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Girl Scout
Cookie Program
Reference Guide
Where to Find it
Welcome Troop Cookie Managers.............................................................................................. 2
Getting Started............................................................................................................................... 3
Conducting A Girl/Parent Training.............................................................................................. 4
Snap+ Online Cookie Tool (UPDATED)........................................................................................ 5
The Initial Order is Due.................................................................................................................. 7
Cookie Deliveries............................................................................................................................ 8
Planned Orders and Home Delivery (UPDATED)...................................................................... 9
Pod/Truck Locations/Hours (UPDATED)...................................................................................10
Cookie Booths................................................................................................................................ 11
Kiosk................................................................................................................................................13
The 5 Skills (center pull-out).......................................................................................................14
2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program Dates (UPDATED - center pull-out)..................................15
Successful Cookie Program (center pull-out).........................................................................16
Tools that Work (center pull-out)...............................................................................................17
COCOdirect.....................................................................................................................................18
2017 Troop Benefits (NEW)..........................................................................................................19
Troop-base Proceeds/Troop Bonus (NEW)...............................................................................19
Money Matters........................................................................................................................20-22
Money Collection Issues............................................................................................................. 23
Girl Rewards (NEW)...................................................................................................................... 24
Cookie Dough (NEW).................................................................................................................... 25
Virtual Cookies for Soldiers (UPDATED)................................................................................. 26
2017 Girl Scout Cookie Line-up..................................................................................................26
Cookie Program Glossary (UPDATED)...................................................................................... 27
2016-2017 Product Sales Team................................................................................................. 28
Notes...............................................................................................................................................29
Final Checklist...............................................................................................................................30
Welcome Troop Cookie Managers
Thank you for serving as your Troop’s Cookie Manager for the 2017 Girl Scout cookie program. The purpose of this
reference guide is to provide you with information, tools, and answers to most of the questions about the Girl
Scout cookie program. When you have a question, simply look at the topic on the Where to Find it (page 1) and
you’ll find your answer. If you cannot find the answer you seek in this reference guide, please contact your Service
Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM).
Check out ABC/Interbake on their website at www.abcsmartcookies.com to find lots of FUN and INNOVATIVE activities
for everyone to use throughout the Girl Scout cookie program. For more resources check out www.gssc-mm.org or
www.girlscouts.org.
This year’s Girl Scout cookie program theme is be unique, be you! Girls in America have never been more empowered
and encouraged to be themselves, and it’s time to celebrate the diversity and unique qualities of all girls - all the while
highlighting the fun and rewarding nature of being a Girl Scout!
By participating in the cookie program your Girl Scouts are developing skills that can lay the groundwork for a lifetime
of success. Plus, it’s a great way to think about the many ways the cookie program yields tangible results in support
of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Volunteers help girls develop leadership skills while they engage in the cookie
program by using these three Girl Scout processes: Girl-Led, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative Learning.
Remember to use The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting on how girls earn the Financial Literacy and Cookie Business
Badges and/or Daisy Leaves. The Financial Literacy Badges/Leaves teach girls how to use money wisely and the
Cookie Business Badges/Leaves help put girls’ financial literacy skills into practice.
In addition to the life skills Girl Scouts gain from their hands-on participation, 100% of the proceeds generated from
the cookie program stay in our Council, including the portion that goes directly to the troop selling the cookies.
Each year, some girls - who are otherwise actively involved in their troops - do not participate in the cookie program.
We challenge each troop to achieve 100% participation from their girls. The point is that every cookie counts, and any
level of participation is welcome. We believe every girl should have the opportunity to be a part of this great American
tradition.
Thank you for all you do to ‘be unique, be you!’ and support this program that provides girls with “Skills for today...
and tomorrow.”
What’s NEW?
Girl Scout S’mores™
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Getting Started
Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 5 (pages 73-79)
Getting Started
In addition to what you learned by participating in the TCM adult learning session, you will need the 2017 Girl Scout
Cookie Program Reference Guide, Girl Order Cards, and the Troop Goal Tracker. Encourage your Girl Scouts to go to
COCO Command and begin setting their goals as well as setting an overall troop goal.
Preparation
Become familiar with the way in which the Girl Scout cookie program is conducted and read through the 2017
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Girl Scout Cookie Program Reference Guide.
Take into consideration the dates set by your Service Unit Cookie Manager and Council as you set troop
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deadline dates (SUCM dates supercede Council deadline dates).
Schedule at least one troop meeting to inform the girls and parents about the exciting program being offered
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through the cookie program before the sale begins.
Fill in important information (girl’s first name and last initial, troop number only) as well as
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sale dates on the Girl Order Cards.
Safety
Before your girls ever begin selling cookies, everyone should learn
all about our safety guidelines. Safety is one of the most important
concepts that all adults must emphasize when talking with the girls.
All Girl Scouts may sell cookies, subject to the following guidelines.
*Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 4 (pages 56-66)
Girls can use electronic marketing, social networking,
and group websites, to gather sale commitments
from family, friends, and previous customers that are
appropriate for their age level.
*Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, pages 65-66
Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors must be
accompanied by an adult at all times. Girl Scout
Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors (and older Girl
Scouts not associated with a troop) who participate
in door-to-door sales must be supervised by (but do
not need to be directly accompanied by) an adult. Girls
of all grade levels must always use the buddy system.
*Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, pages 63
Girls should learn and practice these personal safety protection
guidelines:
»» Sell door-to-door only during daylight hours
»» Do not enter the home of a stranger or approach
customers in cars
»» Do not carry large amounts of cash
»» A girl should not give out her telephone number and/or
address to strangers
All girls selling must be a registered Girl Scout for the
current membership year before they participate in
the Girl Scout cookie sale. They must have a signed
Parent Permission Slip turned in before they can
receive a Girl Order Card.
*Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, page 63
When interacting with the public, girls should be
identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing a membership
pin, official uniform, tunic, sash or vest, or other Girl
Scout clothing.
Conducting a Girl/Parent Session
Try A Sample Agenda
As the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM), you are responsible for informing the girls and parents in your troop about the Girl
Scout cookie program. Set your informational date and make it FUN! The more fun you make it, the more motivated
your girls (and families) will be. When thinking about what you would like to cover during your cookie informational
session, remember there may be parents who have never participated in the Girl Scout cookie program and some
who have participated for multiple years.
If you need help organizing and conducting a parent informational session, contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager
(SUCM) who may be able to assist you with the meeting or suggest a mentor leader from within your Service Unit to
assist you.
For more resources on troop training, go to www.abcsmartcookies.com, girlscouts.org, or download
parent/girl powerpoint on www.gssc-mm.org under Product Sales.
Sample Parent/Girl Agenda
Benefits of participating in the cookie program
• Five key skills that will serve girls for life - goal setting,
decision making, money management, people skills
and business ethics
• Troop proceeds
• Girl recognitions
Setting troop and individual sales goals
• Go to COCO at www.abcsmartcookies.com
Safety
• Review Safety Activity Checkpoints - “Girl Scout
Cookie/Council-Sponsored Product Sale” and talk
about how girls can sell safely. Possibly do some
role-playing to see if girls know how to handle
themselves in different situations
Important Dates
• Start and end dates
• What’s due when (how often money will be collected)
• When cookies will be available
• Initial Orders and Planned Orders
The Cookies!
• $4.00 per package for the eight (8) varieties
• Gluten Free cookie are available ($5.00) during direct/
booth sales only
• Get familiar with all of the cookie varieties
• Girls can use COCOdirect to take orders directly from
customers (see page 18 regarding COCOdirect)
• Remind parents they cannot return un-sold cookies
Using e-mail effectively in the cookie sale
• Visit COCO at abcsmartcookies.com where
girls can enter their goals and register to do
Online Marketing via COCOdirect
• COCOdirect benefits
Cookie Booths
• Where, when and how many cookie booths
your troop wants to do
• Being courteous and polite
• Booth sale etiquette
Cookie Money
• What the troop wants to do with their
proceeds
• Adults signing for cookies and their payment
obligations
• How and when to collect money and when it’s
due to the troop
• Procedures on how and when to accept
checks
Other
• Importance of parent/guardian support
• Don’t overcommit when placing an order for
cookies. There are lots of opportunities to get
more cookies throughout the sale
• Do some kind of fun activity related to the Girl
Scout cookie program
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Snap+ Online Cookie Tool
NEW AND IMPROVED: Snap+ is the online cookie program management tool.
Snap+ makes ordering cookies and recognitions simple, quick and easy as
1-2-3! The Snap+ tutorial can be found at www.gssc-mm.org under Product Sales.
