When a Girl Scout participates in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, she’s doing more than handing customers a package of cookies. She’s creating a plan, interacting with clients, and working as part of a team. She’s building a lifetime of skills and confidence.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world! It’s objective is to help girls develop their entrepreneurial and leadership experience by using the 5 Skills throughout each step of the program!

The 5 Skills

Goal Setting: Girls set sales goals and with their troop create a plan to reach them.

Decision Making: Girls decide where and when to sell cookies, how to market their sales and figure out what to do with their earnings.

Money Management: Girls develop a budget, take orders and handle customers’ money.

People Skills: Girls learn how to talk and listen to their customers, as well as, learn how to work as a team with other girls.

Business Ethics: Girls act honestly and responsibly during every step of the cookie program.

Cookie Entrepreneur Family PinSimple, age-specific guidelines have been tailored for her developing skill set, your support sets her up for success.

Visit the Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin page at gswise.org.

2020 Cookie Timeline

January 10 Girls begin selling online and in person

January 19 Cookie booth lottery opens

January 21 Cookie booth lottery selections emailed

January 22 First come, first served cookie booth scheduling begins

January 27 Initial troop cookie order due

February 12-16 Troop cookie pick-ups

February 17 Cookie Cupboards open

February 21 Cookie booths begin

March 4 First ACH debit

March 18 Second ACH debit

March 31 Girl recognition orders due (all transfers completed)

April 1 Last ACH debit (remaining balance)

April 24-25 Rewards pick-up

What’s new?• Troop proceeds go up by 20%

• Cookie business cards

• Instant rewards

• Fox philanthropy

• CEO Cookie Club

• Troop rewards!

• G.I.R.L. 2020 in Orlando

2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program

Cookie Captain Guide

The Cookie price is $5 per

package.

Cookie selling materials• Receipt books should always be used when cookies

or money is transferred between families and the troop.

• Order cards contain the rewards insert and Family Guide.

• Money envelopes are used by girls to collect money.

• Permission slips are now online.

• Additional order cards are available at all Service Centers. All Cookie forms are downloadable at gswise.org.

Cookie captain checklistThe recipe for a successful cookie captain is a heaping helping of communication with co-leaders, parents, and the council, plus a generous dash of organization!

❒ Register as a Cookie Captain through MY GS.

❒ Learn about the Girl Scout Cookie Program through our online or in-person training.

❒ Hold a troop/parent meeting, distribute materials, and set a troop goal! Many troops choose camp, horseback riding, or a troop trip.

❒ Make sure all girls have completed the online permission slip.

❒ Work with the troop, listening to the girls to set selling goals, and decide as a group how many cookies to order.

❒ Become familiar with ABC Smart Cookies (online cookie management system) to manage troop’s cookie ordering, transfers, payments, and rewards (pp. 5-8 in this guide)

❒ Organize cookie pick-up and distribution.

❒ Collect money and ensure that there are enough funds in the troop treasury to cover costs

❒ Organize and distribute rewards.

Council communication and support• Read weekly COOKIE CONNECTION emails (sent

to all registered cookie captains). It contains reminders, tips, and video links.

• Email cookies@gswise.org and your question will be answered by a cookie expert.

• Contact Customer Care Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 800-565-4475.

ABC Smart Cookies - online selling

All registered Girl Scouts will receive an email from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com the week of January 5 with a link to create an online selling account.

Beginning January 10, girls can send e-cards or post a link on social media inviting family and friends to purchase cookies. Customers can choose to:

A. Have their cookies delivered by the Girl Scout and pay at the time of delivery.

Note: Girl delivered online orders must be included with online order card totals that are entered by the troop cookie captain.

or

B. Have their cookies directly shipped to them and pay for cookies and shipping when ordering (this is the only option when posting the link on social media for safety purposes).

Direct ship online orders are automatically added to girl’s totals and troop finances are adjusted accordingly.

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Cookie cupboards = Additional cookies• Additional cookies are available at cookie

cupboards through the end of March. Enter a planned order online. Choose your cupboard location and pick-up date.

• Check the online cookie cupboard. This is a spreadsheet that lists cookies that troops are trying to sell from their inventory. Find it at gswise.org/cookieinfo and in Cookie Connection emails. Troops organize pick up.

Remember: Proceeds are calculated by your per-girl selling average. If your troop is close to the next level, it may be worth ordering more to advance to the next level.

Unsold cookiesUnsold cookies are not returnable, but there are several options for troops to deplete their cookie inventory:

1. Check with all families in the troop, does anyone need more cookies?

2. Exchange unopened cookie varieties for more popular varieties at a service center (while supplies last).

3. Hold a cookie booth to sell all leftover cookies.

4. Post the cookies on the online cookie cupboard found at gswise.org.

Cookie Share• Cookie Share allows customers to purchase Girl

Scout Cookies as donations to local food pantries, shelters, and the military.

