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SupportHerSuccess

Powering Girl Entrepreneurs

Thank you for supporting the largest girl-led business! With your volunteer support, every girl in your Troop knows that she matters and can accomplish anything. We appreciate your organization, coordination, and determination to help girls, and our council, reach the goals necessary to make Girl Scouts a strong movement. 

2021 Cookie Season Dates

December
 2 | New Troop Product Manager Training
3 | Experienced Troop Product Manager Training
10 | New Troop Product Manager Training
16 | Experienced Troop Product Manager Training
18 | Digital Cookie begins
18 | Order taking begins

January
 9 | Cookie Booth Sign up #1 (one spot)
10 | Cookie Booth Sign up #2 (two more spots)
11 | Cookie Booth Sign up #3 (unlimited spots)
13 | Troop Initial Order due
30 | First day of Girl Scout Cookie delivery to Service Units
31 | First Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.

February
 1-4 | Cookie delivery to Service Units
5 | In-hand sales begin
5 | Cookie Booths, Lemonade Stands, and Walkabouts begin
7 | Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.
14 | Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.
17 | First ACH of 40% owed
19-21 | National Cookie Weekend 
21 | Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.
28 | Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.

March
 7 | Pending Order due by 8:00 p.m.
14 | Cookie Program ends
17 | Problem Collection Forms (PCF) deadline
22 | Troop rewards due
24 | Final ACH Pull

Rewards will be shipped to Service Units in April! 

                                

Get Started

Follow Cookie Connections for a successful cookie season! All important dates, guidelines, and instructions are found in this helpful digital guide.

Cookie Connections
Training Videos & Materials

For your safety and convenience, we will be offering Cookie Program trainings online! All trainings will be recorded. You will still need to be in touch with your Service Unit Product Manager in order to get Service Unit Specific information such as materials pick up and cookie delivery.

Cookies 101
Recording
Welcome to the Girl Scout Cookie Program! You are joining over 100 years of tradition that includes thousands of girls and adults. Our goal is to give you an overview of the Cookie Program so that you feel ready to jump in to the fun and adventure. Are you ready?

We offer two types of training for Troop Product Managers. Pick one based on your experience level.

Troop Product Manager Training (for New Troop Product Managers)
Recording
The Cookie Program is the largest girl-led, entrepreneurial program in the nation. This training is designed to give NEW troop product managers an introduction to the 2021 Cookie Program. Topics covered will include accessing eBudde (the online business tool for cookies), placing the initial order, how to sell cookies, managing the troop's inventory and cookie finances.

Troop Product Manager Training for Experienced (2+ years) TPM's
Recording
This training is for Troop Product Managers who have held that position for at least two years. We will cover what's new for this year.

Online Resources and Safety Tips for Selling Cookies
January 20 at 6:00 pm
This year will provide some challenges, but don't worry - "We've Got This!" Topics include: virtual and online resources, virtual cookie booths, fresh ideas for contactless in-person cookie booths, like drive thrus, pop-ups, and lemonade stands - and much more!

Digital Cookie Training for Troop Product Managers 
Recording
Digital Cookie is an online platform that allows girls to sell cookies in a safe and contactless way. Girls and troops can accept debit/credit card payments when selling cookies door-to-door or at cookie booths. Topics in this training include setting up girl and troop accounts, managing Digital Cookie sales, and using the mobile app.

Digital Cookie Training for Parents/Guardians
 Recording
Digital Cookie is an online platform that allows girls to sell cookies in a safe and contactless way. Girls and troops can accept debit/credit card payments when selling cookies door-to-door or at cookie booths. Topics in this training include setting up your account, managing Digital Cookie sales, and using the mobile app.

Balancing Virtual Cookie Booth Orders to Girls
Video
Credit orders from your virtual cookie booth to the girls in your troop to make sure they get rewards and stay involved in cookie season.

More training videos are found in the eBudde Help Center!

New Volunteer Resources

You are joining a more than century-old tradition that includes thousands of girls and adults. Our goal is to give you an overview of the Cookie Program so that you feel ready to jump into the fun and adventure. Are you ready?

Cookies 101 Guide
Volunteer Responsibilities

Troop Responsibilities:

  • A current bank account including a completed ACH form.
  • At least two registered and approved Troop Leaders.
  • A registered and approved adult as the Troop Product Manager who has signed the Troop Product Manager Agreement form.
  • The Troop Product Manager can also be a Troop Leader, but this must be added as a role.

