2018 Cookie Guide - Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf
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2018 Cookie Guide
Message from the Product
Sales Department
Dear Volunteer:
Thank you for volunteering to serve as a Troop Cookie Manager. Your efforts are ex-
tremely important to the success of the Girl Scout Program.
We know that it takes a lot to help girl’s run their cookie business and we sincerely ap-
preciate you being willing to help your troop as a Troop Cookie Manager.
This guide contains some specific information on a to guide you throughout
the cookie season.
We are excited that the gluten-free Toffee-Tastic and highly successful S’more cookies are
back for another season.
The council along with our bakery partners are continually working to improve and simplify
the program for volunteers.
Throughout the program please feel free to reach out to your Service Unit Cookie Manager for
additional support.
They are trained and knowledgeable volunteers that can give you great ideas, best practices,
and the all-around encouragement .
We want the effort you put into helping girls develop business and leadership skills to be an
“Altogether Awesome” experience.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
GSLPG
GSLPG Product Sales
Team
The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.”
-- Juliette Gordon Low
2
Cookie Timeline
November Northern & Southern Regions Cookie Trainings
December 15 Volunteer DOC Access Email
December 22 Parent DOC Access Email
January 6-14 Service Unit Cookie Rallies
January 15 Pre-order (Initial order) sale begins—The words pre-order and ini-
tial order have the same meaning
January 18 Exclusive round of Booth Sale selections in eBudde for active selling
Fall Product troops
January 24-25 Early Bird round of Booth Sale selections in eBudde
January 28 Pre-order (Initial order) sale ends
January 29 Girl pre-orders due to TCM
January 30 Troop pre-order & Reward order due in eBudde
January 31 SUCM reviews troop orders and submits service unit pre-order (Ini-
tial order) and pre-order Rewards in eBudde
February 7-8 Second Round of Booth Sale selections in eBudde
February 8 Goal Getter order due in eBudde for cookie pick-up with initial order
February 21 Open Booth Sale selections in eBudde
February 17-23 Troop Pick-up and warehouse deliveries begin
February 23 Direct Sales/Cookie distrubution begins for girls and troops
March 11 Direct Sale ends
March 12 All money due to TCM’s – Encourage TCM’s to collect money from
parents and deposit often
March 12 Final cookie orders and final rewards orders due in eBudde
March 13 All money due in council banks & paper to SUCM
March 15 Final SUCM paperwork due to council
April Rewards delivered to SUCM and Cookie Dough issued to the
girls with instructions on how to use it.
May All rewards should be distributed to troops and girls
June 29 Deadline to report missing or damaged incentives
3
Table of Contents
Thank you !
You’re helping girls do great things with Girl Scout Cookies.
For a girl, the Cookie Program can lead to incredible achievements, whether she’s breaking the
world cookie-selling record or making her community a better place. Fun, friendship, excitement,
learning, stories, cookies—they’re all part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program and this year marks
the 100th year of girls selling cookies!
, Girl Run
e d
L
Girl
esome!
Aw
Alt
o g e t h er
Message From Product Sales Team.....................2 Cookie Pickup/Distribution…..............................15
Cookie Timeline...................................................3 Inventory Management........................................16
About the Cookies…............................................5 Selling Cookies....................................................17
5 Skills…..............................................................6 Council-Sponsored Booth Sales..........................18
Your Cookie Team................................................7 Booth Sale Etiquette............................................19
Cookie Resrouces................................................8 Cookie Cupboards.............................................. 20
The Business of Cookie...................................9-10 Digital Cookie..................................................... .21
Gift of Caring…....................................................11 Money Matters ...................................................22
Safety First….......................................................12 Parent Meeting Guide .........................................23
Girl Rewards….....................................................13 Glossary ........................................................24-25
Pending Orders....................................................14 More Info/FAQ ...............................................26-29
4
5
The 5 Skills
The Girl Scout Cookie Program® is an awesome starting point for
building on these five essential skills that girls can use for a lifetime!
1 Goal Setting: Girls set cookie sales goals and, with their team, create
a plan to reach them. This matters because girls need to know how to set
and reach goals to succeed in school, on the job, and in life!
2 Decision Making: Girls decide where and when to sell cookies,
how to market their sale, and what to do with their earnings. This matters
because girls must make many decisions, big and small, in their lives; this
skill helps them make good ones!
3
Money Management: Girls develop a
budget, take cookie orders, and handle customer’s
money. This matters because girls need to
know how to handle money - from their lunch
money, to their allowance, to (someday!) their
paycheck!
People Skills: Girls learn how to talk (and
4 listen!) to their customers, as well as learning
how to work as a team with other girls. This
matters because it helps them do better in school
(on group projects, on sports teams, and on the
playground) and later, at work!
5 Business Ethics: Girls act honestly and responsibly during every
step of the cookie sale. This matters because employers want to hire ethi-
cal employees - and the world needs ethical leaders in every field!
6
Your Cookie Team
Troop Information:
Troop #
Leader’s Name:
Leader’s Phone: Leader’s Email: __________________________
Cookie Support Team:
Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) : ___________________________________
Phone: Email: ________________________________
Parent Support Helper _
Phone: Email: _________________________________
Frequently Check eBudde to receive updates on the
sale and watch for exciting opportunities to win prizes.
