Thin Mints Crispy chocolate wafers dipped in a mint chocolaty coating

Caramel deLites Vanilla cookies with caramel, toasted coconut, and milk chocolate stripes

Shortbread Traditional shortbread

Peanut Butter Sandwich Peanut butter sandwich cookie

Peanut Butter Patties

Crispy vanilla cookies with peanut butter, covered in chocolate

Lemonades Shortbread with tangy lemon icing

Thanks-A-Lot Shortbread with fudge

Girl Scout S’mores Graham cookie dipped in creme and chocolate

Caramel Chocolate Chip (Gluten Free)

Classic chocolate chip cookie with caramel and a hint of sea salt

Troop Cookie Coordinator Manual2020 Cookie Season

Your Name:SUCM Name:SUCM Email:SUCM Phone:

Product Program Staffproducts@gsctx.org

Sierra Fernandes, DirectorKellye Kosanda, Associate

Annie Nestlerode, Specialist

Kodosky Serivce Center1 (800) 733-0011

Office Hours:M-F 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Key DatesInitial Order Due in Smart Cookies December 6 FridayInitial Order Deliveries to SU January 7-14 Tuesday-TuesdayMega Drop (if applicable) January 11 SaturdayCookie Program Begins January 15 WednesdayBooth Sales Begin January 18 Saturday1st ACH (50% of initial order) January 31 Friday2nd ACH (50% of initial order) February 14 FridayProgram Ends February 23 SundayRewards Due March 2 MondayFinal ACH March 13 Friday

Our Cookies This Year’s Mascot and Theme

1The Basics

Fiona the Fox

*Manual last updated on October 21, 2019

2

Before the ProgramCookie Program MaterialsResources Page 8

Setting Troop and Girl Goals Page 9Rewards Page 10Family Cookie Meeting Page 11Safety GuidelinesProgram Procedures Page 12

Indvidually Registered Members Page 13Initial Order Instructions Page 14Delivery Page 15

During the ProgramDoor to Doog & Wagon SalesOnline Marketing & Social Media Page 16

Booth Sale Guidelines Pages 17-18Responsibilities During the Program Page 18-19Managing Cookie Inventory Page 19Money Management Page 19Special Programs Page 20Secret Shopper Page 20

After the ProgramGirl RewardsCookie Close Out Page 21

Troop Bonus Page 21Recognitions Page 22

The BasicsCookies, Theme, and Mascot Page 1Table of Contents Page 2Cookie Program Glossary Page 3Thank You and Position Description Page 4Updates for the 2020 Cookie Program Page 5Cookie Contests Page 6Troop Cookie Coordinator Checklist Page 7

Table of Contents

GSCTX

3

Cookie Program Glossary

This is the bakery GSCTX uses to supply our cookies. Visit ABC Smart Cookies to learn more!

Automatic Clearing House (ACH) is a nationwide electronic fund transfer network which enables banks to distribute electronic charges (debits) to bank accounts and to settle such entries.

Volunteer that handles the fair distribution of booths to a service unit. A person who loves Girl Scouting enough to be a diplomat.

Criminal Background Check, needed for Troop Leaders and adults that handle money during the program and are around girls other than their own.

A Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Girl Scout who earns Service to Girl Scouting hours via mentoring Daisies at cookie booths and by assisting their Service Unit with Product Program activities.

Serves as training for first time cookie sellers to teach Daisies, Brownies and Juniors all about cookies in a fun, carnival-like atmosphere. More information sign up at www.gsctx.org/events.

These are booths with very high sales potential that GSCTX gives all service units the opportunity to take advantage of. Ask your SU for information on how to sign up.

The recognitions in the cookie program are cumulative, which means if you earn the second prize, you also earn the first prize.

Girls earn this incentive on a sliding scale based on the amount of cookies they sell. These funds come in the form of a Girl Scout Dough card that can be used at the Girl Scout shop, for council events, troop travel, or GS resident camp and day camp.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas. Texas is separated into 7 councils: ours is 44,000 sq. miles and contains 46 counties. Each council’s cookie program begins at a different time.

Large volunteer-staffed drive-thru type events during which troops pick up cookies.

This is a program that gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to collect “virtual” cookies and letters during the cookie program and donate them to the military.

A cleanup sale in which Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can earn additional pro-ceeds by helping GSCTX clean out remaining inventory after the regular program. Email products@gsctx.org to apply.

Service Unit Cookie Manager, person in charge of orders, distribution and everything cookies for a single service unit. A person who loves Girl Scouting enough to give tons of time and energy to running the sale.

Geographic area defined by ZIP codes. As small as one troop and as large as 100+ troops

This is an online software application designed to manage the cookie program. Troops receive information from the SUCM once they have attended cookie training. Girls can view ABC’s interactive online experience for goal setting, sales planning and online marketing. Visit www.abcsmartcookies.com for more info!

Troop Cookie Coordinator (You!) is in charge of orders, distribution and everything cookies for a single troop. A volunteer who loves scouting enough to take on this job.

ABC Baker

ACH

Booth Manager

CBC

Cookie Captain

Cookie Rally

Council Booth(s)

Cumulative

Girl Scout Dough

Mega Drop

Operation Cookie

Opportunity Knocks

SUCM

Service Unit

Smart Cookies

TCC

The Basics

4

A Thank You to Our Cookie Volunteers

To our Troop Cookie Coordinators and Leaders: Thank you for supporting your Girl Scouts this cookie season. We know you put exceptional effort and time into ensuring that your girls learn valuable life skills. With Girl Scout Cookies and your guidance, Girls

Scouts can do amazing things. We appreciate all that you do and wish you another successfull cookie season.

Troop Cookie Coordinator (TCC) Position Description

ResponsibilitiesQualifications

Don’t forget to sign and return the TCC Agreement to your SUCM!

