Cookie Program

Marguerite WoungChapman

Chair of the Board and President of the Council From the TOP

When is a cookie not just a cookie? When it is a Girl Scout Cookie of course! We all know that the Cookie Program is about so much more than cookies. It’s about the girls and supporting their leadership journey. It’s about providing troops with funds to pay for activities or service projects that make our world a better place. And for our council, it’s about ensuring Girl Scouting continues to thrive in our community. Proceeds help maintain our camps and keep fees low and attainable for all members. And last but certainly not least, your participation in the Cookie Program makes Girl Scouting a reality for all girls, regardless of their ability to pay, by providing financial assistance and supporting our community outreach program, where staff bring the Girl Scout experience to girls in underserved communities- in schools, homeless shelters and detention centers, among others.

So a big thank you to our volunteers! Because you have stepped up to be troop leaders and cookie volunteers, girls are ready to learn the five skills through the Cookie Program. Besides raising money to support our local programs, camps, troops and their communities and regions, girls get to be part of the largest girl-led business in the country. Thank you, parents too! You are a big part of the program from helping girls pick up cookies to helping them plan their business and going out with them to deliver.

While cookies are only available in February and March of each year, the program is a major focus all year. Troops secure year-round funding for activities like a special trip, a weekend of camping or next year’s dues. This year as we celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting in southeast Texas, we welcome a new cookie, Adventurefuls! I’m excited to see what adventures girls will take from the proceeds of this year’s cookie program.

Before I sign off, I have even more thanks to give! Thank you for supporting our girls as they make memories they will fondly recall as adults. Thank you for giving your time and talent so they can be a part of this wonderful tradition. And thank you for entrusting us with your Girl Scout’s growth and development. Together, we can make her future brighter. I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish!

PP for Girls

3000 Southwest Freeway, Houston 713-292-0247 Sun. & Mon. Close Tue. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. TH. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Imperial Valley

15800 Imperial Valley Dr., Houston 281- 447-8870 Sat., Sun., Mon. Close Tue. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. TH. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lufkin

1202 College Drive, Lufkin 936-634-4688 Sat., Sun., Mon. Close Tue. & Th. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Beaumont

700 North Street, Suite F, Beaumont 409-832-0556 Ext. 1500 Sat., Sun., Mon. Close Tue. Wed., Th. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Westside

(curbside pickup only) 531 FM 359 South, Brookshire 281- 822-4250 Wed. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stafford

12300 Parc Crest, Ste 170, Stafford 281-670-5982 Sun. & Mon. Close Tue. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. TH. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bay Area

1300 A Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 106, Houston 281-282-6077 Sun. & Mon. Close Tue. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. TH. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cypress/Jersey Village

19708 Northwest Freeway, Suite 100, Jersey Village 346-818-3227 Sun. & Mon. Close Tue. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. TH. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Shop online at gssjc.org.

Hours may alter due to weather. Call before traveling long distances.

New Leader Must-Knows!

Are you a new Girl Scout leader? Here are some things you need to know for the next few months. 1 2 3 4

Girl Scout Cookie Program kicks off Feb. 12 and runs through March 28. Get your troop involved! Select a troop cookie manager, take online training and you’re ready to go! For more info, visit gssjc.org/cookies.

World Thinking Day is Feb. 22. On this day, we celebrate the sisterhood of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Visit girlscouts.org/worldthinkingday for activities for your troop level.

Get ready for: Girl Scout Week March 6-12! This week celebrates the founding of Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912 and troops are encouraged to celebrate Girl Scouting in the community.

Get ready for summer 2022! Yes it is getting cold outside, but think about fun summer nights by the campfire. The 2022 camp guide will be in the mail in January. Grab your spot for summer fun.

Mark Your Calendars: Important Cookie Dates

January 12 Troops place orders February 3 Cookie Delivery starts February 12 It’s Cookie Time! Sale starts February 18 Cookie Booths start March 31 Cookie Sale ends

It's cookie time!