Once the Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) receives your signed Volunteer
Agreement form, you will receive log-in information for Snap+ (if you are returning
TCM, your log-in/password has not changed.) You will be responsible for entering
and updating your contact information in Snap+ as well as your troop’s
information, bank account, routing numbers and a voided check.
Quick SNAP+ Review
»» Go to Edit My Profile and edit Troop Cookie Manager
information (putting “TCM” after your last name)
»» Go to My Troop and edit troop information – enter the
PRIMARY Troop Leader’s full information (putting “PL”
after her/his last name)
»» You MUST enter your troop bank account and bank
routing number in Snap+ (including all leading
zeros). This step is done under My Troop – Edit Troop
Information.
»» My Troop – Please delete a girl if she is no longer
active with the troop prior to committing your initial
order(after upload from e-Council has been done in
early January). As new girls are added to your troop,
you will need to add them in Snap+. Make sure the girls’
names are entered in the same way that they were on
their registration forms when they registered.
»» SnapShot – keeps messages, tasks and dates updated
• Go to Cookies – click on initial order and input
girls’ initial orders, along with extras for first
booth sales Save as you go as Snap+ will time
out. DO NOT ORDER FOR ALL BOOTH SALES
SCHEDULED.
• Go to Cookies to transfer cookies – ensure all
troop cookies are transferred to the girls through
Troop to Girl, Girl to Girl, or Girl to Troop (packages
only – must be done by variety −NEW!). Troop to
Troop transfers can be done by packages – must
be done by variety (your SUCM will need to do
the Troop To Troop transfer – please receipt this
transfer transaction with troop receiving the
cookies)
•NEW! Smart Cookie Booth Divider (see Snap+
tutorial for further instructions)
• Ensure all money collected from girls
is entered into Girl Balance Summary
Report - a separate transaction should
be entered for any cookies given and
money received (this should have a
$0.00 balance like the Troop Balance
Summary report at the end of the sale).
If Girl Balance Summary has not been
continually updated, it will affect the girl
recognitions
»» To create recognitions go to Rewards Icon:
• Early recognitions (earned during the
initial order taking between January 6 –
22) are created AFTER you have entered
in all the girls’ cookie orders (if your
troop opted out of recognitions, you will
not need to create Early Recognitions)
• Main recognitions are created at the
end of the Girl Scout cookie program
AFTER all cookies have been transferred
to the girls (if your troop opted out of
recognitions, you will need to create
Main Recognitions to receive patches)
• If recognitions were created prior to
transferring cookies to the girls, you will
need to UPDATE the recognitions and
then SAVE!
»» Reports: check your math through SNAP+
−ensuring you have not over or under
deposited (this can be done by reviewing the
Troop Balance Summary Report). The report
will show you what the outstanding balance
is prior to making that final deposit (Any over
payment of more than $1, will exclude troops
from meeting the correct and on time bonus
criteria, see page 19)
Helpful Snap+ Reports
Helpful Summary Reports to use throughout the Girl Scout cookie program:
Snap+ allows you to run a variety of reports to review information about your cookie sale.
Reports are located under the Reports icon and are generated in real time, which means
that as soon as you enter information, you will be able to view the current information
via the reports.
The following reports will help you throughout the Girl Scout Cookie Program:
Troop Balance Summary
informs troop of all cookies received/
transferred as well as showing troop
proceeds and what needs to be
remitted to the Council. This report
should show a $0.00 balance due at
the end of the sale
Girl Cookie Totals Summary
keeps track of all cookies received by
each girl. All cookies sold should be
credited to girls (this report should
equal the number showing on the
Troop Balance Summary)
Recognition Order
Summary by Girl
shows what recognitions have been
earned by the girls (after all cookies
have been transfered to the girls).
This will also ensure you have input
all manual patches into Snap+ (DO
NOT ENTER PATCHES IF THEY HAVE
NOT BEEN EARNED). One (1) of each
Booth (1+), Goal Getter (ONLY if they
participated in the COCO Command
online activity from start to finish)
and Online Patch (2 orders or more
taken via COCOdirect)
Girl Balance Summary
shows all Pod/Truck to Troop, Troop
to Troop transfers, etc.
Troop Cookie Manager will input in
Snap+ what money has been paid by
the parent for each girl. This report
should show a $0.00 balance due at
the end of the sale for each girl. This
report MUST be completed to ensure
recognitions for the girls are correct
COCO Report
Girl Internet Orders
shows all goal setting activity in
COCO Command
shows all e-card, COCOmobile and
COCOdirect activities
Transfer Order Summary
Girl Balance Summary Report MUST be completed prior to meeting with your SUCM
This report will show all packages the girls have received and show all payments girls have made to the troop
(please enter all transactions separately into Snap+). If the girl does not owe money, this report should show a
$0.00 balance. If a girl owes, this report will help us in the documentation of what has been paid and what is still
showing as outstanding. If it hasn’t been done correctly, recognitions will not be correct.
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The Initial Order is Due
Initial Order is due to Service Unit Cookie Manager by January 24 (or as specified by SUCM)
»» Collect all order cards from girls by January 23rd.
Encourage your girls to continue taking orders and
give second card to girls.
»» Notify Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) of
your choice of troop base proceeds plan, via email,
and no later than January 24. Troop base proceeds
plan cannot be changed after initial order has been
submitted.
»» Enter your troop’s* initial order and create early
recognition order (for girls to receive their 300+
early recognition - earned only between January
6-22).
»» Contact information (Troop Cookie Manager and
Primary Troop Leader) is correct and bank account
and routing number has been entered into Snap+.
»» Verify (via email) with your SUCM the submission
of the initial cookie order and that the early
recognition order has been created.
»» Fill out delivery station information (if 200 cases or
more) and turn-in/email to SUCM by January 24th
or date set my SUCM.
»» Turn in ALL Parent Permission Forms and voided
troop check or letter of authorization from bank
with bank account and routing number to SUCM
(by their initial order deadline date).
• Initial Cookie Delivery:
Troops under 200 cases will be combined
with another troop or delivered to the
Service Unit**
OR
• Individual/combined troops that qualify for
a 200+ case delivery to a location of their
choice must provide complete delivery
station information (includes the address
and brief description of the delivery site as
well as contact information and name of the
person signing for the cookies, along with
an email address) to the Service Unit Cookie
Manager by the initial deadline (January 24).
Copy of blank delivery ticket form can be
found on www.gssc-mm.org under Product
Sales - fill out and return to your SUCM
*Delete any girls who are no longer active in troop before submitting initial order.
NO SPECIFIC DELIVERY DATES/TIMES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
If there is a ‘restriction’ on time/date/location for delivery site, please have a
second alternative.
**If Service Units DO NOT have delivery, the SUCM will combine area troops together.
INITIAL ORDER IS IN - NOW WHAT?
»» Encourage your girls to continue taking orders!
»» Determine how your troop is doing in reaching your troop goal. Keep your
Troop Goal Chart current as a visual aid to the girls. It will help to keep
them motivated! Make sure you update the goal in COCO - keep checking
COCO (encourage your Girl Scouts to update their information in COCO as
well).
»» Plan cookie booths for your troop through the service unit or Councilmanaged businesses/retailers.
»» Prepare to receive your cookies at your selected delivery station according
to instructions given to you by your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM)
or contact person.
»» Plan for help from parents and have sufficient vehicle space to transport
cookies safely (see page 8 for vehicle loading suggestions).
Cookie Deliveries
Cookie Delivery Day
The cookies are finally here! By this time your Service Unit Cookie Manager should have announced the date that the
cookies will be delivered to your area; OR if individual/combined troops have an order of 200 or more cases, you (if
you are the contact) should have received notification via email from the delivery agent, Carey Moving and Storage,
on delivery time and date (please check your spam/junk folder). Please respond promptly to the Carey Moving and
Storage email notifying you of delivery date/time. If you are not able to receive cookies on date/time
specified by Carey Moving and Storage, please recruit a trusted friend/family member/neighbor
to accept the cookies on your behalf.
REMEMBER
»» All initial cookie orders must be picked up/received on delivery day.
»» All cookies delivered/picked up and signed for are your troop’s responsibility.
Cookies cannot be returned due to Federal Department of Agriculture guidelines.
»» Do not accept or sign for any damaged cases of cookies. The delivery agent is
responsible for replacing damaged cases if you call it to their attention.
»» Count and recount your order before signing for the cookies (you are responsible
for all cookies listed on any receipt you sign).
»» If you have a combined troop delivery:
• all troops are responsible for that delivery count;
• all troop representatives must sign-off on the delivery ticket, if possible;
• disperse cookies out to each troop to ensure total and individual count is
correct; and
• receive individual receipts prior to departing the delivery site
Once girls have received their cookies, they may begin
delivering the cookies to customers.
