dy to a e R Get
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2019-2020 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 2019-2020 Cookie Program Overview......................................... 2-5 2019-2020 GSOFCT Cookie Program Updates................................6 New Cookie: Lemon-Ups™................................................................. 7 The Cookies....................................................................................... 8-9 Program Calendar......................................................................... 10-13 Troop Cookie Manager Checklist............................................... 14-15 Cookie Program Tips..................................................................... 16-17 Cookie Program Girl Training...................................................... 18-19 Safety Guidelines......................................................................... 20-21 Digital Cookie® platform ...........................................................22-23 Connecting with Customers.......................................................24-25 Initial Order Taking.......................................................................26-27 Cookie Cupboards....................................................................... 28-29 Goal Getter Sales................................................................................30 Five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program..................................31 Booth Sales.................................................................................... 32-36 Cookies for Heroes Program............................................................ 37 Cookie Delivery Day.....................................................................38-39 Cookie Program Rewards.......................................................... 40-44 Troop Proceeds...................................................................................45 Cookie Program Payments........................................................ 46-48 GSUSA Cookie PRO™ 2020................................................................49 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
Amy Ganolli Administrative Assistant ext. 3305 productsales@gsofct.org
Devon Dzicek (Waterbury) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3339 ddzicek@gsofct.org
Nancy Sherman (Hartford) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3237 nsherman@gsofct.org
Lisa Deschnow (North Haven) Product Sales Manager, ext. 3346 ldeschnow@gsofct.org
Sue Pratt (Wilton) Sr. 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 • Appointment is for one year. • Attend the 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, families, 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’s 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, including a background check. • 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 committed to organization diversity.
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2019-2020 Cookie Program Overview The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an important (and fun!) part of the overall Girl Scout experience—lots of learning for girls and super delicious cookies for our awesome cookie customers! In last year’s cookie program, GSOFCT troops earned more than $1.9 million in troop proceeds! These proceeds helped troops fund troop activities as well as Take Action projects that benefited Connecticut communities AND allowed girls to grow in the five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Who can argue with that outcome? Be sure to check out additional resources at gsofct.org so YOU can make this the best cookie program yet for girls! eBudde: Managing the troop’s cookie program! eBudde is the online application used by troops and GSOFCT 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. Check out the eBudde troop app (download from the App Store or Google Play) so you
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can manage the troop’s cookie program wherever you are! Complete instructions, including how to log on to eBudde, will be available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org. ALL troop users—new and returning— will receive an email in early January with a link to create/reset their password to access eBudde.
New lemon cookie! Little Brownie Bakers announced last year that Savannah Smiles would be retired and a new cookie would be introduced into the lineup. Drum roll, please....the new cookie is: Lemon-UpsÂŽ! See page 7 for more details. As a troop cookie volunteer, you are among the first to know about the new cookie. But, we need your help to keep this information confidential until GSUSA formally announces the new cookie on January 7, 2020. GSUSA has announced a NEW pin collection for the 2020 cookie program. The Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin enables families to support girls as they learn to think like entrepreneurs through the cookie program. Each Girl Scout program level has its own set of requirements to help families guide their Girl Scout as she runs her own cookie business year after year. Girls can earn one unique pin for every year they participate. NOTE: The Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin replaces the Cookie Activity pin offered in previous cookie programs. See the back cover for pictures of the pins!
Learning and Earning in the Cookie Program When girls participate in the cookie program, they learn five skills: goal setting, decisionmaking, money management, people skills, and business ethics (see page 31 for more specifics). 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.
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2019-2020 Cookie Program Overview Cookie Cost Breakdown The cost of cookies for 2019–2020 is as follows: the six core flavors are $5 per package and Toffee-tastic and Girl Scout S’mores are $6 per package, which reflects the higher cost of the ingredients in these premium flavors. Cost of cookies (core)
$1.06
Cost of cookies (premium)
$2.05
Cost of rewards (includes patches)
$0.12
Troop proceeds
$0.85 to $0.95
Additional troop proceeds earned by troops meeting Treats & Reads and cookie program benchmarks.
$0.02
TOP Troop Reward
$0.05
Council proceeds provide service to girls, volunteers, training, property maintenance, etc.
$2.80 to $2.90
Council proceeds from Toffee-tastic and Girl Scout $2.81 to $2.91 S’mores
Digital Cookie platform The cookie program’s Digital Cookie platform continues to grow and enhance Girl Scouts’ experience with the cookie program. GSOFCT had some impressive Digital Cookie stats last year: • 331,000 packages sold (55% increase over 2018) • 84,000 packages direct shipped (39% increase over 2018) • 6,800 girls with Digital Cookie sales (24% increase over 4
2018). This was on top of a 47% increase the year before! We are anticipating even more will use Digital Cookie in 2020! NEW: Orders placed online for girl delivery during the Initial Order Taking Period will automatically flow into the girl’s eBudde record.
Big News!
See pages 22-23 for more information about this year’s Digital Cookie platform.
Rewards
Troop Proceeds
This year’s reward lineup is sure to be a hit with girls. There are girl rewards for achieving goals in all parts of Cookie Shake the program. Troop Blanket Sack= rewards are offered Order during the Initial Order Initial Reward for Taking Period AND girls at 125 packages for achieving success during the entire cookie program.
Troops earn proceeds based on their TOTAL cookie program sales from January-March. The calculation is based on cookies sold during the Initial Order Taking and Goal Getter periods, at booth sales in March, for Cookies for Heroes and/or gift of caring, and on the Digital Cookie platform. Troop proceeds are based on the troop’s final per girl selling average (PGA). See page 45 for a complete explanation of troop proceeds.
Troops with an Initial Order per girl average of 125+ packages will earn a SOAR T-shirt for each girl with an Initial Order.
We have two T-shirts in our lineup, including one for the Troop Initial Order Reward for girls!
We are thrilled to, once again, offer an experience reward at The Adventure Park at the 300 package level. As an alternate reward at 300 packages, we are offering a great Adventure Kit (custom string + + bag, water bottle, carabiner, and bandana) that will Adventure be perfect for any Kit at 300 packages kind of adventure! See the order card and pages 40-44 for complete information about rewards.