Council Assistance
Council Staff is available for questions and assistance
Monday- Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm and Fridays 9:00am-12:00 noon
at 1.800.960.2093 or info@gslpg.org
7
Cookie Resources
COOKIE RESOURCES
Be sure to take advantage of all the awesome resources available online to guide you
through a fun and successful Girl Scout Cookie Program®.
eBudde: Your Command Center for managing the cookie sale. Order cookies,
track girl activity and order girl rewards. ebudde.LittleBrownie.com
Council Online Trainings: Get step-by-step Girl Scout Cookie Program training
whenever you’d like it! GSLPG.org/Cookies
Council Website: Visit our Council website to find procedures, forms, manuals
and other helpful information GSLPG.org/Cookies
Baker Website: The website of our official Girl Scout Cookie baker. Find girl activities,
marketing ideas, cookie facts, program resources and clip art to help girls prepare for
the cookie sale. LittleBrownie.com
Little Brownie Bakers YouTube Channel: Check out our library of inspiring videos
featuring real girl stories and selling tips. youtube.com/LittleBrownieBakers
TM
Volunteer Blog: Check out the volunteer blog for exciting girl activities and booth
ideas. blog.LittleBrownieBakers.com
Digital Cookie: Girl Scouts can set up their own personalized sales pages, take
credit card payments, and ship cookies directly to their customers. Each parent will
®
receieve a personal email to help set up their dauther's account.
eBudde Troop App: Place orders on your mobile devices. Video and training and
eBudde help are built right in. Learn more and download the app at LittleBrownie.com
Booth Sale Recorder App: Record sales in real time at booths, making record-keeping
a snap. Download this free app in iPhone App Store or through Google Play.
Cookie Locator: Help friends locate the closest cookie booth with this app.
CookieLocator.LittleBrownie.com
Girl Scouts of the USA: Locate info on GS Cookie Program and national cookie badges
and pins. GirlScoutCookies.org
Built By Me Cookie Meeting Planner: An online tool to help plan a custom cookie
season. CookiePlanner.LittleBrownieBakers.com
8
The Troop Cookie Manager should:
The Business of Cookies Be a registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Honor and live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law
Follow policies and meet all deadlines
Overview of Troop Cookie Manager’s roles and
responsibilities:
Before the sale:
• Complete training
• Verify Troop Roster in eBudde
During the Sale
• Keep eBudde up to date
• Monitor online sales from Digital Order Card,
which are visible in eBudde
• Coordinate booth sales
• Arrange cookie pick-ups from the Cookie Cupboard
and store cookies until girls pick them up
• Collect money from those picking up cookies, issue
receipts and make frequent bank deposits
After the Sale
• Fill out final rewards order in eBudde
• Help girls deliver any donated cookies
• Distribute girl rewards in a timely manner
• Keep troop records
• Celebrate with the girls
Initial Sale
Troop collect orders from girls to submit to the bakery to sell to
returning and first-time customers.
Direct Sales
Troops order cookies from the Cookie Cupboard to provide girls
with cookies to fill orders taken after the initial order placed
with the bakery and to sell directly to customers as they travel
door to door in neighborhoods, in their community or during
visits with family and friends.
Booth Sales
Troops order cookies from the Cookie Cupboard and sell them
directly to customers at booths set up in high-traffic areas such
as grocery stores, convenience stores, or retail shops. Booth
sale days/times at major markets chains and stores are orga-
nized by the council. Only those locations selected by a troop or
girl in eBudde are available for council booth sales.
Digital Cookie
Girls create customized websites and send emails to people
they know, asking them to buy cookies. Customers place online
orders and pay for the cookies online and have them shipped
directly to their homes. Customers can also request girl delivery.
9
The Business of Cookies
Troop Proceeds with all Rewards
(Available to all troop age levels)
1-59 cases of cookies a troop earns $3.84 per case
60-84 cases of cookies a troop earns $4.80 per case
85 + cases of cookies a troop earns $5.52 per case
Troop Proceeds Optional Plan
(Available to Girl Scout Junior, Girl Scout Cadette, Girl
Scout Senior &Girl Scout Ambassador Troops only)
1-59 cases of cookies a troop earns $5.04 per case
60-84 cases of cookies a troop earns $6.00 per case
85 + cases of cookies a troop earns $6.72 per case
(Pre-Order Rewards, Patches and Cookie Dough are included in the plan)
Girl Scout cookies are $4.00 per package for traditional varieties!
Specialty cookies Toffee-tastic and S’more cookies are $5.00 per package!
10Sharing is Caring
Gift of Caring
Service is at the core of the Girl Scout experience. There are two
ways that Girl Scouts can serve their community through the Cookie
Program.
Take Action Project:
Girls may use troop cookie proceeds to conduct a Take Action Project
(community service).
Gift of Caring (Council only)
Gift of Caring was created to provide girls with the opportunity to learn philanthropy and community
service through the Cookie Program. Customers who do not want to buy cookies for themselves may
want to purchase packages of cookies to give to others while supporting Girl Scouts.
We have simplified the steps to participate in the Gift of Caring program:
• The council will allow girls/troops to choose a group/organization that is in each region to
receive donated cookies. Recipients will be chosen from non-profit organizations, shelters,
firefighters, local military groups, blood banks, or food banks. We will contact the selected
organizations to get their approval prior to collecting cookie donations.
• In this council-wide Gift of Caring (GOC) Project, customers can purchase virtual packages
of cookies that GSLPG will deliver to a local community organization on behalf of our troops.
The girls simply ask for the donation, but the troop does not physically take possession of
the cookies.
• No need to order from a cupboard to account for these “virtual” packages. eBudde allows
this to be automatically calculated.
• Communicate to customers that they can buy cookies from your troop to be donated to this
group/organization.
• Communicate to customers that they can buy
cookies from your troop to be donated to a local
community organization.