Extra cookies may not be picked up at Pods/Trucks until Friday, February 17.
Initial Cookie Delivery – Vehicle Loading Suggestions
Not sure what will fit in your car? Use the following chart as a guide when planning for
cookie pick-up on delivery day. The approximate amounts are figured with the vehicle
empty and using all space except the driver’s seat. COUNT YOUR ORDER BEFORE YOU
LEAVE. If you get home and realize you are short, your Service Unit Cookie Manager will
have no choice but to go by the count agreed upon at your pick-up time.
Car Type & Approximate Fit for Cases
Compact Auto
Standard Auto
Sport Utility
Standard Station
Wagon
Standard Pickup Truck
Mini Van
Standard Van
35
50
50 – 85
85
100
150
200
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Planned Orders & Home Delivery
Planned Orders are required when picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks (except Saturdays and
Sundays – variety based on availability)
Instructions for placing Planned Orders are in the Snap+ tutorial located under Resources at www.gssc-mm.org.
WHAT IS A PLANNED ORDER?
A Planned Order allows troops to pick-up orders on a
pre-designated day at a specific Pod/Truck location (see
page 10). Planned orders are guaranteed available with
the stipulation that delivery trucks are able to re-stock the
pods/truck. Please keep in mind that weather from all over
the state AND country can affect delivery time. Troops that DO NOT place
a Planned Order may have to wait until 5:00 PM each Friday.
In order to make sure that all Pods/Trucks are stocked each week with the
correct number of cases of each variety, you will need to enter a Planned
Order for any additional cases of cookies that you need to pick up.
Troops are not financially responsible for Planned Orders until they have
been picked up and receipted. However, if you enter a Planned Order
and do not need the order, please notify the Product Sales Assistant to
cancel.
A Planned Order must be entered in Snap+ by the designated date/time
in order to guarantee availability of cookie varieties at the Pods/Trucks
(date will no longer be available after the deadline date/time has passed
and TCM will have to select the next available date for a Planned Order
and follow pickup guidelines). Planned Orders not picked up by Friday at
5:00 PM (unless Pod/Truck has been notified of a pickup delay) will be
returned to inventory.
• Planned Orders are not required for a Saturday or Sunday pick-up.
However, there is a possibility that not all varieties will be available.
To enter a Planned Order in Snap+:
• Click on the “Cookies” icon
• Click on “Planned Order”
• Select a Pod/Truck from the drop-down box
• Once you select the date, the screen will register the troop number,
Pod/Truck and requested date. Enter in the number of cases for each
variety that you want to pick up at the Pod/Truck. When reviewing your
Planned Order, quantities will show up in packages and not cases
• Click Submit. You will be asked to confirm your order
• Your SUCM may edit a Planned Order up until the ‘cut-off’ date/time
(see to the side)
We will have six Planned Order dates.
Planned Orders* must be in Snap+ before
or by 11:00 pm on the dates below:
Tuesday, February 14
Pickup: Friday, February 17
Sunday, February 19
Pickup: Wednesday-Friday, February 22-24
(must be picked up before 5:00pm on Fri)
Tuesday, February 21
Pickup: Friday, February 24
Sunday, February 26
Pickup: Thursday-Friday, March 2-3 (must be
picked up before 5:00pm on Friday)
Tuesday, February 28
Pickup: Friday, March 3
Sunday, March 5 (last day to do a PO)
Pickup: Thursday-Friday, March 9-10
*Planned Orders are NOT required for a
Saturday or Sunday pick-up.
Last two weeks of sale: Pod/Truck varieties
based upon availability. Planned Orders might
be filled on Thursday or Friday based on truck
arrival at warehouse.
Guaranteed date based on Pods/Trucks being
re-stocked. If regular deposits have not been
made, we reserve the right to not disperse
additional cookies.
Review all Planned Orders picked up from Pod/
Trucks. After you pick up your Planned Order, you
will be able to view it on the Manage Order page as
a Transfer within 24 hours after you’ve picked up.
*HOME DELIVERY FOR 200+ CASES:
Beginning February 19, orders for 200+ cases may be placed for a home delivery. Please do not call in
an order – emails only. During direct/cookie booth sales, orders will be delivered on Thursday to Service
Units/troops that have additional case orders of 200+ cases. Orders must be placed by using the Order
Form found at www.gssc-mm.org under Resources. For a Thursday delivery the order must be placed
by or before 11:00 pm on Sunday. Please note: gluten free cookie is not available for a home delivery.
*NOTE: Any cookies received as a home delivery will be entered into Snap+ in a timely manner (please allow a 24-hour
turnaround). TCM’s should always check the information in Snap+ to ensure delivery was ‘submitted’ in correctly.
Pod/Truck Locations & Hours
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Pods/Trucks open February 17-March 11
Cookie Pick-up Authorization Card
Cookie Authorization Cards are used as an identifier when a troop representative
is picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks.
Two Cookie Authorization Cards are provided in each troop’s materials. You,
the Troop Cookie Manager, must fill out one Cookie Authorization Card for
yourself as well as one card for a designated volunteer (Troop Leader or other
registered, designated adult) and have it stamped/signed.
The Cookie Authorization Card (and photo ID) must be presented at all times
when picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks. Cookies will not be given out to
anyone without this proper documentation. Authorization Card must be filled
out completely and accompanied by a photo ID.
TRUCKS
Day*
PODS
Time
Wednesday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday: February 18 &
25, March 4 and
**March 11
9:00am - 3:00pm
**March 11 only:
9:00am - 12:00pm
*Cookie pick-ups may be delayed while the truck is
being re-stocked. Please be patient while the cookies
are unloaded and inventoried. Cookies will NOT BE
dispersed while the truck is being loaded or counted.
Please call to check status before going to pick up.
GS Service Center Locations:
130 Pinnacle Point Court, Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29223
803.782.5133
Back Door
349 East Blackstock Road
Spartanburg, SC 29301
864.576.2514
Back Door
5 Independence Pointe, Suite 120
Greenville, SC 29615
800.849.4475 or 864.770.1400
Bottom of Parking Lot
Remember, the Pods are run by a volunteer just like
you. Please be courteous and respect their hours as
they are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (DO NOT just show
up at a Pod without having made an appointment).
AIKEN (by appointment
only)
Katie or Neil Miller
803.502.0247
1430 Morningside Drive
Aiken, SC 29801
GREENWOOD (by
appointment only)
Theresa McAfee
864.337.0849
106 Cypress Hollow,
Greenwood, SC 29649
[email protected]
LEXINGTON (by
appointment only)
Karen Meadows
803-687-2923
118 Cherry Hall Drive
Lexington, SC 29072
SUMTER (by
appointment only)
Robin Thames
Day: 803.934.5161
Evening: 803.972.3207
WEST UNION (by
appointment only)
Lori McCurry
864.638.8780
311 Country Junction Road
West Union, SC 29696
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Cookie Booths
A cookie booth is set up by a Girl Scout troop to sell Girl Scout cookies directly to customers
who were not solicited during door-to-door sales. Booth sales begin February 17th.
Cookie Booth Sites
Bi-Lo, Kmart, Lowes, SAM’s Club, and Walmart/Walmart Neighborhood Market will be arranged and
managed at the Council level to ensure fair and consistent procedures/guidelines are given to all
troops throughout the Council’s 22-county jurisdiction.
If you have a public place where you would like to set
up a cookie booth, contact your SUCM to assist you. DO
NOT solicit a booth on your own. The SUCM will solicit
the booth to ensure that businesses/retailers are not
inundated with requests. This will also ensure that no troop
holds a monopoly on a location for the entire sale and
that booths are geologically dispersed. Neither parents
nor Troops may set up booths without going through the
SUCM.
Please remember that you are setting an example, not
only for your troop but for Girl Scouts as an organization.
For more information on booth sales, go to www.
abcsmartcookies.com,
www.gssc-mm.org under Cookies, or www.girlscouts.org.