The TCC Agreement asks that you promise to:* Abide by the Girl Scout and local laws* Be financially responsible for all cookies checked out to you by your Service Unit* Be the main point of contact for parent discrepancies* Guide your troop to achieve their goals and learn the Five Skills of Product Programming

Purpose of Position: to manage the cookie program within the troop and communicate between the troop and service unit in a manner that reflects the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Appointed yearly by troop leader with the approval of the Service Unit Cookie Manager. Works with and reports to the Service Unit Cookie Manager.

◊ Adult membership with GSUSA◊ Current Criminal Background Check on file◊ Have good conflict resolution and problem solving skills◊ Accurate record keeping◊ No current debt on file with Product Programs ◊ Commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law

◊ Attend mandatory cookie training hosted by the Service Unit ◊ Provide training to the girls and parents in your troop◊ Sign your troop up for booths (if applicable)◊ Utilize receipts for all cookie and money transactions ◊ Keep records and receipts for cookies and money for girls

in the troop◊ Ensure deposits are made into the troop account by at

least two days before 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ACH draft (refer to deadlines on page 1)

◊ Provide complete and accurate accounting of all cookies checked out to the troop and all funds deposited by the troop or individuals under the troop’s jurisdiction.

◊ Promptly distribute all products and prizes as they are received

◊ Enter data into the Smart Cookies system

The Basics

5

Updates for the 2020 Cookie Season

The Basics

Reminder: Cookie Pre-PaymentTroops cannot ask parents to pre-pay for Girl Scout Cookies. GSCTX has procedures in place that, when followed, exempt troops from certain financial liability (such as parent debt.)

If you have financial concerns related to cookies and troop parents, consider the following solutions:◊ Check out only the cookies that are truly needed◊ Collect money owed more frequently◊ Communicate with your troop parents and SU to get rid of

excess girl or troop inventory◊ Complete an ACH Discrepancy Form (1st & 2nd ACH) or a

Parent Collection Form (Final ACH) if you have parent debt◊ REMEMBER: Receipts are required! Always write receipts

when receiving/giving out product or turning in money.

Initial Order Reward◊ Chase Your Adventures Luggage Tag◊ To earn this Reward both the troop and the girl must meet

certain requirements: * Troop must have a 215+ per girl average at Initial Order with at least 1 box assigned to every girl * At the end of the program each girl in qualifying troop who sold 215+ packages will receive the reward

ACH ReminderOnly new troops and troops with updated bank account

numbers must submit ACH authorization form.

All ACH information is due Monday, November 11.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Orders◊ No order limit! However...◊ Absolutely NO returns to SU or to GSCTX (No exceptions)◊ Troops order with their Initial Order

GSUSA Highlighting Lemon Flavor◊ Lemonades typically 10% of GSCTX Cookie Program mix◊ Ordering a few extra cases recommended◊ Little Brownie Bakers releasing new lemon flavor (In Texas,

available only in Dallas and San Antonio areas)

TCC Agreement now on Formstack!Beginning this year, Troop Cookie Coordinators will complete their agreements online via Formstack. TCCs must include their SUCM’s email in their submission so that SUCMs receive a copy. GSCTX recommends that Service Units create a Product Programs-specific email address or a Product Program-specific email folder in anticipation of the increased email received.

NEW! Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin◊ Revamped Cookie Activity Pin◊ Girls earn one pin per grade level◊ Pins now customized to each grade level◊ Easier for families to support their Girl Scouts as they learn the

Five Skills of Product Programming

3,500+ Sellers: Weekend Trip!

Enjoy a group trip with your fellow 3,500+ sellers! Girls who sell 3,500+ packages will earn a weekend trip to San Francisco.

This trip will be chaperoned by GSCTX staff member(s). Girl Scout parents will not be able to attend. Special consideration will be made for girls under the age of 10 years.

Tentative dates are July 22-26, 2020.

NEW! 5,000+ Recognition LevelNEW: Give the gift of campership! GSCTX believes that all Girl

Scouts should experience camp. For ever 1,500 packages you sell over 3,500 packages, GSCTX will donate the average camp

program rate to our campership fund so that we can send more girls to camp in Summer 2020! This is a great opportunity for you to

help fellow Girl Scouts experience the world of Girl Scout Camp.

6

Cookie Program Contests

The Basics

Have some fun with your troop and enter one or more of our contests! Check our website (www.gsctx.org/cookies) for more details on each contest. Submit all contest photos to boothcontest@gsctx.org!

For GirlsBooth of the Week

Supersonic Seller

Red, White, and Booth

Booth of the Season

Every week (Sunday/Monday at midnight through the next Sunday at 11:59 PM)Your whole troop earns booth patches and entered into Booth of the Season!

If your booth met all the criteria for Booth of the Week and rocked the judges’ socks off, your entire troop will get a party-in-a-box! You must have won Booth of the Week to be considered.

(President’s Day Week: February 16-23)Show your love for the military by decorating your booth patriotically! Entrants must follow all Booth of the Week rules to be eligible. Red, White, and Booth winners will be entered into our Booth of the Season contest.

Supersonic 215: For girls who sell 215+ packages AND have their money turned in by February 4, 2020. All eligible cookie sellers will be entered into a drawing for a Build-A-Bear.

Supersonic 300: For girls who are feeling very ambitious and sell 300+ packages AND have their money turned in by February 4, 2020. All eligible cookie sellers will be entered into a drawing for a Build-A-Bear with a Girl Scout shirt.

