Cookie Troop Manual - Girl Scouts of Central and Western ...

Girl Scouts of Central and
Western Massachusetts
www.gscwm.org
800-462-9100 / 413-584-2602
prodprograms@gscwm.org
Service Unit# ______________________ Troop # _________
Service Unit Cookie Manager Contact:
Name______________________________________________
Phone______________________________________________
E-mail______________________________________________
Council Na

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Table of Contents
Learning + Earning = The Girl Scout Cookie Program 4-5
Online resources 5
Cookies Now – GSCWM 6
The Volunteer Cookie Team 7
Cookie Calendar 8
How the Cookie Crumbles 9
Training and resources 10
Goals and Goal Setting 11-12
Troop Training – parents and girls 13
Girl Rewards, Troop proceeds and Service Unit proceeds 14
A brief bit about the IRS, rewards and proceeds 15
Online marketing and safety 16
Top tips for helping girls sell 17
Booth Sales procedures, tips and how-to’s 18-23
Booth Sale parent/guardian permission slip 24
More top tips for helping girls sell 25
Cookie Program Technology 26
eBudde 27
GSCWM procedures 28-29
Handling Cookie Money 30
Receipt book instructions 31
ACH Instructions 32-33
Note page 34
Girl Rewards
Inside back cover
GREAT COOKIES doing a world of good

Learning + Earning =
The Girl Scout Cookie Program
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The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
One of the first things a girl asks when she becomes a Girl
Scout is, “Do I get to sell cookies?” And when you ask a girl
why she likes to sell cookies the first answer is most
often, “Because it’s fun!”
While girls have fun they are also gaining five important
life skills:
1. Goal Setting
2. Decision Making
3. Money Management
4. People Skills
5. Business Ethics
What’s just as important as the money raised through
Girl Scout Product Sales? Real skills and the confidence
they bring. To meet the needs of today’s girls we must
engage them in fun with purpose—and prepare them for
their futures.
Learning + Earning = The Girl Scout Cookie Program!
NEW GIRL SCOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY BADGES!
Complete instructions for earning these badges can be found in the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

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The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls develop five key business and leadership skills that last a lifetime:
1. Goal Setting----as she sets cookie sales goals individually and with her team, 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 team 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 sale. Her business ethics here
reinforce the Positive Values she is developing as a Girl Scout.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls
and our community. Through Girl Scout Cookies, girls are doing a World of Good!
The Girl Scout Cookie Activity Pin:
All girls who participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program are eligible to earn the annual
Cookie Activity Pin, which recognizes the ‘‘5 skills’’ learned and practiced during the
sale. Girls can collect a different colored pin every year to recognize growth in these 5
skill areas. Visit www.girlscouts.org for details.
Be sure to take advantage of the wealth of resources available to
guide you through a fun and successful Girl Scout Cookie Program.
eBudde
VIP eTraining
Cookie Club
Council Website
Little Brownie
Bakers
Girl Scouts of
the USA
Cookie Locator
Volunteer Blog
https://ebudde.LittleBrownie.com
(Or visit www.LittleBrownie.com for a link)
http://VIPeTraining.LittleBrownie.com/Lo
gin.aspx (Or visit www.LittleBrownie.com
for a link)
https://CookieClub.LittleBrownie.com
(Or visit www.LittleBrownie.com for a link)
www.gscwm.org
www.LittleBrownie.com (The website of
our official Girl Scout Cookie baker)
www.girlscouts.org
http://girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/
http://CookieLocator.LIttleBrownie.com
www.LittleBrownie.com
Your Command Center for managing the cookie sale. Order cookies,
track girl activity and order incentives. This is the online cookie
management system provided by our baker. All cookie transaction are
managed In eBudde.
Dynamic online volunteer cookie training available 24/7. This is where
you will find cookie training for your troop. Every troop is asked to
complete this training.
Tap into the marketing power of the internet when girls send online
order forms. Girls can track orders and goals online.
Visit our site to find procedures, forms, manuals and other helpful
information.
Find activities, marketing ideas and clip art to help girls prepare for and
learn from the GS Cookie Program.
Info on GS Cookie Program and national cookie badges and pins.
Help friends locate the closest cookie booth with this app.
Check out the new volunteer blog for exciting program resources.

COOKIES NOW!
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GSCWM implements a “direct cookie sale.” What does that mean? Simply put – girls get
cookies in their hands and sell them through door-to-door sales, booth sales, and other
creative marketing ways. We’ve seen “walkabouts” where troops canvas a
neighborhood, drive-through cookie booths at safe and highly-visible parking lots, or
even a mobile cookie wagon where troops decorate a parent’s vehicle and go “where
the crowds are”. Girls are limited only by their imagination!
For our 2013 Cookie Program girls will have cookies available from January 18
through March 3. This provides for seven weekends and six weeks of selling time.
Will girls still have order cards? Absolutely! The order card is a great tool for a girl to use
to sell cookies and to manage her sale. Girls can visit her parent’s office or take the card
to school or church and ask people to buy cookies from her. Then, she simply takes the
card home, fills the orders from the cookies the troop has and delivers them to her
customers as quickly as the next day! This eliminates customers ordering cookies and
then waiting 4-5 weeks to receive them and allows troops to collect, deposit, and use
funds quicker.
SO HOW DOES THIS WORK?
1. Prior to Dec 9 troops need to meet to decide their cookie plans and
cookie goals. Maybe your troop wants to buy every member the
Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting handbook? Maybe your troop is working
on a community service project and the girls want to donate $300
towards the project? Maybe each girl wants to earn a free week at
summer camp? The possibilities are endless but this is the time for
troops to make those plans. See goal setting section in this manual
for assistance with this process.
2. Troops will place an “initial order commitment” by December 9. We
are recommending that each troop place an initial commitment for
at least 100 boxes per girl member of the troop. Cookie cupboards
will be open for troops to order and pick-up more cookies
throughout the sale.
3. Cookies will be delivered to Service Units the week of January 12-18,
troops will arrange for their pick-up that week and girls can begin
selling with the cookies in hand on January 18.
4. While we are certain that girls will be able to sell all of the initial order
cookies, we recognize that troops may feel unsure without having
their girls’ confirmed initial orders. Full, unopened cases of cookies
can be returned to a local cupboard from your initial order
commitment through February 5.
5. Additional cookies are available at cookie cupboards located
through GSCWM . Troops will place a “pending” order in ebudde in
order to get more cookies from the cupboards.
Research
shows that
consumers
will purchase
more cookies
when they
know what
goal the girls
are trying to
achieve.
Just as girls set goals and troops
set goals, GSCWM sets a goal.
This year GSCWM’s goal is to
have every girl sell 125 boxes (or
more!) of Girl Scout cookies!
This will help GSCWM achieve
the plans for 2013!
Every girl and every troop needs
to set a goal that will allow them
to achieve their plans for 2013!
What’s your goal?
Set your goals! Know your goals! Share your goals!

the volunteer cookie team
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A successful GS Cookie Program depends on dedicated volunteers like you. Understanding everyone’s role on the
team insures a smooth running program.
Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM)
• Receives materials from Little Brownie Bakers, and assembles and distributes packets to each Troop Cookie Manager
• Input/update troop contact information in eBudde to activate troop accounts
• Reviews and submits the initial cookie and incentives order for the entire Service Unit
• Reviews data in eBudde for the entire Service Unit and submits final incentives order.
• Receives Girl Rewards items from Little Brownie Bakers and distributes to troops.
• Supports the Troop Cookie Managers as needed
Troop Leader (TL)
• Works with Troop Cookie Manager to schedule, plan and lead the family meeting
• Works with troop to set goals and plan cookie learning activities
(visit www.LittleBrownie.com for ideas)
• Works with Troop Cookie Manager to plan for troop’s participation in booth sales
• Submits completed ACH form to GSCWM
• Assists with cookie pickup, storage and distribution (if needed)
• Supports girls throughout the program to review goals and progress
• Supports Troop Cookie Manager with money collection and deposits as needed
Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
• Attends Cookie Training meeting and completes VIP eTraining on Little Brownies website.
• Works with Troop Leader to schedule, plan and lead the family meeting
• Assist Troop Leader with setting goals and planning cookie learning activities (visit www.LittleBrownie.com )
• Updates troop and girl settings in eBudde
• Sets up Cookie Club accounts
• Reviews booth sites in eBudde to assist Troop Leader with booth sales planning and scheduling
• Collects order cards, calculates totals, enters needed inventory in eBudde, and submits the troop initial cookie and initial
Girl Rewards order in eBudde
• Schedules cookie pick-ups from delivery site and makes plan for troop cookie inventory distribution, and any storage as
needed
• Collects money, issues receipts, and records payments in eBudde
• Deposits money and records deposits in eBudde
• Orders additional cookies as needed for booth sales and for troop as needed through eBudde
• Records girl sales data in eBudde
• Fills out end of sale paperwork as needed
• Receives Girl Rewards items from SUCM and distributes to girls
•
Service Unit #_______________________
Service Unit Cookie Manager
Name______________________________
Phone______________________________
Email_______________________________