Cookie Booth Preparation:
• Have each girl and parent (assisting with booths) sign a Cookie Etiquette Contract (www.gssc-mm.org
under Cookies)
• Have a complete Health History Form for all girls
• Take a card table and chairs (for adults only). Keep booth times age appropriate
• Take a money box and change (about $100 in change consisting of: $50- ones; $20- fives; $30- tens)
• Take enough cookies to sell
• Count packages and money BEFORE and AFTER the cookie booth begins/ends and enter information on a
booth tally sheet and place the tally sheet in the cash box (a sample Booth Tally Sheet can be found under
Resources at www.gssc-mm.org). Keep track of girls who worked the cookie booth
• During the booth, write down any packages that are opened for samples on back of tally sheet
• REMEMBER to keep money/money box out of sight at all times
How to have a successful Cookie Booth:
• Take an adequate supply of the best sellers (this is a recommendation only): at least 2-3 cases each of Thin
Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and Lemonades, 1-2 cases
each of the other varieties (a typical three-hour booth sells between
12-14 cases)
• Make an attractive table display to invite customer interest
• Prepare a troop goal poster and display it at your booth. Customers love
to help girls reach their goals! Update the poster as packages are sold
• DO NOT accept large bills — if so, use a counterfeit pen
Cookie Booths
Cookie Booth Tips to Share with Girls/Parents:
»» If you are the first troop at a booth sale site, always
check in with the store manager before setting up your
cookie booth to let her/him know you are there and to
verify that you are setting up in the right place.
»» Do not ask the place of business for change.
»» Make eye contact with the customer and ask, “Would
you like to purchase Girl Scout cookies?” Be prepared
to share your troop goal and how proceeds will be used.
»» Always thank the customer, whether or not a purchase
is made.
»» Ask customers on their way out of the place of
business. Never badger customers.
»» If one variety is not selling as well as the others, open
a package, break the cookies into bite-size pieces
and let customers take a small sample. This may
spark interest among customers and increase your
sales (your troop will be responsible for paying for the
package that was opened to taste).
»» It is a good idea for troops to purchase a counterfeit
detection pen and to teach girls the skill of checking
for counterfeit bills (DO NOT ACCEPT $50 or $100
bills).
»» Secure your money to prevent loss and/or theft. Have
the Emergency Procedures card on hand. You can get
this from your Troop Leader.
»» If accepting a check, the following is required: name,
address, phone number and driver’s license
number along with expiration date (please check
the customer’s driver’s license). Write in any
missing information on the front of the check, e.g.,
driver’s license number and expiration date. NO
counter checks or starter checks. Write your
troop number on the front or back of the check.
»» Girls should never play at the booth, run into the
parking lot either to ask customer to purchase
cookies or to play.
»» Girls should be identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing
a membership pin, official uniform, tunic, sash or
vest, or other Girl Scout clothing.
»» Keep cookies out of the sun and/or rain.
»» Credit Cards are accepted. Please review credit card
safety guidelines.
»» CLEAN UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE and take your trash
and empty cases with you. Remember, a Girl Scout
always leaves the place cleaner than she found it!
»» Your troop is financially responsible for all cookies
signed out to the troop. If you have problems selling
the cookies, please contact your Service Unit Cookie
Manager immediately. Do not wait until the end of
the sale to inform your SUCM.
If your booth is double booked, please do the following:
• Remain calm — remember, girls are present and watching you
• Contact your SUCM
• Never involve the store manager. By doing so, you could cause the store to deny us
the opportunity to sell cookies there again
Cookie Booth Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have at least two adults on site at all times. NO ADULT-ONLY BOOTHS
Adults should be attentive to the girls at all times. Keep electronic devices out of sight
Have at least two girls (buddy system) at each booth at all times and no more than four girls
Girls should do the selling and handling the money (age-appropriate skill builder). Adults should supervise
younger girls
If it is raining or very hot, set up a canopy. Do not set up inside the store unless you have permission from
the store manager. Dress for the weather and bring appropriate items (space heaters, hand warmers)
Do not keep your car at the booth site – it should be moved immediately after unloading/ or loading
DO NOT LEAVE ANY TRASH when closing down your booth
Not Allowed: Pets, animals, tagalongs (younger/older
siblings); adults or girls smoking; or other food or chewing
gum should not be at a booth
12
13
Kiosk
Kiosk is the site where troops obtain a Council
managed booth location, date, and time. The
Council has contacted and received or is in
the process of receiving approval from the
following five businesses at Bi-Lo, Kmart,
Lowe’s, SAM’s Club and Walmart/Walmart
Neighborhood Market, for troops to hold booth
sales on their premises (this is separate from
the service unit managed booths). Service
Unit Booth Sale Coordinators and individual
troops are not to contact these businesses.
Some businesses may not be on the list at the
opening of the Kiosk. They will be added to the
Kiosk as confirmation is received (throughout
the Girl Scout cookie program). See page 15
for Kiosk dates.
Occasionally, businesses will cancel even
after confirming. You will be notified by the
product sales department if a business
cancels a booth. If you have scheduled a
Council managed cookie booth at a business or
during a time slot that has canceled after the
scheduling periods, the Council or your Service
Unit Cookie Manager will help you to find
another booth opportunity.
Go to www.gssc-mm.org
under Cookies for
Kiosk tutorial
To access Kiosk for the first time:
1. Go to www.gssc-mm.org and click on Kiosk link at top of page.
2. In the login section, click on “Forgot Password.” You will be taken to a “Forgot Password Form.”
3. Enter your email address, then click on “Retrieve Password.”
4. If it says “Account Not Found,” please check with your Service Unit Cookie Manager to receive access
(you must be a registered Girl Scout to have access to Kiosk).
5. If your email address is recognized, you will receive an email with a password. If you do not receive an
email, check your spam/junk email folder or with your SUCM.
6. After receiving your password, return to www.gssc-mm.org and click on Cookie Icon.
7. In the log in section, enter your username (your membership ID #) and the new password you
received in your email and click “Log In.” You will have the opportunity to change your password.
Once you access the site, if you have any problems with the Kiosk, please click on “Report A Problem.”
Do not call. Email will have a quicker response. See page 15 for Kiosk dates opening and closing
dates.
You can also use the Kiosk to check troop roster and check bonus status
(late May).
14
The 5 Skills
Everything girls do in Girl Scouting is designed to help them grow into leaders of courage,
confidence, and character. The 5 Skills girls learn through the Girl Scout cookie program are an
important ingredient in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
To learn more about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Girl Scouts Financial
Empowerment Program visit www.girlscouts.org/gsle. You may also download the Financial
Empowerment booklet at www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies.
Here are a few examples of how participating in the cookie program teaches
Girl Scouts skills that will help them grow into leaders in their own lives,
leaders in business and leaders in the world:
The
Business
Ethics
Your Girl Scout is honest
and responsible at every step
of the cookie sale. Her business
ethics help reinforce the postive
values she is developing as a Girl
Scout.
5
Skills
Leadership Benefits
in Girl Scouting &
Beyond
Goal
Setting
Your Girl Scout sets cookie
sale goals individually and
with her team; she creates a plan
to reach them; and she develops
cooperation and team building skills
all along the way!
Decision Making
People Skills
Your Girl Scout learns how to talk to,
Your Girl Scout helps decide how
listen to and work with all kinds of
her team will spend their cookie
people while selling cookies.
money, furthering her
These experiences help
critical thinking and
her develop healthy
problem solving
relationship
skills that will
and conflict
help her in
Your
Girl
Scout
takes
resolution skills
many aspects
cookie orders, handles
she can use
of her life
customers’ money and gains
throughout
valuable and practical life skills
her life.
around financial literacy.
Money
Management
15
2017 Cookie Program Dates
January
Cookie rallies held throughout the Council
By January 5
All girls and parents trained in Girl Scout cookie program procedures and program
components by the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
All girls/troops/TCM’s need to be registered Girl Scouts to participate in the 2017 Girl
Scout cookie program (girls may be added throughout the sale as long as they are
registered for the 2016-2017 membership year and have a signed Parent Permission
Slip)
Girl Scout cookie program begins
January 5
January 6
January 10 (noon) January 13 (10:00am)
January 13 (noon) January 16 (10:00am)
January 16 (noon) January 19 (10:00am)
January 19 (noon) January 23 (10:00am)
January 22
Round 1 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections
January 23
Girl orders due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
January 24 - March 12
February 10 - 16
Live round - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections - first come, first served
(two cookie booths assigned per day per troop)
Initial order, Early Recognitions, Troop Base Proceeds, Parent Permission Slips, voided
troop check/authorized letter from bank turned in to SUCM and bank info entered into
Snap+ by TCM and Delivery Station information
Cookie delivery to SUCM and/or troops
February 13 (11:00pm)
First Planned Order due in Snap+
February 17 - March 12
Direct/Cookie Booth Sales
February 19 (11:00pm)
Second Planned Order due in Snap+
February 21 (11:00pm)
Third Planned Order due in Snap+
February 24 - 26
National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
February 26 (11:00pm)
Fourth Planned Order due in Snap+
February 28 (11:00pm)
Fifth Planned Order due in Snap+
January 24 (or date
specified by your SUCM)
Round 2 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections
Round 3 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections
Round 4 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections
Initial order of Girl Scout cookie sale ends - GIRLS CONTINUE TO TAKE ORDERS
March 1 (on or before this 35% OR MORE of troop’s initial order (amount due to
date)
Council) has been deposited in Council’s account at
First Citizens (see page 20 and 21.)