7

Troop Cookie Coordinator Checklist

Date Task

August - September Register Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors for Sept/Oct Cookie Captain training

Late October – November Attend training provided by your Service Unit Pick up materials (reward cards, receipts, envelopes) from your SUCM

November (Early)

Hold a meeting with girls and parents (look at sample agenda in back) Set goals to find out each girl’s initial order Discuss rules and procedures with parentsCollect Parent/Guardian Permission forms (1 copy each to parent, TCC, and SUCM)

Nov 11 (Mon) Submit ACH form via FormstackMake sure SUD and/or SUT are co-signors on your troop’s bank account

November to January Register for a Cookie Rally if you are a new or young troop – check eBizSome are run by Service Units and others run by GSCTX

Dec 6 (Fri) Initial order is due in Smart Cookies

January SUCM will schedule a date time and place for you to pick up initial orderSUCM will tell you booth selection procedure

Jan 15 (Wed) Door-to-door Cookie Program begins!!!Jan 18 (Sat) Booth Sales begin!!!Jan 27 (Mon) Discrepancy forms for 1st ACH due to products@gsctx.org (if applicable)Jan 31 (Fri) 1st ACH debit - 50% of Initial OrderFeb 10 (Mon) Discrepancy forms for 2nd ACH due to products@gsctx.org (if applicable)Feb 14 (Fri) 2nd ACH debit - 50% of Initial OrderFeb 23 (Sun) Cookie Program ends

Mar 2 (Mon)Create and submit Girl Reward Order in Smart Cookies Credit Card Reimbursement due online; Collection forms due to Service Center or products@gsctx.org

Mar 7 (Sat) Operation Cookie Pack (Sign up in eBiz)Mar 14 (Fri) FINAL ACH debit - remaining balance due to CouncilApril 1 (Wed) - April 3 (Fri) Girl Scout Dough mailed to SUCM

April (Late) SUCM will contact you to schedule a date and time to pick up your troop’s rewards and Girl Scout Dough once it is sorted

May 1 (Fri) Troop Financial Report due to GSCTXTBD 1,000+ Ceremony for girls who sold over 1,000 packages June 1 (Mon) Cookie Bonus distributed (to troops who qualify)

The Basics

8

Cookie Program Materials and Resources

Girl Items◊ Coin Envelope◊ Girl Order Card◊ Parent Permission Form

Troop Items

◊ Receipt Booklets◊ Lemonades Samples◊ TCC Manual◊ TCC Quick-Start Envelope

Resource Address What You Will FindABC Baker www.abcbakers.com Public site providing ABC Baker overview, recipes, nutritional

information, and FAQsGSCTX www.gsctx.org/cookies All forms, manuals, Cookie Tool Kit and many other Cookie

Program-related informationSmart CookiesSmart Cookies Direct

www.abcsmartcookies.com Secure site personalized based on user level. Volunteers can manage orders, track sales, find training videos, and obtain marketing tools; Girls can send e-cards to customers and track own progress.

Cookie Locator www.girlscouts/org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies Customers can locate cookie booths based on their ZIP code

Resources

The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls develop five key business and leadership skills for life.

1. Goal Setting—as she sets cookie program goals individually and with her troop, creates a plan to reach them, and develops Cooperation and Team Building skills all along the way.

2. Decision-Making—as she helps decide how her troop will spend their cookie money, furthering her Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills that will help her throughout life.

3. Money Management—as she takes cookie orders, handles customer’s money and gains valuable and Practical Life Skills around financial literacy.

4. People Skills—as she learns how to talk to, listen to and work with all kinds of people while selling cookies. These experiences help her develop Healthy Relationship and Conflict Resolution skills she can use throughout her life.

5. Business Ethics—as she is honest and responsible at every step of the cookie program. Her business ethics here reinforce the Positive Values she is developing as a Girl Scout.

Before the Program

9

Troop and Girl Goals

◊ Returning Troop? Review your 2019 total sales. Discuss with your troop how to meet or exceed last year’s sales.

◊ New Troop? Review the chart below for average packages sold per girl by age level.

◊ As a troop (or within each troop member’s family unit), work on The Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin. This pin is a great way to teach girls the 5 skills. Pins can be purchased at any of our GSCTX Shops.

Earn up to $0.80/package*!

Troops can earn the following proceeds for participating in the 2020 Cookie Program:

$.50 per package +

Base Troop Proceeds

$.25 per package +

Bonus Troop Proceeds- MUST MEET REQUIREMENTS

Additional $.05 per package =

Bonus Troop Proceeds - Must meet Super Troop Requirements

$0.80 per package!

Total possible per package proceeds

One of the most important of the 5 Skills of Product Programming that a girl can learn is how to set and reach their goals. Help girls keep goals realistic but optimistic.

GSUSA has revamped the Cookie Activity Pin! Beginning the 2020 Cookie Program, girls can earn a different pin per program level. The new Entrepreneur Family Pins requirements emphasize girls learning the Five Skills of Product Programming with the support of their family.

Visit www.girlscoutcookies.org/entrepreneurfamily for details.

◊ Discuss individual goals with each girl◊ Returning Girls? Compare each girl’s goal with last year’s sales information. Is the girl’s goal reasonable?

Ask the girl about her plan to reach the goal. ◊ New Girls? Consider the average package sold per girl in the chart below and plan out how she might

reach that girl. ◊ Talk with the parent/guardian and make sure they are on board with the girl goals. ◊ Have fun!

Setting Girl Goals

Setting Troop Goals

NEW! Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin

Before the Program

*Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops may opt out of Recognitions and GS Dough for an additional $0.10 per package sold, bringing this total to $0.90 in proceeds per package.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

PGA* by Program Level

Daisy: 175 pkgs Brownie:

218 pkgs

Junior: 241 pkgs

Cadette: 327 pkgs

Senior: 299 pkgs

Ambassador:245 pkgs

*Per Girl Average (in packages)

10

Rewards

Online PatchGirls who sell 12+ packages through Smart Cookies Direct Ship will earn the Online Patch.

C/S/A Opt-Out OptionFull Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Troops can choose to opt out of prizes and earn an extra $.10 per box sold. Every girl in the troop must vote and agree on opting out! Girls will earn patches as outlined in the Girl Reward Plan but they will not earn any prizes or GS Dough. Troops who choose this option will have to make this choice in Smart Cookies. Please refer to the Smart Cookies Guide on how to make this choice.

Free Week of CampGirls who sell 1,000+ packages can choose a free week of any GSCTX camp. Girls who choose this option must understand that they will not earn GS Dough including the GS Dough at level 800+. Remind girls that GS Dough is non-cumulative. If a girl makes it to the 1,000+ level, her options are either $350 in GS Dough and the prizes before the level OR Free Week of Camp and prizes below excluding GS Dough.