Information regarding how Individually Registered Girls (Juliettes) can participate and earn proceeds in the cookie program is on page 45.
Cookie Prices Eight yummy cookie varieties will be in this year’s lineup. Cookie prices remain the same as last year. The six core flavors—Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Trefoils®, Do-si-dos®, and the new lemon cookie—are $5 per box. The two premium cookies—Girl Scout S’mores® and Toffee-tastic®—are $6 per box. See pages 7-9 for pictures and additional information about the cookies!
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2020 GSOFCT Program Updates Philanthropic Reward Option
New!
This year, girls will have the opportunity to choose to donate toward The Shoe that Grows program in place of certain reward items. Featuring a unique design that allows the shoe to accommodate rapidly growing feet, the shoes protect children in Kenya from soil-transmitted diseases. When children get sick, they are unable to go to school and help their families. By protecting their feet as they grow, these shoes help protect children from disease.
is noted on the order card with a shoe icon. Girls can choose this option at one, two, or all three of the designated reward levels. Troop cookie volunteers will make this girl’s selection on the Rewards tab in eBudde. Girls who select this option at one or more reward levels will earn a patch. Older girl troops opting for additional proceeds in lieu of rewards can also contribute toward this initiative. Contact the Product Sales Team at productsales@gsofct.org for details.
This option is available at the 90, 125, and 200 package levels and
Cookie Cupboard Return Policy GSOFCT is instituting a change to the return policy for cookies picked up from cookie cupboards on consignment in March. Troops that pick up cookies from a cookie cupboard will be permitted to return up to 60% of the number of full cases picked up AND the return MUST be made within five business days of the booth sale. As in previous years, 6
only UNOPENED, sealed cases that are originally picked up at a cupboard (NOT cookies that are part of a troop’s Initial Order in eBudde) are eligible for return. GSOFCT is making this change to better ensure that our cookie cupboard inventory is in sellable condition and we have sufficient inventory for all troop requests.
Big News!
LEMON-UPS™
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES Introducting Lemon-Ups™, the newest addition to the Girl Scout Cookie lineup! Inspired by real girls in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and created for all Girl Scout Cookie lovers, these crispy lemon cookies are positively fun. Just like G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risktaker, Leader),™ each cookie has something bright and motivating to say.
Remember: The specifics about the new cookie should be kept confidential until January 7, 2020!
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2019-2020 Girl Scout Cookie™ Lin Remember to keep the new Lemon-Ups cookie confidential until January 7, 2020.
The GIRL SCOUTS® name and mark, and all other associated trademarks and logotypes, including but not limited to GIRL SCOUT COOKIES®, THIN MINTS®, TREFOILS®, GIRL SCOUT S’MORES®, LEMON-UPS™, Girl Scout Cookie Program®, and the Trefoil Design, are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. Little Brownie Bakers LLC is an official GSUSA licensee. The LITTLE BROWNIE BAKERS® name and mark, and all associated trademarks, including SAMOAS®, TAGALONGS®, DO-SI-DOS® and TOFFEE-TASTIC® are registered trademarks of Ferequity Inc., an affiliate of Ferrero International, S.A. © 2019 Ferequity Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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ALL OUR COOKIES HAVE... NO High-Fructose Corn Syrup NO Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) Zero Grams Trans Fat per Serving
Lineup
9
10
6
13
20
27
5
12
19
26
January
Sunday
7
Tuesday
8
1
Wednesday
9
2
Thursday
10
3
15
16
17
Friday
28
21
29
22
30
23
31
24
Check in with girls/families to see if they need assistance. Remind them that all packages sold during the Initial Order Taking Period will count toward girl and troop Initial Order rewards!
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Ensure that each girl/family has an Initial Order Taking card and has received the registration email from the Digital Cookie platform.
Monday Initial Order
25
18
11
Council Cookie Rally!
Digital Cookie opens for order taking.
Taking begins!
4
Saturday
11
3 Goal GEtter
Order Taking begins
10
17
24
Initial Order Taking
9
16
23
Monday
2 Last day for
February
Sunday
25
18
11
4
Tuesday
26
19
12
5
Wednesday
27
20
13
6
Thursday
March 1)
(February 28—
National Girl Scout Weekend
28
21
14
Deadline to submit ACH authorization form
enter troop Initial Order in eBudde
7 Deadline to
Friday
Booth Sales begin!
SU’s delivery day)
cookie manager for your
(check with your SU
Delivery Weekend
29 Cookie
22
15
8
1
Saturday
12
donated orders.
for shipped and
Digital Cookie closes
Getter orders.
booth sales and Goal
29 Last day for
22
23
16
15
Digital Cookie closes for girl delivery orders.
9
2
8
delivery day).
cookie manager for the SU’s
Cookie Delivery Weekend (check with SU
1
Sunday 4
Wednesday 5
Thursday
11
12
13
6
24
17
25
18
26
19
Friday
27
payment initiated (60% of the amount due in eBudde).
20 First ACH
Start depositing girl/family cookie payments into troop bank account.
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Arrange for all girls/families to pick up their cookie order so they can start delivering customers’ cookies!
3
Tuesday
march
Start assigning cookies to girls in eBudde! Check with parents to see if there are any Digital Cookie girl delivery orders that need to be filled.
Monday
28
21
14
7
Saturday
13
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 2
Thursday
13
20
27
12
19
26
28
21
14
7
29
22
15
8
30
23
16
9
Troop deadline
Final ACH
24
17
TOP Troop form
Deadline to submit
payment initiated.
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girl rewards!
including finalizing
eBudde entries,
to make final
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Friday
25
18
11
4
Saturday
Girl rewards will be shipped to the SU cookie manager in mid-May. Please look for a communication from her/him about where and when to pick up the rewards, including patches, for your troop.
6
May
Monday
Finish assigning cookies to girls in eBudde! Deposit final cookie payments/ booth sale money into troop bank account!
