Troop Cookie Manager Quick Bites 2027 Girl Scout Cookie Program
Service unit cookie manager (SUCM) info: Name:___________________________________ Email:_________________________________ Phone number:_________________________________ If you need to be introduced to your service unit cookie manager, please contact Customer Care at 317.924.6800 or customercare@girlscoutsindiana.org. eBudde login info: eBudde website: https://cookieportal.littlebrownie.com eBudde login:__________________________________ New password:_________________________________
Welcome to the 2027 Cookie Program! As cookie entrepreneurs, Girl Scouts learn valuable life skills while earning money to fund troop adventures and activities like camping, community service projects, travel, and more. All of this is possible because of you, our amazing volunteers, who dedicate valuable time and effort to supporting entrepreneurs in the cookie program. Thank you for everything you do to ensure this program is an enriching, safe, and exciting experience for all Girl Scouts.
Cookie Communication & Resources Throughout the cookie program, it is important that you are up to date on current program needs and changes. The cookie team will provide you with communication in several ways.
Rallyhood We will be continuing our communication through Rallyhood. Rallyhood is an all-in-one platform for Girl Scouts communication and collaboration. You will receive an invite to join a group on Rallyhood based on your participation role during the cookie program. The Rallyhood app is free and will provide a simple way to keep up with the cookie program. Watch your email for an invitation to join!
eBudde Newsletters Our Monday cookie newsletters will give volunteers a heads up on what is coming up in the cookie program. These are sent through eBudde.
eBudde Blasts At certain times during the cookie program, the team might need to pass along new and time-sensitive program news. This information will come to your email via a one-time eBudde Blast email. It is important that you watch for emails from the council and ensure that these do not end up in your spam folder. Do not unsubscribe; contact Customer Care to fix error.
Product Program/Issue Report Form Examples of when to use this form include: 2027 Caregiver Agreement over/short at initial order delivery, overdue caregiver accounts, stolen funds/cookies, and counterfeit money.
Who to Call If you have questions or need additional materials, please contact your service unit cookie manager or customer care at 317.924.6800 or customercare@girlscoutsindiana.org
Cookie Return Program Cases of cookies checked out March 16-21, 2027, may be returned no later than March 24, 2027. Here is how the return process will work: • Return only what was picked up, in case number and variety during the time period between March 16-21 • Example: If 2 Thin Mint and 2 Tagalongs were checked out, up to 2 Thin Mint and 2 Tagalongs will be accepted (can return 1 Thin Mint and 1 Tagalong) • Cases must be sealed • Cases must be returned to original pickup cupboard
Available Online Only! INTRODUCING
Girl Scout Sparkables
PRODUCT FACTS: • Allergy Friendly • Gluten Free • Nut Free • Vegan
™
Celebrate the spark inside each of us with new Girl Scout Sparkables™! Each scrumptiously cruncy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is dotted with vibrantly colored sprinkles. Even better? They’re allergy friendly, making them perfect for parties and gatherings where even more friends can join in the yum.
INTRODUCING
Patch Pals
™
PRODUCT FACTS: • • Made with blueberries • Grain-based recipe • Online only, shipped to people’s homes • These delicious cookies are for dogs only!
MADE FOR DOGS ONLY
Patch Pals™ are Girl Scouts’ first ever dog cookie, created with Bark, the company behind BarkBox. Each dog cookie has been lovingly baked into one of four cute “patches,” representing Girl Scouts, community, exploration, and play—all central to how Girl Scouts grow together and shape their world with joy. Made using blueberries, Patch Pals™ have an irresistible blueberry muffin scent and are soft–baked for a chewy texture. Unleash some joy today!
Digital Cookie Success! Support Girl Scouts in your troop and their families and visibility into their online activities.
STEP 1 Register for Digital Cookie Look for the Digital Cookie registration email in your inbox. If you can’t find it, contact your council or visit digitalcookie.girlscouts.org and click the “Need help” link.
IN SEASON Download the Digital Cookie app to help Girl Scouts process payments at cookie booths. Your troop’s site must be published before girls can use the mobile app for troop sales.
Monitor your troop’s online activity
STEP 2 Set Up Your Troop’s Site Have the troop decide what message they want to share with customers and add it to their site. The troop site must be set up before you can share your shipped-only link on the Cookie Finder or use the mobile app for booth sales.
STEP 3 Monitor Girl Scouts’ Activity On the My Troop page, you can see which Girl Scouts’ have set their goal and published their site. Then track to see which Girl Scouts’ have orders to approve and what cookies they will need.
Depending on your council’s settings you can: • View/approve orders placed on the troop site. • Run reports for orders and rewards. • View specific order details.