11Safety First
Be sure girls understand and follow these safety rules:
1. Show you’re a Girl Scout - Wear Girl Scout sash/vest or a Girl Scout membership
pin to identify yourself as a Girl Scout.
2. Buddy up - Always use the buddy system. It’s not just safe, it’s more fun.
3. Be streetwise - Become familiar with the areas and neighborhoods where you will be
selling Girl Scout Cookies.
4. Partner with adults - Adults must accompany Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Ju-
niors when they are taking orders, selling or delivering product. Girls in grades 6-12 must
be supervised by an adult when selling door-to-door and must never sell alone. Adults
should be present at a cookie booth in any public place at all times.
5. Plan ahead - Always have a plan for safeguarding money and avoid walking around with
large amounts of it or keeping it at home or school. Give proceeds to supervising adults
who should deposit it as soon as possible as directed by your Girl Scout council.
6. Do not enter - Never enter the home or vehicle of a person when you are selling or
making deliveries. Avoid selling to people in vehicles or going into alleys.
7. Sell in the daytime - Sell only during daylight hours, unless accompanied by an adult.
8. Protect privacy - Girls’ names, addresses, or email addresses should never be given
out to customers. Use a group contact number or address overseen by an adult for cus-
tomers to request information, reorder or give comments. Protect customer privacy by
not sharing their information except for the product sale. Girls should never take credit
card numbers.
9. Be safe on the road - Always fol-
low safe pedestrian practices, especially
when crossing at intersections or walking
along roadways. Be aware of traffic when
unloading product and passengers from
vehicles.
10. Be Net wise - Take the GSUSA
Internet Safety Pledge before going online
and follow the specific guidelines related
to marketing online. Girl Scouts cannot
collect money online outside of the DOC.
For more information, check out
www.girlscouts.org/cookies
Source: Girl Scouts of the USA, www.girlscouts.org/cookies
12Girl Rewards
Girls can earn a wide variety of rewards for their achievement in the Girl Scout
Cookie Program® Check them out below!
Where will you
set your goal?
13Pending Initial Order
Pick-up: Warehouse
A Pending Order refers to the cookie order the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) places in the eBudde sys-
tem prior to the beginning of the sale so the girls have cookies in hand to sell the first day of the sale and
throughout the sale to pick up cookies from the cookie cupboard.
Pending Order for pickup at the warehouse with Initial Order is due in
eBudde by 11:59p.m. on Thursday, February 8th 2018
The TCM should use the following criteria to determine how much to order for the pending orders:
• Each Girl’s Individual Goal
• Troop Goal
• Goal Getter orders
• How many booth sales does the troop plan to have?
• How close is the nearest cupboard?
Cookies for your pending orders are ordered in full cases. Take the number of packages it takes to reach
troop goals and divide by 12 (the number of packages in a case of cookies, this is the same for all variet-
ies.) This is only a suggested amount; a TCM may order whatever the troop wants.
An alternative way to determine the number of cookies to be ordered is to order 80% of last year’s total cook-
ies sold minus Gift of Caring cookies. (Troop Variety Report in eBudde can help determine this amount.)
Once a troop determines the amount of cookies they want to order, the TCM will place that order in eBudde.
To submit a pending order in eBudde, go to your troop account. Look for the Transaction tab located on the
top row of the Dashboard.
You will be placing a pending order for cookies for the entire troop at this point in time. Click add a trans-
action and enter the total amount of cookies desired in the designated lines. The cookies from this order
should be allocated to the girls later, once they have been picked up and signed for by the parent(s).
You will place your order in cases and later distribute in packages to the girls.
After you have completely filled in your order, click SAVE.
You will place your order in cases and later distribute in packages to the girls. After you have completely filled
in your order, click SAVE.
Do not hit save until you have completed your order. Once you hit save you will be locked out of this order and
will not be able to make any changes to it. (Council Cupboard Staff can assist you in the event this happens)
Pending Order Pick-up:
Cupboard
You may submit your cupboard order at anytime starting February 22, 2018. Orders must be set for pick-
up within a 24 hour period. All orders set for more than 24 hours or not picked up within that time frame,
will be deleted from the system. Deleted orders will need to be re-entered by the TCM.
If you have questions at any time about your pending order, call your Cookie Cupboard for help
14Cookie Pick-up/Distribution
Troop Pick-up of cookies will begin Saturday, February 17th through Thursday, February 22nd.
Cookies should not be sold or distributed before Friday, February 23rd.
Cupboards will open Friday, February 23rd at 9:00am.
Safety First! Our distribution sites are drive through pick-up stations and delivery agents may have several
people assisting to move cookies.
This is an adult activity. Please bring only adults with you to help. No children, no pets.
You will be able to select your cookie pick up time and location in eBudde prior to your date. To select
your delivery site and time slot, go to the DELIVERY TAB in eBudde. Choose the delivery site and available
time slot that best meets your needs from a drop down menu.
If your troop order is large, eBudde will automatically select additional time slots to accommodate your
order.
Once you have made your selection, please view and print your confirmation. Please bring a copy of the
confirmation with you to the delivery site.
Use the guide below to estimate how many cases of cookies will fit in your vehicle. The approximate
amounts given assume the car will be completely empty (no car seats, pets, etc.) except for the driver.
Make sure you have sufficient room in your vehicle for the cookies you are picking up. Cookies must be
picked up in one trip, so please bring additional vehicles if necessary to accommodate your cookie order.
