Cookie Family Guide 2020 - Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
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Cookie Family Guide
2020
Keep for January - March
1
The Cookie Line Up
It's tough saying goodbye!
2020 marks the last season the Thanks-A-lot cookie will be sold.
thanks-a-lot have been around for 15 great years, and the time has come
to say goodbye and welcome a new cookie in 2021.
Let your customers know to stock up this year.
2
Dear GSSJC Girl Scouts and Girl Scout Families,
Every female leader has started where your Girl Scout is Table of Contents
today: as a young girl looking for experiences and role 4 Why should my Girl Scout sell
models to help her navigate a successful life. Your girl is Cookies
already one step ahead of the game – she’s a Girl Scout! 5 Girl Scout and parent checklist
With us, she’s developing a strong sense of self, seeking 6 Going to a direct sale
challenges and learning from setbacks, displaying positive 6 Important dates
values, forming and maintaining healthy relationships and
7 Nine things to know about the
identifying and solving problems in the community. Cookie Program
8 Recognitions
Her next step: getting her feet wet in entrepreneurship.
10 Inventory and getting started
Whether she’s participated in the Cookie Program for
several years or this is her first year, girls learn and enhance their skills around goal 11 Key players
setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. 11 How to handle cookie money
11 Tips and tools for selling cookies
To make supporting her even easier, we’re introducing our new and improved 12 Where the money goes
Cookie Family Guide. Inside, you’ll learn more about how we’ve made the program 12 How troops use their proceeds
easier than ever for girls, families and troops. You’ll see where the money goes, 13 Smart Cookies promotion and
tips for handling cookie money, how you can help her market her cookie business, online marketing guidelines
safety tips and so much more. 14 Ways to sell Girl Scout Cookies
17 The Girl’s Guide to cookie booth
While the Cookie Program assists girls in earning funds toward exciting and etiquette
educational activities and community projects, our research shows it also helps 18 Code of conduct
Girl Scouts thrive as they take on leadership roles and try new things. This time- 19 Safety tips for selling cookies
honored tradition not only shapes the entrepreneurial spirit, it also builds girls of
20 Cookie Program: Requirements,
courage, confidence and character. Let's get started! Roles and Responsibilities
21 Smart Cookies
Yours in Girl Scouting,
22 Cookie contests
Mary Vitek 22 Cookies4Heroes
GSSJC Chief Executive Officer 23 Cookie Pro contest
24 Family cookie pins
3
Why Should my Girl Scout
Sell Cookies?
Want to know a secret? The Cookie Program isn’t about cookies. Shocked? You shouldn’t
be! The Cookie Program is all about your Girl Scout.
When she’s participating in the Cookie Program, here’s what she’s actually doing:
• She’s learning the 5 Skills – goal setting, decision making, money management,
people skills and business ethics.
• And all those skills? They transfer to other areas of her life, like becoming more
responsible with her allowance, making a decision about college or developing
leadership skills that’ll turn her into the next all-star female CEO.
• She’s raising proceeds for her troop to do great things, like go camping, fund a service project or pay to attend a badge
workshop.
• She’s paying it forward and making the Girl Scout experiences possible for ALL girls in our council. Proceeds also go
toward maintaining camp properties, keeping activity fees affordable and helping girls in underserved areas participate in
Girl Scouts.
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– Girl
"I was excited to sell Girl Scout Cookies because this was my first year in Girl Scouts. The
Cookie Program made me more goal-oriented. I used to wait until the last minute to finish
things. With the Cookie Program I had a big goal so I stayed on top of it and worked toward my
goal every day. The most valuable thing I learned was to not quit until I am successful and then
keep reaching. I was excited when I hit my first goal, and then I set a new bigger goal for myself.
I kept doing that until I became a top seller! I would totally recommend the Cookie Program
because even though it can be work it is really fun. Plus, you can use the money to do fun stuff
that you have never done before. We went indoor skydiving and slept with the white tiger at the
Aquarium. Overall the Cookie Program has inspired me to want to own my own business. Right
now, I am making slime and selling it to raise money. You gotta start somewhere!"
– Girl Scout Junior Emerson Haynes
4
Girl Scout and
Parent Checklist
Pre-Sale:
q Register as a Girl Scout for the 2019-2020
membership year.
q Pick up materials from your troop cookie manager.
q Complete and sign a Parent Permission and
Responsibility Form.
q Learn about the 5 Skills, cookie-related badges and
the Family Activity Pin.
q Review the girl rewards brochure with your Girl
Scout.
q Help your troop set a troop goal and assist your
Girl Scout with setting her goal.
Starting Inventory/Delivery:
q Work with your troop cookie manager/troop leader
to estimate the number of packages of cookies your Girl Scout will sell for her troop's starting inventory order. Don’t
worry, your troop can always get more from a cookie cupboard.
q Girls earn Starting Inventory Rewards when each girl in their troop selling has a starting inventory order of 160 or more
packages placed by January 13. See page 7 for a list of all the Starting Inventory Rewards.
q Send ecards to friends and family members through ABC Smart Cookies beginning January 23, 2020.
q Use the order card as a planning tool to begin organizing cookie deliveries at workplaces, at school or in your place
of worship.
Goal Getter:
q Start selling door-to-door with cookies in hand on February 1 or continue taking orders using your order card.
q Contact your troop cookie manager to pick up more cookies for any girl-delivered orders taken after the starting
inventory is sold.
q Sign a receipt for any additional cookies picked up from the troop cookie manager.
q Collect payments from customers. Money is only collected when cookies are delivered.
q Turn money in frequently to the troop cookie manager or troop leader. Get a receipt each time money is turned in.
q Volunteer to work a cookie booth. (Two adults are required and at least one adult must be background checked).
q Help your Girl Scout reach her goals by supporting her during cookie delivery and booth sales.