Send Cheers Send encouraging messages to the Girl Scouts in your troop to keep them motivated and working together to reach your troop’s goals.
NEED HELP? Look for the Digital Cookie Support button for step-by-step instructions, tutorials, videos, tip sheets, and more. Need 1:1 help? Contact Customer Care for assistance at 317.924.6800 or customercare@girlscoutsindiana.org
Online Marketing FAQ Girl Scouts may use the internet to share their cookie program links, stories, and learnings with the following guidelines: •
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a program led by Girl Scouts; online marketing, and sales efforts should always be led by a Girl Scout while also being supervised by her parents or caregivers.
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Girl Scouts engaging in online sales and marketing must review and apply the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and their families.
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Girl Scouts, volunteers, and parents/caregivers must review and adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge, the Digital Cookie Pledge, and Girl Scouts’ Safety Activity Checkpoints for computer and internet use and cookie and product sales.
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Sales links should never be posted to online resale sites (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Swap). Be aware. Posts on Facebook containing the use of a dollar sign ($) may automatically move the post to Facebook Marketplace. To prevent this, the posting party must disable the automated function.
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Social media ads should not be purchased or donated to promote sales links.
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Girls should use first name and last initial when using social media sites to protect their identity.
eBudde Quick Tips eBudde is a cookie volunteer’s best friend. Here’s where you’ll order cookies, track deliveries and more. Here are some quick reference facts. Detailed information about each step can be found in the eBudde help center, under “Managing Your Sale.” Below are some helpful topics and step-by-step hot topics. Visit Cookie Training Manual for all things cookies: Use this QR code or head to www.girlscoutsindiana.org/cookies.
Initial Order (IO) – Due Jan. 25 eBudde Steps to Input a Girl Scout Cookie Initial Order: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Log in to eBudde and go to the Initial Order tab Click on the name of the first Girl Scout in your troop Enter the number of packages sold for each cookie flavor in the corresponding boxes Click Save and then OK Repeat for each Girl Scout who sold cookies using a paper order card If a caregiver enters an initial order, it must be approved in eBudde. See troop cookie manual for instructions. If the troop sold cookies through Digital Cookie, the orders will automatically appear in the DOC Girl Del line The total order for each Girl Scout will include the paper order card and Digital Cookie orders To add booth cookies, click the Booth line at the bottom of the page Enter the number of packages to add for each cookie flavor Click Save and then OK Review the totals at the bottom of the page Click Submit Order Print a copy for your records
Select your delivery location and time. Your Initial Order must be picked up at your scheduled time. This location can NOT be changed after the submission deadline, as trucks are loaded in advanced for this delivery.
Tips: • •
Initial order is submitted and rounded to whole cases (12 packages) If an initial order is not placed, you will not be able to pick up any cookies until the cookie cupboards open Feb. 9, 2027.
Select a Delivery Location in eBudde: • • • •
Click the Delivery tab Choose who will be picking up the cookies Select a delivery station from the drop-down arrow Click Submit My Info
Allocate Cookies to a Girl Scout in eBudde: Throughout the cookie program, the troop cookie manager is responsible for assigning cookies to each entrepreneur based upon their sales; this applies after your initial order is placed. Please see troop cookie manual for instructions.
Cookie Booth Cookie Booths are a fun way for Girl Scouts and caregivers to build skills, connect with their community, and sell cookies. By planning potential cookie booth locations before your troop’s initial order is due, you can better estimate how many cases of cookies your troop will need for upcoming booths. Remember, you can always reorder booth cookies from one of our cupboards within our 45-county jurisdiction.
Booth Locations Hot Spot Locations are cookie booth sites secured and managed by council and entered into eBudde. To prevent scheduling conflicts and maintain business partnerships, volunteers should not contact these businesses directly. For a complete list of Hot Spot locations, visit our website and check eBudde regularly for newly added sites and available schedules.
Non-Hot Spot Locations are cookie booth sites secured by troops, such as restaurants, churches, or community events. All Non-Hot Spot booths must be entered into eBudde at least 72 hours in advance and approved by council staff before the booth can take place.
Cookie Booth Participation Guidelines • • • • • • • •
Be prepared: Arrive and leave on time and wear your Girl Scout uniform or Girl Scout attire. Adult supervision is required at all times. Girl Scouts may never be left alone at a booth. Volunteer requirements: If any Girl Scout is not with their own parent/caregiver, two registered, background-checked volunteers must be present. If all Girl Scouts are with their own parent/ caregiver, registered volunteers are not required. Best practice: Have two adults available to assist with breaks and emergencies. Booth locations: Cookie booths must be held within Girl Scouts of Central Indiana’s 45-county jurisdiction. Cookie sales: Sell only Little Brownie Bakers® cookies at the council-approved price of $6 per package. Participants: Non-registered siblings and friends may not participate in or attend booth sales. Clean up: Leave the booth area clean and take all empty cookie cases home.