CAMP FILLS UP FAST! Girls must reserve their spot and pay their deposit in February of each year to guarantee placement in a camp session. ◊ YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT for the Free Week of Camp certificate to register for a camp session!◊ The GSCTX Camp Guide will be released during February 2020. ◊ The $50.00 deposit will be refunded on a rolling basis beginning April 1 of each year. ◊ Girl Scout Dough cannot be used to pay a camp deposit.◊ All 1,000+ Seller communication will be through the email associated with your Girl Scout in MyGS. Please check your MyGS account by

March 1 to ensure we have your current email address.

Day Trip for Two AND Chase Your Adventures Duffel BagGirls who sell 1250+ packages can earn a Chase Your Adventures Duffel Bag AND two tickets to a theme park of their choice. Their options are:

* Fiesta Texas (San Antonio)* Six Flags over Texas (Arlington) * Schlitterbahn

Girl Scout DoughGirls can earn GS Dough to help pay for many Girl Scout activities. GS Dough can be spent on:

* GSUSA Destination Trip* GSCTX Resident Camp* GSCTX shop items (in-person or phone orders only)* GSCTX sponsored trips* GSCTX programs and events in eBiz* Troop Trips**

**Troop trips must occur in the calendar year that the dough was earned. For more information about GS Dough, expiration date and carrying funds over visit www.gsctx.org/cookies.

Before the Program

Goal Getter PatchGirls who activate their Smart Cookies account and set a sales goal in Smart Cookies by11:59 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 will earn this patch!

NEW: Give the gift of campership!

GSCTX believes that all Girl Scouts should experience camp. For ever 1,500 packages you

sell over 3,500 packages, GSCTX will donate the average camp program rate to our campership fund so that we can send more girls to camp in

Summer 2020! This is a great opportunity for you to help fellow Girl Scouts experience the world of

Girl Scout Camp.

11

Family Cookie Meeting

Before the Program

Sample Parent Meeting Agenda

After you meet as a troop and discuss troop and girl goals it is important to also have a meeting with parent/guardians. ◊ Set a date and time to invite all parents/guardians in the troop ◊ Prepare a hand-out or email that outlines the procedures and dates that best fit your schedule. For example:

* When is the Parent/Guardian Agreement form and initial order due? During meeting?* When and where will cookies be passed out?* What hours can they contact you? What hours can they NOT contact you? * When and to whom should they turn in money?

◊ Are you allowing returns to the troop? If so, do it before the first two weeks of the program. (Note: GSCTX does not allow cookie returns by troops or Service Units to the council.)

◊ Prepare fun activities for the meeting. (Check out the ABC Cookies website, www.abcsmartcookies.com, for activity ideas.)

The following must be included in your training. Print (preferred) or electronically distribute the 2020 Parent Guide to all parent(s)/guardian(s).

For Parents: * Parent Guardian Responsibility Agreement (sign and turn in to TCC) * Girl registration (Girls will not show up in Smart Cookies if they are not registered) * Girl safety * Booth etiquette and set up * Prices: Gluten Free is $5, all other varieties are $4* Pick up cookies: where __________________ dates _______________ times ________________* Parents bring money collected: To who:_______________ when: _____________ where: ____________* Credit Card readers (if you participate)

For Girls* Information about the nine varieties of cookies – make sure girls know their cookies!* Goal Setting – Plan to set goals at the individual girl level and the troop level* Cost of cookies, booth rules, and procedures* Information about Operation Cookie (if you participate) * Rewards

Have fun!

Tip: Set parent deadlines earlier than your deadline to

turn in paperwork to your Service Unit.

12

Safety Guidelines

Program Procedures

Before the Program

As a troop go over safety guidelines with your girls. Discuss the dos and don’ts during the cookie program and the best way to practice safety while having fun during the program.

◊ Girls must observe the buddy system at all times. ◊ Adult(s) must be present at booths and door-to-door sales. ◊ Drive-thru booth locations along freeway access roads, major thoroughfares, mall parking lots and other high-traffic

areas are not suitable Cookie Booth locations.◊ Girls may not approach a vehicle to offer cookies for sale in any circumstances.◊ Girls may not go door-to-door in a residential apartment complex unless they are accompanied by an adult and

have the specific permission of the property manager.◊ Participating adults, handling and distributing cookie product and money collections, must be registered. This

includes delivery.◊ Participating adults chaperoning or supervising Girl Scouts other than their own child must be registered and have

a Criminal Background Check on file at Council.◊ All other guidelines can be found in the Volunteer Essentials or GSUSA Safety Wise materials or the Booth Sale

guidelines and rules (Pages 17-18 of this manual)

◊ All rules in the Safety Checkpoints and as outlined in Volunteer Essentials, and in the SUCM and TCC manuals MUST be followed.

◊ Girls must be a registered member of Girl Scouts of Central Texas and have a current Parent/Guardian Permission Form on file to be eligible to sell Girl Scout Cookies in the Central Texas area.

◊ Girls must be personally involved in all sales and transactions with their customers.

◊ Girls and troops are prohibited from selling or taking orders for Girl Scout cookies prior to January 15, 2020. Individuals, members or non-members, may not take orders from co-workers, neighbors or other acquaintances prior to the beginning of the program.

◊ Individuals, members or non-members, may not sell cookies or offer cookies for sale at any price other than the price set by the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.

◊ Individuals, members or non-members, may not violate any policy of Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, nor any federal, state or local ordinance/law when selling Girl Scout cookies.

13

Instructions for Individually Registered Members (Juliettes)

Before the Program

Individually Registered Members (IRMs) are Girl Scouts that are not attached to a troop. IRMs may participate in the Cookie Program.◊ IRM may not directly receive any proceeds generated by the program because no individual girl can profit from Product

Programs.◊ IRM can choose to participate in the program by connecting with another troop (preferred) or the Service Unit for the

duration of the program.◊ All proceeds generated belong to the Service Unit, not the IRM.