Car Type Number of Cases Ensure that cookies are protected from the
weather (sun, rain, snow, etc.) at all times
Compact Car 23
Remember everyone at the cookie pick-up is
Hatchback Car 30 there to help you and that all troops are pick-
Mid-Size Sedan 35 ing up cookies that day. Your patience and
smiles are greatly appreciated!
Sport Utility Vehicle 60
Additional cookies will not be available for pick-
Station Wagon 75 up at the warehouse unless a prior pending
Minivan (Seats In) 75 order was placed prior to the February 8th
deadline. (Additional cookies will be available
Pickup Truck (Full Bed) 100 at the cupboards starting February 23rd.)
Cargo Van (Seats In) 200
15Inventory Management
Inventory management is KEY to a successful cookie program. Your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) and
council staff have experience in this area and are happy to help you navigate the waters to make this work!
The Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) and troop leader should agree on a plan for how cookies will be distributed
to the girls to make a deposit.
Explain the procedure to girls and parents/guardians to alleviate confusion and create accountability. Experi-
enced TCMs and leaders strongly encourage that you do not give additional cookies to a parent/guardian until
some funds have been turned in for their previous orders.
Your troop will be provided with cookie receipt books to be used to track cookie and money transactions
within your troop. They are carbon copied so that both the TCM and the parents/guardians can retain a copy.
This paper trail is very important and is for the protection of everyone involved.
• Write a receipt for every package of
65003 DIG100 cookies and all money transactions.
• On every receipt include cookie vari-
65432 2/18/15
ety, how many packages of each, troop
2 number, date and the signature of the
2 $104.00 adult accepting the cookies or money as
2
6 well as the person giving the cookies or
4 00 money.
10 • Both parties should COUNT the cookies
and money together.
$104.00 • The troop should keep the white copy of
26 receipt and give the yellow copy to the
Parent Juliette Low parent/guardian.
TCM • Keep ALL copies of ALL receipts, includ-
ing initial order, goal getters and troop
transactions.
What to do with Leftovers
• Keep leftover cookies to use for your own
troop’s camping trips. Thin Mint S’mores are
pretty amazing.
• Have a bake sale with items that were made
from your leftover cookies. Varieties such as
Trefoils and Thin Mints make amazing crusts
and flours.
• Promote “One More Box” campaign with a
church or organization within your community
• Pick up an additional booth sale
16Selling Cookies
With thousands of girls participating in the cookie program, it is
essential that we provide sale guidelines to ensure that every
girl has a chance to be successful. GSLPG appreciates everyone
abiding by the guidelines, incorporating the Girl Scout Promise
and The Girl Scout Law into the cookie program, and sharing
them with the families in your troop.
Girl Scouts must always respect areas that have “no
solicitation” rules and should be a sister to all other Girl Scouts they
encounter when selling cookies!
Girl Scouts do not sell cookies outside adult-oriented businesses such as bars,
casinos, or liquor stores.
Per established policies by GSUSA, girls also cannot sell cookies to a business
that plans to re-sell the product to its customers.
Approved Ways to Sell:
• Sell to family, friends, neighbors and parents’ co-workers.
• Sell door to door in your neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods.
• Organizing a walk about, or mobile cookie sale, where girls sell in
residential areas or on public property.
• Setting up a cookie booth near your home or at a location where
the owner/management has given permission. (Remember when
setting up small private booths like this you run the risk of set-
ting up near another girl or troop booth in the same vicinity which
could impact sales)
• Remember all booths have to be approved by council.
We encourage Girl Scouts to use their creative entre-
preneurial spirit by holding “Booth Sales” at unique
community locations. Possible locations include:
• Sporting events • Hardware stores
• Parks and playgrounds • Car washes
• Concerts and plays • Places of worship
Work with family, friends and local businesses to uncover new selling opportunities and increase
your troop’s success. All sales sites must be approved by the manager of the sale location and
safety rules are the same as for Council Sponsored Booth Sales.
“Individual Booths” may not be held at any location on the Council Booth Sales list.
No exceptions!
17Council-Sponsored
Booth Sales
Council-Sponsored Booth Sales are (February 23, 2018 through March 11, 2018)
Council-Sponsored Booth Sales are coordinated by volunteers for the council with specific corporations and/
or businesses. These include but are not limited to booth sales at ALL Brookshires, Krogers, Target,
Albertsons, Super One, Walmart and Sam’s Club locations.
GSLPG volunteers coordinate with each of these corporations/businesses to
establish the dates and times that they will allow girls to sell at their various
locations. Troops SHOULD AT NO TIME contact any council location for addi-
tional booth times and/ or to make changes in booth times or dates. There is
NO exception to this rule. We ask that troops and parents understand that
GSLPG is following corporate policies put in place by each of these businesses.
Disregarding these policies risks girls losing the right to sell at these business-
es. Troops contacting these businesses are subject to the loss of all booth
sites.
All troops will have an opportunity to sign up for these pre-arranged time slots in
eBudde. If a location is not listed in eBudde, that has been in the past, they have decided
to not allow sales at their location this year or it has not been confirmed yet. Please DO NOT contact them.
If you have a question about a particular site, please contact the council.
GSLPG understands that all Girl Scouts have set both individual goals and troops goals and count on booth
sales to help meet those goals. However, it is not the responsibility of GSLPG or its staff to determine which
troops have the better goals or booth sites. The booth round selection system in place is the easiest and fair-
est way for troops to reserve Council Sponsored Booth Sale locations.
Schedule for selecting Council Sponsored
Booth Sale time slots in eBudde:
Booth Round Selections will open at 4:00 p.m.
on selected dates and each troop will be given
the chance to select a certain number of booth
sites.
