gsofct.org
John Daley Administrative Assistant, ext. 3305 jdaley@gsofct.org
Allison Mangles (Waterbury) Sr. Product Sales Manager, ext. 3339 amangles@gsofct.org
Nancy Sherman (Hartford/Lebanon) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3237 nsherman@gsofct.org
Lisa Deschnow (North Haven/Lebanon) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3346 ldeschnow@gsofct.org
Sue Pratt (Wilton) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3816 spratt@gsofct.org
Position Description Position: Troop Cookie Manager Appointed by: Co-Leader Responsible to: Service Unit Cookie Manager Purpose: Manages the cookie program for a specific troop/group Duties and Responsibilities • Attend your service unit’s Troop Cookie Manager training. • Ensure girls are registered and have signed Annual Consent forms on file with the co-leader. • Help to plan and incorporate cookie program activities into troop meetings. • Convey safety, and program materials to girls and troop volunteers. • Enthusiastically train girls and troop volunteers about cookie program procedures and guidelines. • Use eBudde to manage the cookie program. • Ensure the troop cookie order is picked up at the delivery site, parent signatures are obtained for troop records, and cookies are promptly distributed to girls. • Coordinate troop booth sales with Service Unit Cookie Manager OR Service Unit Booth Sale Coordinator. • Collect payment from girls and ensure the amount due
to council is in the troop bank account by the scheduled electronic payment (ACH) dates. • Assist in collecting past due funds, and, if necessary, provide council with detailed information on uncollectible amounts. • Distribute rewards to girls in a timely manner. • Meet all deadlines and communicate any concerns to Service Unit Cookie Manager.
Qualifications • Registered as a member of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and has completed the volunteer application process. • Believes in and subscribes to the principles expressed in the Girl Scout mission, Girl Scout Promise, and Law and abides by the policies and standards of GSOFCT and GSUSA. • Is committeed to organization diversity. • Appointment is for one year. 1
2017-2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program Overview
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an important (and fun!) pa girls and super delicious cookies for our awesome cookie cu earned more than $1.8 million in troop proceeds! These proc Action projects that benefited Connecticut communities AN Cookie Program. Now that’s a winning outcome! NEW tie-in between the QSP and cookie programs! By participating in both the QSP and cookie programs, girls and troops can earn additional rewards and proceeds!
This one-of-a kind patch features the superhero cat from the QSP Program and the sea turtle from the cookie program.
For girls... Girls who sell $75 or more in QSP Program products and 85 boxes in the cookie program, including Initial Order, Goal Getter, and March booth sales, will earn the Altogether Awesome patch.
For troops…. Troops that average at least $120 per girl selling in the QSP Program and 125 boxes per girl selling in the cookie program (January-March 2018) will earn an additional $.02 per box of cookies in troop proceeds!
Return of Girl Scout S’mores™! During their debut last season, the Girl Scout S’mores cookie became the most popular flavor to launch in the 100 years Girl Scouts have been selling cookies! Girl Scout S’mores will be available on the paper order card and online via the Digital Cookie® platform. 2
Cookie Prices Cookie prices remain the same as last year. The six core flavors—Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Trefoils®, Do-si-dos®, and Savannah Smiles®—are $5 per box. The two premium cookies—Girl Scout S’mores and Toffee-tastic®—are $6 per box. See page 16 for pictures and additional information about the cookies!
2017-2018 Girl Scout Cookie Program Overview
art of the overall Girl Scout experience—lots of learning for ustomers! In last year’s cookie program, GSOFCT troops ceeds helped troops fund troop activities as well as Take ND allowed girls to grow in the five skills of the Girl Scout
Cookie Rallies Looking for a way to get the girls excited about the cookie program? Say hello to Cookie Rallies! This year, Girl Scouts of Connecticut will sponsor two council-wide Cookie Rallies on Saturday, January 6, the first day of the cookie program (locations TBD). The Cookie Rallies feature fun activities in an expo-style setting. Girls can come with their families or troops. Each girl who participates will learn a variety
Digital Cookie platform The cookie program’s Digital Cookie platform continues to grow and enhance Girl Scouts’ experience with the cookie program. Last year, Girl Scouts in Connecticut sold almost 150,000 boxes to customers across the country using their Digital Order Card, including more than 50,000
of ways to make this year’s cookie program “Altogether Awesome!” NEW this year, council has created Cookie Rally in a Box for service units! If a service unit is interested in holding a cookie rally, it will be provided with materials and suggested activities. Check with your Service Unit Cookie Manager to see if your service unit is planning its own cookie rally OR to volunteer to help with a service unit cookie rally! boxes shipped directly to customers! GSOFCT saw an increase of 118 percent in the number of girls who had Digital Cookie sales last year, and we are anticipating even more will use Digital Cookie this year! See page 20 for more information about the Digital Cookie platform. 3
2018 Cookie Program Overview Learning and Earning in the Cookie Program Every girl who is a registered Girl Scout may participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Girls can sell cookies by taking orders from customers in person, using the Digital Cookie platform, and at booth sales. When girls participate in the cookie program, they learn five skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business
ethics. And, like anything else, the more girls practice these skills, the better they get at them! ALL cookie proceeds remain in Connecticut. Proceeds from the cookie program support troop treasuries and generate important revenue used by Girl Scouts of Connecticut to support girl programming and volunteer development.
Cookie Cost Breakdown The cost of cookies for 2017–2018 is as follows: the six core flavors are $5 per box and Toffee-tastic and Girl Scout S’mores are $6 per box, which reflects the highter cost of the ingredients in these premium flavors. Cost of Cookies (core)
$1.03
Cost of cookies (premium)
$2.25
Cost of rewards (includes patches)
$0.12
Troop proceeds
$0.85 to $0.95
Additional troop proceeds earned by troops meeting QSP and cookie program benchmarks.
$0.02
TOP Troop reward
$0.05
Council proceeds provide service to girls, volunteers, training, property maintenance, etc.
$2.83 to $2.93
Council proceeds from Toffee-tastic and Girl Scout $2.61 to $2.71 S’mores
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2018 Cookie Program Overview Troop Proceeds Troops earn proceeds based on their TOTAL cookie program sales (January-March). The calculation is based on cookies sold during the Initial Order Taking and Goal Getter Periods, at booth sales in March, and on the Digital Cookie platform. Troop proceeds are based on the troop’s final per girl selling average (PGA). See page 15 for a complete explanation of troop proceeds. Information regarding how individually registered girls not affiliated with a troop can participate in the cookie program is on page 15.
eBudde: The key to managing the troop’s cookie program! eBudde is the online application used by troops and council to manage the cookie program. eBudde is where girl orders and troop booth cookies are entered and allocated. eBudde is also where girl and troop rewards are recorded. Complete instructions, including login credentials, are available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org. All users will need to use the temporary password of Toff9289 (case sensitive) to log in the first time this year and then reset their password.
Rewards This year’s reward lineup is sure to be a hit with girls. There are girl rewards for hitting goals in all parts of the program. There is a troop reward during the Initial Order Taking Period AND the TOP Troop reward for achieving success during the entire cookie program.
A Mermaid Blanket is the Initial Order Reward for girls (120+ boxes on their Initial Order).
The “Seas the Day” T-shirt is a final reward for girls (150+ boxes).