If an Independently Registered Member participates in the program by connecting with a troop1. The IRM may decide to take part in troop activities with

the sponsoring troop. Proceeds generated from the IRM’s sales would become part of that troop’s budget and she will be treated like a member of the troop for such activities.

2. The IRM may choose not participate in any activity with the troop.

3. Proceeds generated will be split evenly among all participating girls; any IRM proceeds will be turned over to the SU.

4. At no time should proceeds be accounted for by girl.

If an Independently Registered Member participates in the program through the SUCM1. Please use the five digit IRM troop number, if you do not

know it email Products@gsctx.org. 2. The parent/guardian of the IRM will turn in all money to

the SUCM or IRM Coordinator who will deposit the funds in the SU account.

3. The SU will need to submit an ACH form for the IRM troop number. Council will draft the SU account for council portion due and leave the troop proceeds in the account.

4. The IRM wanting to use troop proceeds earned may apply in writing to the SU Director for financial assistance for Girl Scout events, camp and Destinations trips

5. At no time should proceeds be accounted for by girl.

Troop Cookie Coordinator or SUCM will procure and assign booths to the IRMs under their leadership. IRMs will follow ALL cookie booth rules as do traditional troops. IRMs earn the same recognitions as girls in traditional

troops (including Girl Scout Dough).

14

Initial Order Instructions

Before the Program

It is important that all troops place an initial order and not rely on cookie cupboards for large volume pickups. To help troops determine their initial order inventory, we have a Recommended Order by Variety for troops and ABC has an initial order calculator on their website (http://www.abcsmartcookies.com/volunteer/cookie_calc.php).

◊ Each girl must have a completed and signed Parent/Guardian Agreement Form turned in to you◊ Girls will be automatically uploaded if they are registered for the 2019-2020 year◊ Girl missing? Let your Service Unit know so that they can report it to Product Programs◊ Log on to Smart Cookies ◊ For more information on entering initial orders in Smart Cookies, refer to Smart Cookies User Guide

Variety % MixThanks-A-Lot 7%Girl Scout S’mores 8%Lemonades 10%Shortbread 7%Thin Mints 27%Peanut Butter Patties 13%Caramel deLites 21%Peanut Butter Sandwich 7%

75% of last year’s sale OR 75% of this year’s goalExample: Troop sold 381 packages last year (ly): 381 (ly) X 0.75 = 285.75 packages in the initial order for this year ◊ Troops order in CASES ◊ PACKAGES are assigned to girls ◊ The initial order rounds UP to the total number of cases at the bottom

The first two ACH debits are 50% of the initial order.

To calculate:

(# of packages X selling price) - (# of packages X troop profit) = amount due council /2= ACH amount

(Don’t forget to account for the different price point for the Caramel Chocolate Chip at $5! Troop profit is still $.50/box for Gluten-free.)

Suggested Initial Order

MostsalesaremadewithinthefirstTWOWEEKSofthecookieprogram.Remembertosetupaweeklycheck-in with parents to turn in money. Communication is key!

A Note Regarding Your Initial Order

Initial Order is due Friday, December 6 by 11:59 PM!

Please note when placing your initial order that Smart Cookies will automatically round up to the next full case. There are 12 packages per case.

Example: If you order 8 Shortbread on behalf of Susie Girl-Scout, Smart Cookies will add 4 packages to make 12 packages (1 full case).

15

Delivery

Initial order deliveries will begin on January 7th and run through January 14th. Depending on your service unit your troop may pick up at a Mega Drop location OR at a location set by your SUCM on a specific date and time. Your SUCM set location can be a volunteer house, POD location or even a church parking lot. Contact your SUCM for specific information regarding your initial order delivery.

How many cases will fit in my vehicle?Compact 25Hatchback or small wagon 30-35Mid-size sedan 40-50SUV (depending on model) 55-75Full-size wagon 75-80Minivan w/seats 75-85Minivan w/o seats 90-100Pickup (full bed) 90-100Full-size van w/ seats 150Full-size van w/o seats 200

What is a Mega Drop?

Mega Drops are large volunteer-staffed drive-thru type events during which troops pick up cookies. Located in N. Austin, S. Austin, and Killeen. Scheduled dates are January 10-11, 2020.

Troops that pick up at Mega Drop will need to sign up in Smart Cookies for a desired pick up time once initial order has been submitted. For step-by-step instructions on how to sign up, refer to the Smart Cookies User Guide.

If your troop does not select a pick up time in Smart Cookies by the deadline date, a time will be assigned to your troop and no changes will be allowed.

Before the Program

16

Door-to-Door and Wagon Sales

Online Marketing and Social Media

Girls can begin to go door to door and take orders on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Cookies must be sold for $4.00 per package. Caramel Chocolate Chip must be sold for $5.00. Only 2020 cookies may be sold!

◊ Girls can go door-to-door with a wagon in any residential neighborhood in the GSCTX sales area. “Residential area” does not include commercial areas, common areas such as parks or festivals, gun shows, apartment complexes, senior centers, or any other group living situation.

◊ Permission must be granted by the property manager to sell door-to-door at any apartment complex, senior center, or any other group living situation.

◊ Wagon sales/door-to-door sales may be conducted in commercial areas where there are not pre-existing Service Unit or Council booths AND with prior Service Unit permission (required).

◊ If you take a wagon to a common area such as parks or festivals, you must acquire proper vendor or city permissions before selling in that area.

◊ Wagon sales are inherently mobile. Stopping a wagon or other mobile sales device for a prolonged period turns your mobile sale into a booth and it becomes subject to the Service Unit booth rules.

◊ Sales may occur in the front yard of a Girl Scout’s private residence. If it is a private dwelling that requires permission for selling, permission must be granted by the appropriate administrative body. All Home Owners Association rules for the girl’s neighborhood must be followed during the program.

Girls can use electronic marketing and social media to gather sale commitments from family, friends, and previous customers as long as they are practicing safe online marketing and following GSUSA guidelines. Girls should fill out the GSUSA Online Safety Pledge, located at: http://www.girlscouts.org/help/internet_safety_pledge.asp.