Wrap Up:
q Monitor ABC Smart Cookies to ensure your Girl Scout has received credit for the appropriate number of cookies sold.
q Monitor ABC Smart Cookies for record of payments made to the troop cookie manager.
q Let the troop cookie manager know whether your Girl Scout is choosing the Rewards Package or Cookie Dough
(excludes troops choosing the Older Girl Option).
After the Sale
q Download the contacts from ABC Smart Cookies and save for next year.
q Pick up girl rewards from the troop cookie manager.
q Celebrate with your Girl Scout and the troop.
5
The 2020 Girl Scout
Cookie Program
is a direct sale
What does that mean?
Why are we moving to a direct sale?
We heard you: the Cookie Program needs to be shorter and easier. After the 2019
cookie season, we reviewed your feedback and took a look at the Cookie Program.
Important
We’ve made several changes to make it easier than ever, starting with our move to
a direct sale model. Dates
What does this mean? In short, that means girls start the Cookie Program January 13
with cookies in-hand rather than taking orders and customers having to wait Deadline for troop cookie managers to
3 – 4 weeks to receive their cookies. This means instant gratification for cookie order the troop's starting inventory.
customers and an easier delivery process for girls and parents.
January 17
By moving to a direct sale we've been able to simplify the process and shorten the ABC Smart Cookies login emails will
Cookie Program from 12 weeks to seven. Plus girls will receive their recognitions earlier. be sent to girl’s parent/guardian email
address if the troop has an approved
troop cookie manager.
How a direct sale works
In a direct sale, troops review their previous year’s total sales to determine how January 23 – February 1
many cases they want to order. This will now be called the starting inventory. Help your troop pick up cookies from
We recommend troops order at least 80% of their final sales in the 2019 Cookie designated cookie drops. Girls begin
Program. This will help prevent repeated runs to cookie cupboards and the need taking orders via tools like Smart Cookies
to restock frequently. or the optional paper order card to help
with planning.
Once the order is placed, troops will pick up their starting inventory in the
same way they always have. The council will schedule a series of cookie drops February 1
where troops pick up their cookies, then distribute them to girls. Troop cookie The 2020 Cookie Program begins! All
deliveries are Jan. 23 – Feb. 1. cookies will be delivered to all troops
and will be available for purchase to the
When might the optional paper order card come in handy? Think of this as a general public at this time.
tool to use in locations where it might not be feasible to bring the cookies and sell
door-to-door, like a workplace, school or place of worship. Girls can start using the February 14
optional order card in these locations beginning January 23. Or, once the sale starts Cookie booth sales begin.
on February 1, you might keep the optional paper order card handy in case you run
out of a variety of cookies when you are going door-to-door and can circle back February 21 – 22
to customers requesting that variety when your inventory is restocked. Starting National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
January 23, girls will also gain access to Smart Cookies, a digital order-taking tool.
March 22
Then on February 1 – the official start of the 2020 Cookie Program – girls The 2020 Cookie Program ends.
can begin knocking on doors to sell cookies in their neighborhood. The good
news about moving to a direct sale model is that councils who use this model
consistently see their sales increase significantly, because customers buy more
when girls have cookies in-hand. This means girls are earning more proceeds for
troop activities!
Cookie booths will begin on February 14 (and the sign-up for these will function
the same way as previous years). The 2020 Cookie Program will end on March 22.
6
9
things to know about the
Cookie Program
Feb. 1 – March 22 $800M
The 2020 Cookie Program runs Feb. 1 Nationally, the Girl Scout Cookie
through March 22. All registered Girl Program grosses more than $800
Scouts can participate. The Cookie million in sales. It’s the largest girl-
Program only happens once a year! led entrepreneurial program in the
world and the second-largest cookie
business in the U.S., second only to
Girls who participate in the Girl Scout Oreo. (Impressive, right?)
5 Skills Cookie Program learn and practice five
for Girls valuable skills that will help them now
and in the future: goal setting, decision
New Packaging
Cookie packaging has been updated
making, money management, people
for 2020! We’re excited to share
skills and business ethics.
this new look with you and cookie
customers. The new images feature
girls who were named winners in the
100%
All of the proceeds generated from the Cookie Program
2018 Cookie Pro Contest hosted by Girl
Scouts of the USA.
stay within the local council to support Girl Scout
programs right here in our community.
Gluten Free Cookies
The price of gluten-free cookies
1917 will increase to $6 per package or
$72 per case to keep in line with
In 1917, the first known cookie sale by Girl Scouts the cost of production. If your
took place as a way to earn money to support troop placed an order for gluten-
girl-led community service projects and free cookies in October, they will
other activities. Girl Scouts have been be delivered with the starting
entrepreneurs for more than 100 years. inventory order. Otherwise, a limited supply will be available
when the Girl Scout Center cupboard opens.
4,176,729
Girl Scouts in GSSJC sold 4,176,729 packages of delicious cookies in 2019.
Our eight core varieties of cookies are $5 per package or $60 per case.
There are 12 packages in a case. All of our cookies are date-stamped for
freshness. Our Girl Scout cookies contain zero grams of trans fats and use
RSPO certified Palm Oil. Five of our cookies are vegan.
Starting Inventory Rewards
There are new (and more) starting rewards! On Jan.
13 if a troop orders an average of 160 – 250 packages
per participating girl in the troop, they'll receive the
first starting inventory reward. These rewards will
be given to your Girl Scout at troop deliveries. These
rewards will not be available after this point.