Girls will want to earn the Mermaid Blanket and the “Seas the Day” T-shirt. See the order card and page 34-37 for complete information about rewards. 5
6
15
14
9
2
Tuesday
10
3
Wednesday
11
4
Thursday
12
5
Friday
16
17
18
19
Ensure that each girl/family has an Initial Order Taking card and has received the registration email from the Digital Cookie platform.
Monday
22
29
21
28
30
23
31
24
25
26
Check in with girls/families to see if they need assistance. Remind them that all boxes sold during the Initial Order Taking Period will count toward girl and troop Initial Order Rewards!
8
1
7
January
Sunday
27
20
13
Cookie Rallies!
Digital Cookie opens for order taking.
Initial Order Taking begins!
6
Satuday
7
Goal Getter Order Taking begins.
Cookie Weekend
27
28
23
24
17
10
3
Saturday
National Girl Scout
26
22
25
21
19
18
20
16
Deadline to enter troop Initial Order in eBudde
9
2
Friday
12
15
8
1
Thursday
11
14
7
Wednesday
Deadline to submit ACH authorization form
13
6
Tuesday
for in-person delivery orders
Digital Cookie closes
5
4
Monday
Last day for Initial Order Taking.
February
Sunday
8
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
1
Thursday
9
2
Friday
12
19
26
18
25
14
15
27
20
29
22
Start assigning cookies to your girls in eBudde!
28
21
Start depositing girl/family cookie payments into troop bank account.
13
30
payment initiated (60% of the amount due).
23 First ACH
16
Arrange for all girls/families pick up their cookie order so they can start delivering customers’ cookies!
11
SU’s delivery day).
Manager for the
with SU Cookie
Weekend (check
4 Cookie Delivery 5
March
Sunday
Digital Cookie closes for shipped/donated orders.
31
24
17
10
First day for booth sales!
delivery day).
Manager for the SU’s
with SU Cookie
Weekend (check
3 Cookie Delivery
Saturday
9
16
23
30
22
29
payment initiated.
24
17
10
April
26
19
12
27
20
13
6
Friday
28
21
14
7
Saturday
Cookie program rewards will be shipped to the SU Cookie Manager in May. Look for a communication about when the girls’ rewards are ready to be picked up!
25
18
11
Deposit final cookie payments/booth sale money into troop bank account!
9 Final ACH
15
8
Last day for booth sales
Thursday
to make final eBudde entries, including finalizing girl rewards!
Wednesday 5 Troop deadline
Tuesday
3 cookies to your girls4 in eBudde! Finish assigning
2
1
Cookie Program ends!
Monday
Sunday
Troop Cookie Manager Checklist November—December 2017 FF FF FF FF
FF FF
Troop Cookie Manager registers for membership in GSUSA and completes the volunteer application process. Co-leader ensures every girl is registered and has a signed Annual Consent form for each girl. Troop Cookie Manager attends Troop Cookie Mananger training. Troop Cookie Manager holds a meeting with girls and their parents/guardians to explain the cookie program, set goals, and distribute materials. Digital Cookie registration email sent to Troop Cookie Managers on December 18, 2017. Digital Cookie registration email sent to parents/guardians of registerered Girl Scouts on December 20, 2017.
January 6, 2018 Initial Order Taking begins! Troops, girls, and families can attend a council Cookie Rally. FF Digital Cookie platform opens for business. FF
January 6—February 4, 2018 Girl Scouts take Initial Cookie Orders. Check in with girls and families to offer assistance/support. FF Distribute Goal Getter Order Cards to girls. Goal Getter sales begin on February 5. FF Work with the service unit to set up the troop’s booth sale. FF
February 5—February 9, 2018 Complete girls’ Initial Order entry in eBudde and submit the order via eBudde by 11:59 p.m. on February 9. FF Select time slot in eBudde (Delivery tab)—AFTER submitting the troop’s Initial Order—to pick up the cookie order on the assigned delivery day. FF Deadline to submit Electronic Payment (ACH) Authorization Form (if not previously submitted for QSP Program) is February 9. FF
March 3-4, 2018 Pick up cookies at cookie delivery site on the assigned day and time. FF Distribute cookies to a parent/guardian and obtain a signature when cookies are picked up. FF
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Troop Cookie Manager Checklist March 3—April 1, 2018 FF
FF
FF
FF
FF
Booth sales begin on March 3. Hold booth sales and deposit money into troop account (see pages 28-30 for more information about booth sales). Fill Goal Getter orders with extra cookies from the Initial Order or from a cookie cupboard (see page 27 for information about Goal Getter orders). If girls have online orders for in-person delivery that were NOT included in their Initial Order, use the troop’s extra cookies from its Initial Order or pick up the needed boxes from a cookie cupboard to complete the order. Collect money for Goal Getter and Initial Order cookies throughout the month and deposit promptly into troop bank account. Enter Goal Getter boxes, booth sale boxes, and payments in eBudde under each girl’s name.
March 23, 2018 FF
First electronic payment (ACH) withdrawn from the troop’s bank account. See pages 39-40 for additional information.
April 1-5, 2018 FF FF
Goal Getter and Booth Sales conclude on April 1. Collect outstanding amounts due from girls/families and deposit money into troop bank account.
April 5, 2018 Troop deadline to finalize eBudde entries, including girl rewards and patches, is 11:59 p.m. on April 5. FF Deadline to submit TOP Troop Reward form at gsofct.org. FF
April 9, 2018 FF
Second and final electronic payment (ACH) withdrawn from the troop’s bank account. See pages 39-40 for additional information.
May 2018 FF Pick up girl reward from Service Unit Cookie Manager and distribute to the girls in a timely manner. FF Cookie Credits and TOP Troop Reward certificates mailed to co-leader/Troop Cookie Manager. 11
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Discussion Points
flavors. If there are girls in the troop who are new to the cookie program, encourage the more experienced cookie sellers to share information about the cookie flavors. • Review the two price points ($5 and $6).
• If the girls have participated in the cookie program before, you can ask them about their favorite cookie
ingredient information is on page 16 of this guide.
• Review the cookie order card with girls so they are familiar with the cookies. Cookie varieties and
Taking Cookie Review ways girls can reach out to customers: Orders • Ask customers in person, go door-to-door in familar neighborhoods, visit family workplaces, or post on social media letting people know that they are participating in the cookie program. Girls older than 13 can post on their own social media accounts; girls younger than 13 will need to use a parent/guardian’s social media accounts. • Call/text family and friends.
Know Your Cookies
Safety Review Review the safety guidelines on pages 18-19 and the safety guidelines as presented in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Product Sales (gsofct.org>Volunteers>Resources).
Brainstorming The troop can discuss ways to use their cookie proceeds. Girls can get started by brainstorming answers to and the following: Goal Setting • What can we do with our cookie money to help others? • What can we do with our cookie money for fun and learning? Based on the answers, the girls should estimate how many boxes of cookies the troop AND each girl will need to sell to reach their goal. Have the girls record their goals on their order cards so they can share their goals with customers.
Topic
Holding a cookie program training meeting is THE key to a successful cookie program! This is an opportunity to capitalize on the girls’ excitement about selling cookies and to discuss girl goals, troop goals, and what the troop would like to do with its proceeds from the cookie program.