If you are unable to use your scheduled booth
time, please cancel your time slot in eBudde
immediately so another troop may sign up for it.
18Booth Sale Etiquette
Girl Scouts first began hosting booth sales as a means of getting rid of “extra” cookies. Troops now count on
booth sales to increase their sales and meet their goals. We have gathered some “Do” and “Don’t” tips from some
of our most successful troops to help you with your booth sales.
Do Don’t
• Approve booth site/time with management and • Show up to a booth location without ap-
council. propriate approval.
• Communicate with your troop to decide how to fairly • Block entrance or any other doorway.
divide cookies sold at a booth among the girls selling • Allow girls to jump, run, play or go into the
at that booth. parking lot.
• Know your booth location and prepare for weather. . • Leave money on a table, under a table or in
• Locate a safe restroom for girls and adults to use. a box.
• Dress appropriately and identify yourself by wearing • Attempt to physically recover stolen items
a uniform,t-shirt, or membership pin. if some- one takes money or cookies from
• Be polite, pleasant, and smile. Thank people whether your booth.
they make a purchase or not. • Have friends or siblings present at a booth
• Stay only for the time your troop reserved. sale as they are not covered by Girl Scout
• Appropriately divide booth times into shifts for girls insurance.
selling. • Allow adults to sell for girls.
• Send a “Thank you” note to store manager. • Eat or chew gum while speaking to cus-
• Be smart and safe by keeping money out of sight. tomers.
• Report any incidents/theft to council, police, and • Have any food items, other than cookies,
local security. on your booth table.
• Have at least two adults and four girls at a council • Have less than 4 girls at a council booth
• booth at all times. site at any time
• Girls should make ALL sales. •
• (ADULTS) Settle any disputes in the Girl Scout man- • (ADULTS) Smoke at a booth in front of
ner (DO NOT involve the store manager). adults, girls, or customers
What to Bring to a Cookie Booth
• A printed copy of the booth sign-up confirmation • First aid kit, emergency card, and permission slips/
from eBudde (for Council booths) or written health forms
permission from the store manager • **Posters are a great way to make your booth attrac-
• Cookies tive. Posters can display information such as troop
• Booth inventory sheet to track purchases or a d goals, and Gift of Caring program info, or previous
evice with the Booth Sale Recorder app activities the troop has participated in. Find resourc-
• Table and chairs es, ideas, and clip art at www.littlebrownie.com
• Table cloth (optional)
• $50 in change (20-$1 bills, 6-$5 bills)
• Hip bag or pocket aprons to manage money
• Booth set-ups (posters**, etc.)
19Cookie Cupboards
Cookie Cupboards are locations strategically placed throughout the council where additional cases of
cookies are maintained by council staff. Troops can obtain additional cases of cookies from a Cupboard
during the sale. Cupboards will open on Friday, February 23, 2018. Days and hours of operation for each
Cupboard may vary due to the type of Cupboard and location.
Types of Cupboards
Warehouse Cupboard (Lafayette Only)—The Delivery Agent employees will host an onsite Cupboard
in their warehouses. The hours of this Cupboard may be different from GSLPG business hours so please
check eBudde for the most up-to-date information.
Council Cupboards—These locations are secured and staffed by GSLPG. The hours for these Cupboard
vary by locations so please check eBudde for the most up-to-date information.
Service Center Cupboard Hours (Lafayette & Shreveport)
February 23rd- March 10th
Monday- Saturday 9:00-6:00pm
Sunday (Closed)
Satellite Office Cupboard Hours
February 23rd- March 10th
Monday- Saturday 9:00-5:00pm
Sunday (Closed)
Cookie Cupboards will not accept returns or exchanges.
• Cookies must be ordered in case quantities.
• Cookie pick-ups should be made by TCM or TL unless the TCM has added a person as a Cookie
Pick-up person in eBudde. Individual parents/guardians are not allowed to pick up cookies for
their daughter.
• You will sign a receipt at the Cupboard. Please be sure to take a copy of the receipt with you and
keep it for your records. No adjustments will be made in eBudde without copies of receipts
from both the Cupboard and the troop.
• Cupboard transactions will be completed immediately after pick-up to help you manage
your inventory.
20Digital Cookie
What is the Digital Order Card (DOC)?
A program that allows girls to sell cookies to friends and family Online.
How does a girl use the DOC?
• The parents of all eligible girls will be sent a registration email.
• If a girl is 12 or younger a parent will register via the registration email (the parent owns the DOC account)
and work together with their daughter to create a personalized Digital Cookie site.
• If a girl is 13 or older a parent will register their daughter for her own account via the registration email and
approve the personalized Digital Cookie site she creates.
• Girls will send out emails and take orders through their personalized Digital Cookie site.
• Girls can deliver cookies that they sell through the DOC to customers who request girl delivery.
• Any girl delivery cookies that are ordered though the DOC will not come out of a troop’s inventory. They will
have to be satisfied through the troop’s additional cookies.
• Customer getting orders shipped will be informed of the shipping and handling rates on the DOC and again on
the order confirmation page.
Data needed for DOC access
In order for a girl to sell online using the DOC, certain pieces of key personal information must be filled out and
updated in the girl’s GSLPG member account.
• Guardian Name
• Guardian Email
• Girl Date of Birth
• Girl Grade Level
• Girl Troop Number
GSLPG understands that some parents prefer not to enter an email address in their girl’s member ac-
count. However a valid email address is a vital part of the DOC setup process and those parents that do
not provide one will not be able to set up an account for their girl to sell online through the DOC.