Unable to Attend a Cookie Booth Can’t make your scheduled booth? Release or cancel it in eBudde as soon as possible so another troop can participate. Keeping booth schedules up to date helps customers find cookies. Need assistance? Contact Customer Care.
Hot Spot Booth Sales Tab
Sign Up for Booths 1. Click the “Sign Up for a Council Booth” button. 2. Click on the down arrow next to the city where you would like to hold a booth. 3. Then click the down arrow for the location you would like to hold a booth. 4. Select the time period you would like to choose. 5. Click Submit. 6. You can also choose “Find Free Slots” to narrow down your optinos based on criteria such as date. All booth sites in eBudde are loaded into the Cookie Finder app and the national Girl Scout Cookie link. Customers use this app and link to find cookies in their zip code.
Add Your Own Non-Hot Spot Booth 1. Click the Add/Edit a Troop Booth button. 2. Click +Add button 3. Enter all information. 4. Click Save. 5. Your request is in a Pending status until reviewed. 6. Booth site will be approved by the council staff. 7. Your status will change to either Approved or Denied. If denied you will get a message/email explaining why by council staff, Dulce Santiago.
Cookie Rewards - due March 23 Rewards Tab 1. Click FILL OUT next to Final Reward Order. 2. Review each Girl Orders and Submit. 3. Enter or review total rewards earned. 4. Click SUBMIT to submit your troop order.
Tips: • • •
Troop cookie manager should discuss rewards choices with the Girl Scout and their caregiver, and are properly selected for each Girl Scout. Please note, reward choices do not flow from Digital Cookie to eBudde. To determine the reward level for each entrepreneur, cookies must be allocated. No changes to rewards can be made after the reward deadline.
Troop Proceeds: Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador (JCSA) troops may choose to opt out of the reward program and earn an additional 10 cents per package. Troops opting out of rewards are eligible for the theme patch and troop rewards once they achieve the required milestone.
Troop per Girl Scout average
Base proceeds per package
Fall product participation crossover
Troop proceed
$1
Receive 1 adult membership
Can opt out of rewards for an additional $0.10 per package. Must be unanimous among entrepreneurs.
• Troop fall product sale of $500+ • Participate in the 2027 cookie program and submit initial order of 15+ cases by Jan. 25, 2027.
• Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador troops
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Troop rewards will be forfeited if not ordered by March 23, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Need help? Contact customer care at 317.924.6800 or customercare@girlscoutsindiana.org.
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Entrepreneur high end rewards will be forfeited if not picked up by caregiver by August 1, 2027 end of business. At which time they will be donated to a local charity.
Caregiver Cookie Pick Up and Payment Receipting
New this Year!
Join us as we pilot Electronic Receipting (e-receipts) for the 2026-27 season. Troops will be able to issue digital receipts for orders and payments, helping reduce paperwork, simplify recordkeeping, and streamline transaction management Caregivers must complete the 2027 Cookie Program Caregiver Agreement before receiving cookies. By completing the agreement, caregivers accept financial responsibility for all products received and all money collected and understand that any product received and signed for cannot be returned. Use the QR code to have caregivers complete the Caregiver Agreement. This agreement is required to help protect the proceeds earned by the troop throughout the cookie season.
e-Receipt Process Flow
Step 1 Order or Payment
Step 2 Send Receipt
Step 3 Receipt Text
Step 3 eBudde Tracking
Step 4 Updates & Tracking
• Enter an order or payment on the Girl Order Tab (GOT). • Save • Also available on the Transaction Tab for troop to troop transfers. • Click the receipt icon. • Hand device to the adult to enter their number. • Choose Acknowledge immediately or Send Text. • Open the text. • Click the link to view the receipt. • Choose to Acknowledge or Decline. • Enter name. • Receipt icon changes colors as the process progresses. • Hovering over the message will share additional info. • An info bubble on the GOT explains each color. • If changes are made to an order or payment a new receipt can be sent by repeating the process. • The GOT Balance Report at the troop level provides receipt tracking.
eBudde e-Receipt Screens
Tips • If the receipt acknowledgment is declined the icon turns red with a hover mention for the volunteer to contact the caregiver. • If a mistake is made on an order/payment the volunteer can repeat the process and resend the text.