cookie calendar
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Checklist of Important Dates
Service Unit Volunteer Cookie Manager receives cookie support
materials
October 8-12
Troop Cookie Management online training opens October 12
Troops complete online training no later than: November 30
Troops conduct goal setting with girls and host family meeting
Months of Oct - Nov
Troops place their “initial order commitment” in ebudde December 9
Troops submit completed ACH form for banking December 9
Service Unit hold Cookie Rallies
December or
January
Cookie Booth Scheduler opens – round one
January 4 at 7pm
National Girl Scout Cookie Sleepover January 12
Cookie Delivery to Service Units January 12-18
COOKIE SALE BEGINS – It’s “GO” Day! January 18
“Cookies Are Here” Booth Sale Weekend Contest January 18-20
Cookie Cupboards open for additional cookie pick-ups January 18 – March 3
Cookie Booth Scheduler opens – round two
February 1 at 7pm
Last day to returned full, unopened cases of cookies to a cookie
cupboard.
February 5
Opt-Out Forms Due to GSCWM – JR/CAD/SR/AMB only February 5
Reminder of 1 st ACH withdrawal emailed to troops with the amount of
withdrawal
February 7
Deadline to notify GSCWM of insufficient funds for ACH withdrawal
on February 12 and to establish alternative payment date
February 11
1 ACH withdrawal from troop bank account - $1.50/box
withdrawal
February 12
Cookie sale ends March 3
Troop Girl Rewards order due in eBudde March 5
Reminder of 2 nd ACH withdrawal emailed to troops with the amount
March 6
of withdrawal
Deadline to notify GSCWM of insufficient funds for ACH withdrawal
on March 11 and to establish alternative payment date
March 8
2 nd ACH withdrawal from troop bank account – balance due March 11
All troop paperwork submitted to Service Unit Cookie Manager March 15
All service unit cookie paperwork due to GSCWM March 20
Cookie Rewards shipped to service units April 15
Cookie Credit cards mailed directly to girls Week of May 13
Girl Scout Cookies are $4.00/box.

how the cookie crumbles
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Where does the money go?
One of the primary sources of income for Girl Scouting is the Girl
Scout Cookie Program.
The girls receive patches, rewards and cookie credits so that they can
earn something for themselves based on their participation. The troop
receives at least $0.55 cents per box and as much as $0.78. Troop
proceeds are used for activities the girls have chosen together, such as
trips, badge work or service projects.
There is an option for Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops to
opt out of receiving girl rewards and cookie credits in order to receive
higher troop proceeds.
When a girl raises funds for the GSCWM, she is learning to look beyond herself and her troop. The Council proceeds
support all girls throughout central and western Massachusetts’ communities. The expenses of conducting the
cookie sale (materials, etc.) are taken from the council portion. What else does the cookie program fund?
• The work involved in recruiting and training volunteer adults to work with girls.
• Financial assistance needed to make Girl Scouting available for all girls.
• Improve and maintain camp and other activity sites.
• Keep event/camp fees for all members to a minimum.
• Sponsor special events and projects.
• GSCWM supports 50 staff members. Staff are responsible for ensuring that GSCWM adhere to state and
federal laws for child safety, employment, clean water and sanitation, environmental, camping standards,
and privacy and protection of individual personal information.
Troop Proceeds:
Service Unit Proceeds:
Volunteer Recruitment and training, financial assistance for girls
and adults, camp and property maintenance, special events
and programs
Girl Rewards
Cost of Cookies
$0.55 - $0.73/box
$0.01 - $0.025/box
$2.11 – $2.36/box
$0.10/box
$0.98/box

training & resources
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Training
o Service Unit Cookie Managers will receive training in October
o Troop Cookie Managers and/or Troop Leaders take online VIP e training in October or November
o Service Teams hold cookie meeting in October or November to distribute materials, sample cookies and answer questions!
Online Training with Cookie VIP eTraining
Little Brownie Bakers provides online volunteer cookie training that allows more
flexibility for everyone’s busy lives. These online videos are available 24/7.
Available at www.littlebrownie.com -- click on the VIP eTraining link to
request access.
All troops are required to complete this online training.
Topics include:
o Program
o Marketing
o Technology
o Cookies
o Council
o eBudde Learning Modules
Little Brownie Bakers also provides pre-recorded webinars with training
and information regarding eBudde, the software used to manage your
Cookie Sale. These modules can be accessed from the eBudde site by
clicking on eLearning on the Menu bar.
Cookie Program Resources
Volunteer Guide -- Little Brownie provides volunteers with an inspiring, printed guide
to the Cookie Program, featuring highlights of the season and practical, clip-out
posters for use at cookie booths. Online copies are also available.
Online Resources -- Remember to go online and experience the full range of the
friendly program materials, such as age-appropriate activities that make it easy to
teach goal-setting, money-management and business lessons that last far beyond
Cookie Season. www.littlebrownie.com
NEW Volunteer Blog -- Volunteers can now subscribe to their very own blog and
receive inspiring ideas from Little Brownie. The blog will deliver easy, fun ways to
teach the five skills of the Cookie Program. With selling tips, starter activities and
crafts, the blog is sure to become a favorite resource. Sign up today to have
exciting program content delivered right to your inbox. www.littlebrownie.com
Visit www.littlebrownie.com to access:
o Clip art for your signs and activities
o Fun, cookie learning, girl activity and craft ideas with instructions.
o Cookie Club link (a girl’s online order taking and goal tracking tool)
o eBudde link -- (a volunteer’s cookie sale management tool)
o inspiring real girl cookie program videos
o Cookie information
o Volunteer resources
o Teen resources
o Family resources

goals & goal setting
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What’s just as important as the money raised through Girl Scout Product Program? Real skills and the
confidence they bring. To meet the needs of today’s girls we must engage them in fun with purpose—and
prepare them for their futures.
Why is goal setting important? Research shows that when people work toward a goal, combined with a deadline, they are more
motivated to complete the task at hand. People facing an open-ended task will be less inclined to work toward the end result in a
structured and effective manner. Learning to set goals and learning how to plan to achieve their goals will help girls be successful
in school, successful in their career, and successful in life.
If a girl sets a goal, on average, she will sell 30 more boxes of cookies.
So just how do you help girls set goals?
Early in the year each troop should hold a goal setting and planning meeting with the girls – and families. The purpose of this is not
to schedule everything you will do for the year but rather to set your goals and determine how you will reach them.
Goal Setting for troops is really just 5 easy steps:
1. Get the girls together to plan what they want to do.
2. Determine the costs.
3. Determine a plan for how you will earn the money.
4. Work your plan.
5. Adjust if needed.
Set the stage with this introduction… “As a Girl Scout troop, we get to decide together what we will do this year. It’s up to us to
figure out what we will do, how we will do it, and how we will pay for it (if it costs money.) So let’s talk about our plans for the year.”
Here are some questions you can ask them:
• What do we want to do this year in Girl Scouts?
• What Journey do we want to work on?
• What badges do we want to earn?
• What trips, events, or camping do we want to do this year?
• What community service do we want to do this year? Will it require money?
• Should we buy the Girls Guide to Girl Scouting for every girl in the troop?
Depending on the age of your girls you may want to ask them to research ideas of trips or outings they would like to do and come
to the next meeting with some costs and information on the ideas.
Now put everything the group wants to do on a list for all to see. Perhaps your list looks something like this:
This year we plan to:
• Complete the World of Water Journey
• Complete 5 badges
• Attend the service unit Juliette Low Birthday Party
• Attend the service unit World Friendship Day Event
• Go camping overnight at Girl Scout Camp
• Sell fall magazines and candy
• Sell Girl Scout cookies
• Visit at least 3 organizations in our community – girls want to visit a fire station, the local nursing home, and
animal shelter
• Design a service project to help at least one of the organizations we visited
• Have an end-of-year fun outing to celebrate our year together - most popular suggestion was a trip to CoCo
Keys water park – perfect outing to see the impact of Water after working on our World of Water Journey!
Whew! That’s a busy year. Now let’s put some costs to the plan. Ideally, the Girl Scout troop will raise enough funds to cover all the
costs so that the girls’ learn to become self-sufficient – and not ask their parents for money for everything they want to do.