Troop Product Manager (TPM) Responsibilities:

  • Teach girls the 5 Skills of the Cookie Sale Program.
  • Create a receipt any time cookies or money is exchanged. Receipts must be dated and signed.
  • Ensure that all cookies that are ordered, picked up at a cupboard, or transferred from another troop are inventoried.
  • Collect and keep all permission forms and signed receipts.
  • Track all payments received from parents or at booth sales and follow financial procedures for money management success.
  • Track and order all girl rewards earned by the troop. Rewards should be distributed to girls within two weeks of receiving them.
TPM Agreement
Family Cookie Meeting

Schedule a meeting with girls and families prior to starting the Cookie Sale Program. At the meeting, explain the program with the Cookie Program Family Guide, collect permission forms, and encourage parents to volunteer.

What families should know:

  • Cookie dates and guidelines.
  • The 5 Skills girls learn.
  • The importance of goal setting.
  • Troop proceeds and girl rewards. Funds that do not directly
  • go to girls support services for troops like volunteer training,
  • special events, and program opportunities.
  • Ways to participate and phases of the sale.
  • Cookie varieties and cost.
  • Rules and responsibilities.

Family Meeting Guides

Cookie Rally Resources

This Girl Scout Cookie Season, Little Brownie Bakers® is providing resources to help councils adapt to a changing environment and support virtual selling opportunities for girls. Use the resources outlined in this guide to plan an engaging virtual Girl Scout Cookie™ rally. Girls will have fun as they learn new and creative ways to connect virtually with customers and each other.

Cookie Program Websites & Apps

eBudde: ebudde.littlebrownie.com

Order cookies, track girl activity, and order girl rewards. New this year: You can watch microburst (mini) eBudde video trainings on many topics at the helpdesk on eBudde!

eBudde App

Download this free app in iPhone App Store or through Google Play. Volunteers can manage their cookie sale through their mobile device!

Little Brownie Bakers: littlebrowniebakers.com

Find girl activities, marketing ideas, cookie facts, program resources, and clipart to help girls prepare for the cookie sale. You can even use the Built by Me Cookie Planner, to plan your troop’s cookie sale step-by-step!

Digital Cookie: digitalcookie.girlscouts.org

Parents will receive a personal email to set up their daughter’s account. Girl Scouts can set up their own personalized sales pages, take credit card payments, and ship cookies directly to their customers.

Cupboard Keeper app

Download this free app in iPhone App Store or through Google Play. Record sales in real time at booths, making record keeping a breeze.

Girl Scouts of the USA: girlscoutcookies.org

Locate information on the Girl Scout Cookie Program and national cookie badges and pins.

Booth Sale Recorder app

Download this free app in iPhone App Store or through Google Play. Record sales in real time at booths, making record keeping a breeze.



Troop Initial Order

Let’s get right to it—how do I get my cookies? With the eBudde online platform! It’s easier now than ever to manage cookie inventory, find your delivery location, and transfer to other troops (so we can all help a Girl Scout sister out)!

Troop Cookie Calculator

Need to get your initial order calculated, but unsure where to start? Check out our Cookie Calculator! This handy resource will help new troops, as well as existing troops determine their initial order amounts.  Remember, this is just a recommendation. You can order more or less if you choose.



Contactless Sale Tips

During the COVID-19 crisis, there are ways for Girl Scouts to participate in regular activities safely! Check out our Cookie Tip Sheet for ways to stay safe this cookie season.



Cookie Booths

In 2021, Troops are breaking the Cookie Booth mold and finding new ways to reach customers! Try a mix of in-person (remember your masks), virtual, and drive-thru Cookie Booths.

Cookie Booth Basics

Cookie Booth Marketing
Need materials to make your booth the best booth ever? Download posters, banners, name tags, receipts, thank-you cards, and more at Little Brownie Bakers.

Cookie Cupboard Basics

You can pick up cookies from any cookie cupboard listed in eBudde.

There are no returns on cookies unless they are checked out on consignment for a booth sale- then you have 48 hours from the time of the booth sale to return unsold cookies.

Cookie cupboards have limited inventory on hand – if you do not place a pending order, you may not get the cookies you need.