Cookie Program Girl Training
13
Girls should discuss holding a booth sale. If the troop already has a booth sale date/location, share that information so the girls can check their availability. If the date/location has not been determined, get their input as to when they are available.
• Older girl (Junior and older) can discuss if they are going to take individual girl rewards OR additional
Cookie Booths
Rewards
Cookie Delivery and money collection
Girls can practice asking customers to purchase cookies: • Younger girls can role play selling cookies door-to-door, learning to share the order card with their customers, and talking about the Cookies for Heroes Program. Always remember to say, “Thank You!” • Older girls can discuss strategies to market their cookie business and how they can leverage their experience in the cookie business to reach more customers than ever before!
Interacting with Customers
be accepted from friends and family. Families should give money to the Troop Cookie Manager promptly. • Cookies should NOT be left with customers without payment being received. • Discuss with girls/families that money earned through the cookie program belongs to the troop and NOT individual girls.
• Discuss with girls/families when and where cookie orders can be picked up. • If girls/families accept checks from customers, they should be made payable to GSOFCT and should only
troop proceeds. NOTE: Daisy and Brownie troops are REQUIRED to take individual girl rewards. • Troops MUST vote (majority rules) to decide to take additional proceeds in lieu of rewards. • Show the rewards on the order card and encourage girls to think about setting goals to help them earn their desired rewards.
Discuss this program with the girls (see page21 for complete details). Encourage girls to set a Cookies for Heroes goal AND to share this goal with customers.
Cookies for Heroes
• Use the Digital Cookie platform (see page 20 for more details). Review the dates of the program (see the program calendar on pages 6-9). Remind girls that payment is collected when cookies are delivered (not when the order is placed). If a customer makes a purchase only for the Cookies for Heroes program, payment can be collected when the order is placed. Cookies sold via the Digital Cookie platform will be paid for by the customer online when the order is placed, so payment won’t be collected by the girl.
Cookie Program Tips Involve parents/guardians Parents/guardians play a BIG role in their Girl Scout’s cookie success! In order for parents/guardians to support their Girl Scout, talk with them about WHY the troop is participating and WHAT the troop goal is. Be sure to share the five skills (page 17) with the families and what the girls have voted to use the troop proceeds for.
Goals, Goals, GOALS! The key to success in the cookie program? Simple. SET A GOAL. Encourage the girls to create a visual to remind them of their goal. Check out Pinterest for suggestions for goal charts girls can make to track their progress. Older girls can create a visual that they keep on their mobile device to allow them to stay focused on their goal. Girls/families can also use the Digital Cookie platform to track sales—both online and offline sales!
Sell beyond family and friends Wherever they go, girls should be prepared to ask people to purchase cookies. Don’t worry—customers are eagerly looking for their favorite Girl Scout Cookies! Reaching out beyond their immediate circle of family and friends will help girls not only reach but also most likely surpass their goals. For ideas about where to find cookie customers, see pages 22-24.
Highlight the fun! Incorporate fresh ideas to add a spark and challenge to this year’s program. Check out online tools such as Pinterest for creative marketing ideas and ways to make the booth sale truly memorable for the girls and customers. Additional resources for Troop Cookie Volunteers are listed on page 40. 14
Troop Proceeds Troop proceeds are based on the troop’s final per girl selling average (PGA).
If the troop’s The troop’s per final PGA is... box proceeds will be:
Proceeds are earned based on the troop’s TOTAL cookie program sales (January—March). ALL cookies sold during the Initial Order Taking and Goal Getter Periods, at booth sales in March, and on the Digital Cookie platform are included in the calcuation of troop proceeds.
Between 1 and 100 boxes
85¢/box
Greater than 100 boxes and up to 150 boxes
90¢/box
Greater than 150 boxes
95¢/box
Additional proceeds
Older girl troops (Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels) are eligible to take an additional 10¢ per box in proceeds in lieu of taking individual girl rewards. The extra 10¢ will be in addition to the amount earned in tiered proceeds (see chart above). In order for a troop to select additional proceeds, the girls MUST vote on this option (majority rules). NOTE: Daisy and Brownie troops are NOT eligible to choose additional proceeds and are required to choose the individual girl reward option.
Individually Registered Girls in the cookie program Individually registered girls work with a designated volunteer in the service unit during the cookie program. Girls earn 85¢ per box of cookies sold for all boxes sold in the cookie program. Individual girls who are Juniors and above can opt out of earning girl rewards and earn an additional 10¢ per box of cookies. Proceeds are held within the service unit bank
account and are dispersed for appropriate Girl Scout activities upon request. Individually Registered Girls should refer to the Individually Registered Girl Cookie Program Guide for additional information. This guide can obtained from the Service Unit Cookie Manager or on the For Cookie Sellers page at gsofct.org.
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Check out the cookies! All cookie flavors will be available to purchase via the paper Order Taking Card AND on the Digital Cookie platform! The six core flavors, Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Do-si-dos. and Savannah Smiles, are $5, and the premium flavors, Girl Scout S’mores and Toffee-tastic, are $6.
Do-si-dos®
Samoas®
Crunchy oatmeal sandwich cookies with creamy peanut butter filling
Crisp cookies coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and striped with dark chocolaty coating
Trefoils®
Traditional shortbread cookies that are delightfully simple and satisfying
Tagalongs®
Thin Mints®
Crisp wafers covered in chocolaty coating made with natural oil of peppermint
Crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty coating
TM
Crunchy graham sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling
Savannah Smiles® Crisp, zesty lemon wedge cookies dusted with powdered sugar
Did you know that our cookies have... Toffee-tasticTM
• NO High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Rich, buttery cookies with sweet, crunchy toffee bits
• NO Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) • NO Artificial Flavors in Toffee-tastics • Girl Scout S'mores and Do-si-dos are made with Natural Flavors • Zero Grams Trans Fat per Serving • 100% Real Cocoa • Hearty Whole Grain Oats in Do-si-dos • Thin Mints are Vegan • Toffee-tastics are Gluten-Free
Product formulations can change at any time. We encourage you to check the ingredient statement on each package you purchase for the most up-to-date information on the ingredients contained in the product in that package. For more details check with Little Brownie Bakers.
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NO HIGH
RS RSPO-1106186
OS UCT E CO FR
SYRUP RN
The GIRL SCOUTS® name and mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including GIRL SCOUT COOKIES®, THIN MINTS®, TREFOILS®, GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALE®, GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM®, GIRL SCOUT S’MORES™ and the Trefoil Design are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. Little Brownie Bakers is an official GSUSA licensee. SAMOAS, TAGALONGS, DO-SI-DOS and SAVANNAH SMILES are registered trademarks of Kellogg NA Co. TOFFEE-TASTIC is a trademark of Kellogg NA Co. Copyright ®, TM, © 2017-2018 Kellogg NA Co.
• RSPO Certified (Mass Balance) Palm Oil
Five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program The Girl Scout Cookie Program is THE leading entrepreneurial program for girls. When girls and troops participate in the cookie program, girls learn to work as a team to accomplish goals while building confidence in their skills and abilities. And did we mention fun? They have a ton of that, too!