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ACTIVITY
World of Water Journey
ITEM COST
NUMBER
OF PEOPLE
TOTAL
COSTS
Leaders Guides $ 12.00 3 $ 36.00
Girl Guides $ 7.00 12 $ 84.00
Awards $ 5.50 12 $ 66.00
Complete 5 Badges
Cost of badges $ 1.25 12 $ 15.00
Estimated cost of supplies for activities $ 5.00 12 $ 60.00
SU Juliette Low Birthday Party
Registration cost $ 3.00 15 $ 45.00
Overnight Camp trip to Girl Scout camp
camp site rental fee $ 75.00 1 $ 75.00
food=3 meals + snack $ 15.00 15 $ 225.00
supplies 1 craft + 1 nature activity $ 6.00 15 $ 90.00
SU World Thinking Day Event
Cost of supplies for display table $ 60.00 1 $ 60.00
Service Project
End of Year Outing - CoCo Keys
to be determined $ 200.00 1 $ 200.00
Admission $ 25.00 15 $ 375.00
Food $ 10.00 15 $ 150.00
GRAND TOTAL
$ 186.00
$ 75.00
$ 45.00
$ 390.00
$ 60.00
$ 200.00
$ 525.00
GRAND TOTAL OF PROJECTED COSTS FOR THE YEAR $ 1,481.00
PROJECTED INCOME:
Fall Product Sales: If each girl sells $150 worth of items the troop will earn approximately: $216.00
After Fall Product Sale we still need to earn: $ 1,265.00
If our troop earns $0.60/box of cookies we must sell this many packages: 2,108
Each girl would need to sell: 176
With this example the troop goal for Fall Product Sales would be $1,800 in troop sales (or $150 per girl), and the goal for the
cookie sale would be a total of 2,108 boxes (or 176 boxes per girl.)
This is one example. Your troop might be much larger or much smaller, they may be older girls or younger girls or they may be
planning over three years for an international trip. Every troop is different but this process works for all of them!
What if you get through both the Fall Product Sale and the Cookie Program and you haven’t met your goal? That’s okay – it’s a
learning experience for everyone. Now it’s time to talk with the girls about the shortfall in money. Your troop should work together
to adjust your plans. Maybe the end-of-year celebration becomes a potluck so the troop is not purchasing the food. Maybe your
troop decides to NOT go camping just yet…they’ll wait until fall after one more opportunity to earn proceeds from the Fall
Product Sale. Maybe the girls only work on 2 badges instead of the 5 they planned on. Adjusting your plans is part of learning goal
setting.
What about the girl who wants to sell LOTS of cookies and has a really high goal? That’s great. Support her and encourage her to
work with her parents to plan how she can achieve her goal. A girl with a high goal is often working to achieve one of the high seller
rewards such as a free week to camp. Girls can sell with the support of their parents in their neighborhoods, schools, churches,
even set up their own booth sale.
Just as girls set goals and troops set goals, GSCWM sets a goal. This year our goal is to have every girl
sell 125 boxes (or more!) of Girl Scout cookies! This will help GSCWM achieve the plans for 2013!
Every girl and every troop needs to set a goal that will allow them to achieve their plans for 2013!
troop training – parents & girls

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Preparing Parents & Girls
Who’s leading the team?
Troop leader(s) and Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
How to get parents/guardians to training?
Have girls create exciting invitations for their parents to attend the training.
What to do? Here’s a Training Plan:
Parent/girl meeting – a win/win activity!
Knowledgeable parents = extra support and more troop proceeds.
Before the Training - Goal Setting with the girls – the first step toward a successful Cookie Program.
What are the troops plans?
What Program(s) are you using these funds for?
How much will it cost?
What Service Project(s) will you use these funds for?
How many cookies need to be sold to raise funds? When will it happen?
Complete information on girl order cards, including girl’s name (FIRST name only!), troop number and goal
information.
At the Training
1. Have the girls share their personal and troop goals.
2. Hand out the 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Program Family Guide to each family.
3. Be sure to cover:
Family Guide – every girl needs a signed permission slip from their
parent/guardian in order to participate in the cookie program.
Reward items shown on the order card and how Cookie Credits can be used
The Rewards are based on total amount of cookies sold
The troop proceeds options or the opt out option
All girls and parents should participate in the discussion and decision to
have girls earn rewards OR receive higher troop proceeds. Have parents sign
Incentive Opt-Out Form, if applicable.
The Interactive Goal Program via link on council website: www.gscwm.org
How families will receive their cookies and how to use the receipt books.
Important Dates – when are order due? When is money due?
A Week Prior to the Start of the Sale
1. Pass Out Order Cards – Remember, only registered girls with signed permission slips can sell
2. Review the following:
Selling and Safety Tips
Cookies
Awards (can be viewed on the council website and the order card)
Individual goals
Troop goals
girl grow, rewards learn that and inspire earn success with cookies

Girl Scouting is a non-profit organization as defined by the IRS. We are a 501(c)(3) organization. GSUSA has been working
to provide guidance to Girl Scout councils on the IRS interpretation of “private benefits”. Per the IRS, “a 501(c)(3)
organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests. No part of the net earnings of a
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Troop Proceeds:
o Troops will earn $0.55 per package sold.
Troops have the opportunity to earn more for each package sold. How?
a. INITIAL ORDER COMMITMENT BONUS - For troops who place an initial order commitment of 100 boxes per
girl member of the troop, the troop will earn an extra $0.05/box on all cookies sold for the 2013 cookie
program. In order to receive this higher proceed amount troops cannot return any cookies throughout
the entire sale. You will be able to exchange varieties based on availability. This amount will be reflected as a
“deposit” to the troop in the ebudde record at the end of the sale.
b. FALL PRODUCT SALE PGA BONUS - For troops who had a per-girl-average in the Fall Product Sale of $145 or
more – those troops qualified for a troop bonus of $0.03/box on all cookies sold. This will be paid to the troop
at the end of the cookie program.
c. OPT-OUT
OUT - For Junior, Cadette, Senior or Ambassador troops who choose to “opt out” of receiving the girl
rewards and cookie credits, those troops will receive an additional $0.10/box on all cookies sold.
NOTE- The decision to opt out of receiving the cookie rewards must be a girl decision. The troop must hold a
meeting to discuss if the girls want to do this and WHY they want to do – there must be a plan for the money.
An opt-out form must be signed by each parent and submitted to GSCWM by February 5.
Service Unit Proceeds:
Each Service Unit will earn proceeds for cookies sold in their service unit. Checks will be sent to the Service Unit
Manager or Treasurer at the conclusion of the sale.
Based on the number of girls selling in your service unit, if your Service Unit PGA is:
100-124 boxes – the service unit earns $0.01/box
125-199 boxes – the service unit earns $0.02/box
200+ boxes – the service unit earns $0.025/box
Girl Rewards:
Girls earn rewards for achieving specific levels of sales. They earn patches and other fun recognition items. Girls also
earn GSCWM Cookie Credits. Cookie Credits count from the first box sold. Cookie credits are awarded after a girl
sells 125+ boxes. Cookie Credits can be used toward their personal goals such as:
o Annual membership dues
o Council sponsored activities
o Council resident camp
o GSUSA Destinations
o Merchandise from the Council Store
How Does the Girl Reward Program Work?
• Rewards for girls are based on the total number of boxes they sell during the entire sale.
• All reward items are cumulative, except for number bar patches. Girls earn the bar for the highest level of
cookies sold.
• Cookie Credits are NOT cumulative. Girls earn the highest amount of cookie credit for the level of
cookies she sold.
• Camp Certificates have no cash or cookie credit value and cannot be used for anything other than the
cost of a GSCWM summer camp session.
• Cookie Credits count from first box sold. Cookie credits are awarded after a girl sells 125+ boxes.
Please see girl order card for color pictures of rewards.
This year you will see some changes in cookie proceeds, rewards and credits. WHY?