Cookie Program participation: It’s about more than cookies

Did you know the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world? It’s true–and it’s pretty amazing! We are excited about this year’s program and we hope you are too. Let’s rock this cookie season! Are you ready to unleash that unstoppable Girl Scout shine and ingenuity to make amazing things happen and reach your goals? Great! Let’s do it. Learn super useful life skills, gain a ton of confidence, and find out what you’re capable of. And there’s more–selling cookies also means big fun, great friends, and a chance to change the world!

Working as a team member with her troopmates to earn funds to do all the great things they have planned, from camping to service projects, from attending badge workshops to trips to local attractions.

She’s paying it forward and making the Girl Scout experiences possible for ALL girls in our council. Proceeds also go toward maintaining camp properties, keeping activity fees affordable and helping girls in underserved areas participate in Girl Scouts.

The 5 skills at work in the Cookie Program

Every package of Girl Scout Cookies contains so much more than cookies. For customers, the cookies provide a delicious way to support girls on their Girl Scout journey. For girls, every package includes new skills, fun, friendship, unforgettable experiences, and forever memories. When your Girl Scout takes part in the cookie program, she is learning and practicing 5 Skills she will use all her life. • Goal Setting: Girls learn how to set goals to meet deadlines, plan for how to achieve a goal, change actions when necessary and work with others to achieve goals in a group. • Decision Making: Girls learn how to think through different choices, explain reasons why they made a decision, decide between various options and consider others’ input when making group decisions. • Money Management: Girls learn how to count money and make change, create a plan to save their money, track their money so they know how much they have and distinguish the difference between wants and needs. • People Skills: Girls learn how to be respectful of others, take responsibility for what they say and do, keep their promises and to be accountable. • Business Ethics: Girls learn how to be comfortable talking to and being around new people, better communication skills to get their message across and share what they hope to achieve when working toward a goal.

COVID protocols for selling Girl Scout Cookies

As the situation around COVID changes month to month, be sure to check online at gssjc.org before the start of the sale for the most up-to-date Girl Scout guidelines for safely selling cookies. As always, also monitor your county's health organization guidelines.

 Make sure your Girl Scout is registered for the 2021-2022 membership year.  Complete the Parent Permission and Responsibility form at https://form.jotform.com/202725448544054 .  Review online Guide for parents and families at gssjc.org/2022cookieprogram  Attend your troop’s cookie meeting. Get important information about the opportunities and responsibilities of the Cookie Program.  Join the Cookie Program Team. Volunteer! Whether you can spare a little or a lot of time, there is a place for you. The Cookie

Program couldn’t happen without the time and talent parents and other volunteers give to supporting girl success at the troop and council level. Visit gssjc.org/2022cookieprogram for more information on how to get started.

Cookie cupboard updates

Overall the switch to contactless cupboard pick up last year got high marks. And this year, we are tweaking our procedures and guidelines to make it even better. For example, we want to reduce wait times for the volunteers picking up from cupboards. Please contribute to a smooth cupboard

process for all troops by placing your starting inventory order in time

to pick it up at cookie deliveries. With that in mind, some changes you will see this year are: • There will be fewer pick up slots per hour • There will be a max number of cases that can be picked up • Troops will only be able to schedule one pick up per day – i.e., multiple people from the same troop cannot pick up from the cupboards on the same day.

Tips for cookie-selling success

Calling all Girl Scouts: Whether you are selling online, at a booth or in a Walkabout, these easy tips will help make your Cookie Program participation successful – and fun! Remember to follow all safety and COVID guidelines in all your interactions with customers.

1. Greet Your Customers. Meet them with a friendly but businesslike “Hello.” Be the confident Girl

Scout #CookieBoss you are.

2. Make a Girl Scout Connection. Ask women customers if they are grown up Girl Scouts, Over 59% of women have been part of Girl Scouts since 1912 so chances are good the answer will be “yes.”

3. Share Your Goal. Talk about how your troop intends to use their proceeds from the Cookie

Program.

4. Know your Products. Be prepared to tell customers what you have available. People are always interested in new items so, make sure you can describe this year’s scrumptious new cookie,

Adventurefuls.