Skill
In Girl Scouts and beyond
Goal Setting
Setting personal goals teaches Girl Scouts the steps needed to achieve their goals AND the planning each step requires. Being able to set, achieve, and measure a goal’s outcome are important professional skills. Participating in a group decisionmaking process allows girls to learn what types of tasks they are good at and how their skills can contribute to successful outcomes.
Decision Making
Money Management
Beyond learning the basics of making change, Girl Scouts learn budgeting skills when they participate in decisions about how to use troop money to fund activities and projects.
People Skills
When girls participate in product sales programs, they learn to ask people they know AND don’t know for their support. These experiences translate into girls being able to advocate for themselves as they get older.
Business Ethics
Girl Scouts learn the importance of safeguarding money and delivering product in a timely manner. Understanding how to gain trust and keep their word are key life skills.
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Safety Guidelines Girl Scouts of Connecticut puts a great emphasis on the safety of girls participating in the cookie program, whether selling online or in person. A complete list of safety guidelines can be found in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Product Programs and in Volunteer Essentials at gsofct.org. All girls and families should be made aware of this important information, so that they can have a safe and successful cookie program. Plan Ahead • All girls should be registered and have a signed Annual Consent form on file with the co-leader prior to participating in the cookie program. • Involve girls in goal setting, planning, and execution of the troop’s cookie program. • Educate girls and parents about cookie program safety so that they understand and are aware of safety measures. • An adult must accompany Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors when they are selling, taking orders, or delivering cookies. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors may use the buddy system and pair up with another girl; however, an adult must be available while they are engaging in cookie program activities. • Girl Scouts must wear a membership pin, uniform, or Girl Scout clothing when
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selling, taking orders, or delivering cookies. • Girls should only go door-todoor during daylight hours and in familiar neighborhoods. • Be safe while on the road, especially in busy intersections and walking along the roadway. • Do not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger. • Safeguard money. Avoid walking around with large amounts of money. Money should be given to the Troop Cookie Manager regularly and promptly deposited in the troop bank account. • Girls should only share their first names and a group contact number or email address overseen by an adult if customers need to request information or place another order. • Take the GSUSA Internet Safety Pledge before going online.
Safety Guidelines Safety at booth sales • The co-leader should have a signed permission form for each participating girl. • Girls should only provide their troop number and cookie program goals to customers. • Keep girls at the booth location and away from cars and parking lots. Use caution when unloading product and passengers from vehicles. • At least two adults should be with girls at all times to cover bathroom breaks or emergencies. Adults must be present at booth sales with girls of any age; however, girls
Safety online • Adults should supervise girls at all times when they are participating in any online activity related to the Girl Scout Cookie Program. • The Digital Cookie platform is the only approved online sales tool available for girls when selling cookies. Girls cannot set up third-party sites where cookies are sold and money is exchanged online, i.e. PayPal. • Families and girls ages 13 and older may only use social media that allow them to restrict access to friends and family (i.e. Facebook) to post the link to their Digital Cookie site. They should not use sites that do not provide
MUST also always be at the booth sale site. • Allow room around the booth for people and cars to pass by. Do not block a business’ entrance or exit. • Girls (other than Girl Scout Daisies) can accept money and make change; however, an adult should safeguard cash and keep it out of sight. • Girls should dress for the weather and wear Girl Scout identification at the booth sale. • Make sure a first aid kit is available at the booth. this protection, such as Craigslist, eBay. • A girl’s Digital Cookie site should only be shared with people that the girl knows in real life. • Girls should only use their first names, troop/group number, or council name, and never reveal their personal email or street address when online. If providing an email address, a girl should use either a group account monitored by an adult or an email account supervised by an adult. • Refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Computer/ Online Activities at gsofct.org for complete safety guidelines. 19
In person = 4 boxes
Digital = 6.6 boxes
The Digital Cookie platform is an exciting way for girls to learn 21st century entrepreneurial skills. Girls can create their own Digital Order Card (DOC) on the Digital Cookie platform and invite customers near and far to support them. Girls and families can visit the For Cookie Sellers page at gsofct.org for complete information on how to get started with the Digital Cookie platform. • Girls of all program levels may participate. • Troops receive proceeds from all boxes sold on girl DOCs and cookies sold on girl DOCs count toward girl rewards. • Girls can track progress toward their cookie goal by adding in-person sales to their DOC. • Girls can create and add videos or photos to their DOC to fully personalize their site. • A parent/guardian MUST register a girl on the Digital Cookie platform in order for the girl to set up her DOC. • A parent/guardian MUST approve all content on a girl’s DOC before it is published and viewable to customers. Did you know? Orders placed via girl DOCs are larger than orders placed in person!
Customers pay online and have several purchase options, including: • Purchase cookies to be shipped directly to them (additional shipping and handling charges apply). • Donate cookies to the Cookies for Heroes Program. • Purchase cookies to be delivered to them by the Girl Scout. Note: These in-person orders placed online MUST be included with the Girl Scout’s Initial Order in eBudde.
Getting started with Digital Cookie: • Ensure Girl Scout is registered for 2017-2018 membership year. • Parents/guardians should look for the Digital Cookie registration email from email@email.girlscouts.org on or around December 20, 2017. • Didn’t receive the email? Contact Product Sales at (800) 922-2770. 20
Cookies for Heroes Program Cookies for Heroes is the council’s Gift of Caring program. Girls can offer their customers the opportunity to support the girl’s troop and, at the same time, to donate cookies to women and men serving in the military, veterans, and local heroes.
How do girls sell cookies for the Cookies for Heroes Program? Girls can sell cookies for this program in person during Initial Order Taking and the Goal Getter periods as well as at booth sales and walkabouts. Customers can also make a purchase for Cookies for Heroes through the Digital Cookie platform. TIP: Have the girls set a Cookies for Heroes goal to discuss the program with their customers. When taking orders, girls should ask customers if they would like to make a Cookies for Heroes purchase. If girls are leaving an order card at a parent/family/ friend’s workplace, they can attach a Cookies for Heroes flyer to the order card. Booth sales are a great time to promote Cookies for Heroes. Troops can decorate their booths with posters and flyers to market the program to customers.
How do cookies sold for Cookies for Heroes get to the intended recipients? GSOFCT partners with organizations to deliver the
cookies so the troop does not physically handle boxes of cookies sold for the program.
How are cookies sold for the program accounted for? How do girls receive credit for these cookies? When a girl sells a box (or more!) for Cookies for Heroes, she records the purchase on her order card and the Troop Cookie Manager records the sale in eBudde. Boxes sold for Cookies for Heroes on the Digital Cookie platform are automatically recorded in eBudde and do not need to be added by the troop volunteer.