Cell Phone eBudde e-Receipt Screens
• A receipt texted link can only be used once. If the caregiver clicks and accepts they cannot open the link and change their response to declined. • The process will not tell you if a text did not go through. Troop volunteers must run the GOT Balance report at least once a week and follow-up on declined and pending acknowledgements.
e-Receipt GOT Balance Report
2027 Cookie Payment Schedule All cookie payments made to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana are collected via scheduled automatic withdrawals from the troop bank account. First withdrawal: Feb. 19 - at this time 50% of amount owed to council (what the troop has picked up at initial order and additional orders placed at cupborads) minus monies already collected via Digital Cookie as of February 16 at 11:59 p.m. FUND ISSUES: Troop cookie manager removed from eBudde and troop not able to order/pickup cookies untill resolved (NSF -nonsufficient funds and account not found) Final withdrawl: March 31– 100% of amount owed to council on Sales Report tab less any additional troop cookie rewards) Proceeds push back: End of April 2027 (For troops who need proceeds returned to them when Digital Cookie payments are more than what the troop collected themselves) Understanding Your Sales Report
Check your eBudde Sales Report to view your total boxes sold, Digital Cookie payments, the troop’s balance due as well as the amount of troop proceeds that will remain in your troop’s bank account.
Returning Troops: Please make sure your banking information is correctly updated in eBudde by Jan. 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. If it’s not updated by then, unfortunately, your contact will be marked as inactive in the eBudde system. Additionally, any starting inventory orders already placed will be canceled. If your troop is affected, please reach out to customer care at 317.924.6800, and we’ll be happy to assist you! New Troops: If you do not have banking information to supply during training, please place banking information on your Settings Tab in eBudde no later than Jan. 30, 2027. Failure to provide banking information by this date may result in all contacts being marked inactive from the eBudde system until banking information is resolved.
Unpaid Funds Consequences Girl Restrictions
Caregiver Restrictions
Volunteer Restrictions
• Any Girl Scout whose parent/ guardian has an outstanding balance may only participate in Digital Cookie sales. • The Girl Scout should not receive high-end rewards, and council staff will hold until payment in full. • The Girl Scout should still be allowed to participate in troop activities.
• Parent/guardian should not receive any additional product. • Parent/guardian should not assist at cookie booths unless agreed upon by the troop and efforts are in place to recoup the unpaid balance. • Troop volunteer should complete the Unpaid Parent Account Form by March 25, 2027 for any parent with a balance due to the troop.
• A past due balance email/letter will be sent with final options to pay. • Volunteer will be dismissed, placed on financial restrictions from serving as a volunteer and/or may be sent for resolution through a collection agency.
Troop proceeds will be forfeited if banking info is not entered by April 20, 2027. Need help setting up a bank account? Contact customer care at 317.924.6800 or customercare@girlscoutsindiana.org.
2027 Program Calendar 2027 Program Calendar January 2027
7
• All trained troop cookie managers gain access to eBudde by 5:00 p.m.
12
• Program begins
19
• Booth sign-ups begin • First round booth sign-up in eBudde at 6 p.m. • (4 booths)
21
• Second round booth sign-up in eBudde at 6 p.m. • (8 booths)
22
• Deadline for troops to verify banking info in eBudde for first ACH is correct on Settings tab
24
• Deadline for caregivers to enter initial order online by 11:59 p.m.
25
• Troop starting inventory order due in eBudde by 8 p.m. • Delivery location selection submission due in eBudde by 9:30 p.m.
31
• Cookie delivery through Feb. 6 • Booth sales begin
February 2027
March 2027
3
• Booth sign-up. Unlimited through end of program
6
• Hotspot cookie booths begin
9
• Cupboards open
19
• 50% ACH withdraw of “Amount you owe council” on Sales Report tab minus monies already collected via Digital Cookie as of Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m.
19-21
• National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
21
• Last day of cookie program
22
• Caregiver reward due by 11:59 p.m.
23
• Final rewards due in eBudde by 11:59 p.m.
25
• Past due cookie account form due by 11:59 p.m.
April 2
• 100% ACH withdraw of “Amount you owe council” on Sales Report tab (all additional troop cookie rewards included)
Tuesday Nights at 7:00 p.m.:Chats Live Cookie Chats Tuesday Nights at 7:00 p.m.: Live Cookie During team holds holds virtual virtualoffice officehours. hours.On Onthis thiscall, callchanges changesand news will be Duringthe thecookie cookieprogram, program, the the cookie cookie team and news will be discussed, training on important topics, and Q/A to answer questions discussed, training on important topics, and Q/A to answer questions you may have. This you is a great opportunity to may have. This is a great opportunity to meet with the cookie team and chat about anything meet with the cookie team and chat about anything you might want to know. These are recorded and available if you might want to know. These are recorded and available if you are unable to attend. you are unable to attend. Look for link on Rallyhood calendar to join us!