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5 steps of cookie success:
STEP 1 --- Set and Share Team Goals
Goal-setting is a valuable life skill. Begin by helping girls brainstorm what they could do with cookie proceeds. Then help them
select two goals that inspire them -- one for fun and learning and one for making the world a better place. Each girl writes the
team’s goals on her order card, where customers will see them.
STEP 2 --- Set Personal Goals
Inspire the girls to imagine how can they be even more successful than last year. What would they like to learn? Be sure to remind
girls that achieving a team goal requires that every person achieve her personal goal.
STEP 3 --- Hold a Family Meeting
Adults need to understand the importance of an activity before they give it their full support. Engaging families in the Cookie
Program encourages them to be involved and stay informed. Encourage girls to plan the family meeting, play leading roles and
make it fun for everyone.
STEP 4 --- Sell Beyond Family and Friends
People love Girl Scout Cookies and are generally predisposed to buying them. Many women say their first business success was
getting a ‘‘yes’’ from an unknown customer. Encourage your girls to market beyond people they know.
STEP 5 --- Track Your Progress and Celebrate Your Success!
the 411 on online marketing
Using a Goal Tracker to watch sales grow keeps everyone focused on the goal. When girls reach their goal, remember
to celebrate.

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PRACTICE SAFE ONLINE MARKETING. Girls may use phones and email messages to alert friends and relatives to product
sales and accept customer commitments as mail or callbacks for the Girl Scout Cookie sale. Little Brownie Bakers also provides
the Cookie Club, a secure site for girls to use. The Cookie Club includes an electronic cookie order card that customers can use
to place their order.
Girls who are 13 or older may use social networking sites to market product; however, they must follow council and GSUSA
guidelines. Girls writing notes for recipients of product emails or announcements online should sign with their first names only,
their troop/group number or name, and their council name. Personal emails or street addresses of girls should never be used.
Instead, use one of the following:
o A blind return address account where the girls’ name or personal email is not revealed to the customer and is instead hosted on
a secure site (such as the Cookie Club).
o A group account monitored by an adult
o An adult email account supervised by an adult
Girls are not permitted to collect payment online. Girls should deliver cookies and collect payment in person.
Safety comes first in girl scouting
BE SURE GIRLS UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW THESE SAFETY RULES:
1. SHOW YOU’RE A GIRL SCOUT----Wear the Girl Scout membership pin and/or
Girl Scout clothing to identify yourself as a Girl Scout.
2. BUDDY UP----Always use the buddy system. It’s not just safe, it’s more fun.
3. BE STREETWISE----Become familiar with the areas and neighborhoods where you will be selling
Girl Scout Cookies.
4. PARTNER WITH ADULTS----Adults must accompany Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors when they are
taking orders, selling or delivering product. Girls grades 6-12 must be supervised by an adult when selling doorto-door
and must never sell alone. Adults should be present at a cookie booth in any public place at
all times.
5. PLAN AHEAD----Always have a plan for safeguarding money----avoid walking around with large amounts of it
or keeping it at home or school. Give proceeds to supervising adults who should deposit it as directed by your
Girl Scout council as soon as possible.
6. DO NOT ENTER----Never enter the home or vehicle of a person when you are selling or making deliveries.
Avoid selling to people in vehicles or going into alleys.
7. SELL IN THE DAYTIME----Sell only during daylight hours, unless accompanied by an adult.
8. PROTECT PRIVACY----Girls’ names, addresses, or email addresses should never be given out to customers.
Use a group contact number or address overseen by an adult for customers to request information, reorder
or give comments. Protect customer privacy by not sharing their information except for the product sale.
Girls should never take credit card numbers.
9. BE SAFE ON THE ROAD----Always follow safe pedestrian practices, especially when crossing at intersections
or walking along roadways. Be aware of traffic when unloading product and passengers from vehicles.
10. BE NET WISE----Take the GSUSA Internet Safety Pledge before going online and follow the specific guidelines
related to marketing online. Girl Scouts cannot collect money online.
Source: Girl Scouts of the USA, www.girlscouts.org/cookies
Top tips for helping girls sell
Girls learn by doing

P a g e | 17
Sometimes we expect girls to naturally know how to sell cookies. The fact is that most girls need at least some guidance in the
selling process. Here are some tips and techniques to help them achieve their goals. Did you know: 90 percent of the general
public would gladly buy Girl Scout Cookies, but nearly 35 percent are never asked?
COOKIE CLUB
Encourage girls to join Cookie Club at www.littlebrownie.com. Cookie Club is a safe
website where girls can:
o Ask customers for online orders
o Learn about goal-setting and track their progress
o Review safety information and take an online quiz prior to using the site
o Locate selling tips to help them reach their goals
o Record their customer lists so they can be saved and reused each Cookie Season
Girls still must deliver cookies and collect payment in person. Customers order nearly twice as
many cookies online. Cookie Club is the faster, easier way to reach high goals!
HOW CAN GIRLS GET STARTED?
Before entering the Cookie Club, each girl must be set up by her group’s adult volunteer at
http://cookieclub.littlebrownie.com. The volunteer acquires permission from parents and
then enters the girls into the system. Next, each Girl Scout receives a login and password from
the volunteer.
DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES
Encourage girls to canvass their communities with buddies and adult partners, leaving no
doorbell unrung!
o Sell door-to-door with cookies in hand. Load up a wagon with cookies, make signs, and you are ready for a neighborhood
Walkabout.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
In addition to Cookie Club online 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.
TELEPHONE SALES
It’s fast and easy to sell Girl Scout Cookies by phone.
o Girls can review order cards from previous years and contact these customers again.
o Once cookies have been delivered, girls may want to call customers, thank them for their orders and ask if they need
additional cookies.
o Try a 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
o Girls can contact business owners or managers to request permission to sell cookies at a workplace.
o 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.
o Once employee sales are completed, the business may allow girls to leave an order card in a visible spot. Leave a note
from your team outlining their goals and plans for the cookie proceeds. (Remember not to list the girls’ last names or
phone numbers on the order card or note). An adult at work may oversee the card, but it is the girl’s responsibility to fill all
orders, write thank-you notes, and oversee delivery.
booth sales

P a g e | 18
BOOTH SALES HELP GIRLS REACH MORE CUSTOMERS - What is a Booth Sale?
A Booth Sale is a direct sale where a troop sets up a table and sells cookies. Traditional sites include supermarkets, discount
stores, drug stores, banks, landfills, hardware stores, recycling centers, bowling alleys and sporting events. Think of it as a
temporary cookie store!
Other options include:
o Cookie Caravan or a Mobile Cookie Sale in which a troop loads up cookie and girls and
takes their booth sale on the road!
o Cookie Drive-Thrus: work really well in areas where there are not many businesses to hold
booth sales. Girls receive permission to set up a booth sale near by a busy intersection or
in a parking lot.
o Cookie Walk-Abouts: Troops canvas a neighborhood, going door-to-door to sell cookies.
At all times, choosing a location based on the safety of the site must be a priority!
Who can have a Booth Sale?
Any registered Girl Scout Troop/Group of any age level can conduct a Booth Sale. Even girls who
are not in troops can have Booth Sales!
Troop/Group Booth Sale is defined as an event in which there is more than one girl. For
Troop/Group booth sales, the adult to girl ratios set in Volunteer Essentials must be followed and
adults directly supervising girls (as part of the adult to girl ratio requirement) and/or handling troop
cookie funds must be registered and CORIed.
Family Booth Sale is defined as an event in which one girl and her parent/guardian is present. This
is not considered a troop event and the adult does not need to be registered or CORIed.
Selecting Cookie Booth Sale Locations
The site your troop selects can be crucial to the success of your sale. Think about the places where
people in your town do their shopping, go to the bank, or gather in large groups. Every year, people
tell us they look forward to buying Girl Scout Cookies from the girls. Make it easy for them by having
a booth sale – or a number of booth sales.
Service Unit Cookie Managers (SUCM) and/or Service Unit (SU) Booth Sale Coordinators have been
asked to survey their towns for potential sale sites and to inform Troop Cookie Managers (TCM)
about them. Don’t hesitate to suggest a site which might have been overlooked. Permission must
be sought from the owner/management of the desired location prior to scheduling booth sales
there.
Site Considerations:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Volume of customer traffic and purchasing power of those customers
Availability of girls to sell (after school, weekends), matching best times at site
Shelter or alternate date in case of inclement weather
Health and safety of girls selling at the location
Owner/management permission and town regulations concerning cookie sales at the site
Availability of places for a “Cookie-Mobile”
What We Learned Selling
Cookies by Troop 20151
Throughout these pages
you can read a story by
Cadette Troop 20151.
These excerpts are from a
letter they wrote to share
their cookie experiences….
We are Troop 20151 and we
are first year Cadettes. We
were very surprised by how
much we learned selling
cookies this year. We
started out making
individual and troop goals.
Then, we chose places and
dates for cookie booths,
but we had a lot to learn.
We learned that where we
had our cookie booth
mattered. We sold more
cookies when we placed
our booth so it was easy for
cars to drive up. We also
sold more cookies when we
made our booth colorful
and grabbed people’s
attention. One morning,
when we were not selling
many cookies, one of our
adults bought some
balloons to attach to our
signs and our table. It really
helped. We definitely had
more customers and some
even said they noticed us
because of our balloons.
booth sales