Local Gift of Caring project The troop may participate in a local gift of caring project by selecting a community organization to receive its cookie donations. If a troop chooses this method of donating cookies, the troop is responsible for contacting the organization prior to taking donations to confirm it can accept the cookies. The cookies are taken from the troop’s inventory and delivered by the troop. 21
Connecting with Customers
Girls can ask customers to purchase cookies in many differen
thought and planning. Many people would love to buy Girl Sco
been asked! Below are some ideas for connecting with custom
ways that make sense for them, but also to try some new stra
Friends and Family These individuals are probably the first to be asked by girls because they are the people girls know best. A younger girl, especially, can find it helpful to practice her sales pitch with people she is more comfortable with. Girls can visit friends and family in person to ask if they would like to purchase cookies. They can also be contacted by phone, text, or via a marketing email through the Digital Cookie platform (see page 20 for more information about the Digital Cookie platform). Girls older than 13 can use their social media accounts to let people know they are participating in the cookie program. Girls younger than 13 can use their parent/guardian social media accounts. Remind girls to think about the individual person and what might be the best way to reach him or her. Older girls can strategize about ways to find customers beyond friends and family, including developing a marketing plan and reaching out to all the communities they are part of, including after-school activities and houses of worship. Girls can follow up with customers after they deliver their cookies to thank them and to find out if they would like to order more cookies. Many customers get hungry for more after tasting their first cookies of the season! 22
Connecting with Customers
nt ways; some are obvious, while others may require more
out Cookies, but they do not know a Girl Scout or have not
mers. Encourage girls and families to reach out to people in
ategies for finding customers. Door-to-door in the neighborhood Going door-to-door is a fun activity for families and for troops. Girls can take orders on their order cards and then come back to deliver the cookies and accept payment. If a neighbor is not at home and the girl knows them well, she could leave a flyer or door hanger letting them know that she’s selling Girl Scout cookies. The marketing piece can provide an adult’s phone number or adult-monitored email address so that they can contact the Girl Scout to place an order. Girls can also let their neighbors know that they can send an email with a link to their Digital Order Card so the customer can order later. Girls can do a walkabout after the cookies are delivered so that neighbors can buy additional cookies on the spot!
Workplace Sales Some parent/guardian/family friend workplaces may allow a girl to come in and make a presentation to staff, ask staff individually to buy cookies, or leave an order card with a note with her first name and cookie goal attached to it. If a girl leaves her card at the place of business, an adult may be responsible for the card at the workplace, but girls should take responsibility for filling orders, writing thank-you notes and, if possible, delivering cookies.
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Connecting with Customers Other ideas If customers are not interested in purchasing cookies for themselves, let them know about the Cookies for Heroes program. Customers can purchase cookies to be donated to active duty service members, veterans, and local heroes (see page 21 for more information). Girls can visit local businesses to ask employees/ owners if they would like to order cookies. Many local business owners love to support girls and troops in their communities and may buy multiple boxes of cookies to give to their customers or employees as a thank-you gift. Girls can ask adults at school if they would like to buy cookies. Prospective customers may
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include teachers, the principal, librarian, school secretaries, social workers, custodians, or other adults who may be looking for a special treat. Girls can keep their order cards with them when they go with their families on errands. This way, girls won’t miss a cookie sale opportunity! If girls are active in a community or a house of worship, they can bring their order cards with them when they attend services/activities. The most important thing to remember is: ALWAYS ask people if they would like to purchase cookies. Being asked is how people become cookie customers!
Initial Order Taking Initial Order Taking kicks off on Saturday, January 6! Girls can take orders in person, via phone and text, and through the Digital Cookie platform! This checklist will help you prepare for the start of the cookie program, from Initial Order Taking through Cookie Delivery Day.
December 2017
February 5-9, 2018
• Troop Cookie Managers will have access to eBudde beginning on December 15. • eBudde instructions and tutorials will be available at gsofct.org after December 15. • Troop Cookie Managers should review the contact information listed for the co-leader and Troop Cookie Manager in eBudde and make any necessary changes. • Girls and a parent/guardian should be on the lookout for the registration email for the Digital Cookie platform on December 20. Digital Cookie Order Cards will open for business on January 6.
• Enter girls’ Initial Orders into eBudde. • In-person orders received through the Digital Cookie platform need to be entered by flavor as part of the girls’ Initial Order. • Shipped and/or donated orders received through the Digital Cookie platform should NOT be manually recorded in eBudde. These orders will flow directly into the girl’s eBudde record from the Digital Cookie platform. • Review troop and girl Initial Order rewards in eBudde. The troop’s Initial Order must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 9, 2018.
January 6-February 4, 2018 • Girl Scouts take customers’ cookie orders in person, by phone, and through the Digital Cookie platform. Troop Cookie Managers check in with girls and offer support. • Troop Cookie Managers should speak with families about possible booth sale dates in March.
March 3 & 4, 2018 • Pick up troop’s Initial Order cookies at the assigned date, time, and cookie delivery site. • Distribute cookies to families. Obtain an adult signature for each girl’s cookie order. • Initial Order rewards will be distributed to troops on or around Cookie Delivery Day. 25
Initial Order Rewards The Initial Order Taking Period is the BEST time for girls and troops to start slaying their goals! Below are the rewards that can ONLY be earned during the Initial Order Taking Period. Initial Order Rewards are pictured on the order card and page 36 of this guide.
Girl Initial Order Reward Girls who sell 120 boxes or more will receive the Mermaid Blanket. Girls who sell 150 boxes or more will receive the Mermaid Blanket AND the Artist Roll. • All boxes sold on the paper order card and through the Digital Cookie platform during the Initial Order Taking Period will count toward girls’ Initial Order Rewards. • Eligible girls will earn the Initial Order Reward even if the troop opts for additional proceeds.
Troop Initial Order Reward Troops averaging 120 boxes sold per girl selling during the Initial Order Taking Period will earn the Awesome Day Pillowcase. All girls with an Initial Order PLUS two adults will earn the reward, if the troop is eligible. • All boxes sold by girls on their paper order cards and through the Digital Cookie platform plus cases ordered on the Booth Line in eBudde under the Initial Order tab will count toward the troop’s per girl selling average. • The troop Initial Order Reward can be earned by all troops, including those which opt for additional proceeds in lieu of girl rewards. • Only troops can earn the Troop Initial Order Reward; girls registered as Individual Girl Members do not earn this reward.
Booth Sale Bonus Troops earn $20 for every 20 cases ordered in the Booth Line on the Initial Order tab. • Only troops can earn the booth sale bonus; girls registered as Individual Girl Members do not earn this bonus. • Troops MUST have AT LEAST two girl Initial Orders entered in eBudde to earn the bonus. Booth cookies ordered on the Initial Order will be picked up with the rest of the troop’s cookies on Cookie Delivery Day. • When ordered as part of the Initial Order in eBudde, booth sale cookies CANNOT be returned, even if not sold during the cookie program. 26
Goal Getter Sales Cookie program fun continues when girls participate in the Goal Getter Period! After the Initial Order Cards are handed in, girls can use their Goal Getter Order Cards and contact customers through the Digital Cookie platform to boost their cookie program sales. Goal Getter Orders can be taken through April 1.
During Goal Getter Sales Girls Can…
Collecting Goal Getter Order Cards and Filling Orders
• Try something new! Reach out to additional customers via the Digital Cookie platform or test out a new marketing strategy. Talk with the girls in the troop about progress made toward their goals and what they want to try next. • Earn more rewards! Final rewards are based on girls’ total sales, including those that take place during the Goal Getter Period. • Increase troop proceeds! With tiered proceeds,the more girls sell, the greater the per box proceeds (see page 15 for the proceed levels). Have the girls calculate how many more boxes they need to sell to move to the next proceed level. • Have fun! Girls can have a photoshoot or record videos to personalize their Digital Order Cards. Or, they can make one of the many cookie-inspired crafts found at littlebrowniebakers.com. • Whatever the girls decide to do, the fun of the cookie program continues!