On average, a three-hour cookie booth assortment could be:
2 to 3 cases Thin Mint
1 to 2 cases Do-si-Dos
2 cases S’mores
2 to 3 cases Samoas
1-2 cases of Lemon Ups
1 case (or less) Toffee-tastics
2 cases Tagalongs
1 case (or less) Trefoils

Cookie Booth Rules

  1. Review the Girl Scout Law. Your troop is representing Girl Scouts to the community and is expected to behave in a professional manner.
  2. A minimum of one troop leader, one adult, and two girls are required to attend a booth sale. It is recommended that there be no more than four girls at a booth sale at one time.
  3. Carry a cash box or money bag with around $30-$60 in change.
  4. Dress appropriately for weather and wear uniforms, Girl Scout apparel, or Girl Scout pins.
In-Person Cookie Booths

Much has changed in the world since the start of last year’s Girl Scout Cookie Season. Yet together with volunteers like you, we can help girls reach their goals whatever the circumstances—while building skills that last a lifetime. In this guide, you’ll find a variety of new tools, tips and resources to help you support girls during in-person events. You’ll find options for low- and no-contact participation as you guide girls along this pathway to success.

In-Person Booth
Virtual Cookie Booths

Virtual booths—hosted on social media—give girls a way to achieve their sales goals and help others in their community from home. In fact, girls may find this allows them to discover new ways to take the lead in their cookie business and stay connected through virtual means. Find out how they work!

Virtual Booths
Drive-Thru Cookie Booths

When you host a drive-thru booth, Girl Scout Cookie Season moves into high gear! We’ve got lots of resources to help—from banners and stop signs to social-distancing signs and mask-design ideas—all in the We’ve Got This! Toolkit on LittleBrownie.com.

Drive-Thru Booth
Lemonade Stands

When cookies arrive, Girl Scouts can host Lemonade Stands in their neighborhoods, or the neighborhoods of close family and friends. This is a great new option for girls to connect with neighbors while social distancing.

Cookies sellers can “bling” their lemonade stands with anything fun, bright, colorful, energetic, and creative to bring customers. Send photos of her booth to Info@GirlScoutsToday.org with “Lemonade Stand” as the subject to be entered for a chance to win $20 in program credit. Ten winners will be selected.

Cookie House Party
Cookie House Party

A Cookie House Party is a sweet strategy that encourages girls to invite their best customers to a cookie-themed gathering to have fun, enjoy snacks—and buy cookies by the case! Girls share their BIG goals, and customers make BIG purchases.

Check out the Little Brownie Bakers website to get a guide, invitations, decorations and much more!

Cookie Booth Return Policy

Per GSUSA food safety protocol for Girl Scout Cookies, cookie cupboards may accept returns of UNOPENED cases of cookies only – NO EXCEPTIONS! – within 48 hours of the booth sale. This only applies to cookies checked out from a cupboard, NOT booth cookies ordered from the initial order. Those cannot be returned at all.

  • You may still check out individual packages of cookies from cookie cupboards.
  • You will not be allowed to exchange individual packages of cookies with cookie cupboards.
  • You may exchange full, unopened cases of cookies with cookie cupboards.
  • Use extra cookies that girls or the troop already has on hand at booth sales.
  • Don’t over-order the less popular varieties – such as Do-si-Dos, S’mores, Savannah Smiles, Toffee–tastics, and Trefoils.
  • Contact your Cupboard Manager or Service Unit Product Manager for help placing your order.
  • If you have leftover packages that you are not able to return, hold another booth sale, give them out to the girls in the troop to sell door to door, schedule a Cookie Caravan where the troop canvasses neighborhoods to sell cookies, or hold a text-a-thon at your next troop meeting where girls will text as many friends and family members as they can in one hour
  • Use eBudde's new Cookie Exchange to trade cookies with other troops.

Helpful Resources



Digital Cookie

The Digital Cookie app makes it super simple for customers to order their faves online and pay by credit card to either get the cookies right from you or have them shipped—awesome!

Troop Product Manager Training
 Video
Find the steps for Troop Product Managers to guide their girls with Digital Cookie.



Troop Cookie Finances

All proceeds from the Cookie Program stay local! This financial literacy program not only teaches girls business skills, but also funds their troop experiences. 

Troop Profit

How Much Will My Troop Earn?

Troops earn 65-75¢ per package sold. Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops who opt out of rewards for higher troop profit earn 75-85¢ per package sold. Troops that opt out will still qualify for all patches, Program Credit, and the Super Seller Club rewards.

Product Sale Bonus

Troops have the opportunity to earn an additional product sales bonus per package sold if they reach a certain per girl average (PGA) for the cookie sale. Take the total number of packages sold by your troop, divided by the number of girls selling and plug that into the chart to figure out how much your troop will earn per package sold. You can also find your troop PGA in eBudde on the total sales report or the final rewards page – already calculated. Girls not selling do not count toward your troop PGA.