P a g e | 19
COOKIE LOCATOR = FREE Advertising for your Booth Sale!
THE Cookie Locator is a free service to the public to help match customers to troops selling cookies in their communities.
Customers can access this tool either online via the council website or by using the Cookie Locator App on their smart phone.
Troops should be sure to enter all of their Booth Sales into eBudde in order to take advantage of this great tool to increase their
sales! The link to the Cookie Locator will be located on our website, the national website and in an app form for Android and
iPhones only. All Booth Sales that are entered into eBudde will be automatically uploaded to the Cookie Locator.
What We Learned
Selling Cookies by Troop
20151
We learned about
ourselves as well. The
girls in the troop who
were shy, learned how
to present themselves
and gained confidence
at each cookie booth we
ran. The girls who were
more out going learned
how to use eye contact
and how to talk to the
customer better. “One
customer asked if we
had any sugar free
cookies. When I said I
was sorry, but we didn’t,
she said she couldn’t
buy any because she
was diabetic. I asked if
she would be interested
in donating some
cookies to the troops in
Iraq. She bought several
boxes.”
Booth Sales in other Service Units or Towns
Generally speaking, troops stay within their own service unit or town for Booth Sales; however it is
acceptable to request a Booth Sale in a different service unit or town. To do this, either the troop or
the SUCM or Booth Sale Coordinator should contact their counterpart in the desired area and make
arrangements. It is NEVER acceptable to simply “show up” without making prior arrangements.
Booth Sale Guidelines
o All girls present at a Booth Sale must be currently registered Girl Scouts.
o There must be at least two currently registered adults present at a Troop Booth Sale.
o All adults supervising girls or handling troop cookie money must be a currently registered
Girl Scout and have passed a Massachusetts CORI check.
o Adults who count as part of the girl/adult ratio requirements must be registered and
have a completed CORI check.
o Troop Booth Sales should have no more than 6 girls present at one time. If necessary, break
the Booth Sale time slot down into shifts and schedule girls accordingly.
o When a girl has set a high cookie goal or is not part of a Girl Scout troop, it is appropriate for
her to work with her parent to sell cookies through a booth sale or other direct sale.
o Always receive permission from the manager/owner of the site you wish to use. If it is a
public area such as a city park or school parking lot, contact the appropriate public official.
Don’t ever assume it’s okay to have a sale somewhere without first checking.
o If you have decorated your vehicle to use as a “Cookie-Mobile” – you cannot actively use
your vehicle to sell cookies outside of your town without prior permission from that town’s
Volunteer Cookie Booth Sale Coordinator. Nor can you use your vehicle to “set up a cookie
booth” outside of your town without prior permission from that town’s Volunteer Cookie
Booth Sale Coordinator.
Booth Sale Scheduling
The SUCM (Service Unit Cookie Manager) or Service Unit Booth Sale Coordinator will schedule your booth sales. Please do NOT
make arrangements for a sale site without first consulting your SUCM or SU Booth Sale Coordinator who is responsible for making
final arrangements for sale sites. The SUCM may ask for your help in making the arrangements. Troops should stay within their
own service unit when conducting booth sales. Exceptions can be made with permission of the other SUCM or SU Booth Sale
Coordinator.
GSCWM arranges for a variety of booth sale locations. The locations vary each year due to changes in store personnel and
policies. All GSCWM organized booth sales can be found in e-budde. Instructions for signing up for one of them is listed in the
next section (GSCWM Organized Booth Sale Sites.) Oftentimes GSCWM is able to secure booth sales in regional malls, rest stops
on the Mass Pike, the Camping Show at the Big E each February, and specific local business.
booth sales
Set Your Goal / Know Your Goal / Share Your Goal

P a g e | 20
Booth Sale Etiquette
DO:
o Wear a Girl Scout uniform, sash, vest or Girl Scout t-shirt.
o When conducting a Booth Sale your troop is representing the entire Girl Scout organization.
o Please make sure you and your girls are behaving in accordance with the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Be polite and
friendly.
o Make sure the public knows your goals. Research shows if a customer knows why
girls are selling they will buy more to help them reach their goal.
o Please follow whatever rules/guidelines the business has established. Remember
you are there as a guest.
o A Girl Scout always leaves a place cleaner than she found it. Be sure to not leave
empty boxes/cases behind. Keep your area neat and tidy.
o Some establishments have rules regarding whether or not the girls can ask
customers if they would like to buy cookies or not. Make yourself aware of their
rules and follow them.
o It’s always great to make a point of approaching the management and thanking
them for letting you use their space. A thank you note from the girls would be a
great touch!
DON’T:
o Yell or talk loudly
o Run around
o Get in the way of customers
o Ask customers twice
o Leave the Cookie Booth area
o Eat, drink or chew gum at the booth
What We Learned
Selling Cookies by
Troop 20151
We learned that even
little things make a
difference. Of course,
the best thing you can
do to sell cookies is ask
people if they would
like to buy Girl Scout
cookies. There are also
less obvious things, for
example, there was a
suggestion on the
cookie web site to
bundle cookies in
packages of three. It
didn’t seem like this
would make a
difference, but we tried
it. We packaged them
in bundles of three and
tied them with ribbon
and on Valentine’s Day
we added little cards. It
seemed funny, but it
actually worked.
People who were going
to buy two boxes would
sometimes buy three
boxes and some people
went right to the
bundles.
What to Bring To Your Booth Sale
o Folding, portable table and a few folding chairs. Some locations may provide a table
and a few chairs but most do not.
o Cash box or secure container to keep money.
o Ample small bills to make change.
o A receipt book in case a customer requests one.
o Paper and pen to keep track of sales.
o Signs indicating the troop’s goal, the price of the cookies and the troop number.
GSCWM Council Booth Sale Sites
All council organized booth sales will be listed in eBudde. Troops will sign up for time spots directly in
eBudde! This allows troops to go in and select a time that works for them when it is convenient for
them. The booth sale will automatically be posted to the Cookie Locator.
To Sign up for the Council Sponsored Booth Sale you will follow the following steps:
1. Log into eBudde under your troop login
2. Go to the Booth Sites tab (8 th tab on the top)
3. Make sure that the Council Sales circle is green
4. Select the Booth Sale City in which you are interested.
The available cities will be green in color.
5. The address of the location will then drop down, select that.
6. A list of dates and times will appear. (if they are in green they are available)
7. Select the date for which you want to register
8. To the right a box will appear with some options for time frames.
a. (All times frames are in 120 minute increments)
9. Select the time frame that best appeals to you. You will click on the empty white box under
the word Troop next to the wanted timeframe for the time slot you would like. Your troop
number will appear in that time slot.
10. Then select the submit button
booth sales
Congratulations…………You have set up a booth sale!!! ☺