160– Drawstring bag
SJC
GS 200– Spirit patch/holder
20 250– Fox Sitting plush
20
7
Theme Patch
Girl Recognitions
5+ Theme Patch (all levels 5+ receive the patch)
55-99 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag
100-149 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag,
Woodtone Sunglasses
150-199 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag,
Woodtone Sunglasses, Memo Door Hanger, Travel Journal
200-249 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag, Woodtone
Sunglasses, Memo Door Hanger, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem
Kit, Wheat Ring Metallic Gold
250-299 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag, Woodtone Tattoos
Sunglasses, Memo Door Hanger, Travel Journal, Crystal
Gem Kit, Wheat Ring, Fox Standing Plush
300-349 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Embroidered Luggage Tag, Memo
Door Hanger, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat Ring, Fox
Standing Plush, Camper Lantern
350-399 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room Light Embroidered
400-499 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat Luggage Tag
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace
500-599 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board
600-799 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel
800-999 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel, Write Your
Story Bead Kit Woodtone
1000-1249 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat Sunglasses
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel, Write Your
Story Bead Kit, Hoodie
1250-1499 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit, Wheat
Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Room
Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel, Write Your
Story Bead Kit, Hoodie, Clear Hip Bag
1500-1999 Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit,
Wheat Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal
Room Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel,
Write Your Story Bead Kit, Hoodie, Clear Hip Bag, Plush
Blanket
2000 + Metallic Gold Tattoos, Travel Journal, Crystal Gem Kit,
Wheat Ring, Fox Standing Plush, Camper Lantern, Crystal Memo Door
Room Light, Fox Necklace, Marquee Board, Beach Towel,
Write Your Story Bead Kit, Hoodie, Clear Hip Bag, Plush Hanger
Blanket, Duffle Bag, Lunch with the GSSJC CEO, Choice of
either an Outdoor Pkg., STEM Pkg. or Electronic item– more
Be sure to also see the Starting Inventory Recognitions
on the previous page. They are only applicable for your Travel Journal
starting inventory order.
8
Wheat Ring
Clear Hip Bag
Fox Necklace Standing Fox
Plush
Crystal Gem Kit
Plush Blanket
Check out the recognition
brochure for more spirit
Camper Hoodie patches available at
Lantern multiple levels.
Crystal
Room
Light Cookie Entrepreneur Officers (CEOs)
Become a CEO when you sell 1,000 or
more packages of cookies.
GSSJC 2020
Write Your Own
Story Bead Kit
Beach Towel
What's
your goa
l?
Marquee Board Duffle Bag
9
Inventory and Getting Started
How a Direct Sale Coming Up With a
Works Troop Inventory
• The direct sale format allows you to have the inventory Kick off the Cookie Program with your troop by discussing what
in hand so customers don’t have to wait! to do with cookie proceeds as well as what funds are needed for
• Your troop cookie manager will place the troop's program supplies, registration dues, uniforms, etc.
starting inventory order no later than January 13. Make • As a troop, calculate the budget needed for the activities
sure your troop cookie manger know your Girl Scout's chosen to determine your troop’s sales goal.
goal to help estimate your troop's order. • Relying on the troop’s goal, the troop cookie manager (TCM)
• Cookies are distributed to families at the start of the will submit the starting inventory order no later than Jan. 13.
sale. • All members of the troop should support the collective goals
• Girls can use order cards and Smart Cookies as tools that girls discussed and agreed on.
to track sales or customer contact information. • The troop is financially responsible for all cookies ordered
• Families can pick up additional inventory as needed and received.
throughout the program. Check with your troop cookie • The troop should order the majority (75–80%) of its cookie
manager. inventory for the girls to meet their goal through the starting
• Families turn in funds to the troop for cookies as they inventory order. Cookies are ordered in full case quantities
sell them. Cookies are not pre-paid. (12 packages per case). Additional cookies may be ordered
• Ask your troop cookie manger for the due date for the through the TCM.
balance due.
When Can I Sell Girl
Scout Cookies?
Feb. 1 – March 22
• The Cookie Program kicks off on Feb. 1. You and your
When picking up your Girl Scout are "on your honor" not to sell door-to-door
cookies... or deliver cookies to customers before February 1.
• On Jan. 23 girls can begin to plan their pre-orders and
• Count each package before leaving your troop cookie delivery by taking their order card to places of worship,
manager. school and parent's places of work. Girls can also
• Sign a receipt and take a copy. You are financially begin using Smart Cookies to send emails to potential
responsible for each package of cookies you sign for. customers, however, girls cannot go door-to-door using
• Always keep your cookies in a cool place—do not store their order cards or with cookies until Feb. 1.
in the garage. If cookies are damaged, you are still • It is considered early selling any time a girl/adult accepts
financially responsible for them. someone’s request for cookies, takes money for cookies,
• Store cookies away from pets and strong odors, such asks potential customers questions like, “Will you buy
as cigarette smoke and pungent foods. cookies from me?” or solicits for Cookies4Heroes
donations before Jan. 23. Prior to Jan. 23, if a potential
customer asks you to “Put me down for…,” the appropriate
response must be, “Thank you for your pledge. We will
contact you at the start of the program to take your order.”
10Key Players
There are several groups of people who will make your cookie business a complete success:
• Your troop consists of registered Girl Scouts ready to put their leadership skills into
action.
• Your troop cookie manager/troop leader will organize and
guide your troop through the program.
• The community cookie manager, cupboard managers and
product sales operations team are volunteers who will help
your troop cookie manager throughout the sale.