5. Share Your Own Girl Scout Story. People buy

Girl Scout Cookies because they love the cookies.

And they also like knowing they are supporting the dreams of girls like you.

6. Celebrate the council’s 100th Anniversary. If your troop reached the Starting Inventory Order goal, wear the limited edition GSSJC Anniversary

Pin you received. For more information, check out the inside back cover of this edition of The Golden

Link.

7. Say “Thank you.” Tell every customer you appreciate their support – and that you hope they enjoy their delicious Girl Scout Cookies.

To help troops set a target for how many cases to order initially, a Starting Inventory Order (SIO) level is set for each Cookie Program season. For the 2022 sale, troops with an initial order averaging at least 150 packages per girl will earn two great awards: a koala themed mini backpack keychain and a limited edition GSSJC 100th Anniversary Pin (see photos on back inside cover of this edition of The Golden Link.) These awards will be included in the troop’s initial delivery so they can be distributed to girls immediately.

Below is chart to help Troop Cookie Managers calculate how many total cookies to order: Girls in your troop 10 girls 12 girls 15 girls 20 girls 150 packages/girl 125 cases 150 cases 188 cases 250 cases

Special Notes:

• There are 12 packages of cookies in a case of Girl Scout Cookies • If you are a returning troop and this calculation results in an initial starting inventory that is less than 80% of your previous year’s final sales, you may want to increase your starting inventory order to 80% of your previous year’s final sales to reduce trips to the cookie cupboards • If your troop includes a different number of girls than the example, use this formula to calculate your Starting Order: • Number of girls in troop X 150 per girl = Number of packages. Divide the number of packages by 12 to get the number of cases. • Round up to the nearest case when ordering.

Ways to sell cookies in 2022

However you choose to participate in the Cookie Program, mark you calendars for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend which is scheduled for Feb. 18-20. People will be on the lookout for Girl Scout Cookies that weekend so it is an especially great time for booth sales and Walkabouts. Below is a list of different ways to sell cookies in 2022. For more information, go to gssjc.org/cookies

Contactless selling. Technology provides contactless options for participation in the Cookie Program, including a girl’s Smart Cookie Online Store, other online platforms such as Zoom and Virtual Cookie Booths.

Booths–both Traditional and Troop Secured - and Lemonade Stands are allowed, subject to all safety guidelines and GSSJC’s COVID-19 protocols being followed. For the complete list of the council’s COVID-19 protocols, see gssjc.org.

Door-to-door – Did you know that door-to-door sales remains one of the most effective ways to sell cookies? In a recent national study, 78% of those customers who were not approached during a cookie sale stated they would have purchased two to four boxes if asked. Be sure to follow the safety and COVID guidelines specifically for in-person/door-to-door sales.

Walkabouts – This is an organized version of door-to-door sales in which Girl Scouts go through a specific neighborhood to sell cookies. It’s an especially fun way for troops to sell together, with different pairs of girls taking different streets, etc. If everyone participating wears a Girl Scout tee shirt or vest, Walkabouts can create a lot of good energy and visibility.

How to use troop proceeds? The girls decide! Where does the cookie revenue go?

Girl Scouts in each troop decide how to use the proceeds earned from participating in the cookie program.

Below is a sample of how a troop of 12 Girl Scouts who reach the 2022 GSSJC Starting Inventory Order goal of 150 packages in the initial order might budget the $1,350 they earn in troop proceeds: • Attend Carousel camping weekend ($30/girl or adult) $360 • Attend a Cybersecurity badge workshop ($23 per girl) $276 • Hike with Henry at Camp Agnes Arnold ($6 per girl) $72 • Renew all girls’ memberships during Early Bird to earn an exclusive patch ($25 per girl) - $300 • Service project benefiting a local animal shelter $200 • Add to travel fund for trip next year $142

The support parents and other volunteers give to the Cookie Program means the majority of revenue from every package of Girl Scout cookies purchased can go toward girl programs and experiences at the council, community, and troop levels. All proceeds after the cost of the cookies stay local. After paying for the cookies, this is how GSSJC Cookie Program proceeds are spent:

74% - Girl Scout Program 20% - Troop and Community Proceeds 3% - Recognitions for Girls 3% - Other

Are you looking for a guilt-free way to skip the gym? Join Girl Scout parents and guardians, their family members and friends who volunteer at cookie cupboards. Volunteers should be • at least 18 • like being active • enjoy being around fun people • interested in being part of a “Great American Tradition.”