P a g e | 21
In order to make booth slots available to as many troops as possible limits have been set on the number of booth sale slots a
troop can select. See the rules below.
What We Learned
Rules for signing up for council organized booth sales:
Selling Cookies by
Rule 1- From January 4 th – 17 th you will be able to choose five different time slots. One per location
Troop 20151
Rule 2- From January 18 th -20 th you will be able to choose as many slots as you would like in as many
locations as you would like for this weekend only.
Rule 3- From January 21 st -February 7 th you will be able to choose five different time slots. One per
location
Rule 4- From February 8 th – the end of the sale: you will be able to choose as many slots as you would
like in as many locations as you would like. All remaining sites are available for as many sign ups as you
wish.
Troop Booth Sale Sites
Another aspect of using the eBudde system is that troops must enter your booth sale locations right into
the eBudde system. This is a great way to have them sent to your Service Unit Cookie Manager at your
convenience. After they are approved they will go on our booth sale locator just like the council ones. Free
advertising for your booth = higher amounts of cookies sold!! This is the only way to get your sale listed on
the Cookie Locator.
1. Log into eBudde under your troop login
2. Go to the Booth Sites tab (8 th tab on the top)
3. Make sure that the My Sales circle is green
Maybe because we
were older, we
became more
aware of safety
issues than we had
been in past years.
We were more
careful of our cash
box and we kept an
eye on our cookies
when there were
several people
around. We were
also more aware of
our surroundings
after reviewing the
safety rules before
our first cookie
booth.
4. Select the My Booth Sales (add a location). You will need to add the complete street address with zip code and city.
5. Then on the right a box will appear. Enter the Business Name, Location and Contact Information, Date & Time info also.
Then select add.
6. This will go to your Service Unit Booth Coordinator or your Service Unit Cookie Manager
7. They will then approve or deny
8. There will be a reason box if for any reason it is denied
9. The Service Unit Booth Sale Coordinator may have additional steps for booking a booth sale. Contact her for these
details. Some Service Units organize many booth sale locations and you sign up through them.
Your Service Unit Booth Sale Coordinator or Service Unit Cookie Manager will give you a list of available sites to choose from at
your troop cookie training. This is the list that you will find the business name, location, contact information, and date & time
information.
booth sales

P a g e | 22
Things to Consider when Ordering Cookies for a Booth Sale:
• What is your troop’s goal for the Cookie Sale? How many boxes do you need to sell to reach that goal?
• Will the site(s) you’re considering support the needed volume? Will they support an even larger volume of sales? Should
you consider using several sites?
• Order the number of cookies you will need for your first sale, and then restock for the next sale.
• Cookies may NOT be returned to the cookie cupboard or to the council after Feb 5th.
• Cookie varieties may be exchanged for other varieties based on availability at Cookie Cupboards or other troops.
• Additional cookies can be obtained from Cookie Cupboards, in full cases or boxes (there are 12 boxes in 1 case). If in doubt
about the quantity to order, consult with your SUCM or the council Product Program Department.
• Cookie Booths tend to attract people who do not have a chance to order cookies and people who want more Girl Scout
Cookies. We recommend you stock up on the top five varieties: Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs, and Trefoils.
• There is no “perfect number” of cookies to take with you to a booth sale. Each location varies on how many cookies you can
sell, and even a location can be great one day and not-so-great another day.
• Based on our council’s Cookie Booth statistics we recommend the following proportions of varieties for your order:
TOTAL
BOXES/CASES
120 boxes
10 cases
168 boxes
14 cases
204 boxes
17 cases
252 boxes
21 cases
288 boxes
24 cases
Savannah
Smiles
6 boxes
(half case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
Trefoils Do-Si-Dos Samoas
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
18 boxes
(1.5 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
48 boxes
(4 cases)
60 boxes
(5 cases)
72 boxes
(6 cases)
Dulche De
Leche
6 boxes
(half case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
Thank You
Berry
Munch
6 boxes
(half case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
12 boxes
(1 case)
Tagalong
24 boxes
(2 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
24 boxes
(2 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
Thin Mints
24 boxes
(2 cases)
36 boxes
(3 cases)
48 boxes
(4 cases)
60 boxes
(5 cases)
72 boxes
(6 cases)
Booth Sale Inventory Control
Before the sale:
o
o
o
Order enough cookies for your first sale and then restock.
Remember, the cookies you order from the Cookie Cupboard cannot be returned.
It is a good idea to schedule 6-8 sales over the seven week period. You are not limited to weekends! If your troop can
arrange for a sale after school or in the evening on a weekday, please do. School vacation week is also available to some
troops.
After the sale:
o Responsibility for unsold cookies remains with the troop. Notify your
SUCM and Cupboard Manager ASAP about any unsold cookies.
What We Learned Selling Cookies by Troop
20151
Finally, we were reminded how very, very,
very important it is to say thank you. We not
only thanked the customers who bought
cookies, we also thanked the businesses that
allowed us to sell on their property. We
realized we represented all of Girl Scouts
when we sold our cookies and we wanted to
make a good impression.

ooth sales
P a g e | 23
Booth Sale Checklist
Prior to your first Booth Sale:
Make copies of the Booth Sale Permission Slip, distribute to parents and collect them.
Arrange transportation and adult supervision for the Booth Sale.
There should be no more than five to seven girls at a Booth Sale at any given time and at least two adults.
Before January
Decide preferred date(s), time(s), and place(s) for your Cookie Booth(s).
Decide the optimum number of boxes you’ll need for your first sale. To reorder cookies, place a pending order in
eBudde under the Transactions tab.
If the date, time or place for your Cookie Booth changes, please notify your SUCM or SU Booth Coordinator.
By January 15
Enter your Booth Sales into eBudde
By January 18
Have the girls plan their booth sale decorations! Be sure to include a poster or sign about your goals.
January 18-20
€ “THE COOKIES ARE HERE!” Booth Sale Contest!!
January 18 – March 3!
Conduct your booth sales!
Use the Cookie Booth Tracking Sheet to note the number of cookies sold and names of the girls working at each
location. Transfer the information to eBudde.
Promptly following each Booth Sale(s):
Be a good steward of the girls’ money by frequently depositing money into your troop’s bank account
Contact your SUCM to inform her/him of any unsold cookies. ALL COOKIES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TROOP.
However, assistance may be available.
March 5 – FINAL DEADLINE
Troop Cookie Manager (TCM) MUST have deposited all cookie money. Refer to Money Handling and Banking section in
the Volunteer Cookie Manual.
TO MAXIMIZE SUCCESS, INVITE GIRLS TO CONSIDER THESE PROVEN TIPS:
o Make an attractive table display to gain customer interest. Remember to make a cookie poster to hang from your table
or for girls to wear. Visit www.littlebrownie.com for ideas and easy clip art.
o Bring along your team goal poster and pictures of activities in which you have participated.
o To encourage multi-box purchases, suggest that girls bundle 3 cookie packages with a ribbon, and attach gift cards and/or
attach recipes that use the cookies. Handmade cards such as ‘‘Happy Birthday’’ or ‘‘Thank You’’ will be especially meaningful
to customers. Find resources at www.littlebrownie.com.
o If some varieties are not selling, open a box (which your team must purchase), break them into bite-size pieces, and let
customers take a sample. This sample will likely spark interest among customers and increase your sales.