• GSSJC staff will provide the necessary tools to conduct a
successful cookie business.
• Your support team consists of family and friends who will
encourage and assist you.
• Customers are the awesome people who will financially help Girl Scouts reach their goals!
How to Handle Cookie Money -
Tips for Parents
• Always count money in front of the customer, especially when giving back change.
• Be cautious about accepting large denominations of cash. These are most commonly counterfeited.
You might want to invest in a counterfeit marker.
• Turn in money to your troop cookie manager (TCM) promptly and frequently. She/he will let you
know when the funds should be turned in.
• Always get a receipt from your TCM when money is turned in.
• Do not deposit cash into your personal account and write a check to the troop. Families are
financially responsible for any lost, stolen or counterfeit money.
• Ask your TCM/troop leader if your troop is participating in the bank card processing program called
Clover GO.
• Ask your TCM/troop leader if your troop is accepting checks.
Tips and Tools for Selling
Cookies
1. Ask friends and family to buy or donate Girl Scout Cookies.
2. Review last year’s order cards and contact your reliable
customers.
3. Do residential door-to-door sales, set up a lemonade stand at
your home or at the home of a close relative, booth with your
troop or sell online through Smart Cookies.
4. Prior to the end of the sale, contact your customers again to
place another order.
5. Need more cookies? Contact your troop cookie manager.
11Did you know? All proceeds from
Girl Scout Cookies® stay local !
When you purchase Girl Scout Cookies from a young, budding entrepreneur, you’re supporting
her success today and tomorrow. Girl Scout Cookies’ proceeds stay local to:
1 2 3
Cover the costs of running the Fund Take Action projects for Help councils provide Girl Scout
Girl Scout Cookie Program, the community and amazing programs in STEM, the outdoors,
including the costs of cookies, girl-led adventures for troops. life skills, and entrepreneurship,
materials, and logistics. as well as camps, leadership
training, and more!
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world!
How a package of cookies
supports Girl Scouts
2%
60%
Girl
20%
Cost of
16%
Troop,
2%
Recognitions Other The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the
Scout
Program
Cookies Community
and Region
for Girls largest girl-led entrepreneurial
Proceeds program in the world!
How Troops Use Their Cookie Proceeds
How a Girl Scout troop uses their cookie proceeds is entirely up to the girls! Let’s assume this troop of 12 Girl Scout
Brownies sold enough cookies to earn the top starting inventory reward, which is 250 packages per girl. The troop
would receive roughly $2,250 in proceeds from selling this amount.
Here is a quick example of how they might use their proceeds:
• Attend Carousel camping weekend ($30/girl or adult) - $420
• Attend a Cybersecurity badge workshop ($23 per girl) - $276
• Hike with Henry at Camp Agnes Arnold ($6 per girl) - $72
• Renew all girls’ memberships during Early Bird to earn an exclusive patch ($25 per girl) - $300
• Service project benefiting a local animal shelter - $200
• Save for future troop trip or use for other activities - $982
12Smart Cookies Promotion and
Online Marketing Guidelines
By using Smart Cookies, Girl Scouts in our council have an exciting opportunity to extend their cookie sales to friends
and family nationwide with cookies for shipment and Cookies4Heroes donations, while learning the particulars of
online selling, e-commerce management and digital promotion. Similar to the traditional selling method, Smart
Cookies continues to be a girl-led program in which girls make the sales and oversee all aspects of the transaction
with adult supervision. Now, selling to a far-away relative or family friend is as easy as sending them a girl’s unique
Smart Cookies URL! To ensure Smart Cookies sales remain in the hands of the girls, and to protect the girls from
potentially dangerous situations, we’ve outlined the following tips and tricks to implement on both the troop and
individual level.
Marketing as an Individual Seller
Girls should:
• Use Smart Cookies to enhance their Girl Scout Cookie Program experience by combining this method with in-
person sales for an optimal learning experience.
• Create compelling digital content communicating the significance of why she is selling cookies with text, images,
videos and graphics.
• Create an online customer base of personal friends/family.
• Use Smart Cookies to send emails to friends and family members. Messages can be posted on social media as long
as the site is a controlled account and settings are set to private. Members of the closed group are those the Girl
Scout or her parents know personally and messages cannot be forwarded or shared beyond the designated group.
• Share posts on private social media accounts that generally highlight the cookie program, five skills and/or their
Girl Scout experiences, as long as the information does not disclose any location or contact information.
Girls should not:
• Post/share information or ask for cookie sales through any public-facing digital channels such as online pages,
social media, or a public digital cookie page with a unique URL, etc. This safety precaution prevents unknown
third parties from soliciting cookie sales.
• Use public-facing digital ads or boosted posts to promote their cookie sales.
Marketing as a Troop
Troops should:
• Use Smart Cookies to teach girls about e-commerce, web design and social media best practices in a fun,
exciting way!
• Work together to create troop and individual promotional materials to equally market Smart Cookies as a group
as well as on each girl’s personal cookie site following Girl Scouts’ individual seller parameters.
• Ensure troop-focused cookie season promotional content is shared on social channels as long as:
• General details about the cookie program, five skills and/or the troop’s Girl Scout experiences are highlighted
without disclosing any location or contact information.
• Direct customers to the Girl Scout Cookie Finder (girlscoutcookies.org) as an alternative call to action.
Troops should not:
• Post content with direct links to troop members’ personal Smart Cookies sites.
• Post content including direct contact details (i.e. phone number, address and/or email) as important safety
precaution.
NOTE: Public-facing digital channels and social media accounts include those in which the public can follow, post
or interact with anyone within that channel without special permissions. Private accounts denote those in which
messaging is only seen by a closed group of personal friends and family.