March 5 (11:00pm)
Sixth and final Planned Order due in Snap+
March 12
Girl Scout cookie sale ends
March 13
Girl money due to TCM
March 16 (or date
specified by your SUCM)
ALL troop final paperwork due to SUCM (see page 30)
Successful Cookie Program
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
• Note ALL your SUCM’s deadlines (as their dates supersedes Council dates)
• Plan and conduct girl/parent meetings
• Encourage girls to use COCO to set personal goals and to track and update troop/individual girl goals/activity
throughout the sale
• Enter troop information into Snap+ (both Troop Cookie Manager and Primary Leader information), along with
troop bank account and routing number (including all leading zeros)
• Set a Troop Goal
JANUARY
• Collect Parent Permission Slip from each girl prior to handing out order cards. Make sure there is a physical
address versus a PO Box. Ensure she is not owing from previous product sales
• Turn in voided troop check or bank authorization letter showing troop’s bank account/routing number (enter
information into Snap+) and Parent Permission Slips to SUCM
• Begin selecting cookie booths (either through the Council or Service Unit managed booths)
• Collect order cards to prepare initial cookie order; distribute additional order cards so girls may continue to take
orders
• Inform SUCM of troop base proceeds plan if the troop is a registered Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
troop or older Girl Scout not associated with a troop
• Enter initial cookie order into Snap+ and submit delivery information to SUCM (do not make parents order full
cases if they don’t need them). Reminder: Delete any girl no longer active in your troop
• Create Early Recognition order (do this last)
FEBRUARY
• Pick up and distribute cookies to girls (ensuring separate receipts are given for all cookies signed out and girl
name is at the top of the receipt, even for siblings). Do not combine sisters on the same receipt.
• Conduct booth sales
• Collect and deposit cookie money as frequently and as often as possible (ensuring separate receipts are
given for all money turned in or cookies handed out and girl name is at the top of the receipt)
• Enter receipt of money into Snap+ (each deposit must be entered separately). Track how much each girl still
owes by entering individual transactions into Snap+
• Distribute Early Recognitions to girls who earned the t-shirt (hand these out as soon as possible – this is
why they are called Early Recognitions)
MARCH
• Deposit 35% or more of Council profits of troop’s initial order into Council’s account at First Citizens on or
before March 1 (depositing frequently and often will cause less confusion)
• Check Troop Balance Summary against Girl Cookie Totals Summary to ensure all cookies have been credited
to the girls
• DO NOT MAKE FINAL DEPOSIT until you have updated and reviewed the Troop Balance Summary Report –
ensuring all COCOdirect orders have been credited
• Create Main Recognition Order for troop (this is to be done AFTER all cookies have been credited to girls). Don’t
forget to input manually the three patches – Goal Getter (check COCO report to see which girls earned this
patch), Online Patch (girls MUST have 2 online orders via COCOdirect) and Booth Patch (if they sold at least 1
package at a booth sale – 1 per girl)
• Update and review the Troop Balance Summary Report
• Finalize sale using Checklist for Final Turn-In (page 30) and give to SUCM to sign-off (ensuring everything has
been completed correctly and on-time)
MAY
• Pick up rewards from SUCM and distribute to girls
16
17
Tools that Work!
The Girl Scout cookie program can help girls learn about goal setting, decision making, money management, people
skills and business ethics. Check out the following resources for important Girl Scout cookie program information!
Resource
What You’ll Find
Who It’s For
www.abcsmartcookies.com
Don’t forget to check out COCO
and COCOdirect!
Fabulous grade-level specific resources for your troop,
girls, and families along with information about cookies,
clip art and reasons to participate in the Girl Scout
Cookie Program.
Girl Scouts, Parents, Troop
Leaders
http://kiosk.gssc-mm.org
Kiosk for Council-managed booth sales
Troop Cookie Manager
www.gssc-mm.org
Cookie information, resources (manual, forms, tutorials,
girl recognitions), safety manual, Council office hours,
program information, staff listing and so much more!
Parents, Girl Scouts, Troop
Leaders, Troop Cookie
Managers
www.abcsnap.com
System for ordering cookies, tracking payments and
sales
Troop Cookie Manager
(password and login required)
http://girlscouts.org/program/
gs_cookies
Cookie Activity Pin, 411 On Online Marketing, 5 Skills, Girl
Scout Leadership Experience and the list goes on!
Troop Cookie Manager, Troop
Leader, Parents, Girl Scouts
Volunteer Essentials
Reference to use as needed – an encyclopedia to Girl
Scout volunteering
Troop Leader, Troop Cookie
Manager
The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
Information and requirements for earning the *Financial
Literacy and *Cookie Business badges/leaves - one for
each year for all age levels
Girl Scouts
Service Unit Cookie Manager
Volunteer support, information center, mentor and
coordinator for troops in your service unit
Troop Cookie Manager, Troop
Leader
*Girls can earn one Financial Literacy
and one Cookie Business badge or
leaf each year. Girls can choose to
earn badges for their grade level in
any order. Girls do NOT have to earn
a Financial Literacy badge before
earning a Cookie Business badge or
vice versa.
How can a Girl Scout win a
giant Llama?
It is all about goal setting!
1. She must sell at least 450 packages of cookies to
have her name entered into the drawing.
2. For each additional 100 packages of cookies she
sells, her name will be entered into the drawing
again.
For example, if a girl sells 700 packages of cookies her
name will be entered into the drawing three times.
Cookie Costumes
Cookie Costumes are available for troops to sign out at Girl Scout Service Centers and
must be reserved in advance by the Troop Cookie Manager. Costumes are subject to
availability – first come, first served. Reservations can be made by calling your Girl Scout Service Center. There is a
$15.00 refundable deposit (deposit is refundable ONLY IF costumes are returned clean and complete).
18
COCOdirect - Girl Experience via COCOmobile
COCO COMMAND
Check out www.abcsmartcookies.com – COCO. This is the place where girls will find COCO
Cookie Command – an interactive online experience for goal setting, sales planning and online
marketing. With COCO, your troop and each girl can have their own customized online business
center.
COCO tutorial can be found under www.gssc-mm.org under Resources
Set Your Goals!
Research shows that when girls set goals they reach them. Setting goals is easy, fun and inspiring! Take your girls to
the interactive and cool goal setting activity at www.abcsmartcookies.com, click on COCO, then click Girl Login and
have them set and track their personal goals. Girls who participate in the online activity by entering their name,
troop number, goal and continually updating the information in COCO (packages sold, etc.) between January 6 –
March 12 will earn a Goal Getter patch.
COCO Highlights for Volunteers
»» Track each girl’s performance and her troop engagement
»» Message girls to remind them of important troop events and sale activity milestones
»» Access troop level reporting to review sales performance (i.e. print out an excel report to track girl
progress)
COCOdirect will make it easier than ever to be a part of the world’s largest girl-led business.
COCOdirect is easy to use. For sales made through COCOdirect, there’s NO money collection
and NO hand delivery (as the cookies will be shipped directly to the customers)!
COCOmobile is available on Android, iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. This is a free mobile app for girls participating
in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. To use this app, Girl Scouts must have a valid username and password on COCO
(ABC Bakers’ Cookie Command Center), available exclusively at abcsmartcookies.com. COCOmobile allows girls to
sell Girl Scout cookies and track sale progress right from their mobile device!
This is a great way to promote participation in a contemporary way. Doing business online is expected today. And
today’s Girl Scouts are living in a digital world, so offering a digital sale is not only relevant, but also critical to
keeping the cookie sale going for the next 100 years. Girls can sell using COCOdirect in two ways by using:
»» COCOmobile or
»» COCO Online Marketing where girls can send an eCard to friends and family that includes a secure link to
COCOdirect.
• Girls would choose the COCOdirect e-Card
• Choose the contact name(s)
• Add a message
• Preview the card
• Hit send and friends and family receive an email with a link to COCOdirect, allowing them to place an
order and pay with a credit card!
Customers can choose from packaging sizes:
»» Eight-pack sampler (includes one of each variety; excludes Trios)
»» Six-pack of any one variety
»» Twelve-pack of any one variety
»» While supplies last, Gluten Free Trios Cookie
Please review the Snap+ tutorial for more complete information.
19
2017 Troop Benefits
Oppor
tunit
to mak y
e
$.70 or
per pa $.75
ckage!
TROOP BASE PROCEEDS OPTIONS
TROOP BONUS
All troops earn proceeds for each package of cookies sold
by their troop.