What are the benefits of using the DOC?
• Girls learn 21st Century entrepreneurship skills and have the opportunity to expand their cookie
business.
• It is the perfect solution for selling to out-of-town relatives and friends who want to support a
girl, but for whom personal delivery isn’t an option. These special customers can order cookies
from a girl and pay online.
• Digital Cookie also allows individuals to support girls/troops by donating cookies through the
Council Gift of Caring should they not want to purchase cookies for themselves.
21Money Matters
Handling Cookie Money $100.
• Try not to accept large bills at a booth sale. If
• Every GSLPG troop should have a “troop bank possible, ask the customer to get a smaller bill
account”. when they complete their shopping in the store.
• All money collected from the sale of cookies should Handling Bad Debt
be deposited into the troop account regularly.
• The two most common types of bad debt for
• We strongly encourage weekly deposits the cookie program are NSF Checks (a depos-
of all funds collected from families and ited check which has not cleared the bank)
booth sales. DO NOT keep large sums of and failure by a parent/guardian to pay a girl’s
money in homes or vehicles. amount due to the troop.
• Cookie money should never be deposited into a • If a troop leader has been unsuccessful trying to
personal bank account. resolve an issue, she/he should complete an Out-
• All checks should be written to “Girl Scouts of standing Debt
Louisiana Pines to the Gulf” Report and submit it with the final paperwork
• Do what you can to avoid bad checks by not ac- • Any monetary issues need to be reported to
cepting counter checks (not pre-printed) and/or GSLPG no later than March 13, 2018.
checks for more than $100.
Council Deposits
Council Deposits
When Making council deposits, fol-
low the process listed on the outside
envelope. Make sure all deposit slips
turned in or validated by the bank.
When a troop turns in a deposit slip
not validated, the troop will be listed
with an outstanding debt until the
council receives a validated deposit
the troop.
Checks must be made payable to
Girl Scouts of Louisiana – Pines to the Gulf and listed on the deposit slip individually. If a troop does not
receive their deposit slips, they can contact the council for the SU bank and the account number to use.
TROOPS ONLY NEED TO DEPOSIT THE AMOUNT OWED COUNCIL.
(Any over deposits will not
be able to be refunded until
after the complete wrap-up
of the sale)
22Parent Meeting Guide
Parent participation is very important throughout the cookie program. During the Parent Meeting, be sure to include any informa-
tion parents may need and don’t be afraid to have the girls help “train” their parents! This should be a fun and informative time for
parents to ask questions, get information, and get excited for the cookie sale. If you feel you need support at your parent meeting,
contact your SUCM to help find an experienced volunteer to be there to help. The approximate length of the meeting is one hour.
When to hold your parent meeting
• Meetings should be held between the time you receive your training and January 15, 2018 if participating in Initial Orders.
Materials to Prepare
• Set the date, time and location for a girl and parent meeting.
• Send Save the Date notices to your parents to let them know as far in advance as possible. Use printed materials, e- mail
or Evite.
• Plan what information you will present and how best to convey that information.
• Provide pens for parents to fill out requested information.
• Chairs and tables.
• Snack/drinks if your troop decided to provide these at this meeting.
• Parent Permission Forms.
• Prepare a packet of cookie materials for each girl to receive once a permission form is collected.
• Additional materials and ideas can be found at www.littlebrownie.com
As the Girls and Parents Arrive
• Greet them and introduce yourself.
• Have parents/guardians sign in and record current phone numbers, emails and addresses on a 3X5 index card and com-
plete the Permission Form.
Conduct the Meeting
• Have the girls lead their parents in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
• Introduce TCM/Leaders.
• Have the girls introduce the cookies and share which cookie is their favorite. Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos,
Trefoils and Savannah Smiles.
• Share the 5 Skills for Girls and what the girls learn as they participate in the cookie program as well as how they plan to
spend their proceeds and what their troop goal is.
• Discuss the importance of selling “On My Honor” and following troop, council and GSUSA defined guidelines.
• No orders should be taken prior to January 15, 2018
• Have the girls present their GOC projects and goals and share how the girls arrived at their decisions.
• Discuss rewards and have parents and girls complete the Girl Reward Selection sheets to be used when ordering re-
wards at the end of the sale
Safety
• Refer to the safety section of this guide and review guidelines with girls and parents.
Timelines and Deadlines
• Go over timelines and deadlines.
• Recruit help for cookie pick-up if needed.
• Discuss guidelines for Booth Sales using this guide as a reference.
• Recruit help for booth sales if needed.
• Discuss collecting money as cookies are delivered and set up guidelines for turning in money .
• Remind parents to always count the money with the person they are turning it in to and to get and keep the receipt.
• Brainstorm new and creative ways to sell cookies and meet troop goals.
Questions
If questions arise that you do not have answers for, don’t be afraid to say “I’m not sure, but I will find out and
let you know.” Contact your SUCM to answer questions and be sure to share that information with all parents/
guardians.
23Glossary
Girl Scouts, like many other organizations, has a lingo all its own. Below is a glossary of terms that you will
hear and see as we move through the cookie program.
Booth Locator - Visit www.GirlScoutCookies.org and type in your ZIP code to locate a cookie booth near you.
Booth Recorder App - The Booth Recorder App is an application whereby adults at a booth can keep track
of sales and girl participation via smart phone. It allows you to immediately record the number of packages
sold and divide them between the girls participating. This record keeping piece can also be found in eBudde.
Case – There are 12 packages of cookies in 1 case.