5
April
Sunday
Troop Cookie Manager Checklist November–December 2019 FF
FF FF FF
FF
Troop cookie manager registers for Girl Scout membership year and completes the volunteer application process, which includes a background check. 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 16 and to parents/guardians of registerered Girl Scouts on December 18.
January 4, 2020 Initial Order Taking begins! Troops, girls, and families can attend the council Cookie Rally. FF Digital Cookie platform opens for business. FF
January 4—February 2, 2020 Girl Scouts take Initial Orders. Check in with girls and families to offer assistance/support. FF Work with the service unit to set up the troop’s booth sale(s). FF
February 3–7, 2020 Complete girls’ Initial Order entry in eBudde and submit the order via eBudde by 11:59 p.m. on February 7. 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 ACH authorization form (if not previously submitted for the 2019 Treats & Reads Program) is February 7. FF Distribute Goal Getter Order Cards to girls. Goal Getter sales begin on February 3. FF
February 29—March 1, 2020 FF FF
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Pick up cookies at cookie delivery site on assigned day and time. Distribute cookies to a parent/guardian and obtain a signature when cookies are picked up.
February 29–March 29, 2020 FF FF FF
FF FF
Hold booth sales and deposit money into troop account (see pages 32-36 for more information about booth sales). Fill Goal Getter orders with extra cookies from the Initial Order or from a cookie cupboard (see page 30 for Goal Getter sales). If girls have online orders for in-person delivery that were NOT included in their Initial Order (Digital Cookie online storefronts are open through March 15 for in-person delivery orders) use the troop’s extra cookies from its Initial Order or pick up the needed boxes from a cookie cupboard to fill the order. Collect money for Goal Getter and Initial Order cookies and deposit promptly into troop bank account. Enter Goal Getter packages, booth sale packages, and payments in eBudde under each girl’s name.
March 20, 2020 FF
First ACH payment withdrawn from the troop’s bank account. See pages 46-47 for additional information.
March 29–April 3, 2020 Goal Getter and Booth Sales conclude on March 29. Digital Cookie platform closes for shipped and donated orders on March 29. FF Collect outstanding amounts due from girls/families and deposit money into troop bank account. FF FF
April 3, 2020 FF
Troop deadline to finalize eBudde entries, including girl rewards and patches, is 11:59 p.m.
April 10, 2020 Second and final ACH payment withdrawn from the troop’s bank account. See pages 46-47 for additional information. FF Deadline to submit TOP Troop Reward form at gsofct.org. FF
May 2020 FF Pick up girl rewards 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. FF Deadline to submit Parent/Guardian Cookie Program Delinquency form is May 1, 2020. 15
Cookie Pro To make it girl-led...let girls lead!
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, hold a troop family meeting to discuss WHY the troop is participating and WHAT the troop goal is. Be sure to share the five skills (page 31) with the families and what the girls have voted to use the troop proceeds for. 16
Have girls discuss and decide: • Where to sell (neighborhood, booth sale, parent/family friend workplace, etc.) • How to use troop proceeds for fun, learning, and giving back • Ways to promote the cookie program to EVERYONE!
Goals, Goals, GOALS! The key to success in the cookie program? Simple. SET A GOAL. Check out our Pinterest boards for suggestions for goal charts girls can make to track their progress. Older girls can create a visual to 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!
gram Tips • Encourage girls to to track progress toward their individual and troop goals. • Have the girls plan an event at the end of the cookie program to celebrate ALL the success of the cookie program, including growth in the five skills, badges achieved, and troop proceeds earned.
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 likely surpass their goals.
Celebrate progress and success!
Add new elements 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 can be found on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org. 17
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Review the safety guidelines on pages 20-21 and the safety guidelines as presented in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Cookie and Product Sales at gsofct.org..
• Review the cookie order card with girls so they are familiar with the cookies and the two price points
Safety Review
Know Your Cookies
Taking Cookie Orders
The troop can discuss ways to use their cookie proceeds. Girls can get started by brainstorming answers to the following: • What can we do with our cookie money to help others? • What can we do with our cookie money for fun and learning? 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.
Brainstorming and Goal Setting
Review ways girls can reach out to customers: • Ask customers in person, go door-to-door in familar neighborhoods, visit family workplaces, and/or post on social media to let people know they are participating in the cookie program. Girls 13 and older can post on their own social media accounts; girls 12 and younger will need to use a parent/trusted adult’s social media accounts. • Call/text family and friends. • Use the Digital Cookie platform (see page 22-23 for more details).
($5 and $6). Cookie varieties and ingredient information are on pages 8-9 of this guide. • If the girls have participated in the cookie program before, you can ask them about their favorite cookie 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.
Discussion Points
Topic
Holding a cookie program training meeting is the first step to a successful cookie program! This is an opportunity to capitalize on the girls’ excitement about selling cookies, to discuss girl and troop goals, and what the troop would like to do with its proceeds from the cookie program.
Cookie Program Girl Training
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Remind girls to continue their program with Goal Getter orders. Girls should discuss holding a booth sale. If the troop already has a booth sale date/location, share that information so girls can check their availability. If the date/location has not been determined, get their input as to their availability.
• Older girls (Junior and older) can discuss if they want to take individual girl rewards OR additional troop proceeds. Troops MUST vote (majority rules) to decide to take additional proceeds in lieu of rewards. • NOTE: Daisy and Brownie troops are REQUIRED to take individual girl rewards. • Show the rewards on the order card. Encourage girls to think about setting goals to help them earn their desired rewards.
Goal Getters & Cookie Booths
Rewards
• 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 be accepted from friends and family. Turn in 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.
• 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
Cookie delivery and money collection
Discuss this program with the girls (see page 37 for complete details). Encourage girls to set a Cookies for Heroes goal AND to share this goal with customers.
Cookies for Heroes
Review the dates of the program (see the program calendar on pages 10-13). Remind girls that payment is collected when cookies are delivered. 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 for these orders won’t be collected by the girl.
Safety Guidelines
Plan Ahead • All girls must be registered and have a signed Annual Consent form on file with the co-leader prior to participating in the cookie program. • 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. • 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. • Safeguard money at all times. • See page 34 for booth sale safety guidelines.