Questions or concerns? Please refer to the GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoints document.
13Ways to Sell Girl Scout Cookies
How to Use an Order Card in a
Direct Sale
Think of this as a tool to use in locations where it might not be feasible
to bring the cookies and sell door-to-door, like a workplace, school or
place of worship. Girls can start using the optional order card in these
locations beginning Jan. 23. Or, once the sale starts on Feb. 1, you might
keep the optional paper order card handy in case you run out of a variety
of cookies when you are going door-to-door and can circle back to
customers requesting that variety when your inventory is restocked.
Smart Cookies – Jan. 23 – March 22
Smart Cookies is a fun and interactive website that assists girls in learning
the essential 5 Skills and tracking cookie sales. It is a password-protected
private area for Girl Scouts only.
When using Smart Cookies, girls can:
• Log in to Smart Cookies starting Jan. 17 using the link sent to the
parent's email address. (Note: the troop cookie manager must be
approved before this link can be sent.)
• Learn about goals and selling tips.
• Set an individual goal and review the troop's goal.
• Send secure emails starting Jan. 23 to customers to take online orders
for girl delivery or direct shipment. This includes Cookies4Heroes
orders.
Door-to-Door Sales– Feb. 1 – March 22
This is the practice of going from door-to-door in a residential neighborhood (not
commercial or retail areas, like parking lots, etc.) to sell cookies (no stationary
booths).
• Door-to-door selling is permitted in residential areas only.
• Girls should be familiar with the neighborhoods.
• Girls must always have an adult with them and should never be out after
dark.
• Girls should not go into a yard if there is a dog or a closed gate/fence.
• Girls should never enter a customer’s home or accept food or beverages.
• No pets are allowed while selling cookies.
14Ways to Sell Girl Scout Cookies
Cookie Booths – Feb. 14 – March 22
These are stations, usually a table and chairs, where a group/troop of
Girl Scouts sell cookies, most often set up at a storefront. Cookie booths
encourage teamwork and learning. (Cookie booths are a privilege and Girl
Scouts must be on their best behavior.)
• Cookie booths can only be held Feb. 14 – March 22.
• Locations are pre-authorized by GSSJC. Consult your troop cookie
manager for availabilities or to seek required approval for any special
booth locations outside of what is offered.
• A minimum of two girls (and maximum of four girls) and two adults
must be at each cookie booth. A troop cannot hold a cookie booth
without parental help. At least one adult must be a registered,
background-checked Girl Scout member. The second adult must be the
parent of one of the girls attending the cookie booth.
• No tagalongs. Only registered Girl Scouts can attend a cookie booth.
Siblings and friends are not allowed.
• Do not block entrances. Approach customers only as they are leaving
the business.
• Unless authorized by the business, do not affix anything to the property
where the booth is held.
• Make sure the cookie inventory is always in sight. Do not leave cash
visible and keep change on hand.
• Clean up all trash and take it with you to dispose. Do not use trash cans
at the booth location.
Workplace Selling – Jan. 23 – March 22
This is the practice of taking orders or selling cookies at a workplace
(including a parent’s workplace).
• Girls must contact business owners or managers to request permission
to sell at the business.
• Girls can make a sales pitch to staff or leave an order card in a location
visible to employees.
• Girls can only sell to the employees of the business.
• Parents may have cookies to sell at their place of work to employees
only, but any displays must include a message from the girl. Displays
cannot be visible by the workplace’s customers/patrons. This includes
all retail establishments and restaurants.
• Girls are not to set up booths at businesses without special booth
approval; ask your troop cookie manager.
Credit Card Sales – Feb. 1 – March 22
Ask your troop cookie manager if your troop is participating in the Clover Go
bank card program. Using the Clover Go app allows your Girl Scout to take
payments for any girl-delivered orders by bank card. Download the app on
your smart phone and when delivering cookies to customers, simply scan
the bank or credit card using your phone’s camera. You will need to manually
enter the CVV code on the back of the card. Your troop cookie manager will
be able to credit the sales amount to what your Girl Scout owes the troop.
15Ways to Sell Girl Scout Cookies
Social Media – Feb. 1 – March 22
Online social networking sites (such as Facebook and Instagram) are a great
place for teens 13 and older to promote and ask for cookie orders on private
accounts to people she personally knows—with parent permission. Be sure
to follow computer/online use guidelines in Safety Activity Checkpoints. For
additional resources, visit girlscouts.org.
Remember, selling Girl Scout Cookies on eBay, NextDoor, Craigslist, Amazon
or any other website is NOT allowed.
"Lemonade Stands" –
Feb. 14 – March 22
This is a booth set up on the property where the girl or a close family
member resides, as their city, homeowner’s association and/or
property management permits.
• Girls must have an adult present at the lemonade stand at all
times—cookies and money should never be left unattended.
• Lemonade stands are not to be set up on the street, sidewalk,
street corner, medians or public property
• Girls who reside in an apartment, gated community or similar
housing must obtain management approval prior to setting up—
set-up must be in a common area inside the complex (not on the
street or sidewalk).
• Any signage must follow city, property management and/or
homeowner association signage rules.
• Keep cookies shaded from the elements (i.e., heat, rain, etc.).
Consider using a rolling cooler on hot days to keep cookies from
melting.
Check out the GSSJC Online Community
for more resources designed just for girls and parents.
Go to community.gssjc.org/Community and click on Cookie – Troop.