• $.45 per package/Standard Option: for girls at every
level. Girls will receive rewards and patches, which are
listed on page 24 of this manual
• $.50 per package/No Recognitions Option: for older
girls - (Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador
troops and older Girl Scouts not associated with a troop)
Girls will not receive any recognitions, but will receive
patches and Cookie Dough (excluding double Cookie
Dough)
• If the troop chooses to opt out of receiving
recognitions, the Service Unit Cookie Manager must
be informed of this choice via email by January 28.
This option must be voted on by the girls in the older
girl troop and if it is a troop which contains more than
one Girl Scout level, the troop must declare their level
according to the level of the largest number of girls in
their troop
Troops that meet the following criteria will receive
the specified cookie bonus(es) – determined AFTER
reconciliation has occurred on Council level. These are
EARNED bonuses for troops who meet the criteria (they
are not given out automatically). Bonus checks will be
issued after the Council bank account is reconciled and
all paperwork is reviewed for accuracy, ensuring all the
criteria for EARNING the bonus has been met. This process
might take 6-8 weeks. The bonuses (if earned) will be direct
deposited to your troop account if the bank account is still
active and we have the correct bank account information for
your troop.
Once the troop chooses which option they want, the
troop base proceeds plan cannot be changed. However,
ALL troops must create a main recognitions order in
Snap+ to receive their patches.
Troop Cookie Manager Reward
As a special reward, a fold-up Eco Tote will be earned by the
TCM IF the troop has a 10% package increase in sales over
the previous year or NEW troops who meet the 200 Per
Girl Average registered on packages sold. The Eco Tote will
not be available for purchase and is only given to the Troop
Cookie Manager (must fill out section on page 30).
Girl Scout groups are large enough to provide a cooperative
learning environment and small enough to allow
development of individual girls. The following group sizes are
recommended:
• Girl Scout Daisies: 5-12 girls
• Girl Scout Brownies: 10-20 girls
• Girl Scout Juniors: 10-25 girls
• Girl Scout Cadettes: 5-25 girls
• Girl Scout Seniors: 5-30 girls
• Girl Scout Ambassadors: 5-30 girls
NOTE! ALL TCMs will also
receive a Patch for turning
in their paperwork correct
and on-time.
TROOP TIERED BONUS CRITERIA
• Correct and On-time = +$.05 per
package
• Picked up initial order as
scheduled
• Paperwork turned in complete
and correct
• First set of Parent Permission Slips and voided
troop check/bank authorization letter turned in
January 26 (as well as banking information entered
into Snap+)
• All recognition orders submitted (January 24 and
March 16)
• 35% or more of initial order money deposited on or
before March 1st
• All money deposited and entered correctly in
Snap+ (each deposit entered in
separately), and
• All Red Flag documentation
completed correctly and attached
(see page 23)
• 200 PGA = +$.05 per package:
Troop had a 200 Per-Girl-Average
(per package, based on registered girls in troop). This
information can be found on the Troop Balance Summary
Report in Snap+. Calculation may exclude girls who have
moved or dropped out of the troop, but not girls who opt
out of participating in the Girl Scout cookie program.
• Must meet minimum age level troop
size standard and 2 adult leadersrefer to guide (left) or Volunteer
Essentials page 11 for your
suggested troop size standard.
• Early Bird Registration = +$.15:
must register at least 75% of the
troop for the 2017-2018 membership year by March
31 AND meet the minimum 5 girls and 2 adult troop
size. Must round up to next number is 75% is a decimal
number.
20
Money Matters
Troop Base Proceeds
»» All money (minus the troop base proceeds $.45 per package) should be deposited into
the Council bank account (First Citizens) using
your assigned deposit slips.
»» Girl Scout Cadette, Senior and Ambassador
troops who opt out of recognitions will keep
the troop base proceeds of $.50 per package
and deposit the rest into First Citizens.
»» Girl Scouts not associated with a troop will be
part of IGP for their assigned Region and NOT
part of the SU Cookie Sale.
What you earn....
Troop Base Proceeds Level
Troop Base Proceeds to Keep
Standard troop base
proceeds
$.45 per package/
No-Recognitions Option
(available to Cadette, Senior
and Ambassador Troops)
$.50 per package/
Do not keep more than the $.45 or $.50 per package.
*Refer to page 19 for further information on troop base proceeds.
TCMs:
»» Distribute money envelopes to the girls to assist with the collection of cookie money.
»» Remind parents that they are financially responsible for all cookies signed for and received by their
daughter and that cookies cannot be returned to the troop.
»» Collect money as frequently and as often as possible. If a girl requests more cookies and has not made
any payments for the initial order, do not give her any more cookies until payment has been made
»» Issue separate receipts for each payment made by parents (with the girl’s name at
the top of the receipt. If you have sisters in the same troop – they must have separate
receipts). Troop retains the white (top) copy and parents are given the yellow (bottom)
copy. DO NOT RECEIVE MONEY WITHOUT GIVING A RECEIPT.
»» Deposit 35% or more of troop’s initial order money before or by March 1.
Sample Initial Payment Calculation:
If a troop places an initial order for 100 cases:
Based on:
$.45: 100 cases x 12 packages x 3.55 x 35% = $1491.00
$.50: 100 cases x 12 packages x 3.50 x 35% = $1470.00
*Always do a higher percentage than 35% so you are
not short on the deposit.
Depositing as frequently and as often
as possible will ensure the deposit is
correct. Transfers do not affect the
initial payment due from a troop. So if
your troop places an initial order for
100 cases and transfers 10 cases to
another troop, your troop would still
be responsible for paying 35% of 100
cases on March 1.
»» Check all girl and troop records carefully.
»» Use Snap+ to keep track of money collected from each girl and to know her balance (enter each
financial transaction and cookies signed out separately).
• Take note of a girl not turning in money. Follow up with a telephone call to her parent/
guardian(s). Do not continue to issue cookies to the girl if money is not being turned it.
• Remind girls to accept payment for Girl Scout cookies ONLY at the time of delivery to
customers. Girls should not accept payment before the cookies have been delivered.
21
Money Matters
Check Endorsement:
»» Checks and money orders should be made payable to Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to
Midlands (or GSSCMM or Girl Scouts).
• If accepting a check, the following is required: name, address, phone number, and driver’s license
number along with expiration date (please check the customer’s driver’s license*). Write in any
missing information on the front of the check, i.e., driver’s license number and expiration date. NO
counter checks or starter checks from newly opened accounts should be accepted at any time.
*NOTE: This will allow Council to pursue any Non-Sufficient Fund checks received by the troop.
»» Your troop number should be either on the front or back of the check before depositing it into Council account.
Banking Procedures:
Preparing the Deposit:
BANK
1. Troop cookie money (minus troop base proceeds) must be
deposited into the Council’s account at any First Citizens
branch location by the Troop Cookie Manager. Make
deposits FREQUENTLY and as OFTEN as possible. Only one
deposit slip per deposit (do not combine multiple deposit
slips for one deposit).
2. Deposit slips are assigned (by reference number, located
on the bottom left hand side of the deposit slip) specifically
to your troop by your Service Unit Cookie Manager.
Do NOT share your deposit slips with other troops OR
use over-the-counter deposit slips.
3. Enter the total cash and currency to be deposited in the
spaces provided. List each check, using last names or
check numbers as identifiers, on the deposit slip. Press
down firmly as there are three carbon copies.
• Ensure you triple check the addition as Council will
incur bank charges for corrections made by the bank.
Money Matters
Making the Deposit:
Inform the teller prior to your transaction that the deposit is for Girl Scouts. If there is a problem with a bank
branch, please contact the Product Sales Assistant
»» Request two white bank transaction receipts for each deposit made. The Council’s deposit slips must be
validated (bank will keep the top white copy and return the yellow and pink validated copies to you). ONLY
use one deposit slip per transaction
»» The Council’s account is designated for deposit only. Double check the Troop Balance Summary report, as
any overpayments will not be returned to your troop for 6-8 weeks, when reconciliation is completed
»» Enter your deposit into Snap+. Use the deposit reference number found in the bottom left hand corner
to identify each deposit. Record ALL deposit transactions into Snap+ individually. Verify that all deposits
match amounts entered in Snap+
Bank Corrections (Debit/Credit)
»» The Council will be notified if there is a bank correction from
your troop’s deposit. You and your SUCM will receive an email
notification if it is a:
• debit (less check/money showing on your deposit slip) or
• credit (more check/money deposited but not showing on
deposit slip)
»» Your SUCM will go into Snap+ and enter the:
• debit as a Deposit Adjustment - Debit correction or
• credit as a Deposit Adjustment - Addition correction
to ensure your Troop Balance Report will be correct.