The Troop Cookie Manager should communicate to girls/ families how to submit Goal Getter orders to him/her. Goal Getter orders can be filled in two ways: 1. Use the troop’s extra cookies from the troop’s Initial Order, OR 2. Pick up the cookies from a cookie cupboard. It is best practice to use the troop’s extra boxes first before picking up from the cupboard (more information on cookie cupboards on page 31).
Assigning Goal Getter Boxes to Girls All Goal Getter cookies, once distributed, should be assigned to girls in eBudde. Goal Getter eBudde instructions will be available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org by mid-February. Assigning boxes will ensure girls receive all earned rewards, and the correct amount of money is collected from each family. 27
Booth Sales The booth sale period is from March 3 to April 1, 2018. Let your troop families know when the troop’s booth sale has been scheduled, so that the booth will have adequate coverage and all girls will have the opportunity to participate.
How does the troop obtain a booth sale site?
How do I get cookies for the booth sale?
Booth sale sites are handled at the service unit level. Troops should check with their Service Unit Cookie Manager to find out what the service unit’s procedure is for securing a booth site. Booth sales can only be held during the booth sale period (March 3-April 1, 2018). ANY exception must be approved by the Product Sales Team (productsales@gsofct.org).
Troops can either order booth sale cookies on their Initial Order or they can pick up booth sale cookies at a council or service unit cupboard (see page 31 for more information).
Note: Troops may only hold booth sales within their assigned service unit. If troops wants to hold a booth sale outside the service unit’s borders, they must contact their Service Unit Cookie Manager to see about obtaining permission from the service unit in which the site is located.
How long should the booth sale last? Booth sales can be held for as few as two hours or for an entire day. Factors that will influence the booth sale are the number of girls and adults available, the age of the girls, and the availability of the location as determined by the service unit. 28
Note: Troops can only sell cookies received on March 3 or 4, 2018, from a GSOFCT Cookie Delivery Site or from a GSOFCT cookie cupboard in March 2018. Cookies from Election Day Booth Sales, a different council, or past sales CANNOT be sold.
What are the safety guidelines regarding booth sales? • Check out the booth sale site beforehand. Look for security measures and the location of the nearest bathroom. Talk to local businesses or the volunteer in your service unit who coordinates the booth site locations to seek input on the location. • Review the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Product Sales at gsofct.org and the Safety Guidelines on pages 18-19. Make sure to always
Booth Sales have at least two adults at the booth to allow for breaks and/ or emergencies. The girl/adult ratio should be followed at all times. At least one approved adult from each troop is expected to participate in product sales training and to update the girls and volunteers on safety and program materials before the booth sale. • Ensure the table does not block pedestrians, bikes, or cars around your booth. Keep girls safely away from cars. Safeguard the cash box. • Girls should be in charge of making all sales, and Girl Scout Brownies and older should be allowed to make change. Adults are responsible for the cash box and assisting girls.
• A first aid kit must be accessible at the booth at all times.
What should the troop bring to the booth sale? • In addition to cookies, bring a cash box with starter change, a table, and signs and decorations for the table. • Girls should either wear a uniform, a membership pin, or informal Girl Scout clothing. Girls should dress for the weather, which could include a winter coat, snow boots/warm footwear, hat, gloves/mittens, and scarf. • Adult volunteers supervising the booth sale can bring a snack and/or water for the girls. Girls should step away from the table to eat or drink. (cont. on next page)
29
Booth Sales • Girls can bring cards and ribbon to make multi-box bundles for occasions, such as birthdays or holidays. • Girls can make thank-you cards that include cookie-inspired recipes.
What else should the troop know about booth sales? • Be sure to talk about the Cookies for Heroes Program with customers. Use the Cookies for Heroes box wrap around a box of Thin Mints to visually promote the program. • Troops MAY NOT sell items other than cookies or solicit for other organizations at the booth. • ALL cash donations received at the booth sale should be used to purchase cookies for either the Cookies for Heroes program OR the troop’s local Gift of Caring program. • At the start of the booth sale, check in with the business owner/manager and follow any instructions that she/ he gives you. Do not ask the business for any supplies or change; be sure the troop brings everything it will need for the booth sale. • Store cases off the ground. • Keep things neat! Rremove empty cases right away. Be 30
sure to remove everything the troop brought to the site when it leaves. The girls can write a note to the site manager to show the troop’s appreciation. • If the troop picked up cookies from a cupboard, it may return full, unopened cases in excellent condition to the same cupboard it picked the cookies up from on the agreed upon date, but no later than seven days following the booth sale. • Allocate the cookies to all girls who participated at the booth sale under the Girl Order tab in eBudde. This ensures all girls who participated receive credit for the sales. Refer to the Goal Getter/Booth Sale eBudde instructions for step-by-step directions. These instructions will be available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org by mid-February. • The cookies should be allocated in a way that is fair to ALL the girls. Keep in mind that girls who did not come to the booth the day of the sale MAY have helped out in other ways, such as making posters, or helping with the cookie pick up.
Cookie Cupboards Cookie cupboards are where troops can pick up additional boxes or cases of cookies needed to fill Goal Getter Orders and/ or to stock cookie booth sales. Volunteers make arrangements directly with the cupboard manager to pick up cookies.
Placing a cookie order
troops can use at their booth Troop volunteers reserve cookies sales. Please reserve these and schedule pick-up times with items when the cookie order is the cupboard manager. See chart placed. below regarding information on Assigning cookies to a troop council and service unit cookie Individual boxes picked up to fill cupboards. Goal Getter Orders become the Picking up the cookie order immediate responsibility of the • Allow time to count the troop and cannot be returned. cookies with the cupboard Full cases of cookies picked up manager, sign for the boxes, for a booth sale are taken on and load them into the car. consignment. Troops may return • Once cookies are signed for unsold consignment cookies if (adult signatures only), they they are full, unopened cases in become the property of the excellent condition on the agreed troop and will be entered in the upon date but no later than troop’s eBudde record. Troops seven days following the booth should expect to see cupboard sale. Consignment cookies MAY transactions entered in eBudde NOT be kept for the entire cookie within 48 hours. program and returned at the end. • Some cupboards may have cookie costumes or signs that Council Cupboard
Service Unit Cupboard
Open to troops in ANY service unit.
Open to troops within a specific service unit.
Will open the week before cookie delivery weekend.
Will open after cookie delivery weekend.
A list of council cupboards, including cupboard manager contact information, will be available on the Cookie Volunteer Resource page at gsofct.org in mid-February.
The cupboard manager will advise the Troop Cookie Managers/ co-leaders in the service unit of contact information and cupboard operating hours.
31
Cookie Delivery Day All cookies entered in eBudde as part of the troop’s Initial Order will be picked up on March 3 or March 4, 2018, at one of the cookie delivery sites around the state. Each service unit is assigned a date, delivery site location, and a time range for troops to select a pick-up time. Troops will select a delivery time in eBudde (Delivery tab) after they submit their Initial Order.