16The Girl’s Guide to Cookie Booth Etiquette
Cookie season is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the principles of the Girl Scout Law to customers, as well as to your
fellow Girl Scouts. We’ve broken down the Girl Scout Law with a few suggestions of how to do just that:
I will do my best to be:
honest and fair – All girls should be contributing equally learning how to spot potential customers. If someone’s
to the booth sales, not just one girl or parents. Give girls walking by quickly and not making eye contact, they
a role! Have one or two at the booth, helping customers probably aren’t interested. If a customer smiles or takes
choose and pay for their cookies. Have another one or two notice of your booth, ask that magic question! Sometimes
girls acting as greeters, saying hello and asking potential a customer simply hasn’t been asked by a girl if they’d
customers that magic question – would you like to buy Girl like to buy cookies, and that’s all it takes for them to walk
Scout Cookies? Keep girls focused on the booth during down away with a case of Thin Mints! Talk about how to spot
times by perfecting their cookie pitch or practicing answers potential customers with your girls before your booth to
to customer questions. And remember there must always be help maximize their success and their confidence.
a minimum of two girls and two adults at every booth – no
more than four girls at a time. respect authority – Keep in mind we are guests at the
business where you are holding your cookie booth and
friendly and helpful – Keep that smile going! Customers how we act could affect whether that business allows us
aren’t as likely to stop if the girls look bored or disinterested. to return next year. Use those business ethics skills you’ve
Happiness is contagious, and if your girls are excited to learned to be respectful of the business you’re visiting. Set
tell customers about their favorite Girl Scout Cookie or up in your designated area, don’t block pathways or doors
how they’re using the proceeds, customers will catch the and be sure to clean up when your booth is over. A Girl
excitement and be happy to help the girls achieve their goals Scout always leaves a place cleaner than she found it!
by purchasing a box or two.
use resources wisely – Encourage girls to decorate
considerate and caring – Lots of troops in your their booth using colorful posters, décor and more to
community are excited to sell at a booth, just like you. Be share prices, cookie varieties and how they will use the
considerate of how long your time slot is so if there’s a troop proceeds. Cookie booths are usually by a business’s doors
selling after you, you can wrap up your cookie booth on and can’t take up a lot of space, so use that space wisely!
time and give the next troop ample time to set up their own (Need ideas? Take a spin around Pinterest!) An out-of-
booth. the-ordinary booth design might catch a non-customer’s
eye and turn them into a customer. Plus, it’s a great troop
courageous and strong – Not every customer you approach meeting activity to help get girls excited about their cookie
will say yes. Some, unfortunately, might even be rude about booths.
saying no. It takes courage for a girl to ask someone they
don’t know if they’d like to buy Girl Scout Cookies. When a make the world a better place – The Girl Scout Cookie
customer says no, it takes just as much courage and strength Program does a lot of good in your community! Remind
to smile, say “Thank you anyway,” and continue on to the next customers that the money they spend stays right here in
person. southeast Texas, and girls use their proceeds for things
like offsetting the cost of a STEM workshop, donating
and responsible for what I say and do – You can’t supplies to a local animal shelter or even saving it to pay
control what other people say or do, but you can control for a week at resident camp.
your actions. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for
misinformation about Girl Scouts to circulate during cookie and be a sister to every Girl Scout – When you’re out
season, and some individuals might think a cookie booth is at a cookie booth, it might seem like you’re just one girl
an appropriate setting to share this misinformation. As the or one troop making your cookie business a success,
adult at the booth, be reminded it is never okay for anyone but through your participation in the Girl Scout Cookie
to verbally attack girls, or you, for any reason. If a situation Program, you are part of the largest girl-led business in
like this arises, remember to stay calm and collected, don’t the world! You aren’t just representing yourself – you’re
engage and politely, but firmly, ask them to continue on their representing the entire Girl Scout Movement. Encourage
way. your girls to share with customers why they love being
a Girl Scout and what the experience has taught them.
and to respect myself and others – Be respectful that Many think Girl Scouts is just about camping, cookies and
some customers are simply there to shop and will not be crafts. This is your chance to tell them that it’s about so
interested in buying Girl Scout Cookies. That’s okay! Part of much more!
the people skills girls learn through the Cookie Program is
17Cookie Code of Conduct
Girls and adults must adhere to the information in the Cookie Family Guide and all GSSJC and GSUSA guidelines when
selling Girl Scout Cookies. These guidelines are in place so that girls can run a successful, fair, safe and fun cookie
business. Talk with your troop cookie manager if you need clarification.
For Girls: For Parents and Caregivers:
• I will adhere to the principles of the Girl Scout Promise • I will adhere to the principles of the Girl Scout Promise
and Law and follow all GSSJC guidelines. and Law and follow GSSJC and GSUSA guidelines.
• I will follow the guidelines to make sure the Cookie • I will follow the guidelines to make sure the Cookie
Program is safe, fun and successful. Program is safe, fun and successful.
• I will not sell cookies prior to February 1. • I will make sure my Girl Scout does not sell cookies
• I agree to only use my order card beginning January 23 prior to the start date on February 1, 2020.
to help organize workplace orders, school orders or • I will be respectful of the Girl Scout leaders, troop
my place of worship orders. cookie manager or the adult in charge, recognizing
• I will wear appropriate Girl Scout attire and dress that they are volunteers helping my Girl Scout.
neatly when selling. • I understand I am responsible for all money collected
• I will treat others, their property and their equipment on behalf of the troop and misuse of council or troop
with respect. funds will not be tolerated.