Only go doorto-door during daylight hours and in familiar neighborhoods. Do not enter the home or vehicle of a stranger.
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Educate girls and parents about cookie program safety so they understand and are aware of safety measures.
Be safe while on the road, especially in busy intersections and along the roadway.
Avoid keeping large amounts of money in your possession. Money should be given to the troop volunteer regularly and promptly deposited into the troop bank account.
Girl Scouts must wear a membership pin, uniform, or Girl Scout clothing when selling, taking orders, or delivery cookies.
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 Cookies and Product Sales and in Volunteer Essentials at gsofct.org. All girls and families should be made aware of this important information, so they can have a safe and successful cookie program.
Safety Online • 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 online storefront. They should not use sites that do not provide this protection, such as Craigslist, eBay, etc. • Girls 12 and younger can use social media accounts of parents/guardians/ trusted adults to promote their Digital Cookie online storefront. • Girls should only use their first names, troop/group number, or council name when selling 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. • Review the GSUSA Internet Safety Pledge before going online.
Refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Computer/Online Activities at gsofct.org for complete safety guidelines.
Adults should supervise girls when they are participating in any online activity related to the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Only use first names and troop number when selling online. Never reveal a personal email or street address when online.
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.
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The Girl Scout Cookie Program and the Digital Cookie platform provide girls with modern-day skills. The Digital Cookie platform allows girls to bring their cookie program to the next level with easy-to-use online tools. Access to the Digital Cookie platform (digitalcookie.girlscouts.org) begins in mid-December. Look for a registration email (December 16 for volunteers and December 18 for girls/families) to get started.
Four simple steps to get girls started with Digital Cookie 1 Register. Parents/guardians of all registered Girl Scouts will receive an email invite on December 18 to register their Girl Scout(s) for this year’s Digital Cookie platform. Follow the link in the email to get started.
2 Set up an online storefront. Girl Scouts can enter their sales goal, share their cookie story, and upload a fun picture or video. Save the storefront settings, have the site approved by a parent/ guardian, publish the site and, beginning on January 4, 2020, the online storefront will be live for customers to purchase cookies!
3 Invite customers. Girls can manage their cookie customer list and send ready-to-use emails inviting people to support their cookie program. They can share a link to their Digital Cookie online storefront on social media with family and friends.*
4 Track goals. Girls can keep tabs on how close they are to their cookie package goal by tracking the number of boxes sold, number of orders placed as well as sales by delivery type and cookie variety. Girls can add their offline sales to get a complete picture of their cookie program. * Girls 13 and older can share the link to their online storefront with family and friends via their own social media accounts. Girls 12 and younger must use a parent/guardian/trusted adult’s social media accounts.
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Digital Cookie Top Tips 1. Girls can use Digital Cookie to keep track of their customers year to year. Girls can add customers manually or import them. When customers place an online order, the order details will be included in the customer’s record. Customers who placed an order via a social media link to the girl’s Digital Cookie storefront can also be added to the Girl Scout’s customer list. 2. Using the Digital Cookie app, girls can bring their cookie business with them everywhere. They can send customers an email with a link to their storefront OR, once cookies have arrived, they can accept credit card payments and give cookies to the customer on the spot. 3. Digital Cookie allows girls to elevate their cookie program beyond the in-person ask and booth sale while developing marketing skills. ÎÎGirls can customize their online storefont with specific messaging about what they are learning in the cookie program and how their troop will be using the proceeds earned. ÎÎGirls can use email and social media to drive customers to their online storefront so they can see how their purchase is benefitting the Girl Scout and her troop! Orders for girl delivery that are placed during the Initial Order Taking Period (January 4–February 2, 2020) will AUTOMATICALLY be recorded in the girl’s Initial Order tab. This will help ensure that ALL orders for a girl’s Initial Order are included in the troop’s Initial Order.
New this year for shipped orders: Gift packaging is available! Customers can choose from a gift box with five packages of cookies (customer can choose flavors) OR a commemorative tin with four packages of Thin Mints.
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Connecting with Customers Many people would love to buy Girl Scout Cookies, but they don’t know a Girl Scout or have not been asked! Here are some ideas for connecting with customers. Encourage girls and families to reach out to people in ways that make sense for them, but also try some new strategies for finding customers. Friends and Family These individuals are the first to be asked by girls because they are the people girls know best. A younger girl can find it helpful to practice her sales pitch with people she is comfortable with. • Visit friends and family in person or reach out by phone, text, or via a marketing email through the Digital Cookie platform (see pages 22-23 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 12 and younger can use their parent/guardian’s social media accounts. Remind girls to think about the individual person and what might be the best way to reach out. • Strategize 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. • Follow up with customers after their cookie order is delivered to thank them and to see if they would like to purchase more!
The key takeaway: ALWAYS ask people if they would like to purchase cookies. Being asked is how people become cookie customers!
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Door-to-door in the neighborhood • Girls take orders on their order cards and then return to deliver the cookies and accept payment. • Girls can leave a flyer or door hanger at familiar homes letting neighbors know they’re selling Girl Scout Cookies. The marketing piece can provide an adult’s phone number or adult-monitored email address so the Girl Scout can be contacted to place an order. Girls can also send neighbors an email with a link to their Digital Cookie online storefront. • Another idea: Conduct a walkabout in March with cookies in hand so neighbors can buy cookies on the spot!
Workplace Sales • Parent/guardian/family friend workplaces may allow a girl to make a presentation to staff, ask individuals 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 a 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.
More tips for reaching customers • Let customers 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 37 for more information). • Keep the order card or the Digital Cookie app on a mobile device handy so they won’t miss a cookie sale opportunity! • Girls can visit local businesses to ask employees/owners if they would like to order cookies as gifts for loyal customers or thank-you gifts for employees. • Other prospective customers include school and extracurricular teachers, coaches, social workers, and members of a family’s house of worship. 25
Initial Order Taking kicks off on Saturday, January 4! Girls can take orders in person, via phone/ email/text, and through the Digital Cookie platform!