What do I need to do to prepare for Cookie Delivery Day? FF Recruit
at least one troop adult to help you. One person is needed to drive the vehicle and one to act as a counter. Please note: If your troop has a large order, you may need more than one vehicle on delivery day. See chart on opposite page to determine how many cases will fit in the vehicle(s). FF Sign up for a delivery slot (Delivery tab) in eBudde AFTER you submit the troop’s Initial Order. Please make a note of the date, time, AND location so you are ready on delivery day. FF Make a plan for troop families to pick up their cookies from you. Remember to have a parent/guardian sign a receipt for each girl’s cookie order when they are picked up. These signatures are important to transfer the responsibility for the cookies from the Troop Cookie Manager to the family. 32
Delivery Day Checklist Prior to pick-up time FF Make sure that all vehicles used for cookie pick up are clean and empty. For safety reasons, do not bring any children or pets. FF Any open pickup truck must have a covering or a tarp to protect the cookies. FF Make sure each vehicle has two adults. Having a counter with each vehicle is essential to ensure the troop receives the correct number of cookies. During pick up at your scheduled time. Troops that arrive before or after their assigned time will only be allowed to join the line when traffic flow and time allows. FF If your troop will be using more than one vehicle to pick up its cookies, ask the drivers to arrive at the assigned time. Troop cars will not be allowed to join the line until ALL vehicles are present. FF Arrive
Cookie Delivery Day FF Count
the cookies. A troop adult will need to sign and be responsible for the cookies at the end of the line, so it is important that she/he is sure that the troop received all of the cases that are being signed for. FF If delivery overages, shortages, and/or damages are discovered, the Troop Cookie Manager should report them to the Delivery Site Manager. If the shortage/ overage is discovered after the cookie delivery site is closed, the discrepancy should be reported to the Product Sales Team (productsales@gsofct.org) as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours after the end of delivery day.
Volunteers are always needed to help on Cookie Delivery Day. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts (high school age and older), troop parents, high school students, and college students are welcome! For students who need service hours, letters will be provided to certify hours.
How many cases of cookies fit in your vehicle? NOTE: The numbers below assume an empty vehicle, which means all sports gear, groceries, back seat passengers and pets have been left at home, and there are no child car seats in the car. Compact car 25-30 cases Standard sedan (using back seat and trunk) Small SUV
50-60 cases
SUV/Minivan (extra seats have been removed/folded down) Standard pickup truck Cargo van
100-150 cases
50-65 cases
100 cases 200 cases 33
Cookie Program Rewards
Participation patch 25+ boxes
Bandana 60+ boxes
Seas the Day Thermal Cup 85+ boxes
500 Club
OR Mystic Aquarium
Splash of Color Art Journal AND $25 Cookie Credit 300+ boxes
Bluetooth Turtle Speaker AND $35 Cookie Credit 400+ boxes
Traveling Turtle Bag OR Girl Scout Day at Mystic Aquarium on April 29, 2018, PLUS 500+ patch, AND $50 Cookie Credit 500+ boxes
1000 Club
1300 Club On-the-Go Kit Fitbit Alta
Art and Luncheon with the CEO at the Mystic Museum of Art on May 19, 2018, PLUS 1000+ patch, AND $100 Cookie Credit, 1000+ boxes
OR
Customizable Vans
Day Camp
Wireless Earbud Headphones
On-the-Go Kit OR One Week at GSOFCT Day Camp (up to $250 value) 1300+ boxes
All rewards are cumulative except Cookie Cre
Every effort will be made to provide the rewards as pictured. If the actual item is unavailable, a
34
Cookie Program Rewards
Seas the Day T-shirt AND $10 Cookie Credit 150+ boxes
Hatching Turtle Plush 125+ boxes
750 Club
OR Awesome Sign OR An Altogether Awesome Day at Lake Compounce on June 16, 2018, PLUS 700+ patch AND $75 Cookie Credit 750+ boxes
1600 Club
OR
Resident Camp
Apple iPad (Wi-Fi) OR One Week at GSOFCT Resident Camp (up to $450 value) 1600+ boxes
redits.
a substitute of equal or greater value will be provided.
Weekender Tote AND $15 Cookie Credit 200+ boxes
Cookie Credits Girls earn Cookie Credits beginning at 150 boxes. Cookie credits can be used to pay registration fees for 2018 GSOFCT Summer Camp or to purchase items from any GSOFCT shop or camp trading post. When Cookie Credits are used to pay 2018 Summer Camp registration fees, the value of the Cookie Credit will be DOUBLED! Cookie Credits are mailed directly to the co-leader/ Troop Cookie Manager in early May. Please distribute the Cookie Credits to the girls as soon as they are received, since the girls worked hard to earn them! Cookie Credits expire on September 21, 2018. 35
Cookie Program Rewards Girl Rewards Girl rewards, except for the Initial Order Rewards, are based on all cookies sold during the ENTIRE cookie program (January 6 – April 1, 2018). All girl rewards are cumulative EXCEPT for Cookie Credits. A girl will earn the highest value Cookie Credit based on her final box count. If the troop has elected to take additional proceeds in lieu of rewards, girls WILL still receive all patches, Cookie Credits, Gift of Caring and Digital Cookie rewards, and items at the 750 box level and above that are earned. Troops order their final rewards on the Rewards tab in eBudde at the end of the cookie program. eBudde instructions are available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org.
Initial Order Rewards Below are the Initial Order Rewards for girls and troops. See page 26 for how girls and troops can earn these rewards! Mermaid Blanket— Girl reward earned at 120+ boxes
Artist Roll—Girl reward earned at 150+ boxes
Altogether Awesome Pillowcase—Troop reward earned when troop achieves 120 per girl selling average
Cookies for Heroes/Local Gift of Caring Rewards Girls who sell 1 or more boxes for the Cookies for Heroes program OR a local Gift of Caring initiative will earn the GOC patch. Girls who sell 15 or more boxes for the Cookies for Heroes program will earn the Awesome Bracelet Set. Note: Only boxes sold for the Cookies for Heroes program will count toward this reward.
Digital Cookie Rewards Girls who send 15 or more emails through the Digital Cookie platform will earn the Cookie Techie patch. Girls who sell 40 or more boxes through the Digital Cookie platform will earn the Samoas Earbud Pouch. 36
Cookie Program Rewards TOP Troop Reward - 5¢/box in GSOFCT Shop Credit! To earn this reward, troops need to complete five requirements; three mandatory requirements and two additional requirements of the troop’s choosing from the chart below. In addition, the Troop Cookie Manager must complete the online TOP Troop Reward form. The link to this form can be found on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org.
Mandatory Requirements (all Additional Requirements three MUST be met) (troop MUST complete two) Achieve per girl selling average of Set a troop sales goal and share 125 boxes. the troop’s plan for the cookie program proceeds. Submit electronic payment (ACH) authorization by February 9, 2018, AND have sufficient funds so all electronic payments (ACH) are successfully completed on the scheduled dates.
Have at least 50 percent of the participating girls in the troop earn a Cookie Business badge.
Girls must participate in the Initial Order Taking Period of the cookie program, and the troop must submit its Initial Order in eBudde by 11:59 p.m. on February 9, 2018.
Have at least 50 percent of the participating girls set up sites in Digital Cookie and send marketing emails.
Hold at least one booth sale or walkabout and provide a picture of the event.