Girls who are 13 or older may use their own social media sites to market cookies.◊ Girls should only use their first name and troop number when advertising on social media. ◊ No addresses and no phone numbers of girls should be used.◊ Refrain from using PayPal, Venmo, eBay, Amazon.com, or other similar sites to collect payments. ◊ Girls may not market on any public facing site. This includes private or closed group pages (see below.)◊ Per GSUSA and for safety reasons, neither parents nor girls may sell cookies via Facebook Marketplace, Facebook

Buy/Sell/Trade Groups or Pages, neighborhood pages (i.e. Nextdoor), sites such as Craislist, Offer Up, or any other site deemed inappropriate by GSCTX.

◊ Girls under the age of 13 may use their parent’s social media to advertise cookies with parent supervision. Parents – please allow the girls to help you! Our cookie program is intended for girls to learn program skills.

During the Sale

17

Booth Sale Guidelines and Rules

If problems arise during the booth sale, handletheminadignified,courteous

manner. If the problem cannot be resolved between the parties, please

contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager.

During the Program

Don’ts of Booth Sales

Girl Staffing

Cleanup and General Information

Booth SetupGirl Scouts booths may only occur from January 18- February 23

◊ Booths may ONLY be set up by the GSCTX, Service Unit Booth or Service Unit Cookie Manager – no one else may make arrangements with a business to set up a booth. If you have information about a possible booth please turn it over to the Service Unit Booth/Cookie Manager.

◊ For equitability of all girls, private booths are not allowed. This includes setting up on the side walk along any road. If a business has a booth to offer it must be shared with the whole service unit or it may not be utilized as a booth. As a thank you to the troop that brought the booth in, they may have one free booth slot at that location.

◊ If a booth is set up on the property of an organization (social club, church, etc.), all Girl Scouts who are members of that organization should be invited to participate in that booth. These booths are not as high volume as normal commercial booths, so they do not need to be opened up to the entire service unit.

◊ Per GSUSA, cookie booths may not be set up in front of businesses that girls cannot legally patronize

◊ Cookie booths cannot be operated without the direct involvement of a Girl Scout. A booth staffed only by adult volunteers is contrary to the mission of the Cookie Program goals.

◊ Cookie displays at a business are not allowed, it is contrary to the mission of the Cookie Program.

◊ Per GSUSA, Girl Scouts may not advertise on public-facing sites (Facebook Groups, neighborhood groups/apps, buy/sell/trade sites, etc. Promoting sales via Facebook profile page (set to “Friends Only”) is okay.

◊ Count your cookies before you start the booth - and again at the end of the booth.

◊ It is recommended that phones be on silent or turned off during the booth.

◊ Be on time for your booth. Be ready to leave when your booth time is over so the other troop does not have to wait for you to pack up.

◊ If a girl or adult requests to use a chair, they should make a written request to their SUCM.

◊ Be sure to remove empty packages and other debris from the locations when you leave. Do not use the receptacles at the booth site.

◊ Be sure to have an adequate supply of currency to make change. Do not approach a business for change.

◊ After the booth sale, adults or troop leaders should work together with the girls to evaluate the booth sale.

◊ Drive through booths are not allowed for the safety of the girls. ◊ Girls are not to approach vehicles under any circumstance◊ No food/eating while at a booth. This includes adults. Nonalcoholic

drinks are permitted as long as they are kept under or behind the table. We recommend closed containers. Clean up all spills.

◊ No tagalongs or friends at booths. This includes pets.◊ Don’t count your money while at the booth. Do it only in the privacy

of your vehicle or at home.◊ Do not park directly in front of a store. These spots are for store

customers.

◊ Booths should be staffed with 2 girls and 2 adults with the following exceptions:* There can be 2 Daisies, 2 Cookie Captains (or mentors) and 2 adults at one booth. * We suggest 1 Daisy, 1 Mentor, and 2 adults. * There can be 1 Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador with 1 adult present if the service unit has enough booths for this.

◊ Daisies should partner up with a mentor troop for booth sales. No more than 2 Daisies at a booth at a time and no more than one (1) hour for each booth.

◊ If one of the two girls scheduled for a booth can’t come because she is ill, all attempts should be made by that girl’s parent to contact the Troop leader to find a replacement. If the troop leader cannot find a replacement, the girl can work with her parent at that booth if she is a Junior or older.

◊ Be sure to take with you: Permission slips for the girls (if necessary), emergency medical information for the girls and adults, a first aid kit, water, a table, and displays.

◊ Dress for the weather! Don’t forget hats and gloves! Not all booths will allow you to sell inside.

◊ The adults are ultimately responsible for the distribution of cookies and collection of money.

◊ All booth chaperones must be registered with a current CBC on file with GSCTX.

◊ Each Girl Scout who takes part in a booth sale must always wear her Girl Scout Membership pin and she should wear her Girl Scout uniform or other Girl Scout clothing that identifies her as a Girl Scout.

◊ Smile, be polite, hold a door if need be. Say “Thank you” to each and every customer regardless if they buy.

◊ Always ask customers as they LEAVE the business, not going in!◊ So long as girls/chaperones follow all booth rules in this manual, two

parents or two dads may chaperone their own Girl Scouts at a cookie booth.

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Girl Scout Daisies at Cookie Booths

Re-Order Pickup from Your Service Unit

Re-ordering More Cases from Your Service Unit

Adding Girls Late to the Cookie Program

Daisies and Mentors: The Logistics

Distributing Cookies to Girls in Your Troop

◊ Service Units will not distribute booths directly to Girl Scout Daisy Troops. Girl Scout Daisy Troops will partner up with their mentor troop or Cookie Captains for their booth sale.

◊ We recommend that Service Units distribute the booths to Cookie Captains and have the Daisies bring cookies from their own troop cupboard. ◊ Girl Scout Daisies should participate for no more than one (1) hour at each individual booth. For first year Daisies, we recommend time slots of

half an hour per girl, per booth.