Copy as
Needed
Cookie Booth Sale
P a g e | 24
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts
www.gscwm.org • 800-462-9100 or 413-584-2602
Parent/Guardian Permission
Dear Girl Scout Parent/Guardian:
Please read this letter before you complete the attached permission slip. We want the Girl Scout Cookie Sale to be a
positive learning experience for your child. Through the sale, she will have opportunities to learn business skills, develop
poise when meeting the public, and feel a real sense of accomplishment in doing something that helps her troop and
provides support for her council.
For each box a girl sells, her troop earns troop proceeds (ranging from 55 cents – 78 cents/box) that can help her troop
do the fun-filled, educational activities that make Girl Scouting special to your child. The remaining proceeds are used to
provide camping program, troop services, Girl Scout events, and quality Girl Scout program activities.
Your child's troop will be conducting a Cookie Booth Sale at the location(s) listed below. If you can help by assisting the
Troop Cookie Manager with transportation and/or sales supervision, please indicate your willingness on the attached
permission slip.
Location
Date
Time
Thank you for supporting your child's effort in the 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Activity!
Clip, complete, and return to next troop meeting.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Parent/Guardian Permission to Participate in a 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale
My child , a member of troop # ,
has my permission to participate in a Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale. I understand that she will be selling in a public
location, with adult supervision at all times.
I would like to assist with the sale, if help is needed. Yes No
Signature of parent/guardian
Date
Address, State and Zip Code Home phone Work phone Cell phone
___________________________________
E-mail address

top tips for helping girls sell
P a g e | 25
CUSTOMERS LOVE TO HELP GIRLS GIVE MORE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES
**NEW FOR 2013 GSCWM PROJECT CARE AND SHARE - GIFT OF CARING
For various reasons, some customers do not want to buy cookies for themselves, or
they have only a limited need. With PROJECT CARE AND SHARE - Gift of Caring, they
have a chance to give to others while supporting Girl Scouting at the same time. This
year GSCWM introduces a virtual gift of caring.
When troops and girls participate in PROJECT CARE AND SHARE they never receive
these cookies into their inventory. This is a VIRTUAL sale.
1. When customers choose to buy a box for PROJECT CARE AND SHARE girls collect the money for the cookies.
2. The troop leader or troop cookie manager inputs the cookies sold for PROJECT CARE AND SHARE in the ebudde column
for Gift of Caring. This gives the credit to the girl for the box sold.
3. When a girl sells 15 boxes of cookies for PROJECT CARE AND SHARE she will receive a special Gift of Caring patch.
4. The troop earns proceeds on all boxes sold toward PROJECT CARE AND SHARE.
5. The troops will not receive these cookies into their physical inventory of cookies.
6. At the end of the sale GSCWM will arrange for all of the cookies purchased through PROJECT CARE AND SHARE to be
donated to our local food banks and to our local military recipients.
TROOPS CAN CREATE THEIR OWN GIFT OF CARING PROJECT
1. Choose a group to receive donated cookies. Hometown heroes like firefighters? A homeless shelter? Military personnel
overseas?
2. Communicate to customers that they can buy cookies that girls will donate to the group they chose.
3. Deliver the cookies to the chosen group at the end of the Cookie Season.
1. At booth sales:
o Display a sign that informs which group you are supporting.
o Create a drop box where customers can place donated cookies, and watch the donated cookies stacking up!
o Create a Tally Poster to track the number of donated boxes, so customers can see their donations making a
difference.
2. During Door-to-Door Sales, Walkabouts or Workplace sales:
o Write on your order card the name of the group to receive donated
cookies, and ask customers if they would like to
purchase a box or two to donate.
Note: All Gift of Caring projects must have council approval and must use
appropriate delivery channels. Any shipments to the military must have an identified
recipient.

technology that powers a
simple, fun cookie program
P a g e | 26
At www.litttlebrownie.com, you’ll find a world of volunteer resources that make the season
fun and easy, like girl activities, clip art and recipes. Plus, you’ll find links to these powerful
tech tools:
It’s the most delicious app ever! Now Cookie Customers can use their smartphones to stay just a click away from
their favorite treats.
o
o
o
o
o
o
FIND the booth sale closest to your GPS location or by zip code
or city and state
CHOOSE the times you want to shop
MAP your way
ADD the sale date to your calendar
DISCOVER your cookie personality and tell the world about it
SHARE sale locations and more with friends on Facebook, Twitter and email!
VOLUNTEERS: Please keep Booth Scheduler in eBudde up to date with your group’s times and dates. This
data powers Cookie Locator and allows customers to find you.
HOW MANY COOKIES WILL FIT IN MY CAR?
Use this guide to approximate how many cases of cookies will fit in your vehicle. The amounts assume the car will be
empty except for the driver and uses all space except the driver’s seat. Safety Note: Avoid carrying cookie cases and
children in the passenger area of a vehicle at the same time.
Car Type
Number of cases
Compact car 23
Hatchback car 30
Mid-size sedan 35
Sport utility vehicle 60
Station wagon 75
Mini van (seats in) 75
Pick-up truck (full bed) 100
Cargo van (seats in) 200
REACHING CUSTOMERS in a busy, social world

eBudde fingertip facts
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Budde is a cookie volunteer’s best
friend. It is an online cookie management system provided by our baker. Here’s where you’ll order cookies, track
deliveries and more. You will receive eBudde training that will make the season a snap. Here are some quick reference
facts.
FIRST TIME USERS
1. http://ebudde.littlebrownie.com
2. Enter your email address and temporary password: samoas. Click
LOGIN.
3. Change your password and enter contact information. Click SUBMIT
RETURNING USERS
You can use the same email address and password as last year. Forgotten password?
See LOGIN page.
The system works through tabs at top of the page.
All cookie transactions must be managed in eBudde. This includes troop orders, troop-to-troop transfers,
cupboard orders, cupboard pick-ups, and banking information.
Troop Cookie Managers will be entering their cookie orders online at www.eBudde.com. It is REQUIRED that ALL
troops use eBudde to simplify and expedite the processing of their troop cookie and incentive orders. If you do
not have internet access, and are not able to find someone to assist your troop with this task, please contact your
Service Unit Volunteer Cookie Manager.
https://ebudde.littlebrownie.com/
Little Brownie Bakers provides an online training system for eBudde users – Troop Leaders, Cookie Moms, Cookie
Dads! It is a self-paced training consisting of 7 modules. Each module takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Click here to access the training module: http://littlebrowniebakers.adobeconnect.com/ebuddetraining/
Additionally online manuals are available for troop users, service unit users, delivery stations and cupboards.
These can be downloaded from GSCWM website at http://www.gscwm.org/cookie_forms.shtml
4 THINGS TO DO THE FIRST TIME YOU LOG INTO EBUDDE
1. On the CONTACTS TAB - review the contact information, update and edit as necessary
2. On the SETTING TAB - enter the troop goal in packages
3. On the GIRLS TAB - enter each girl's goal in packages
4. On the BOOTH SALE TAB - check out what booth sale locations are available for your troop. This is
where you will find the "Council Booth Sale" locations arranged and managed by GSCWM.

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SIGN UP for cookie booths through eBudde
council procedures
1) Ordering
All troops need to place their "initial order commitment" in ebudde by December 9. We are recommending
that each troop place an initial commitment for at least 100 boxes per girl member of the troop. Troops who do place an initial
order commitment for at least 100 boxes/girl in the troop will earn an extra $0.05/box of cookies sold throughout the sale.
Troops who miss this deadline will be able to order and pick up cookies at a cookie cupboard beginning January 18.
Additional cookies are available at cookie cupboards located through GSCWM . Troops will place a “pending” order in ebudde in
order to get more cookies from the cupboards.

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2) Delivery information
Cookies will be delivered to Service Units the week of January 12-18, troops will arrange for their pick-up that week and girls can
begin selling with the cookies in hand on January 18. Check with your Service Unit Volunteer Cookie Manager for details specific
to your town.
3) Returns
While we are certain that girls will be able to sell all of the initial order cookies, we recognize that troops may feel unsure without
having their girls’ confirmed initial orders. Full, unopened cases of cookies can be returned to a local cupboard from your initial
order commitment through February 5.
If a troop returns ANY cookies they will no longer qualify for the INITIAL ORDER COMMITMENT BONUS.
4) Ordering more cookies - Pending Orders
1. When a troop needs to order more cookies from a cookie cupboard they must place that order as a "pending order" in
ebudde.

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2. Pending orders must be logged into eBudde by Monday at noon in order to be available for pick up from the cupboard
later that week.
3. Once a troop place their pending order in eBudde
the cookies are allocated to that troop and those
cookies are reflected In the troops sales report.
Troops are responsible for any cookie pending
orders they place.
4. Full, unopened cases of cookies can be returned
to a local cupboard ONLY from your initial order
commitment. If a troop returns ANY cookies they
will no longer qualify for the INITIAL ORDER
COMMITMENT BONUS.
5) Cookie Cupboards
1. Cookie Cupboards are located throughout
GSCWM council jurisdiction.
2. Most cupboards are managed by volunteers.
Please remember to thank cupboard volunteers!
It's a big job!
3. GSCWM Service Centers are cookie cupboards.
4. Check the council website for an updated list of
cupboards, cupboard hours and contact
information for cupboards.
5. Just as troops need to closely manage their
inventory, the council cupboards need to be
managed. As the sale draws to an end fewer
cookies will be stocked in the cupboards.
Handling Cookie Money
grow your sale with online order taking
eBudde will calculate troop proceeds based on the total number of boxes sold by the troop.
Troop Cookie Managers are responsible for the safekeeping of cookie sale money and the payment of the troop’s
cookie bill.
Prior to cookie delivery, conduct a short training session with the troop to emphasize the following:
• Deliver cookies with a parent or buddy.
• Deliver only a few orders at a time.
• Use the money envelope. Keep it in a safe place at home.
• Turn in money to the Troop Cookie Manager frequently. Have parents turn the money in, confirm the
amount and provide a receipt with both the TCM’s and parent’s signature.
As Troop Cookie Manager, people know you have money. Protect yourself.
• Keep cash in a safe place. Do NOT store cookie money in your home or vehicle.