Per Girl Average Rate* (Standard) Rate* (Opt Out)
1-189 $0.65 $0.75
190-224 $0.70 $0.80
225+ $0.75 $0.85

* Rate per package

Payments & Finances

Collecting Payment

  • No money should be collected for cookies until they are delivered.
  • Initial cookie orders should be delivered within two weeks.
  • Retrieve money from sellers and deposit often. Do not hold cash or checks – deposit them immediately. Once cookie money is turned in to you, you are responsible for it, even if it gets lost or stolen.
  • If parents have $500 worth of cookies out and they haven’t made a single payment, request that they bring payment back before you give them additional cookies.

You are required to give a receipt each and every time cookies or money exchanges hands with parents/girls.

Return Policy

Troops and parents who sign for cookies cannot return them to the troop or to the cupboards/council unless a troop has checked them out for a booth sale. If a package is damaged, it can be replaced at any cookie cupboard that has extra cookies available.

Problem Collection Forms

In the event that a parent does not turn in their cookie money by the due date, complete a Problem Collection Form (PCF). As the Troop Product Manager, you are required to complete this form for any outstanding balance - no matter who the parent or the money owed.

Do not pay the past due amount with troop proceeds. 

As soon as the money is turned in, council will end the problem collection process and there will be no further action. The form must be turned in to Finance by March 17, 2021.

Problem Collection Form

Returned Checks

Checks returned against your troop are the responsibility of the council. If you get a returned check, follow the instructions on the Returned Check Form.

Returned Check Form

Counterfeit Money

Identifying Counterfeit Money

Hold the bill up to the light and look for:

  • Watermark: In the unprinted space to the right of the portrait, the watermark can be seen from both sides of the bill since it is not actually printed on the bill, but is embedded in the paper.
  • Security thread: This is a thin, embedded strip running from top to bottom on the face of the bill. On the $10 and $50 bills, the security strip is located to the right of the portrait. On $5, $20, and $100 bills, it is located to the left of the portrait.
  • Color-shifting ink: Tilt the bill back and forth and observe the numeral in the lower right-hand corner. On the $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills (produced in 2004 and later), the color shifts from copper to green. Bills produced between 1996 and 2003, will shift from green to black. Please note: The $5 bill does not have color-shifting, regardless of the year it was produced.

If You Receive Counterfeit Money

If you suspect counterfeit money, do not put yourself or girls in danger. Do not attempt to return the bill(s) to the passer and contact your bank and local authorities.

Spoiler Alert: Counterfeit pens are unreliable

These highly popular pens used to detect counterfeit bills are no longer reliable indicators of whether a bill is counterfeit. An alternate option is to use ultraviolet light, but these also come with limitations because they are difficult to use outside. More information on how to spot counterfeit money can be found at secretservice.gov/data/KnowYourMoney.pdf.

Clover Credit Card Program

How do I Participate?

  1. Click here to access the Training Power Point Presentation. Although the Clover system is easy to use, this training contains a lot of detailed information. We suggest that you read through the training first, then once you are ready to set up your account, have it accessible in case you need to refer back to it.
  2. Once you have looked through the Power Point Presentation, click here to request a link to sign up. This will allow us to check and make sure you have your banking account and ACH information on file with council
  3. You will receive a link to sign up. Links will be sent out after January 2, 2021.

What is it?

Clover Go Card Reader 
Let your cookie buyers simply swipe, dip, or tap to pay using this portable device. Clover Go wirelessly pairs with your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth. It can accept credit or signature debit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay or Android Pay or Samsung Pay. Perfect for your troop to use at a booth sale!

Clover Go app for payments on the go 
You will also be able to securely take payments on the Clover app by keying in the card information or using your phone’s camera, without the need for any extra card reader. Perfect for individual girls making sales to friends and family!

What are the Benefits?

  • Convenient for customers
  • Customers buy more
  • It’s easy to use
  • Money goes straight to troop bank account
  • Low rate
  • More than one member can use the app

How Does is Work?

  • The reader is not required – the app allows for payments to be taken with phone’s camera
  • Readers are available for purchase for $39.95 (Bluetooth enabled) plus $10 shipping– use it to swipe, dip, or tap
  • 2% interest rate plus 8 cents per transaction
  • Online training provided for troops
  • A link to sign up and online training will be sent to interested troops
  • Credit card fees will be charged to the eBudde account one time prior to the final ACH pull


Cookie Program Marketing

Spread the word! Girl Scouts are selling cookies and have many options to reach customers and market their cookie businesses. 