November—December 2019 • Attend troop cookie volunteer training in your service unit OR view the online troop training tutorial. • Registration emails for the Digital Cookie platform will be sent to troop volunteers on December 16 and to parents/guardians on December 18.
January-February 2, 2020 • Troop cookie managers gain access to eBudde on January 3. • eBudde instructions will be available at gsofct.org by January 3. • Cookie program starts and Digital Cookie online storefronts open for business on January 4. • Review the contact information listed for the co-leader and troop cookie manager in eBudde and make any necessary changes. • Girl Scouts take customers’ cookie orders in person, by phone/email/text, and through the Digital Cookie platform. Troop cookie managers check in with girls and offer support. • Check with families about availability for booth sale dates in March.
February 3-7, 2020 • Enter girls’ Initial Orders into eBudde. The deadline to enter the troop’s Initial Order is 11:59 p.m. on February 7, 2020. NOTE: Cookies ordered in the Initial Order CANNOT be returned to a cookie cupboard. • In-person orders received via Digital Cookie during the Initial Order Taking Period will AUTOMATICALLY be entered as part of the girls’ Initial Order. Shipped and/or donated orders will also be automatically recorded in a girl’s eBudde record.
February 29 & March 1, 2020 • 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 26
Delivery Day.
125+ packages on the Initial Order earns the seriously soft and fuzzy Cookie Shake Blanket Sack, a MUST have item in this year’s cookie reward lineup!
Girl Initial Order Reward Girls who sell 125+ packages will earn the super comfy Cookie Shake Blanket Sack! • All packages sold on the order card and through the Digital Cookie platform during the Initial OrderTaking Period will count toward a girl’s Initial Order Reward. • Eligible girls will earn the Initial Order Reward, Can even if the troop opts for additional only be proceeds. earned during
Troop Initial Order Reward
the Initial Order Period!
Troops averaging 125 packages per girl selling will earn the SOAR T-shirt for each girl with an Initial Order. • All packages sold by girls on their 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 Initial Order per girl selling average. • All troops are eligible to earn this reward, including those which opt for additional proceeds in lieu of girl rewards. • NOTE: Girls registered as Juliettes are not eligible for this reward.
Booth Sale Bonus Troops earn $20 for every 20 cases ordered in the Booth line on the Initial Order tab. • 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, booth sale cookies CANNOT be returned, even if not sold during the cookie program. • Only troops can earn the booth sale bonus; girls registered as Juliettes do not earn this bonus.
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Cookie Cupboards What is a cookie cupboard? Locations where additional cookies can be picked up AFTER the Initial Order Taking Period to fill Goal Getter orders and for booth sales.
Why use a cookie cupboard? Being able to pick up additional cookies allows girls and troops to continue with the cookie program beyond the Inital Order Taking Period. Knowing that additional cookies can be obtained—either for a booth sale OR for girl Goal Getter orders—encourages girls to “stretch and grow” with their cookie program goals!
Where are cookie cupboards located? Throughout the council! We anticipate having more than 30 cookie cupboards this year. Cookie cupboards are most frequently managed by volunteers in available space, such as living rooms, garages, storage units, and donated space at businesses. There are also cookie cupboards at the following service centers: Hartford, North Haven, Waterbury, and Wilton.
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How are cookies ordered/ reserved through the cupboard? Volunteers must reserve cookies no fewer than six days prior to the desired pick-up day. Troop volunteers enter the cookie order directly in eBudde on the Transaction tab as a Pending Order at the desired cupboard to be picked up no more than five business days before the scheduled booth sale. NOTE: If cookies are needed sooner than six days out, the troop will need to contact the cupboard manager directly to confirm if the cupboard can fill the cookie request. Complete information about placing a cupboard order will be included in the eBudde instructions.
When are cookie cupboards open? Cupboard hours and days of operation are determined by the cupboard manager Cupboards operate during the last week in February through March. Council and select service unit cupboards open for business the week prior to Cookie Delivery Weekend and the remaining service unit cupobards open the following week.
A list of council cookie cupboards will be available at gsofct.org by February 14, 2020. Check with your service unit to see if a volunteer is managing a cookie cupboard for the service unit.
Can unsold cookies that are picked up at the cupboard be returned? Yes, with the following qualifications: 1. NEW THIS YEAR: Troops can return UP TO 60% of the number of cases picked up from the cupboard on consignment AND all returns must be made within five business days of the booth sale date. 2. Only full cases can be returned (no partial cases or individual boxes). The cases must be UNOPENED. 3. The cookies MUST have been originally picked up from the cupboard in March 2020. Cookies that were part of a troop’s Initial Order and picked up on Cookie Delivery Day CANNOT be returned. 29
Goal Getter Sales During Goal Getter sales girls can… • 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 Goal Getter sales. • Increase troop proceeds! Proceeds are calculated based on the final per girl selling average. So, the higher the final per girl selling average, the greater the per box troop proceeds (see page 45 for 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 a cookieinspired craft (check out littlebrowniebakers.com for ideas).
Assigning Goal Getter packages Cookie program fun continues when girls participate in the Goal Getter Period! Goal Getter orders can be taken February 3— March 29.
All Goal Getter cookies 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 packages will ensure girls receive all earned rewards, and the correct amount of money is collected from each family.
Collecting Goal Getter Order Cards and Filling Orders Communicate to girls/families how to submit Goal Getter orders. Goal Getter orders can be filled in two ways: 1. Use the troop’s extra cookies from the troop’s Initial Order. It is a best practice to use the troop’s extra packages first to fill Goal Getter orders. 30
2. Pick up the cookies from a cookie cupboard. More information on cookie cupboards is on pages 28-29.
Five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program The Girl Scout Cookie Program is THE leading entrepreneurial program for girls. Use the chart below to explain to parents/ guardians/families how participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program gives girls skills they need to succeed NOW and as they become adults. 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? Girls have a ton of that, too!
Skill
In Girl Scouts and beyond
Goal Setting
Girls learn to set goals and meet deadlines. This translates into girls learning not to leave chores or school projects until the last minute!