◊ Check that the girl is registered ◊ Have a goal setting meeting with girl and parent◊ Parents will sign Parent/Guardian Agreement Form and give you

their order

◊ If there aren’t any extra cookies in the initial order, tell parents to wait for the first round of re-orders.

◊ Contact products@gsctx.org for any missing girls in Smart Cookies

◊ Your Service Unit will give you a schedule of when reorders are due◊ Not all Service Units have re-orders. ◊ Smaller service units will sometimes only have initial order.

◊ Check with your SUCM to find out if they allow re-orders ◊ For more information on how to place a reorder, refer to the Smart

Cookies User Guide.

□ Count the cookies □ Sign a receipt: SUCM and you each get a copy □ Some SU’s require proof of money deposited before they will check out more cookies

When picking up cookies from your SUCM...

◊ Schedule a date and time for pick-up ◊ Sort the cookies by girl ◊ Prepare a receipt for each girl ◊ When the parent guardian gets there, both of you should

count the cookies

◊ Give a receipt for cookies given out and money turned in (thiswillprotectyoufinancially)

◊ Always give receipts! Do not pass out more cookies to a parent until money has been turned in for the cookies they currently have checked out. This will ensure you have enough money to meet ACH deadlines.

◊ Booth managers could also staff booths with one Captain or Mentor and one Daisy.

◊ Some service units have found that Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassadors in their area do not want to mentor Daisies. If you are having trouble finding older girls to mentor, consider giving troops that mentor an incentive such as one extra booth draw, first pick during distribution, etc.

◊ Your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) and Service Unit Director (SUD) should collaborate to match mentors with Daisies.

◊ Email products@gsctx.org if you cannot find a Cookie Captain in your Service Unit.

◊ If a Girl Scout is helping at a booth sale, she should get equal credit for the sales at that booth. This also applies to mentors who are helping Daisies sell. Therefore, when two Daisies and two mentors are selling together, the sales should be split four ways during the hour that the Daisies participated.

◊ EXAMPLE: At a booth, there are two Cadette mentors and two Daisies. The mentors already have cookies at the booth. The Daisies help them sell 40 packages in an hour. Each girl would get credit for selling 10 packages. At the end of the booth sale, the Daisy troop would give the Cadette troop 20 packages from their own stock (bring to booth, but keep separate from Cadette troop stock) to replenish the Cadette troop’s supply.

During the Sale

19

Managing Troop Cookie Inventory

Money Management

Your responsibilities as the Troop Cookie Coordinator (TCC) during the program are to order, pick up, distribute, and keep accurate records and receipts of all cookies in and out of the troop. You should also keep accurate documentation and provide receipts for all cookie money received and track and data enter troop cookies in Smart Cookies.

All troop cookie inventory is the financial responsibility of the troop. To maximize your girls’ sales and to minimize the risk of excess cookie inventory at the end of the program, we recommend that your troop follow some best practices.

Deposit all money for upcoming ACH drafts bytheWednesdayBEFOREeachdraft!

Depositing money day-of the ACH will result in a bounced ACH and a loss of your Cookie

Bonus.During the Program

Keep Good Records: Receipts - Receipts - Receipts!Collect Money from Families

Maintain a Weekly Schedule with Families Manage Inventory among Girls

You must ensure that each family is at least 50% paid prior to distributing additional cookies to them.

Issue receipts every time families pick up or return cookie or turn in money. Count packages together, have the parent/guardian sign the completed receipt (girls cannot sign), and give them a copy. Remind parent/guardians that cookie packages equal money. Each box is equal to $4 (Caramel Chocolate Chip are equal to $5). Giving a parent a case of cookies is like giving a parent $48 ($60 for Caramel Chocolate Chip). Do not mark cookie trades on one receipt!

An important part of troop inventory management is knowing how many unsold cookie packages are within your girls families. This is extremely important as the sale progresses so that you are able to transfer any unsold inventory among girls rather than ordering more from the cupboard. You should only place an order to the cupboard when you have determined that the troop, as a whole, does not have enough inventory.

Establish a weekly communication schedule with your families. This will allow you to set expectations with families and be more organized throughout the sale. Make sure your schedule includes:

* Parent/guardian order due dates* Parent/guardian pick up due dates* Money turn in due date (do not give out more cookies to girls without parent/guardian turning in money for cookies already checked out).

Decrease ACH Amount Request

Credit Cards

Accepting Checks◊ Checks must be made payable to GSCTX Troop #XXXXX◊ No Temporary checks allowed◊ Checks must have telephone number and driver’s license number

of issuer on check◊ Cannot be written for less than $16 or more than $100

Troops can accept credit card payments for troop cookie activities using Square reader for their smart phone. GSCTX will reimburse fees of $5 or more of total product sales in each Fall Sale and/or Cookie Sale. There is no box minimum for credit card payments.

For more information, refer to our Credit Card Instructions for Fall Product and Cookie Sale manual by going to www.gsctx.org “forms” and selecting ‘Cookie Product Sales’ under options.

If your troop will not have enough money in their bank account for an ACH withdrawal, fill out a Discrepancy form to reduce the ACH by the amount that is missing. ACH’s will only be reduced if the reason for the reduction is backed up by the documentation, receipts and form is received by due date. Any troop ACH that bounces due to insufficient funds will result in a loss of troop bonus eligibility. For more information refer to the 2019-20 Product Program Banking Procedure Manual.

Due Date Action ItemWednesday, January 15, 2020 Cookie Program beginsMonday, January 27, 2020 Discrepancy/Collection Form due to

products@gsctx.orgFriday, January 31, 2020 1st ACH Draft (50% of Initial Order)

Friday, February 7, 2020 Re-draft of any bounced ACH draftsMonday, February 10, 2020 Discrepancy/Collection Form due to

products@gsctx.orgFriday, February 14, 2020 2nd ACH Draft (50% of Initial Order)

Friday, February 22, 2020 Re-draft of any bounced ACH draftsMonday, March 2, 2020 Collection Form due to

products@gsctx.org for parent debt Friday, March 13, 2020 FINAL ACH for all re-ordersFriday, March 20, 2020 Re-draft of any bounced ACH drafts

Reminder: GSCTX does not accept any returns for cookies ordered.