Service Unit Bonus Help the service unit earn a cash award for increasing its sales over the 2017 Cookie Program! The funds can be used for any legitimate service unit expense, such as events, camporees, adult recognitions, or other expenses. • Service units can earn 1/2¢ for every box sold if the service unit increases its sale by 1/2 percent or more over the 2017 Cookie Program OR • Service units can earn 1¢ for every box sold if the service unit increases its sale by 2 percent or more over the 2017 Cookie Program. 37
Cookie Program Finances Troop payments to council are made by electronic payment (ACH) from troop bank accounts. ALL troops must complete and submit the online Electronic Payment (ACH) Authorization form NO LATER than February 9, 2018. Full details, including the link to the authorization form, Electronic Payment (ACH) FAQs, and the Electronic Payment (ACH) Terms of Agreement, can be found on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org. There will be two electronic (ACH) withdrawals: March 23 for 60% of the amount due in eBudde, and April 9 for the final balance. Note: If the troop has previously submitted an authorization form for the 2017 QSP Program or 2017 Election Day Booth Sales, it does NOT need to submit the form again for the cookie program.
Payment from customers ordering cookies How cookies are paid for is determined by how the order is placed— in person OR online via the Digital Cookie platform. For orders taken by a girl in person, cookies are paid for when the cookies are delivered. Cash or check payable to GSOFCT are accepted in-person payments and should be given to the girl/parent when cookies are delivered. GSOFCT does NOT require payment prior to delivery. Cookies should NOT be left without receiving payment. NOTE: If an in-person customer purchases cookies ONLY for the Cookies for Heroes program, payment can be collected at the point of purchase. For orders placed via the Digital Cookie platform (online), payment will be made via a credit or debit card at the point of purchase, regardless of the delivery option the customer chooses—donated, shipped, or in-person delivery. Girls will NOT collect payment from customers for these orders.
Payment for cookies at booth sales Payment can be made by cash or check payable to GSOFCT. Troops are responsible for the value of all counterfeit money. Troops should carefully consider accepting checks from customers not known to troop families. Troops should be mindful of possibly receiving counterfeit bills and should use a counterfeit bill detector pen to check any bills received. Troops can use card readers to accept credit cards for payment at booth sales. If the troop chooses to accept credit cards at its booth sale(s), it is responsible for obtaining the device and all fees associated with usage. 38
Payment to the troop from families The Troop Cookie Manager is responsible for keeping track of the number of boxes distributed to families and the funds received from each girl’s family for these boxes. The Troop Cookie Manager must use the receipt book received as part of the troop’s cookie program material to collect signatures whenever money or product is exchanged. The Troop Cookie Manager is responsible for communicating to troop families the amount owed and procedure for making payment to the troop. Troop Cookie Managers should record payments received for each girl’s order in eBudde. If the troop anticipates not having sufficient funds for the electronic payment(s), contact the Product Sales team at productsales@gsofct.org.
Cookie payment issues Non-payment from girl/family If a troop is unable to collect the amount due from a girl/family, the troop should NOT pay council for the boxes that have not been paid for. To start the collection process, the Troop Cookie Manager should compile the following documentation and submit to the Product Sales Manager NO LATER than May 1, 2018: • A completed Parent/Guardian Cookie Program Delinquency Form, including steps taken to collect the money • Original parent signature accepting the cookies • A copy of the girl’s Annual Consent form. If a troop collects the delinquent amount after the documentation has been submitted, the Product Sales Manager should be notified. If council is successful in collecting the debt within a reasonable amount of time, the troop will receive the proceeds due. Returned checks If a check is returned by the bank, the troop should take the following steps: • Attempt to resolve the situation with the parent/guardian or customer • If unable to recover the value of the check and bank fees within two weeks, submit the following documentation to the Finance Team NO LATER than June 1, 2018 in order to be reimbursed: • Original legal copy of check sent from the bank • Copy of the bank notice • Troop information, including troop number, service unit name, co-leader contact information, and description of attempts to collect money. Documentation should be mailed to: GSOFCT - Finance Department, Attn: Chasity Alamo, 340 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106. If received AFTER June 1, 2018, reimbursement will be withheld until council has recovered the funds. 39
Volunteer Resources Below are additional resources volunteers can access to ensure they have the information and materials needed so the girls and troop have a great experience with the cookie program. The following resources can be found on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org: Video tutorials and/or written instructions/directions on several topics, including: • eBudde • Understanding how Digital • Getting started with the Digital Cookie and eBudde work Cookie platform together Links to the following materials: • TOP Troop Reward form • Electronic Payment (ACH) authorization form
• Electronic Payment (ACH) Terms & Agreement • Electronic Payment (ACH) FAQs
Quick Tip one page PDFs: • Understanding the Initial Order • Cookie Delivery Day • Five skills of the Girl Scout • Goal Getter Orders, Booth Sales and Cookie Cupboards Cookie Program Additional resources • GSOFCT’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/gsofct) • Little Brownie Baker’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/littlebrowniebakers) features videos featuring real girl success stories and top-selling tips. • Get the training you need when you want it at VIP e-Training (vipetraining.littlebrownie.com) • Find girl activities, marketing ideas, cookie facts, program resources, and clip art to help girls prepare for the cookie program at littlebrownie.com • Pinterest has a variety of boards featuring crafts, recipes, and marketing ideas that are sure to add a new twist to your cookie program!
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GSUSA Cookie PRO 2018 Do you have a cookie pro (or several!) in your troop? Tell them about GSUSA’s Cookie Pro 2018! GSUSA is looking for cookie sellers to share their tips and strategies to becoming a cookie pro. Girls who enter the contest will have a chance to earn a limited-edition Cookie Pro patch and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including being featured on a Girl Scout Cookie box! Complete details can be found at girlscouts.org/cookiepro.
Encourage her to step up today to show everyone how the world’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program helped her be a barrier breakin’, challenge crushin’, lead takin’ cookie pro!
BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, GIRLS GET A CHANCE TO: Unlock this awesome, limited-edition Cookie Pro 2018 patch
Be featured on our iconic Girl Scout Cookie box
Girl Scouts of the USA
COOKIE PRO 2018
Travel to NYC for an all-expenses-paid Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur Experience, where girls will talk business with GSUSA leaders and be recognized as a Top Cookie Pro 2018
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Who can participate? Registered Girl Scout Cookie sellers from participating councils How do girls enter? By completing their very own Cookie Pro Resume Survey online and submitting it along with a photo
FUN FACT: 200 million Girl Scout Cookie boxes are distributed each year to more than 50 million cookie buyers!
Her cookie pro submission should include things like: Cookie badges she’s earned and skills she’s learned What she’s done or plans to do with her cookie earnings Best selling tips for crushing cookie sale goals like a PRO!
girlscouts.org/cookiepro Entry details and official contest rules will be available September 1, 2017. Entries accepted January 2, 2018, through April 30, 2018. One entry per girl from participating councils. The GIRL SCOUTS® name, mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design, are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA.
STRONG SENSE OF SELF Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
POSITIVE VALUES Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.
CHALLENGE SEEKING Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them.
Why do these five outcomes matter? When girls exhibit these attitudes and skills, they become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. But don’t take our word for it! Studies show that the development of attitudes, behaviors, and skills like confidence, conflict resolution, and problem solving are critical to well-being and rival academic and technical skills in their capacity to predict long-term positive life outcomes.