Decision Making
Girls learn to work with others when deciding on troop goals or how to use troop proceeds. This will help them when working in a group in school or participating in extracurricular activities, such as sports teams or music groups.
Money Management
Beyond learning the basics of making change, Girl Scouts learn about spending, saving, and giving to those in need.
People Skills
Girls learn to talk and listen to all kinds of people. They grow in confidence and will be able to ask for things they need, such as help from a teacher or advice from a mentor.
Business Ethics
Girl Scouts learn to act honestly and fairly. They will grow into being a friend, classmate, and student others will count on and know is trustworthy. 31
C
ookie booth sales are a great way for girls to reach new customers and for troops to increase their sales! Booth sales are generally held in front of local businesses or at community events where there is a high level of foot traffic. Girls can practice their people skills when they interact with customers, and customers enjoy hearing how their support fuels all the great experiences the troop will have! Make sure you have reviewed the GSOFCT Booth Sale Guidelines for Troops ahead of holding your booth sale.
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Booth Sales February 29—March 29, 2020 Basic guidelines for holding a booth sale • Troops may not promote, collect, or sell items other than Girl Scout Cookies at a cookie booth. • ALL cash donations should be used to purchase cookies for either the Cookies for Heroes Program OR the troop’s local Gift of Caring program; donations should NOT be taken as a donation to the troop. • 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. • Girls must be present at all times. Adults may assist, but not sell Girl Scout Cookies. • At least two adults MUST be present at the booth. At least one of these volunteers must be registered with GSOFCT and have a background check. • Consider having additional volunteers on hand to assist with bathroom breaks and/or in case of emergencies. • Store cases off the ground and keep things neat! Remove empty cases right away. Remove everything the troop brought to the site when it leaves. • Girl Scout Cookie booths should NOT be made in partnership with businesses, organizations, or events that a girl cannot legally patronize, including bars, breweries, tobacco stores, liquor stores, and marijuana dispensaries, etc. Booth sales are considered a troop activity. Occasionally, a Girl Scout in a troop will want to hold a booth sale outside of/in addition to her troop’s booth sale(s). These girls and families must adhere to the service unit procedures for securing a booth site and GSOFCT’s guidelines for holding a booth sale. If this situation arises, please refer the parent to the service unit volunteer who handles booth sites for your service unit. In addition, please refer the parent to the GSOFCT Booth Sale Guidelines for Families document available at gsofct.org. 33
Booth Sales
What are the safety guidelines regarding booth sales? • 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. • Girls must either wear their Girl Scout uniform, a membership pin, or informal Girl Scout clothing. Girls should dress for the weather. • Check out the booth sale site beforehand. Look for security measures and the location of the nearest bathroom. • Ensure the table does not block pedestrians, bikes, or cars around your booth. Keep girls safely away from cars. • Girls should be in charge of making all sales, and Girl Scout Brownies and older should be allowed to make change. • Safeguard the cash box. Adults are responsible for the cash box and assisting girls. • Review the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Cookie and Product Sales (page 58) at gsofct.org. • The girl/adult ratio should be followed at all times. See page 19 in Volunteer Essentials, which is available at gsofct.org. • A first aid kit must be accessible at the booth at all times.
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Booth Sales How does the troop obtain a booth sale site? 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 (February 29–March 29, 2020). Any exceptions must be approved by the Product Sales Team. Once confirmed by the service unit, check with the service unit cookie manager to determine if the service unit or troop volunteer is responsible for adding the booth site into eBudde. The booth site MUST be entered into the troop’s eBudde record (Booth Sites tab). Listing the booth site in eBudde: • Acts as the troop’s trip application AND • Allows the booth to be listed in the Cookie Finder app.
What should the troop bring to the booth sale? • In addition to cookies, bring a cash box with starter change and a table. If the troop opts to accept credit cards, remember to bring the card reader. • Signs and decorations for the table. • Cards and ribbon to make multi-box bundles for occasions, such as birthdays or holidays. • A Cookies for Heroes flyer and/or a box wrapped in the Cookies for Heroes box wrap to promote the program. • If the troop is participating in a local Gift of Caring initiative, bring a box or container to hold the boxes that are purchased to be donated. • Cookie costumes for girls to wear to attract customers to the booth. • 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.
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Booth Sales How do I get cookies for the booth sale? 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 pages 28-29 for more information about cookie cupboards). NOTE: Troops can only sell cookies received on February 29 or March 1, 2020, from a GSOFCT cookie delivery site or from a GSOFCT cookie cupboard in March 2020. Cookies from Election Day Booth Sales, a different council, or past sales CANNOT be sold. If the troop picked up cookies from a cupboard, check with the cupboard manager about the return policy and deadline to return cookies.
How long should the booth sale last? Booth sales can be held for as few as 90 minutes or for an entire day. Factors that will influence the duration of the booth sale include: • The number and ages of girls available AND availabililty of adult volunteers. • The availability of the location as determined by the service unit. • The weather! Cold, windy, and rainy or snowy conditions may dictate a shorter booth sale.
Pro tips for cookie booths • Talk about the Cookies for Heroes Program with customers. Use the Cookies for Heroes wrap around a box of Thin Mints to visually promote the program. • 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 of the girls. Keep in mind: 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 pickup. 36
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, 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: Suggest girls set a Cookies for Heroes goal to share 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?
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 package (or more!) for Cookies for Heroes, she records the purchase on her order card and the troop cookie manager records the sale in eBudde. Packages 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 select a community organization to receive its cookie donations. If a troop chooses this method of donating cookies, it is responsible for contacting the organization prior to taking donations to confirm it can accept the cookies. The troop uses cookies from its inventory to deliver to the organization.
GSOFCT partners with organizations to deliver the 37
Cookie Delivery Day February 29 OR March 1, 2020 All cookies entered in eBudde as
Volunteers (particularly adults!) are always needed to help on Cookie Delivery Day. High school and college students are also welcome!
part of the troop’s Initial Order will be picked up on February 29 OR March 1, 2020, at one of the statewide cookie delivery sites. Each service unit is assigned a date, delivery site location, and a time range for troops to select a pick-up time. NOTE: The pick-up date and time slots are assigned by service unit and are FIRM. It is the troop’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements to ensure its cookie order is picked up on the assigned date and selected time.