Cookie Booth – A stationary sale of Girl Scout cookies at a
public location.
Cookie Dough – A reward that can be used to pay for
GSLPG camp, GSLPG program events and purchases thru
the GSLPG shop.
Cookie Cupboard – Local sites where additional inventory
is stored and where from a designated location.
Cookie Rally- Generally hosted by your local Service Unit team as a kick-off/pep rally for girls. Participation
encourages and teaches girls all about the cookie program
Cupboard Receipt - This is a two-part carbon copy receipt that must be signed any time a troop picks up
additional cookies from a cupboard. Make sure you keep one copy of the receipt for your records. Troops are
responsible for ALL additional cases of cookies taken from a cupboard during the sale.
Delivery Agents - These are the transport companies that handle product delivery for GSLPG.
Digital Order Card – This year girls will be able to sell cookies online using the Digital Order Card (DOC). Girls
will create a custom website and send out a link to their site via
email to potential customers. Using a Girl Scout’s custom website,
customers can then order cookies by the variety to be shipped to
them or choose to donate cookies through the Gift of Caring pro-
gram.
Direct Sale - Troops are able to re-stock their cookie supply
throughout the sale by acquiring cookies at a Cookie Cupboard to
fulfill goal getter orders and booth sales
eBudde – Bakery website used by TCMs to order cookies, book
Booth Sales, track troop/girl sales, record troop finances and cal-
culate, order and submit rewards.
24Glossary, cont.
Gift of Caring Cookies – In this council-wide Gift of Caring (GOC) Project, customers can purchase and donate
packages of cookies.
Individual Girl Member (IGM) – Individual girl member not in a troop.
Little Brownie Bakers (LBB) - Little Brownie Bakers is our bakery partner for the cookie sale. They supply our
council with cookies as well as resources for girls and volunteers to be successful in the cookie sale.
Package - A single container (box) of Girl Scout cookies.
Pending Order- refers to a requested cookie order the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) places in the eBudde system
prior to the beginning of the sale so the girls have cookies in hand to sell the first day of the sale and throughout
the sale to pick up cookies from the cookie cupboard.
Per Girl Average (PGA) – Average number of packages sold by each girl based on the number of girls selling in
that troop.
Rewards – Merchandise or Cookie Dough given to acknowledge a girls efforts in the cookie program. Rewards are
based on the number of packages sold during the annual cookie program.
Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) - Volunteer mentor for troops and Individual Girl Members in an as-
signed service unit.
Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) - Volunteer Manager responsible for monitoring the cookie sale for a single troop.
Troop-to-Troop Transfers - Transfer of cookies (packages and/or cases) between Girl Scout troops. Financial
responsibility follows the cookies.
25More Info
Cookie Program FAQ
Why do Girl Scouts sell cookies?
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a fun way for Girl Scouts of all ages to earn money that fuels girl-led initia-
tives, including community service and travel opportunities. This entrepreneurial spirit inspires girls every-
where to set important goals and put leadership skills into action.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country which prepares girls
for their future by developing five business building skills.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is, nationally, a $780+ million business run by girls.All the pro-
ceeds from the local sale of Girl Scout Cookies remain inLouisiana- Pines to the Gulf to sup-
port girl , troops, andour council. The Council uses the proceeds to support our troops, develop
new programs, and maintain our camp properties. It is not just a tasty cookie you buy when
you purchase Girl Scout Cookies-you are also supporting local girls on projects they find im-
portant.
How do girls benefit from selling Girl Scout Cookies?
• The Girl Scout Cookie program is the nation’s premier entrepreneurship and educational program
for girls.
• Selling Girl Scout Cookies is a unique and valuable way that girls can experience the power of
goalsetting,develop self-confidence, and learn early business skills.
• Many successful business women got their start selling Girl Scout Cookies.
• Girls and troops fund their favorite activities; earn special recognitions and earn Cookie Dough that
can be used to pay for many council-sponsored activities,camps, or council merchandise.
• The council uses proceeds to provide quality Girl Scout programs, activities including camp-
ing experiences, quality training for adults to insure safe leadership and mentoring, and
financial assistance so that all girls can participate in the Girl Scout program.
• The proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie program remain in our council and support only Girl
Scout activities.
Why isitcalleda programactivity?
• The real benefits for girls extends far beyond what’s inside the packages.
• Girls learn skills likegoal setting, decision making,money management, people skills, and busi-
ness ethics.
• Girls earn funds to do service projects, troop activities and to support troop programs.
Can girls earn any awards from participating in cookie activities?
• Daisy Grade Level: Money Counts, Making Choices, Count it Up, and Talk it Up.
• Brownie Grade Level: Money Manager, Philanthropist, Meet My Customers, and Give Back.
• Junior Grade Level: Business Owner, Savvy Shopper, Cookie CEO, and Customer Insights.
• Cadette Grade Level: Budgeting, Comparison, Financing My Dream ,Business Plan, Marketing
and Think Big.
• Senior Grade Level: Financing My Future, Buying Power, My Portfolio, and Customer Loyalty
• Ambassador Grade Level: On My Own, Good Credit, Research and Development, and P&L.
• All - Girl Scout Cookie Activity Pin
26More Info, cont.
How much is a box of cookies?
- $4.00 per box
- $5.00 per box for S’mores/Toffee-tastic
What varieties of cookies do we sell?
• Samoas®- Crisp cookies coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and striped
with dark chocolaty coasting (Approx. 15 cookies)
• Tagalongs®: Crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty
(Approx. 15 cookies)
• Thin Mints®: Crispy wafers covered in chocolaty coating made with natural oil and pep-
permint. (Approx.28 cookies)..