Please verify this has been done and is correct prior to
submitting paperwork to SUCM.
Finalizing Collections and Deposits
»» All final cookie money collected from the girls should be turned in to you by March 13.
»» If there are monies outstanding from girls, make every effort to collect and contact the parent(s) involved.
• If your efforts to collect the money are not successful, fill out and submit information using the Red
Flag Form (www.gssc-mm.org under Resources). Do not cover their outstanding balance out of your
troop’s account. See page 23.
• Make sure the Red Flag PLUS money deposited into First Citizens is EQUAL to the total amount
showing from the Troop Balance Summary report. If this is not correct or proper documentation has
not been given, the troop will be liable for the difference (see page 23).
»» Before making your final deposit, check your Troop Balance Summary Report in Snap+ to verify the
amount needed to deposit to ensure your troop will have a $0.00 balance due to Council (there is a $1.00
overpayment ‘grace’ amount). If you overpay by more than $1.00, consider purchasing another case of
cookies to zero out your balance or purchasing virtual Cookies for Soldiers.
• Confirm the accuracy of your deposit balance before turning paperwork in to your Service Unit
Cookie Manager. If you are still unsure as to how to determine your balance owed to Council, contact
your Service Unit Cookie Manager for assistance
PLEASE NOTE: Checks written on closed accounts, non-sufficient funds or missing money will be pursued by the
Solicitor’s Office. Mishandling money is a serious matter. Any misuse of girl funds collected is a criminal offense
and action will be taken as necessary. Do not give girls more cookies if money has not been turned in.
22
23
Money Collection Issues
Troops should not pay for cookies issued to parents who have not turned in cookie money. Fill out the Red Flag Form
when a girl fails to turn in money for cookies received. All transactions between the Troop Cookie Manager and
parent/guardian(s) must be properly and correctly documented.
The following documentation must be turned in CORRECTLY
with the Red Flag Form:
Sample Red Flag
»» ALL ORIGINAL cookie receipts signed by the parent/
guardian(s) when cookies are issued (white copy).
Individual girl’s name should be at the top of the
receipt.
»» ALL ORIGINAL receipts for any/all money turned in
by parent/guardian(s) during the sale (white copy).
Individual girl’s name should be at the top of the
receipt.
»» UPDATED Girl Balance Summary report (must match
white cookie and money receipts).
»» Be sure to state clearly on the Red Flag Form the total
amount owed to the troop by the parent/guardian(s)
- this should be the full $4.00 or $5.00 per package
(all receipts - cookies and money - MUST equal what
is showing on the Red Flag Form and Girl Balance
Summary Report)
»» Any notes and/or copies of correspondence with the
parent/guardian(s).
»» DO NOT combine receipts for cookies signed out or
money turned in on same receipt (especially if they
are sisters or from the same family). Must be separate
receipts given for each individual girl’s transaction.
Turn in the Red Flag Form (along with documentation listed above)
to your Service Unit Cookie Manager, along with the rest of your
paperwork. The information you provide on the Red Flag Form will assist Council in resolving outstanding balances more efficiently. If
troop does not turn in all correct documentation, they will be liable for the difference.
If a troop does not turn in any paperwork at the final deadline, they will automatically be Red Flagged and will not receive any bonuses
(if earned) or recognitions.
Outstanding funds owed to the troop will be pursued by the Council; however, without proper
documentation, the troop assumes financial responsibility.
RED FLAG FORM with total amount owed to the troop stated clearly (full $4/$5 per package).
Should equal Girl Balance Summary.
24
Girl Rewards
The rewards program is a proven method
to excite and motivate the girls during the
Girl Scout cookie program.
Other Available Patches:
The rewards for the 2017 Girl Scout cookie
program were selected by the girls who
attended summer camps or participated in
the online rewards selection.
Online: for girls who took
*Booth Sale: girls must
2+ orders via COCOdirect
- 6, 12 or 8 packages sold=
1 order
have sold 1 or more
packages at a booth
Girls begin earning Cookie Dough at 150+
packages (see page 25).
12+
*Goal Getter: only if Girl
Scout participated in the
online activity at www.
abcsmartcookies.com COCO Command
Achievement Bars:
in increments of 100 (1003000) - only the highest
earned level will be awarded
(these are not cumulative)
*To be manually entered in Snap+ (only 1 per girl, if earned)
100+
200+
300+
be unique, be
you! patch
400+
no prob-llama
lunch box
1500+
double cookie dough
Early Recognition:
Girls selling 300+
packages of
cookies during
January 6-22
will receive a
t-shirt. This is
not available
to troops/girls
who opt out
of receiving
rewards.
wristlet and pouch
small llama
550+
700+
sling backpack
OR
large llama
blanket
hoodie
S ARE
D
R
A
W
ALL RE LATIVE!
CUMU
2017+
OR
Bike & helmet
1000+
$300 Campership
OR
2-in-1 laptop
25
Cookie Dough
Girls who participate in the Girl Scout cookie program and sell 150–174 packages will earn $15 in Cookie Dough. For
every additional 25-package increment sold, girls earn an additional $2.50 in Cookie Dough (Cookie Dough Table is
located at www.gssc-mm.org under Resources):
Number of Packages Sold
Amount of Cookie Dough Earned
starting at 150-174 packages
$15.00
175-199 packages
$17.50
200-224 packages
$20.00
225-249
$22.50 and so on
Cookie Dough may be used for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Council-sponsored Girl Scout day camp and resident camp fees
Council-sponsored program event fees (designated events in FOCALPoint)
GSUSA-sponsored destinations
Council-sponsored trips with regional, national or international itineraries
Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award project expenses and
To help pay for Girl Scout Lifetime Membership
A girl may designate the unused value of her Cookie Dough prior to its expiration date to help sustain
and build Girl Scouting in our Council. Girls may select:
•
•
•
•
outreach to girls who are at-risk
financial assistance and camperships
equipping and maintaining our Girl Scout camps
Council-sponsored teen program options
Bring or send in your unused Cookie Dough to the Girl Scout Service Center, along with a letter stating how you
would like to designate your unused Cookie Dough.
Sister-to-sister transfers will be accepted (registered Girl Scout sisters living in the same household).
Cookie Dough:
1. Unused value may not be redeemed for cash.
2. Cookie Dough may not be used in the Girlz Gear shops or Camp Trading Posts.
3. Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands will not re-issue Cookie Dough if lost, stolen or damaged.
4. Cookie Dough will not be re-issued after September 2017.
To use your Cookie Dough:
To redeem Cookie Dough, use a Troop or Individual Registration Form. On the
registration form, list the amount of Cookie Dough being used (see page 18 in
FOCALPoint for more information).
The 2017 Cookie Dough expires September 30, 2018.
The 2016 Cookie Dough expires September 30, 2017.
26
Cookies for Soldiers
Cookies for Soldiers brings philanthropy to the Girl Scout cookie
program. For various reasons, some customers do not want
to purchase cookies themselves, but they want to support Girl
Scouts, your troop, and/or our military troops. We have a program
that will allow them to do all three!
How can Girl Scouts and the community help support the men and
women of our armed forces? With Girl Scout cookies - COOKIES
FOR SOLDIERS! Midlands and Upstate Chapters of the Blue Star
Mothers of America; Soldiers’ Angels and the Girl Scouts of South
Carolina – Mountains to Midlands are working together during
the months of February and March to show soldiers how big our
hearts are.
When girls take orders, ask customers if they would like to donate
a package to our Cookies for Soldiers program. If the customer
wishes to donate cookies to this program, indicate the number of packages in the white column on the girl order form. Customers
do not specify flavors nor does the TCM order these cookies in with your initial order.
Virtual Cookies for Soldiers
If customers want to purchase Girl Scout cookies to support a Girl Scout without taking cookies home? No problem! Troops in Girl
Scouts of SC Mountains to Midlands have the option of participating in the Virtual Cookie Share program. Customers can indicate
they would like their purchase donated instead of delivered, and the cookies will be distributed to the indicated organizations. Not
only is the customer helping a Girl Scout learn the 5 Skills of the cookie program they are helping others who serve our military.
Enter Cookies for Soldiers in Snap+ with the girl’s initial order in the column marked Cookie Share. Troops DO NOT TAKE possession
of these cookies but are responsible for collecting the money for these orders. At the end of the season all of these cookies are
accounted for and GSSCMM will make arrangements to have them delivered to our specified organizations. If a troop is sending/
delivering cookies to an organization or military personnel, the troop will continue to order physical cookies.