20

Special Programs

Secret Shoppers

Girl Reward Orders

During the Sale

Operation Cookie Rewards

Operation Cookie Donations Operation Cookie Pack

15+ Packages 30+ Packages

Smart Cookies automatically calculates girl rewards based on the total packages allocated to the girl. Total packages allocated to all girls (excluding Virtul Cookie Share) should match the total troop inventory.

Girls should indicate their reward choices to you based on the reward fliers. Reward order is due Monday, March 2, 2020 by 11:59 pm. We do not guarantee specific reward items after this date. For more information on how to place a reward order, refer to the Smart Cookies User Guide.

Throughout the Cookie Program, GSCTX staff and members of the community known as Secret Shoppers will go out and secret shop cookie booths all over Central Texas. ◊ Each Secret Shopper will be given certificates worth 12 packages of cookies to be given to girls at booths.◊ A secret shop can happen at any booth in GSCTX. ◊ Booths on the Cookie Locator are more likely to be secret shopped.

Girls can earn a Secret Shopper certificate by following all booth rules, knowing their cookie varieties, and having a cookie program goal! Each girl at the booth that is secret shopped will write their name on a certificate that the TCC should turn into the SUCM at the end of the program. The SUCM will enter in the certificate and give credit to the girl before rewards are submitted. Note: This is a girl incentive. Troops do not earn troop proceeds, a CookieBonus, or a Super Troop Award bonus on Secret Shopper boxes.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas loves to give back to the community and our Cookie Program is a great opportunity to do that. We offer one Gift of Caring Program--Operation Cookie. Troops may choose whether or not to participate in the program.

◊ Money donations to provide cookies for members of the United States Military and veterans

◊ Money will be collected at cookie booths and in person for the Operation Cookie

◊ Funds collected will be deposited to the troop account ◊ Sales will be recorded in Smart Cookies under the Virtual Cookie

Share tab.◊ Cookies will add to the girl’s total sales ◊ Cookies will be pulled from the GSCTX-contracted warehouse at

the end of the program for the military to ensure that they are not melted, opened, or past expiration.

◊ Girls and volunteers pack care packages for the military ◊ Care packages are created with donations from a care package

drive at the end of the program◊ GSCTX facilitates the cookies that will be packed. Girls may not

bring their own cookies to the event.◊ March 7, 2020 (Saturday)

Girls who sell 30+ packages for Operation Cookie will receive limited edition cookie booth Charm-It!

charm. Actual color and style may vary.

Girls who sells 15+ packages for

Operation Cookie will receive the “Cookie

Share Patch.”

Troops earn a base profit of $.50 per box sold. Troops who are eligible can also earn a Troop Bonus of $3.00 per case which is $.25 per box.

□ Troop Cookie Coordinator attended training. □ All three ACH drafts must clear the bank, no NSF on any draft. (Note: Depositing money day of ACH draft will result in a bounced ACH

and loss of Cookie Bonus.) □ No returns allowed. - NOTE: We are continuing our zero return policy and will not accept returned cookies from troops or Service Units. □ Troop must turn in a complete and legible (if handwritten) Troop Financial Report to

GSCTX by May 1, 2020. * If Financial Report needs to be corrected troops must submit a corrected report by July 1, 2020 for troop to still receive bonus.

□ Troops will only earn a bonus for the packages of cookies paid for. If a troop has a parent debt, those packages will not count towards bonus. Troops do not earn a bonus on Secret Shopper boxes.* For example: Troop sold 500 packages, but parent owes for 50 packages and we have a Collection Form on file. Troop will earn a bonus on 450 packages instead of 500.

21

Troop Cookie Bonus

Cookie Close Out

After the Program

After the cookie sale ends, troops must complete a few items to officially close out the season. All items must be completed by March 2, 2020 for troop to be eligible for their Troop Cookie Bonus.

□ Balance Smart Cookies to zero so that all cookies taken in by troop are allocated to girls - You should NOT have negative inventory!! □ Submit Girl Reward order by 11:59pm March 2nd. □ Deposit all collected money into troop bank account □ Submit Parent/Guardian permission forms for any girl added late to the SUCM □ Submit Credit Card Reimbursement form online (Remember: Only fees of $5 or more will be reimbursed!)

□ All Collection forms should already be turned in to products@gsctx.org □ Complete the annual Troop Cookie Coordinator Survey sent out by GSCTX

Want to earn an additional $.05/package? Become a Super Troop!Details on the GSCTX website.

Tips for Balancing Smart Cookies

Pull your Troop On-Hand Inventory Report and your Troop Balance Summary. (Both can be found under the Reports tab.) If both are at zero, you’re all good to go!

If your Troop On-Hand Inventory Report shows a positive or negative number, it’s time to balance Smart Cookies!

1. Compare your handwritten receipts to all G2G, G2T, and T2G transfers. Most inventory discrepancies are due to mis-entered receipt data.2. Confirm that you did not transfer too many Gluten-Free cookies. If your Troop Balance Summary shows a balance owed, but your Troop On-

Hand Inventory is at zero, it’s usually because you accidentally transferred too many gluten free cookies to/from a girl/troop.3. Still struggling? Check your emails or text messages from troop members’ parents. The Cookie Program is hectic, so it’s not entirely

impossible that you have agreed upon a G2G, G2T, or T2G transfer via email or text. (Note: You should always write receipts so you don’t have to do Step 3! When you do, all of your cookie transfer documentation is in ONE place.)

4. Still struggling? Reach out to your Service Unit Cookie Manager! They can offer advice, assist with certain transfers (i.e. T2T), and can escalate one-off issues to GSCTX.

22

2020 Girl Recognitions

After the Sale