• I will remove all trash, including empty cookie cases • I understand I am financially responsible for all
from all booth sites. product ordered and/or received and all cookies must
• I will listen carefully to all instructions and be paid for by the deadline set by the troop cookie
appropriately respond to all directions given by my manager.
leader, troop cookie manager or other adult in charge. • I will treat other people and their property and
• I will not run or demonstrate physical activity that equipment with respect. I will not leave trash behind.
could place me in harm. I will not participate in any • I will remove all empty cases and trash from a cookie
roughhousing, running, loud voices or inappropriate booth site and dispose of them at home.
language. • I understand that siblings (tagalongs) will not be
• I will never give out my last name, address or phone allowed at a cookie booth.
number to customers. Instead, I will refer the • I will not demonstrate harassment or violence of any
customer to the adult volunteer. kind, including inappropriate conduct, profanity or
verbal abuse.
• I understand that adults may assist but cannot sell
cookies. This is a girl’s business to operate.
Consequences:
If girls and/or troops are not selling in accordance with established rules and
guidelines, girls and/or troops can be penalized by having one or more of the
following consequences* applied:
• Removal of the highest girl reward level earned
• Reduction in credit for packages sold by girl
• Forfeiture of girl rewards
• No future cookie booths during the current program year
• Reduction in troop proceeds
• Reduction in credit for packages sold by the troop
• Forfeiture of troop proceeds
Examples of rule or guidance violations include but are not limited to:
• Taking orders before Jan. 23 or selling before Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
• Selling expired cookies or at the incorrect price
• Selling cookies outside the council boundaries (exception: online orders)
• Girls selling or delivering cookies alone
• Conducting an unauthorized cookie booth. Unauthorized booths include
those held without submitting and receiving approval.
• Holding a cookie booth with the incorrect girl/adult ratio
• Inappropriate behavior at a cookie booth (including leaving trash or cookie
cases at the location)
*Decisions on consequences are made by the Product Sales Operations team,
which includes both volunteers and staff. The severity of the consequences imposed
will be based on safety, impact to others and number of rules/guidelines broken.
18Safety Tips While Selling Cookies
Girls’ safety has been a priority for the Girl Scout organization since it
was founded in 1912. By following the following safety basics, parents
and volunteers can ensure that the Cookie Program is not only a fun
learning experience for girls but also a safe one.
Show you are a Girl Scout
Wear the Girl Scout membership pin, vest or sash or other Girl Scout
clothing (e.g. Girl Scout T-Shirt) to identify yourself as a Girl Scout.
Buddy up
Always use the buddy system. Not only is it safe, it’s more fun.
Be streetwise
Become familiar with the areas and neighborhoods where you will
be taking orders for or delivering Girl Scout Cookies. Avoid accepting
anything larger than a twenty-dollar bill. (Perhaps you would like to
invest a few dollars for a Retractable Fraud Prevention Gel Pen.)
Partner with adults
If you are a Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie or Junior, you must be
accompanied by an adult when taking orders or delivering cookies. If
you are a Girl Scout Cadette, Senior or Ambassador you must buddy
up when selling door-to-door. One of the two adults present at a
cookie booth must be background checked and always be present at a cookie booth with the girls.
Plan ahead
Be prepared for emergencies, and always have a plan for safeguarding money. Avoid walking around with large amounts
of cash or keeping it at home or school. Give money to your troop cookie manager to deposit as soon as possible. Don’t
forget to get a receipt.
Do not enter
Never enter the home of a person when you are selling or making deliveries. Never go up to a car on a street or follow a
customer into a building or alley.
Sell in the daytime
Sell only during daylight hours, unless accompanied by an adult.
Be Internet savvy
Read and sign the Internet Safety Pledge at girlscouts.org/en/help/help/internet-safety-pledge.html. Make sure you have
adult permission and supervision for online activities.
Protect privacy
Girls’ names, addresses and email addresses should never be given out to customers. Instead, a designated adult’s phone
number and/or group email address overseen by an adult should be given for re-orders or complaints.
Be safe on the road
Always follow safe pedestrian practices, especially when crossing at intersections or walking along roadways. Be aware of
traffic when unloading cookies and passengers from vehicles.
19Cookie Program:
Requirements, Roles and Responsibilities
For Girls: • Keep your troop cookie manager updated on your
• Be a currently registered Girl Scout. daughter’s inventory—request more cookies when you
• Ensure no sales are made prior to Feb. 1, 2020. sell out.
• Set individual goals and help the troop set and achieve • Be responsible for payment of all cookies received and
overall troop goals. safeguarding all monies collected from customers.
• Participate in troop meetings and Cookie Program • Participate in the receipting for all cookies received
discussions. and for all money submitted to troop. Retain all
• Know your product - learn about the cookies. receipts.
• Be easily identifiable as a Girl Scout. Wear your uniform or • Follow all rules and guidelines for selling as defined
other Girl Scout attire and your membership pin. by GSSJC and understand consequences for non-
• Tell customers how your troop will use cookie proceeds. compliance.
• Encourage customers to support Cookies4Heroes if they
don’t wish to enjoy cookies themselves. For Troop Cookie Managers and Troop Leaders:
• Participate in the troop booth sales. • Train the girls and parents and distribute all needed
materials, providing ongoing support throughout the
For Parents and Caregivers: program.
• Sign the 2020 Cookie Program Parent/Guardian Permission • Do not set quotas for individual girls.
Responsibility Agreement. • Allow time for cookies to be sold before requiring
• Encourage your Girl Scout to participate in Cookie Program payment from parents and set up periodic collection
activities. Work with her to build her five skills. dates.
• Ensure no sales are made prior to Feb. 1, 2020. • Collect and deposit all funds due from the girls/
• Guide your Girl Scout when making individual learning and parents into the troop account frequently.
sales goals. Work with her and her troop in setting goals to • Enter all troop and girl orders and money collected
help determine the number of cookies to order. into the cookie system.