How are Cookies for Soldiers handled at booth sales? For customers who do not want to purchase cookies, you may ask them
to purchase Cookies for Soldiers. The money is collected and will be notated in Snap+, but they will be ‘virtual’ (no handling of
physical cookies). If a troop has an organization or military personnel to send or deliver cookies, the troop will continue to do it
physically. Booth sale divider will also divide up Cookie for Soldier sales. See Snap+ tutorial.
2017 Girl Scout Cookie Product Line-up
$4.00 per package
NEW
$5.00 per package
Lemonades™
Caramel deLites ®
Girl Scout
S’mores™
Peanut Butter
Patties ®
Peanut Butter
Sandwich
Thin Mints ®
Shortbread
Thanks-A-Lot ®
Trios
Gluten Free
Available only during
direct/booth sales
(while supplies last)
27
Cookie Program Glossary
ABC
One of two commercial bakers who are licensed by Girl
Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout cookies. ABC is
GSSCMM’s baker.
Initial Order/Door-to-Door
This is the time girls TAKE cookie pre-orders from January
6-22 (after this date, girls continue to take orders).
COCO
An interactive online experience for goal setting, sales
planning, and online marketing.
Kiosk
Council website for troops to obtain a Council managed
cookie booth location.
COCOdirect
Where consumers can have cookies shipped and pay via
credit card. Girls use COCOmobile or COCO Online Marketing.
Main Reward
Main rewards are earned from all cookies sold through doorto-door/initial and direct sales.
COCOmobile
Allows girls to sell Girl Scout cookies and track sale progress
right from their mobile device (iPhone, iPad, iPod, and
Android).
Parent Permission Slip
A slip signed by parent/guardian (s) giving their Girl Scout
permission to participate in the Girl Scout cookie program.
Cookie Booths
Troops set up at businesses to sell Girl Scout cookies directly
to the customers who were not solicited during door-to-door.
Planned Order
Troops can obtain additional cases of cookies from Pods/
Trucks by placing a Planned Order. This can be done in Snap+
under Cookie icon.
Credit - Deposit
Credit is a bank correction for a troop that deposited more
than what was shown on their deposit slip into First Citizens
account.
Pods/Trucks
Volunteers/staff-run cookie warehouse where troops pick up
extra cases of cookies.
Debit - Deposit
Debit is a bank correction for a troop that deposited less
than what was shown on their deposit slip into First Citizens
account.
PL
Abbreviation for Primary Leader.
Delivery Station
Troop or Service Unit delivery of initial cookies ordered.
Troops go through their Service Unit Cookie Manager if they
have an order of less than 200 cases of cookies or combine
with other troops to have a home delivery.
Red Flag
Term used for troop/individual girl who does not pay the
balance owed on their cookies.
Deposit Slip
Assigned deposit slips to individual troops to make troop
deposit (minus troop base proceeds) into First Citizens
account.
Snap+
Online cookie ordering program to keep track of girls’ cookie
sales, recognitions and financial transactions.
Early Rewards
The Early Reward is earned by a girl who sells 300+ during
door-to-door/initial order period (January 6-22).
TCM
Abbreviation for Troop Cookie Manager.
Five Skills
The Girl Scout cookie program provides an important
ingredient for leadership by helping girls develop five key
skills: goal setting, decision making, money management,
people skills, and business ethics.
Troop Base Proceeds
Troop Profit from cookie sales kept by troop prior to
depositing money into First Citizens account.
Goal Getter
An opportunity for girls to participate in COCO - an online
activity to set and follow through on goal setting to earn a
patch.
Troop Bonus
Troops who meet the criteria will earn up to three of the
bonuses: Correct and On-Time, Early Bird Registration, and/or
200-Per-Registered-Girl-Average
Home Delivery for 200+ Cases
During Direct/Cookie Booth sales, troops can order 200+
cases of additional cases of cookies and have it delivered to
their home.
Trios
Gluten Free Cookie - available only during Direct/Booth sales
while supplies last
2016-2017 Product Sales Team
Many thanks to our volunteer Product Sales Team who helped strategize, plan
and implement the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program:
Cindy Becker - Columbia
Portia Grooms - Anderson
Katharine Harbison - Spartanburg
Veronika Hyte - Anderson
Jamilla Little - Travelers Rest
Theresa McAfee - Greenwood
Diane Martin - Simpsonville
Linda Medlin - Travelers Rest
Cathy Monts - Columbia
Kristy Perez - Lexington
Andrea Simpson - Greenville
Lasonya Wise - Columbia
Staff Representative
Ursula Lovejoy
[email protected]; 803-461-3735
ABC Representative
John Drikakis
Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands serves more than 12,500
girls and 5,000 adults in 22 counties of central and western South Carolina
28
29
Notes
Helpful Hints for TCMs:
»» Use an organization system for your troop — page protector sheets that you can label with girls names
to keep paperwork from each girl separate, envelopes for each girl, folders or even a coupon organizer to
keep track of all their receipts.
»» Enter in receipts FREQUENTLY — try to do it the same day you receive money or give out cookies. This will
save you time and frustration at the end of the sale.
»» Set up times that work in YOUR schedule for parents to pick up extra cookies or bring you money. Troop
meeting times may or may not work for you.
»» Set up a time and location for money turn in for your 35% that is due.
»» DO NOT give out more cookies to ANYONE (except on initial order pick up day) if they DO NOT turn in
money first. This will keep the potential for Red Flags down, and help with money on final turn in day.
»» ASK questions! DO NOT wait until the night before due date to ask them, or worse, at turn in!
Checklist For Final Turn-In
My Information:
Service Unit: _______________ SUCM: _____________________________________
SUCM email: __________________________________________ SUCM phone number: ________________________________
Bring this checklist with you, along with ALL your final paperwork – correct and complete, when you meet with your
Service Unit Cookie Manager on March 16, 2017 (or on his/her designated date).
The below items are enclosed. I understand that if I do not return all of the paperwork below COMPLETE AND
CORRECT, along with meeting earlier information deadlines and turn-in dates, to my Service Unit Cookie Manager,
my troop will not have earned the Correct and On-time bonus criteria:
Bonus will be determined when paperwork is reconciled in April, not at time of SUCM meeting.
»» Updated Troop Balance Summary Report
»» Yellow deposit slips AND white bank transaction receipt for each deposit. Entered each deposit
transaction separately into Snap+
»» Parent Permissions Slips (for those girls who were added in throughout the sale)
»» Review Girl Balance Summary Report (everything zeroing out if no Red Flags)
»» All rewards correctly submitted in Snap+ (manually entered Goal Getter, Online and Booth
patches - if earned - 1 per girl)
»» Evaluation entered into Survey Monkey (link found at www.gssc-mm.org under Cookies).
»» If applicable, Red Flag Forms (all correct and completed documentation needed. If not, troop is
liable for balance)
»» If applicable, troop had 10% package increase. 10% increase goal of __________ pkgs.
»» TCM Name _____________________________
»» Page 30 - signed by Troop Cookie Manager AND Service Unit Cookie Manager
TO FILL OUT WITH YOUR SERVICE UNIT COOKIE MANAGER
Service Unit # ________________ Troop # ________________ Total Packages Sold
____________
Overpaid $__________ Girl Red Flag Amount $__________ Troop Red Flag Amount $__________
Troop Cookie Manager
Service Unit Cookie Manager
Signed _________________________________ Signed _________________________________
Date ___________________________________ Date ___________________________________
Staff Use For Reconciliation Purposes
________ Correct and On-Time
_________ 200 PGA
_________ Early Bird Registration
30
800.849.GIRL (4475) ● 864.770.1400 ● www.gssc-mm.org
All calls are routed through our centralized switchboard
Girl Scout Service Centers and Girlz Gear Shops Customer Service Hours
Monday 1 – 5:30 PM ⚬ Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM ⚬ Thursday 8:30 AM – 7 PM (except
June and July)
Girlz Gear Shops and Resource Areas Only
Saturday 10 AM – 1 PM
1st Saturday of every month (except legal holiday weekends and the month of July)
Every Saturday in September, October, May (except legal holiday weekends)
Columbia Service Center
130 Pinnacle Point Court, Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29223
Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 803.782.5133 ⚬ FAX 803.782.0410
Greenville Service Center/Corporate Headquarters
Five Independence Pointe, Suite 120
Greenville, SC 29615
Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 864.770.1400 ⚬ FAX 864.272.3394
Spartanburg Service Center
349 East Blackstock Road
Spartanburg, SC 29301
Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 864.576.2514 ⚬ FAX 864.587.7367
Service Centers, Girlz Gear Shops and Corporate Headquarters Holiday Closings
Winter Holidays
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Friday and Monday, December 23-26
Monday, January 2
Monday, January 16
Monday, May 29
Monday and Tuesday, July 3–4