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.
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Compact car
25-30 cases
Standard sedan (using back seat and trunk) Small SUV SUV/Minivan (extra seats have been removed/folded down) Standard pickup truck Cargo van
50-60 cases 50-65 cases 100-150 cases 100 cases 200 cases
What do I need to do to prepare for Cookie Delivery Day? FF Recruit
at least one troop adult to help. 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 page 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 Cookie Delivery Day. FF Ensure space has been identified to store the cookies that is protected from weather, smoke/exhaust, pets, and wildlife. FF Make a plan for troop families to pick up their cookies. 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 responsibility for the cookies from the troop cookie manager to the family.
Cookie Delivery Day Checklist Prior to pick-up time FF Make sure that all vehicles used for cookie pickup are clean and empty. For safety reasons, do not bring any children or pets. FF Any open pickup truck must have a covering 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 FF Arrive 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 Count the cookies. A troop adult will need to sign and be responsible for the cookies at the end of the line. Thus, it is important that she/ he is sure that the troop received all of the cases 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. 39
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 4 – March 29, 2020). Rewards are pictured on pages 42-43. All girl rewards are cumulative EXCEPT for Cookie Credits. A girl will earn the highest value Cookie Credit based on her final package count (see below for details). If the troop elects to take additional proceeds in lieu of rewards, girls WILL still receive all patches, Initial Order Rewards, Cookie Credits, Gift of Caring, and Digital Cookie rewards as well as items at the 750 packages level and above, if earned. Instructions on how to order Final Rewards are included in the eBudde instructions available on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org.
Cookie Credits Girls earn Cookie Credits beginning at 150 packages. Cookie Credits can be used to pay registration fees for 2020 GSOFCT Summer Camp or to purchase items from any GSOFCT shop or camp trading post. When Cookie Credits are used to pay 2020 GSOFCT 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. Cookie Credits expire on September 18, 2020. 40
Cookie Crossover Patch Girls are eligible to earn the Cookie Crossover patch featuring their personalized Me2 avatar if they: • Created a Me2 avatar on the M2 online platform during the Treats & Reads Program • Sent at least 15 emails during the Treats & Reads Program AND • Sell at least 140 packages during the cookie program (January-March 2020).
Cookie Crossover Bonus for Troops Troops that average at least $120 per girl selling in the Treats & Reads Program and 125 packages per girl selling in the cookie program (January-March 2020) will earn an additional 2¢ per package of cookies in troop proceeds! In order to qualify, troops must have at least two girls in each program with sales. This bonus will be credited in eBudde at the conclusion of the 2020 cookie program. Last year, almost 300 troops qualified for the bonus,
earning $8,874.60 in additional proceeds! What could your troop do with extra proceeds?
Service Unit Bonus Help the service unit earn a cash award for increasing its sales over the 2019 cookie program! The funds can be used for any legitimate service unit expense, such as events, camporees, or adult recognitions. Service units can earn the following when they increase their cookie program over 2019: • 1/2¢ for every package sold if the service unit increases its sale by 1/2 percent or more OR • 1¢ for every package sold if the service unit increases its sale by 2 percent or more.
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Cookie Program Rewards Girl Initial Order Reward More than 5” long
Earn the Cookie Shake Blanket Sack with an Initial Order of 125+ packages!
Participation patch 30+ packages SOAR Flying Disc 65+ packages back front
Troop Initial Order Reward Troops with a per girl selling average of 125+ packages on the Initial Order will earn the SOAR T-shirt for each girl with an Initial Order.
Do WOW Things! T-shirt AND $10 Cookie Credit 150+ packages
Butterfly Wall Tapestry AND $15 Cookie Credit 200+ packages
OR Cookie Crossover patch Eligible girls can earn the personalized Cookie Crossover patch! To earn the patch: • Girls must have sent 15+ emails and created a Me2 avatar during the Treats & Reads Program AND • Sell at least 140+ packages during the 2019-2020 cookie program.
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Bracelet and two charms (butterfly and cookie booth) OR three charms (butterfly, cookie booth, and milk and cookies) AND $35 Cookie Credit 400+ packages
OR Apple AirPods with wireless charging case OR Yogibo Short bean bag chair OR One week at GSOFCT Day Camp (up to $250 value) 1300+ packages
Weekender Kit (travel case, toothbrush holder, and duffle) PLUS 500+ patch AND $50 Cookie Credit 500+ packages
OR
Cookie Program Rewards Gift of Caring Reward
Mini Plush Dangler 90+ packages
Plush Butterfly 125+ packages
OR
Saturday, April 25 OR Sunday, May 3, 2020
Adventure Kit (water bottle, and carabiner, bandana, and string bag) OR Climbing and Zip Lining on April 25 or May 3, 2020 at The Adventure Park (choose from two locations) @ Discovrey Museum (Bridgeport) ages 5+ OR @ Storrs, ages 7+ AND $25 Cookie Credit 300+ packages
OR Two tickets and buffet lunch to Lake Compounce on June 13, 2020, OR GSOFCT sweatshirt PLUS 700+ patch AND $75 Cookie Credit 750+ packages
Canon Powershot SX740 and 16 gb memory card OR Camping Adventure Kit (outdoor sleeping bag, hiking backpack, and 4-6 person tent) OR One week at GSOFCT Resident Camp (up to $450 value) 1600+ packages
Enjoy a special event with the CEO on May 30, 2020 PLUS 1000+ patch AND $100 Cookie credit 1000+ packages
G.I.R.L. 2020 Convention in Orlando, FL! Join other Girl Scouts from GSOFCT at the 55th National Council Session. Reward includes airfare, hotel for five nights, most meals, one day pass to Disney or Universal Studios, and convention cost. 2020+ packages
Sell at least one package for Cookies for Heroes OR for a local Gift of Caring initiative to earn the Gift of Caring patch.