• Toffee-Tastic®: Gluten-free. Rich, buttery cookies with sweet, crunchy toffee bits (Ap-
prox. 14 cookies)
• S’mores®: Crunchy graham sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallow
filling. (Approx. 16 cookies)
• Savannah Smiles®: Crisp, zesty, lemon-wedge cookies (Approx. 28 cookies)
• Trefolis®: Traditional shortbread cookie (Approx. 36 cookies)
• Do-si-dos®: Peanut Butter sandwich cookies (Approx.20 cookies)
What is a cookie cupboard?
Cookie cupboards are “warehouses” run by local staff members in each region. Troop Cookie
Chairs/Troop Leaders can follow procedures to pick up extra cookies.
What is the Initial Order?
Girls take pre-orders for cookies that will be delivered once the direct sale starts.
What is a direct sale?
Girls have cookies in hand to sell to customers.
What are the dates of the cookie program?
January 13th until March 11th for the 2018 season.
Does a Girl Scout troop/girl have to participate if they/she doesn’t want to?
• No. Participation in this activity is voluntary; permission from a parent/guardian is required.
• All age levels of Girl Scouts-Daisy through Ambassador- may participate in product sales.
Does a girl need to be registered a Girl Scout prior to January 13, to participate in the sale?
• No, in order to sell cookies a troop or girl does need to be a registered member; however, they
can join any time during the cookie sale and start to sell cookies. (Registration is required prior
to any order taking)
• Troops should have met and had a parent meeting prior to selling.
Can troops return extra cookies at the end of the sale?
No, so please order carefully. GSLPG pays for every case of cookies we put in our cookie cup-
boards. If 1,500 troops returned just 5 cases that would be 90,000 packages for the council to
absorb at the end of the sale. The money that could be used for great programs or providing
more adult support would be diverted to pay for un-sold cookies.
27More Info, cont.
The council’s recommendation as a safeguard for troops is:
• Try to sell through varieties prior to picking up additional cookies from the cupboard
• Troops should require parents to turn in collected money prior to issuing them additional
large orders.
What is the Service Unit Booth Coordinator?
The Service Unit Booth Coordinator is the best way the council uses to approach owners and managers
of local shops to get permission for a booth sale.
The council designates one contact person to from each Service Unit as a “Booth Coordinator” to call
and secure locations.
Having one contact person working with the council ensures that business don’t receive excessive
phone calls. Hundreds of calls could be very irritating and possibly jeopardize all booth sale
opportunities.
What is the difference between a Council Sponsored Cookie Booth and a Troop Cookie Booth?
Council
Council-Sponsored Booth Sales are coordinated by volunteers for the council with specific corpo-
rations and/or businesses. These include but are not limited to booth sales at ALL Brookshires,
Krogers, Target, Albertsons, Super One, Walmart and Sam’s Club locations.
GSLPG volunteers coordinate with each of these corporations/businesses to establish the dates and
times that they will allow girls to sell at their various locations. Troops SHOULD AT NO TIME con-
tact any council location for additional booth times and/ or to make changes in booth times or dates.
There is NO exception to this rule. We ask that troops and parents understand that GSLPG is follow-
ing corporate policies put in place by each of these businesses. Disregarding these policies risks girls
losing the right to sell at these businesses. Troops contacting these businesses are subject to the
loss of all booth sites .
Individual
We encourage Girl Scouts to use their creative entrepreneurial spirit by holding individual troop “Booth
Sales” at unique community locations. Possible locations include:
• Sporting events
• Parks and playgrounds
• Concerts and plays
• Hardware stores
• Car washes
• Places of worship
All sales sites must be approved by the manager of the sale location and safety rules are the same
as for Council Sponsored Booth Sales.
Individual booths must be submitted into eBudde “My Sales” tab for council approval
“Individual Booths” may not be held at any location on the Council Booth Sales list. No exceptions!
28More Info, cont.
How do you ensure the safety of Girl Scouts who sell cookies?
The safety and security of our members is always our chief concern. Following are the guidelines for safety
that are shared with adults at cookie training and taught to the girls in the troop.
• Adults must always accompany Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors on all cookie activities. Cadettes,
Seniors and Ambassadors must always be supervised by adults when engaged in any cookie activity.
• Girls should always wear their uniform or Girl Scout pin.
• Girls Scouts should never enter any customer’s home or approach a car when selling or delivering, even if
they know the person.
• Money should be turned in to adults as soon as possible; girls should never have large sums of money on
their person.
• Do use safe pedestrian practices.
• Guidelines for online marketing should be followed and family adults should monitor girls’ use of the Inter-
net.
If someone returns a box of cookies to us and says it is damaged, what do we do with them?
Replace the cookie immediately with those you already have. Then return the damaged box to the closest
cookie cupboard. They will do a one-for-one exchange for you.
If you do not have an extra box, take the box from the customer directly to the cookie cupboard, exchange it,
and then return it to the customer.
Are Girl Scout cookies tax deductible?
Girl Scout Cookies that are purchased for personal or group enjoyment are NOT tax deductible because you
receive a product at a fair market value
Girl Scout Cookies purchased and left with a troop for donation may qualify as a charitable donation. Please
consult your tax accountant for advice.
What is Cookie Dough?
Cookie Dough is monetary credit earned based on the number of packages sold
Cookie Dough can be applied to Summer Camp, Council-sponsored activities, and towards the purchase of
merchandise in the GSLPG shops.
29You can also read