Cookie Marketing Resources

Find handouts, posters, videos, and more!

Digital Marketing Kit

Download your cookie promotional kit to get the word out about your cookie business! Explore the kit and click on the links throughout to download graphics and templates to share on your social media pages.

Fun Cookie Activities

It’s so much fun for girls to run their own businesses and make their own decisions. With Girl Scout Cookies, they can start today.  Find fun games and resources to help girls learn essential skills and prepare for a successful cookie season. 

Care to Share

Girl Scouts have a long tradition of making the world a better place and knowing the importance of community service and the value of giving back! During the Cookie Program, this can be achieved through our Care to Share program.

Care to Share encourages girls to ask customers/ businesses to donate as little as $5 so cookies can find their way to men and women serving in the military through a council-sponsored program called Care to Share. Cookies purchased go directly to Iowa’s Bravest, Riverbend Troop Support, and Soldier’s Angels; military support organizations that send care packages. Cookies may also find their way to local community organizations like first responders and other essential workers. What a sweet deal! Encourage customers to buy one package of cookies for themselves and another to give - through the Care to Share program.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois facilitates the delivery of cookies purchased through this program. In 2020, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois collected donations of 32,321 packages of cookies for the Care to Share program! See the impact our movement made!

Care to Share Resources

 

Buy 5 Contest

Buy 5 Contest
Every customer who purchases five or more packages of Girl Scout Cookies can enter the Buy 5 Contest. The winner will receive 52 packages of Girl Scout Cookies, representing one package of cookies per week for one year (value for $260). Find out more about the contest!

Download, print, and share Buy 5 Contest flyers!



More Info for Troops

Cookie Rookies & Captains

Rookies

Cookie Rookie

Check out the Little Brownie Bakers website for an interactive program and activities all about Cookie Rookies!

Cookie Rookies are girls and troops new to the Cookie Sale Program. Cookie Rookie girls will receive special training at your local Cookie Rally (and a special patch!).

Girls will learn:

  • How the sale works
  • Cookie names
  • Easy ways to ask a customer to buy
  • Cookie booth essentials
  • Safety rules
  • How to set a goal

Captains

Cookie Captain

Check out the Little Brownie Bakers website for a fun video and an awesome guide, notebook, flyer and more just for Cookie Captains!

Cookie Captains are girls and troops that are experienced cookie bosses. At your local Cookie Rally, Cookie Captains will have special activities and receive a patch.

Earn Additional Cookie Credit!
Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors have the opportunity to become Cookie Captains and earn additional program credits! Because the largest girl-led business in the world is a major part of Girl Scouts and greatly benefits our council, we want to provide older girls an opportunity to share their expertise with younger girls.

There are optional activities for girls to complete to earn credits, but all girls must complete the online training to earn an initial $5 in program credit and train a Cookie Rookie Troop to earn another $5 in program credit. All Cookie Captains will need to complete a final report as well. Below is a list of other activities to earn additional credits.

  • Help at a Cookie Rally = $5
  • Help half of the girls in a troop setup Digital Cookie accounts = $5
  • Help a troop achieve a PGA (Per Girl Average) of 175 = $15

Cookie Captains must complete their final report by Monday, April 12, 2021. Reports can be mailed to Girl Scout Leadership Center, Attn. Marilyn Askelson, 2345 Bairsferry Rd. NE, Units F/G, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 or emailed to MarilynA@GirlScoutsToday.org.

Cookie Crew

During Girl Scout Cookie Season there are multitudes of people that make the cookie season a success! GSEIWI is currently looking for 10-15 volunteers to assist council staff with cookie program activities/events. You will even get your own Cookie Crew t-shirt to wear in proud support of the GSEIWI Cookie Program!

Some of these events may include (and are not necessary limited to) assisting with the following:

  • Cookie Rallies
  • Attend troop leader trainings
  • Attend parent meetings
  • Digital Cookie Days
  • Open Houses
  • Serve as a mentor to new troop leaders (can be done by phone or email)
  • Cookie Program Celebrations

Requirements:

  • 3 or more years Cookie Program experience
  • Availability to help at a minimum of 4 cookie program activities/events
  • Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, somewhat flexible schedule
  • Attend a webinar training conducted by GSEIWI Product Program Staff

Click Here to Apply

 
 
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