Cupboard volunteers help to reduce wait times to pick up cookies so troop cookie managers can get back to their day. Opportunities exist across the council during February and March.

For more information send an email with your contact information to cookies@sjgs.org

Safety First: The contactless cupboard procedures GSSJC developed last year have become a model for other councils across the country. For 2022, we will continue to offer curbside pickup at cupboards and will follow local guidelines as well as GSSJC COVID protocols during the cookie season.

Troop cookie manager: Short term role with big impact

Girls in troops with a TCM tend to have a more successful experience in the cookie program than those in troops where the troop leader tries to cover both jobs. And when both positions are filled, the troop can continue with core Girl Scout activities as well as participating in the cookie program.

Want to step up and help out? Talk to your Girl Scout’s troop leader. For more information go to gssjc.org/2022cookieprogram

Cookies4Heroes/CookieShare: A sweet way to say thank you!

Our council calls our CookieShare Program: Cookies for Heroes. Girls can encourage customers who don’t want cookies for themselves to select this option when ordering online or in-person. (If buying online, there is a $1.25 processing fee.) All monies received as donations are considered Cookies4Heroes donations. For example, if someone says, "Keep the change," the change goes toward Cookies4Heroes cookies.

Girls who sell 15 packages for Cookies4Heroes earn a special patch. And those who sell to the 50 package level also receive a pair of koala-themed socks, in addition the girl’s troop is eligible to help deliver the cookies.

After the Cookie Program ends, Cookies4Heroes orders are sent by the council and/or troops to local first responders and organizations that support the military. Eligible troops participate in some deliveries.

In 2021, our council provided 39,012 packages of Girl Scout Cookies to Cookies4Heroes recipients. We hope to surpass that number in 2022.

Since its founding in 1912, girl safety has always been a primary focus in every aspect of Girl Scouts. Following the tips below can help assure the Cookie Program is both a safe and a fun experience for the Girl Scouts who participate.

Show you are a Girl Scout: Wear the Girl Scout membership pin, vest or sash or other Girl Scout clothing (e.g., Girl Scout T-Shirt) to identify yourself as a Girl Scout.

Buddy up: Always use the buddy system. Not only is it safe, it’s more fun.

Be streetwise: Become familiar with the areas and neighborhoods where you will be selling your Girl Scout Cookies.

Partner with adults: If you are a Daisy, Brownie or Junior, only take or deliver orders when you are accompanied by an adult family member. If you are a Cadette, Senior or Ambassador, go door-to-door only with a buddy and parental approval. At troop cookie booths, one of the two supervising adults must have a current background check and always be present at a cookie booth with the girls.

Do not enter: While selling or delivering cookies, never enter anyone’s home, not even if they are friends or neighbors you know.

Plan ahead: Be prepared for emergencies, and always have a plan for safeguarding money. Give money to your troop cookie manager to deposit as soon as possible. Don’t forget to get a receipt.

Sell in the daytime: Sell only during daylight hours, unless accompanied by an adult.

Be internet savvy: Read and sign the Internet Safety Pledge at www.girlscouts.org/en/help/help/internet-safety-pledge.html. Make sure you have adult permission and supervision for online activities. Detailed social media guidelines can be found in the family guide.

Protect privacy: Girls’ names, addresses and email addresses should never be given out to customers. Instead, a designated adult’s phone number and/or group email address overseen by an adult should be given for re-orders or complaints.

Be safe on the road: Always follow safe pedestrian practices, especially when crossing at intersections or walking along roadways. Be aware of traffic when unloading cookies and passengers from vehicles.

Get all your cookie selling needs at the Girl Scout Shop!

Patches

Yard Signs Shirts

Variety available

Cookie Carts

Money Envelopes

Tablecloths