• Respect and support the troop goals. • Meet deadlines as set by the Community cookie
• Participate in booth sales and assist the troop cookie manager and as indicated in the troop guide.
manager and troop leader. • Keep track of individual girl sales and booth sales.
• Follow all troop guidelines and timeframes for turning in • If your troop is doing additional money-earning
money and cookie exchanges and returns. events, ensure the troop adheres to the participation
definition as outlined in Volunteer Essentials.
204 easy steps
to a #cookieboss!
1 Register for Smart Cookies
• Confirm your email address in MyGS
• Look for an email invitation from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com
• Complete your registration
• Set goals and track progress
2 Develop a plan to reach your goal
• Make a customer list
• Know your Girl Scout Cookies! What is your favorite?
• Send out ecards or direct ship link starting Jan. 23
3 Start selling!
• Share your goal with your customers
• Review online orders in Smart Cookies
• Collect payments when cookies are delivered
– Credit card payments
– Checks: follow council rules
• Participate in a Booth Sale with your troop
I’m a
• Remember the Cookie Share option
Cookies4Heroes –
option
k i e b o ss!
#coo
Ask customers if they would like to donate cookies
• Say Thank You to everyone!
4 Celebrate Success!
• Write thank you notes or emails
• Save your customer list for next year
• Have fun with your troop!
The GIRL SCOUTS® name and mark, and all other associated
trademarks and logotypes, including but not limited to the Trefoil Design,
are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. ABC Bakers is an official GSUSA licensee.
Look for the Smart Cookie Girl Guide on the online community
www.community.gssjc.org under cookies/troop.
212020 Cookie Contests
Bling Your Booth Walkabout
Are you ready for a cookie booth challenge? From Feb. 14 Join the 2020 Walkabout Feb. 21 – 23 and earn a special
- March 22, 2020, host and “bling” your cookie booth for a patch! A walkabout is when a Girl Scout or Girl Scout troop
chance to win your photo on the cover of the Jan/Feb 2021 walks a neighborhood selling cookies door-to-door in a
Golden Link! residential area with adult supervision. This gives them a
chance to visit cookie customers they may have missed...
Here’s how it works: or who might need to restock their favorites!
• Hold a cookie booth anytime between Feb. 14 -
March 22, 2020. Did you know that door-to-door sales remains one of the
• Decorate your cookie booth emphasizing the 5 Skills, most effective ways to sell cookies? In a recent national
your troop goal and what you plan to do with your
proceeds. study, 78% of those customers who were not approached
• Submit your photo at gssjc.org/blingyourbooth - form during a cookie sale stated they would have purchased
opens on Friday, Feb. 14. two to four boxes if asked.
• One entry per troop. All activities featured must abide
by Safety Activity Checkpoints and all other safety When doing your walkabout, take a photo of yourself with
guidelines to qualify. Deadline to submit entries is your cookies, then visit gssjc.org/walkabout to submit your
Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CST. photo and contact information. Photos can be submitted
by single girls OR by troops. Please do not submit both.
What you could win:
• 10 troops with photos including all the requirements Walkabout submissions are due by Tuesday, Feb. 25 at
will be selected at random to receive a Bling Your
11:59 p.m. Submit online at gssjc.org/walkabout.
Booth patch for every member of their troop.
• ONE of those 10 troops will be selected to appear on
the cover of the Jan/Feb 2021 Golden Link.
• All photos will be considered for inclusion in upcoming
council publications and marketing materials.
• Winning troops will be notified via email no later than
Friday, April 3, 2020. Due to the number of entries
received annually, only winning troops will be notified.
Requirements:
These items are REQUIRED to qualify for Bling Your Booth prizes:
• Display your troop’s sales goal
• Show what the troop will do with the proceeds earned
• Display the 5 Skills girls learn in the Cookie Program
(goal setting, decision making, money management,
business ethics and people skills)
If your submitted photo does not clearly display these
requirements, you will be disqualified. Learn more at gssjc.
org/blingyourbooth.
Cookies4Heroes
Have cookie customers who want to support your girl’s troop but don’t want to keep
their purchase? They can donate their cookies to the Cookies4Heroes program! Girls can
encourage customers to select this option when ordering online or in-person. (If buying
online, there is a $1.25 processing fee.) All monies received as donations are considered
Cookies4Heroes donations. For example, if someone says, "Keep the Change," this money
(the change) goes toward Cookies 4Heroes.
After the Cookie Program, Cookies4Heroes orders are sent by the council and/or troops to
local first responders and organizations that support the military.
Our council goal is to provide 10,000 packages
of cookies to first responders across southeast
Texas in 2020. Visit gssjc.org/cookies4heroes COOKIES 4 HEROES
after Feb. 1 to track where we are week by week. Sell 30 or more Cookies4Heroes cookies and
earn this spirit patch.
222020 CONTEST
u n iq u e c o o k ie b u s in e s s s marts
Unleash your to O rl ando!
to W IN a n e p ic tr ip
for a chance
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...
...
!
Enjoy admission to all conference activities and experiences,
breakfast with Girl Scouts of the USA’s CEO, backstage
passes to celebrity speakers, and more!
24 winners nationwide!
Learn more and enter:
girlscouts.org/cookiepro
e
as
Un
ch
ck
ur
lo
ex lp
Entries accepted February 1 to March 31, 2020 clu
sive ion
a
patch for opt
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.
23NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HOUSTON, TX
PERMIT NO. 6743
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
3110 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77098-4508
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