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• Money should be deposited into troop and/or council account immediately.
Remind parents of deadlines and request they don’t send money to school with their child.
Instruct parents to deliver money to your home or to a troop meeting.
Always count the money with the person making the payment and give a receipt with two
signatures on it.
If a family fails to hand in all money due to the troop:
• Attach the permission slip along with all receipts for that girl to a completed Delinquent Form.
• After the troop has turned in its Troop Sales Report, collection of outstanding money becomes the
responsibility of the council.
• If a parent approaches you with a late payment, either take the payment and forward it to the
council
or instruct them to mail the payment to GSCWM and indicate the name of the girl, troop number and
service unit.
receipt book instructions
Receipt Book Instructions (For Cookies AND Money)
Receipts are Important!
• They create a clear paper record of the transfer of cookies and/or money between troop and parent.
• They are helpful when there is a troop inventory discrepancy.
• In conjunction with signed parent permission slips, receipts assist the accounting staff with
collection procedures and/or filing of charges (when necessary).
Instructions for Use:
• A receipt is completed each time cookies are transferred from the troop to a parent. It is very important
that the receipt be readable and that there are two signatures – the TCM and the parent/guardian.
• Each time money is turned in to the troop, a receipt needs to be completed indicating how much money
was turned in and what, if any, balance remains. Again, the receipt should be readable with two signatures
present.

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• If a situation arises in which a parent fails to pay for the cookies that were received for his/her child, the
troop will turn in all of the receipts for that child (for both cookie and money transactions) to the Service
Unit Cookie Manager, along with a completed Delinquent Form.
Receipt Tips:
• At the back of each book is a cardboard “backer” that is to be inserted between the receipt you are writing
on and the next one. This will keep the printing from showing through to the next copy.
• Using one receipt book for cookie transactions and another book for money transactions makes it easier
to find receipts later on.
• If possible, pre-write the receipts for each girl prior to delivery day to ensure that the information is
correct and neat. It may not be possible for the accounting staff to collect delinquent funds if we do not
have accurate and readable receipts.
Receipts are required EACH time cookies and/or money changes
hands between the troop and parents.
ACH (Automated Clearing House) Payments
Troop Instructions
Why ACH?
There are many reasons why using this method of payment makes sense for Girl Scout troops.
Troops no longer have to locate a specific bank, possibly having to travel out of their way to make traditional
deposits to the council account.
Troops no longer have to be concerned with numbered deposit tickets issued by the council.
Troops no longer have to enter tedious deposit transactions into Nut-E.
Troops will no longer have to wait up to 8 weeks for refunds of overpayment funds.
How much money will the ACH withdrawal take out of our TROOP account?
The council will email each troop prior to the ACH withdrawal date notifying the troop of the amount to be withdrawn.
The amount will never exceed the amount due the council and will not include the troop proceeds. GSCWM will run a
detailed report from eBudde in order to determine how many cookies each troop has in their inventory.
When will the ACH transaction occur?

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February 12, 2013 ($1.50/box)
March 11, 2013 (Final Balance Due)
All cookies in the troop’s inventory will count toward the amount due. On February 6, GSCWM will generate an
eBudde report to determine how many cookies are in the troop inventory. On Feb 7, GSCWM will email the amount to
be pulled from ACH. This email will be sent to the email address provided in eBudde by the troop leader. It is vital that
troop leaders update the contact information in eBudde.
This process will be repeated for the March 11, ACH pull. On March 5, GSCWM will generate an eBudde report to
determine how many cookies are in the troop inventory. On March 6, GSCWM will email the ACH reminder to troops
with the specific amount to pull.
What happens if there is not enough money in the TROOP account to cover the balance due to the council?
Troops have until February 11 for the February 12 withdrawal and March 8 for the March 11 withdrawal to notify Julie
Guerra at GSCWM that there will not be sufficient funds to cover the balance due. At this time an alternative
payment date will be determined. If the troop does not notify the council and the ACH transaction proceeds for an
amount greater than the account balance, the troop account will incur an insufficient funds fee from their banking
institution.
Aria Ingraham, Finance Department, 1-800-462-9100 ext 3636 or aingraham@gscwm.org
How does it work?
1. Complete the ACH Form and submit no later than December 9, 2012. This form gives GSCWM permission to
accept the ACH payment from the TROOP account. Send form to: GSCWM Finance Department, 81 Gold
Star Blvd, Worcester, MA 01606.
2. Girls are encouraged to not accept personal checks from customers. If checks are accepted, they should be
made payable to the parent or the troop.
3. All proceeds from the Cookie Sale should be deposited into the TROOP bank account as soon as possible
and in time for the withdrawals on February 12 and March 11.
4. The ACH transactions will automatically be made on February 12 and March 11. The troops will not need to do
anything further to facilitate the transactions.
5. GSCWM will post the troop’s payment to eBudde after the successful transaction is completed.
What about personal checks?
It is strongly recommended that personal checks not be accepted for payment for cookies except from the most
trusted sources. If checks are received, they should be made payable either to the parent who is receiving the check
or to the troop.
GS of Central and Western Massachusetts
2013 Cookie Program
AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT (ACH DEBITS)
I (we) hereby authorize Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, hereinafter called GSCWM, to
initiate bank debits to the troop bank account indicated below and the depository (bank) named below, hereinafter
called DEPOSITORY.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS FORM BY DECEMBER 9, 2012.
PLEASE ATTACH COPY VOIDED CHECK HERE.
If you have submitted a voided check for a previous sale you do not need to attach another check if

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Depository (Bank) Name ________________________________________________________________
Transit ABA (Routing #) __________________________ Account # _____________________________
Name of Account _______________________________________________________________________
This authority s to remain in full force and in effect throughout the 2013 Cookie Sales or until GSCWM has received
written notification from the troop of it’s termination in such time and in such manner as to afford GSCWM and the
DEPOSITORY a reasonable opportunity to act on it.
I understand that it is the troop’s responsibility to notify GSCWM if funds will not be available on the specified date,
and that if we do not notify GSCWM, it may result in fees being assessed to the troop account due to insufficient
funds.
Troop # _________________________ Service Unit __________________ Phone __________________
Troop Leader or Bank Account Contact Volunteer __________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________________________
Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________________________
(2 Signatures required)
Please send form and a copy of voided check to: GSCWM, Aria Ingraham, Finance Department,
81 Gold Star Blvd Worcester, MA 01606
Fax 508-852-7674 E-Mail: aingraham@gscwm.org
notes

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Rewards that Motivate and Inspire
Girl Rewards:
Girls earn the symbols of accomplishment in the form of patches and other recognition items. They also earn Cookie
Credits to use toward their personal goals such as:
• Annual membership dues
• Council sponsored activities
• GSCWM day and overnight camp
• GSUSA Destinations
• Merchandise from the GSCWM Stores
In addition to Cookie Dough, girls will earn items and patches based on the number of packages she sells during
the stated time period.

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With Girl Scout Cookies she can create a world of good!
With your guidance and the power of Girl Scout Cookies, girls can make positive changes in the world around
them. A girl can speak for those less fortunate, foster changes where they’re needed and have a true impact close
to home, or even on the other side of the world. Visit www.LittleBrownie.com, where we are showcasing amazing
stories from across the country. When they see how other girls are making a big difference with Girl Scout Cookies,
volunteers and girls dream bigger. And customers are inspired to help! This Cookie Season, encourage girls to set
high goals and use some cookie money to make the world a better place. They will grow in ways you never
dreamed possible.