Sell at least 15 packages for Cookies for Heroes to earn the Magic Wash Cloth and Spa Headband
AND
Cookie Techie Rewards (Digital Cookie platform)
+ Sell 45+ packages through Digital Cookie to earn the Light-Up Butterfly Set (three lights) AND the Cookie Techie patch.
Philanthropic Reward Option This year girls will have the opportunity to choose to donate toward The Shoe that Grows program in place of a reward item. The option to donate will be at the 90, 125, and 200 package levels (look for the shoe icon in the reward images). Older girl troops that are opting for additional proceeds can also contribute toward this initiative. Contact the Product Sales Team at productsales@gsofct.org for more information.
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Cookie Program Rewards TOP Troop Reward - 5¢/package 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.
Mandatory Requirements (all three MUST be met)
Additional Requirements (troop MUST complete two)
Achieve per girl selling average of 125+ packages.
Set a troop sales goal and share the troop’s plan for the cookie program proceeds.
Submit ACH authorization by February 7, 2020, AND have sufficient funds so all ACH payments 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 7, 2020.
Hold at least one booth sale or walkabout and provide a picture of the event. Have at least 50 percent of the participating girls set up sites in Digital Cookie and send marketing emails.
In addition to the above requirements, the troop cookie manager must complete the online TOP Troop Reward form. The deadline to submit this form is April 10, 2020. The link to this form can be found on the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org after March 15, 2020. NOTE: In order to be eligible for the TOP Troop Reward, troops MUST have a minimum of two girls with sales. Individually registered girls are NOT eligible for this reward.
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Troop Proceeds Troop proceeds are based on the troop’s final per girl selling average (PGA) for packages sold between January and March. The per girl selling average is calculated using the total number of packages sold during the Initial Order Taking and Goal Getter periods, at booth sales in March, cookies sold for the Cookies for Heros and/or local Gift of Caring, and on the Digital Cookie platform.
Additional proceeds
If the The troop’s troop’s final per box PGA is... proceeds will be: Between 1 and 100 packages
85¢/package
Greater than 100 packages and up to 150 boxes
90¢/package
Greater than 150 packages
95¢/package
Older girl troops (Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels) are eligible to take an additional 10¢ per package 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 (Juliettes) in the cookie program Juliettes work with a designated volunteer in the service unit during the cookie program. Proceeds earned by Juliettes are 85¢ per package. Juliettes who are Juniors and above can opt out of earning girl rewards and earn an additional 10¢ per package of cookies. Proceeds are held within the service unit bank account and are dispersed for
appropriate Girl Scout activities upon request. Juliettes and their families 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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Deadline to submit ACH Form (if not previously submitted for the 2019 Treats & Reads Program OR 2019 Election Day Booth Sales)
February 7 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 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. 46
Cookie Pro Troop payments to council are made by electronic payment (ACH) from troop bank accounts. All proceeds and bonuses will be calculated prior to the final electronic payment. ALL troops must complete and submit the GSOFCT Product Sales Program Electronic Payment (ACH) Authorization form NO LATER than February 7, 2020. The link to the ACH authorization form can be found at gsofct.org.
Payment to the The troop cookie manager is responsible for keeping track of product distributed to families and payment amounts received from each girl’s family. • The troop cookie manager must use the receipt book provided to collect signatures whenever money or product is exchanged. • The troop cookie manager is responsible for communicating
gram Finances There will be two electronic (ACH) withdrawals: March 20 for 60% of the amount due in eBudde, and April 10 for the final balance. Note: If the troop has previously submitted an authorization form for the 2019 Treats & Reads Program or 2019 Election Day Booth Sales, it does NOT need to submit the form again for the cookie program, assuming no change in the troop’s banking information.
troop from families to troop families the amount owed and procedure for making payment to the troop. • Troop cookie managers should record in eBudde all girl/family payments received. If the troop anticipates having insufficient funds for the electronic payment(s), contact the Product Sales Team at productsales@gsofct.org
ACH Withdrawal Dates
March 20
(60% of amount due in eBudde)
AND
April 10
(final balance due)
Payment at booth sales Payment can be made by cash or check payable to GSOFCT. Troops are responsible for the value of all counterfeit money and should use a counterfeit bill detector pen to check any bills received. Troops should carefully consider accepting checks from customers not known to troop families. As point-of-sale transactions are increasingly cashless, troops should consider accepting credit cards for payment at booth sales. If the troop chooses to accept credit cards, it is responsible for obtaining the device and all fees associated with its usage. Payment cannot be accepted using online apps, including Venmo, Paypal, and Zelle. Want a sign to advertise that credit cards are accepted? We’ve got you covered. Go to the Cookie Volunteer Resources page at gsofct.org for a sign you can download and print or contact the Product Sales Team at productsales@gsofct.org.
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Cookie Program 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 packages that have not been paid for. Contact the Product Sales Team no later than March 16, 2020, for the first ACH payment and/or April 6, 2020, for the final ACH payment to ensure the troop’s payment to council is adjusted. The troop cookie manager should compile the following documentation and submit to the product sales manager NO LATER than May 1, 2020: 1) A completed Parent/Guardian Cookie Program Delinquency Form, including steps taken to collect the money, 2) Original parent signature accepting the cookies, and 3) a copy of the girl’s Annual Consent form. If a troop collects the delinquent amount after submitting the documentation, 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, 2020, in order to be reimbursed: • Original legal copy of check sent from the bank, • Copy of the bank notice, and • 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: Nicki Segura 340 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106 If received AFTER June 1, 2020, reimbursement will be withheld until council has recovered the funds. 48
2020 CONTEST ie business smarts Unleash your unique cook ic trip to Orlando! for a chance to WIN an ep Enter the 2020 Cookie Pro contest today! Twenty-four lucky winners will go on an epic trip to exciting Orlando, Florida, for full VIP access to G.I.R.L. 2020— the largest event for girls in the world—as part of your...
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! Enjoy admission to all conference activities and experiences, breakfast with Girl Scouts of the USA’s CEO, backstage passes to celebrity speakers, and more!
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The GIRL SCOUTS® name, mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design, and Cookie Pro™ are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA.