Troop Cookie Coordinator (TCC): _______________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Troop Leader: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Dates to Remember

Friday, January 5Service Unit Cookie Rally

Saturday, January 6Cookie Order Taking Begins!

Tuesday, January 23Girls’ Initial Orders Due to Troop

February 16 - 18Pick Up Initial Order from TCC

Sunday, February 18Booth Sales Begin

Sunday, March 25Cookie Program Ends

Monday, March 26Girls’ Final Payments Due to Troop

May/JuneGirl Patches and Rewards Distributed by Troop

2018 Girl Scout Cookie ProgramFamily Guide

Contents and Resources

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Dates and Troop Contact Cover

Contents and Resources 2

Cookie Time is Family Time 3

The Girl Scout Cookie Program 4

Safety Tips 5

Top Selling Tips 6

Gift of Caring 7

Digital Cookie 4.0 8

Cookie Pro 2018 Contest 9

Top Seller Rewards 10

Super Seller Rewards 11

Money Matters, Booths and More 12

For more information on the Girl Scout Cookie Program please visit:

• gsccc.org/Cookie-Program.aspx

• girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies.html

• littlebrowniebakers.com/

• digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/

Little Brownie Bakers has been baking Girl Scout Cookies® for over 35 years. They are licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to provide eight varieties of cookies for the annual Cookie Sale including: Samoas, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, and Trefoils.

Our mission is to provide cookies and support services of the highest quality to Girl Scout Councils so that the annual Cookie Activity helps build a wide range of life skills for girls and generates income for troops and councils. Through our daily actions, we demonstrate our commitment to the principles of quality, integrity, respectfulness and innovation.

Our daily goal is to demonstrate at all levels of customer contact that we are much more than just high quality cookies. We want to provide to each of our Highly Valued Girl Scout Council Customers turnkey services and solutions that create the “Little Brownie Experience.”

For product inquiries or concerns 1-800-962-1718.

Welcome to the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world!

It’s been in place for more than 100 years! That’s a remarkable history, and it points to a bright future for your Girl Scout—one you both can look forward to.

Your Girl Scout will have the opportunity to take the lead in running her own cookie business and realizing her own goals. She’ll gain skills and confidence—and do all kinds of extraordinary things—and you’ll be able to support her every step of the way.

Enjoy this year’s cookie season, and thank you for encouraging your girl to join in the fun!

Girls succeed when families get involved. You can support your girl by giving her love, guidance and inspiration. There are also some specific responsibilities you’ll need to assume to ensure your girl achieves her goals:• Help your Girl Scout set goals and coach her on how to sell.

• Make sure your Girl Scout does not take orders prior to the sale start date.

• Collect payment upon delivery, not before.

• Accept financial responsibility for all products and money received. Remember that products cannot be returned to the troop or Council once signed for.

• Turn over all funds to the Troop Cookie Volunteer.

Cookie Time is Family Time

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is more than fund-raising. Did you know the cookie program helps your girl succeed today and prepare for future success? With every box she sells, she builds on 5 essential leadership skills she can use for a lifetime:

1. Goal setting—as she sets cookie sale goals and makes a plan to reach them.

2. Decision-making—as she decides how her troop will spend the cookie money.

3. Money management—as she makes a budget, takes orders and handles customers’ money.

4. People skills—as she learns to talk and listen to all kinds of people while selling cookies.

5. Business ethics—as she is honest and responsible every step of the way.

The time, talents and support you give your girl by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program are extremely valuable. Thank you for helping her learn, grow and make a lasting impact on the world.

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Troops who are paid in full with no uncollected accounts will receive a bonus of $0.02 per box.

With RewardsTroop PGA* Selling Proceeds per Box

0-199 boxes $0.69

200-299 boxes $0.72

300+ boxes $0.75

Without RewardsTroop PGA* Selling Proceeds per Box

0-199 boxes $0.74

200-299 boxes $0.77

300+ boxes $0.80

*PGA = Per Girl Average

Troop Bonus

Troop Proceeds

REMEMBER

• Payment is collected when delivering cookies.

• Checks should be made payable to GSCCC.

• Opting out of rewards is a girl/troop led decision and is only available for Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes and Ambassadors.

• Troops may not be split for the purpose of rewards.

• Girls in troops that opt out of rewards are still eligible for all initial order rewards, cookie program patches, CEO and Camp Week reward levels.

Girl Scout Cookies are awesome for all kinds of reasons. They are delicious, and everybody seems to have a favorite flavor. Most important, they are part of a 100-year tradition that helps power girl success.

When a girl participates in the cookie program, she is exposed to unique experiences and learns essential life skills, her confidence soars and the leader in her begins to step up in powerful, everyday ways—when she raises her hand to speak up, when she says “yes” to a challenge or when she finds the silver lining in a bad day. Your support of her participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps make it all possible.

Cookie Prices

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The Girl Scout Cookie Program

Core Cookies - $4• Savannah Smiles• Trefoils• Do-Si-Dos• Samoas• Tagalongs• Thin Mints

Specialty Cookies - $5• Toffee-Tastics• S’mores

A Special Note - Social Media and Online Marketing • No girl, or adult acting on behalf of girl members, can collect money online for Girl Scout

products or a money-earning activity online. The exception to this is GSUSA-approved product sale programs.

• Girls/adults may only post about their participation in the online program on social media sites that allow them to restrict access to friends and family (e.g. Facebook), and not to social media sites open to anyone (e.g. Craigslist, yard sale sites, neighborhood sites Amazon or e-Bay).

• Girls/adults may post online to inform customers that they are selling and where they will be selling. Girls/adults cannot post to any online site where they will exchange money online for product sales.

Show Your Girl Scout Spirit - Wear your Girl Scout vest/sash; let’s show the world what a Girl Scout can do!

Buddy Up - Always use the buddy system. It’s not just safe, it’s more fun.

Be Streetwise - Become familiar with the areas and neighborhoods where you will be selling.

Partner with Adults - Adults must accompany Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors when they are taking orders, selling or delivering product. Girls in grades 6-12 must be supervised by an adult when selling door-to-door and must never sell alone.

Plan Ahead - Always have a plan for safeguarding money, and avoid walking around with large amounts of it or keeping it at home or school. Give proceeds to supervising adults, who are to deposit it as soon as possible.

Be Safe on the Road - Always follow safe pedestrian practices, especially when crossing at intersections or walking along roadways. Be aware of traffic when unloading product and passengers from vehicles.

Do Not Enter - Never enter the home or vehicle of a person when you are selling or making deliveries.

Protect Privacy - Girls’ names, addresses, and email addresses are to never be given out to customers. Protect customer privacy by not sharing their information.

Be Net Wise - Take the GSUSA Internet Safety Pledge before going online and follow the specific guidelines related to marketing online.

Sell in the Daytime - Sell only during daylight hours, unless accompanied by an adult.

Safety Tips for Girls and their Family

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Door-to-Door Sales Encourage girls to canvass their communitieswith buddies and adult partners, leaving no doorbell unrung!• Girls can take orders door-to-door at the beginning

of the cookie sale with their order cards.• Girls can sell door-to-door with cookies in hand.

After cookies are delivered, load up a wagon with cookies, make signs, and you are ready for a neighborhood walkabout.

Online SalesCustomers buy more cookies when girls sell online. By participating in Digital Cookie, girls can send cookie customers to their website to order and pay for their cookies online.

Social NetworkingOnline social networking sites are a great place for teens (13 and older with parental permission) to ask for cookie orders. Be sure girls follow the GSUSA safety guidelines for online marketing.

Cookie House PartyGirls who have big goals can ask friends, family members and all their favorite cookie customers to make big purchases. For planning resources and fun activity ideas, go to LittleBrownie.com.

Telephone SalesIt’s fast and easy to sell Girl Scout Cookies by phone.• Girls can review order cards from previous years

and contact these customers again.• Once cookies have been delivered, girls may want to

call customers, thank them for their orders and ask if they need additional cookies.

• Try text-a-thon. Girls may want to text their friends and family to let them know it’s cookie time and to ask for orders.

Workplace Sales• Girls can contact business owners or managers to

request permission to sell cookies at a workplace.• Girls can either make a quick “sales pitch” at a

staff meeting or make sales calls around the office, depending on the wishes of the business.

• Once employee sales are completed, the business may allow girls to leave an order card in a visible spot. Leave a note outlining your goals and plans for the cookie proceeds. An adult at work may oversee the card, but it’s the girl’s responsibility to fill all orders, write thank you notes and oversee delivery.

• Girls should establish a date and time to pick up the order card and deliver the cookies.

Booth SalesBooth sales help girls reach more customers. Booth sales are a great way to increase your success.Be sure to ask your troop cookie coordinator about available booth slots.

Top Selling Tips from Real Girl Scouts

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Making a World of Difference . . . One Cookie Box at a Time

For many years, Girl Scouts across the country have used Girl Scout Cookies to show their appreciation for men and women in uniform or to support those in need. Girls choose an organization they want to benefit and give customers the opportunity to purchase cookies as a donation.

For various reasons, some customers do not want to buy cookies for themselves. With Gift of Caring, they have a chance to give to others while supporting Girl Scouting at the same time.

Our Council is proud to announce that for the 2018 cookie season, the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia is our Gift of Caring agency. Cookies will be delivered to the USO who will then distribute the cookies to active duty or veterans of our armed services.

During the 2017 cookie season, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast donated over 21,000 boxes of cookies!

Girls have the opportunity to earn special Gift of Caring rewards to celebrate their success!

Gift of Caring Program

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12+ boxes• Gift of Caring Patch

60+ boxes• GSCCC Waterproof Cell Phone Pouch

108+ boxes• Admission to the 2018 Zoo Fest!• Participation in the Council cookie donation

to the USO.• Exclusive meet and greet with KC the sloth.

Digital Cookie 4.0

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Getting Started With the Digital Cookie Platform is Quick—and Easy! With the Digital Cookie platform, the Girl Scout Cookie Program you know and love is better than ever. Fun, easy-to-use tools help you superpower your sale and go beyond the booth with online and mobile channels that make it easy for cookie fans near and far to support your sale and ultimately—your success. Girls who used the platform in addition to traditional sales, sold more cookies and reached their goals faster—so amazing.

Plus, on your very own personalized cookie site, you get to play interactive games, watch videos, enjoy printable activities, take fun quizzes and more—all while taking your cookie sale to the next level.

Excited to jump in? Get movin’ in four easy steps with the Digital Order Card.

Cookie Pro 2018 Contest

Encourage her to step up today to show everyone how the world’slargest girl-led entrepreneurial program helped her be abarrier breakin’, challenge crushin’, lead takin’ cookie pro!

Unlock this awesome, limited-editionCookie Pro 2018 patch

Travel to NYC for anall-expenses-paidGirl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur Experience, where girls will talk business with GSUSA leaders and be recognized as a Top Cookie Pro 2018

Be featured on our iconicGirl Scout Cookie box

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Who can participate?Registered Girl Scout Cookie sellers from participating councils

How do girls enter?By completing their very own Cookie Pro Resume Survey online and submitting it along with a photo

Her cookie pro submission should include things like: Cookie badges she’s earned and skills she’s learned What she’s done or plans to do with her cookie earnings Best selling tips for crushing cookie sale goals like a PRO!

BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, GIRLS GET A CHANCE TO:

girlscouts.org/cookieproEntry details and official contest rules will be available September 1, 2017.

FUN FACT:200 million Girl Scout Cookie boxes are distributedeach year to more than 50 million cookie buyers!

The GIRL SCOUTS® name, mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design, are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA.

Entries accepted January 2, 2018, through April 30, 2018.One entry per girl from participating councils.

COOKIEPRO

Girl Scouts of the USA

2018

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Top Seller Rewards

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750+ BoxesSuper Seller Club*Girls earn points based on the number of boxes sold. These points are redeemable for AWESOME rewards that GIRLS get to choose! A list of rewards can be found on the following page!

* Girls that are in troops that opt out of receiving rewards do not qualify for Super Seller rewards.

1,000+ BoxesCookie Entrepreneur OfficerAll girls who sell 1,000+ boxes of cookies are invited to attend the CEO Bowling Blast on April 21, 2018 from 12-2 p.m. hosted by GSCCC CEO, Tracy Keller. Have lunch, and enjoy some bowling. Girls will also have access to billiard tables, air hockey, a photo booth and more!

1,500+ BoxesA Free* Week of Girl Scout Camp or a Lifetime MembershipGirls who sell 1,500+ boxes will be able to choose to spend one week at either a GSCCC resident or day camp during the summer of 2018. Graduating high school seniors only will have the option to choose a Girl Scout lifetime membership in lieu of a week of camp.

*Does not include the camp deposit to reserve your spot at camp.

Top 10 Council SellersLimo & BreakfastOur top sellers are rock stars and will be celebrated in VIP style! The girls will join our CEO, Tracy Keller for a limo ride and breakfast on April 21, 2018. The limo will pick-up all guests at 9 a.m. at A Place for Girls and drop-off girls at 12 p.m. for the CEO Bowling Blast.

108+ Gift of Caring BoxesZoo FestGirls who have achieved this big goal will receive free admission to the Zoo Fest event to be held on April 15, 2018, at the Norfolk Zoo. In addition, girls will have an exclusive behind the scenes meet and greet with KC the sloth!

Super Seller Club

Individual girls who sell 750+ boxes of cookies qualify to become a member of the Super Seller Club. Girls earn points based on the number of boxes sold and can spend their points on any combination of Super Seller rewards.

Girls will make their selection via survey in early April. Girls who do not respond to the survey will receive program credit as the default choice.

Girls in troops who opt out of receiving rewards do not qualify for the Super Seller Club. Actual rewards may vary.

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One Point• $25 Gift Card - Barnes & Nobles, iTunes,

Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Adventure Park or GSCCC (programs/shop).

• Lantern• Terrarium Kit

Two Points• Camp Chair• Rocket & Robot Kit• Deluxe Art Set

Three Points• WindPouch Lite Inflatable Hammock• Camp Stove• Inflatable Kayak (one person)

Eight Points• Bicycle - Beach Cruiser or Mountain Bike

Ten Points• HP Stream Laptop

Twelve Points• Apple Watch Series 1

Eighteen Points• Apple iPad Air 2

Four Points• Fire 8 HD Tablet• Three-piece Luggage Set• Ozobot 2.0 Coding Robot

Five Points• Roller Blades• Fuji Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera• Converse Sneakers - Design Your Own

Six Points• Telescope 80AZS

Did You Know?

Digital Cookie - Girl Delivery• All customers have the option to have a girl deliver their cookies.

• Check your email often, all girl delivery orders must be approved by an adult within ten days.

• If an order is not approved on time the customer’s second choice for delivery will be utilized. Unfortunately this could be cancellation.

• After accepting an order contact the customer to discuss delivery, keep in mind that some customers may have to wait a few weeks until your initial order is received in mid-February.

• You must request cookies from your troop to fill girl delivery orders. They will not be automatically notified.

Money Matters• Payment is collected when delivering cookies.

• Always request a receipt for cookies received and payments made to your troop.

• Turn in payments collected often, the safest place for money is in the bank.

• All final payments are due to the troop no later than March 26, 2018.

• Troops are required to complete an Uncollected Form for any caregiver who is not paid in full.

Booth Sale Basics• Booth sales begin February 18, 2018.

• Girls should wear their Girl Scout uniform or other Girl Scout attire.

• Siblings and friends (non-Girl Scouts) should not participate in booth sales.

• Remember that you are a guest at a place of business, and you are representing Girl Scouts. Please be friendly and helpful, considerate and caring as well as responsible for what you say and do.

• Booth sales continue through March 25, 2018; talk to your troop about how to sign-up for additional booths.

Booth Girl/Adult Ratios• Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadette booths must have at least two girls and

two adults; at least one of the adults must be a registered Girl Scout.

• Girl Scout Senior and Ambassador booths must have at least one girl and one adult; who must be a registered Girl Scout.

Credit Cards• It is a troop decision to accept credit card payments.

• Fees for accepting credit cards are the responsibility of the troop.

• All devices must be connected to the troop bank account.

• Adults only may use the credit card devices.

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