• Cookie share cookies count toward girl recognitions.

• Cookie share cookies are not received by the troop, they are donated by the council after the sale.

GSWISE council goalThe council goal is 175 packages per person.

Girls selling 175 packages in the initial order will receive an Instant Reward that can be picked up beginning February 1 at any GSWISE Service Center. The squishy fox and lanyard can be picked up by the troop volunteer or by the family.

Girls can use business cards to make selling easier!Girls can hand out their very own business cards to family and friends. Customers can purchase cookies at any GSWISE Service Center, show the business card, and the girls will get credit for the sales! The best part is that the council will take care of all the ABC Smart Cookie transfers for the cookie captain, so it’s a win-win for everyone! Girls can print out business cards from a template on gswise.org if they did not earn them during the Fall Product Program.

Troop initial order and pick-upThe troop should make a group decision to determine how many additional cookies they should order.

Things to consider:

• What is the troop goal?• How many cookie booths will the troop schedule?• Cookies are not returnable. If you need more, you

can always pick them up at a cookie cupboard. • Which cookies will be easiest to sell?

Cookies are delivered to more than 20 different pick-up locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Troops choose where and when they would like to pick up their cookies online. Be sure to choose a time!

Cookie pick-up dates are February 12–16.

Home delivery

Troops with an initial cookie order of 250 cases or more will qualify for a home delivery.

In order to get home delivery, you must have a driveway. Cookies will be dropped in garages (no stairs). Other troops may be included in home delivery, but the primary delivery must be 250 cases.

Purchase cookies with this card at a location listed below. Go to gswise.org for current hours.

Pulocfor

Girl Scout Cookie ExpertTroop # GT

Questions? Call 800-565-4475 Ques

Milwaukee Resource Center131 S. 69th St., MilwaukeeNew Berlin Resource Center21430 W. Greenfield Ave., New BerlinWoodhaven Resource Center2303 37th St., Kenosha

Mi131

New2143

Woo2303

Susie M.

1234

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G.I.R.L. 2020 OrlandoGirls that sell 2,020 packages of cookies by March 31, 2020 will have the option to choose 2 tickets to G.I.R.L. 2020, the world’s largest girl-led convention in Orlando, Florida. It will be held from October 23-25, 2020.

• Girls selling 2,020 boxes of cookies and choosing the Orlando trip will NOT receive any other rewards except patches and CEO Cookie Club.

• Girls selling more than 2,500 packages can choose to add on to their trip. See the rewards insert for details.

Troop proceedsTroops earn proceeds based on the per girl selling average (PGA) of the troop. The PGA is determined by taking the total number of packages sold and dividing by the number of girls participating. Deciding how to spend troop proceeds should be a troop decision.

Average troop proceeds

Average Troop Proceeds

Packages per girl $ / package

1-125 $0.70

126-175 $0.85

176+ $1.00

Opt out optionTroops in grades 4–12 can choose to opt out of receiving the recognitions (including PACs) and earn an additional five cents ($0.05) per package. This must be a troop decision. To opt out, go to your ‘ABC Smart Cookies’ account, click ‘Rewards,’ and change your proceed plan to ‘Opt Out’. Please also complete the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program Opt-Out Agreement found under ‘For Cookie Captains’ at gswise.org/cookieinfo before Sunday, March 1. Each girl selling will receive earned patches only.

RecognitionsRecognitions are cumulative which means girls earn each recognition item up to the total number of packages she sold. Girls make their recognition choices on the permission slip starting at the 75 package level. Cookie captains enter those choices online.

Girls will earn credit toward recognitions on all cookies sold until Tuesday, March 31. This includes the initial order and additional packages, plus online sales and a portion of cookie booth sales (if applicable).

Program Activity Credits (PACs) are credits that can be used toward:

⬩ Day camp ⬩ Overnight camp ⬩ Girl Scout Destinations and travel opportunities ⬩ Any council sponsored event or activity ⬩ Resource center purchases ⬩ 2020–2021 Girl Scout membership

PACs are received in April, but camp registration opens in February. Pay the camp DEPOSIT ONLY in February to hold your spot. On the back of the card there are instructions to make camp payments using PACs.

PACs are valid through January 31, 2021.

Recognition pick upTroop recognition pick-up is April 24-25. All recognitions including PACs will be picked up at this time by the troop cookie captain or troop co-leader. Troops that do not pick up will have their recognitions mailed to the troop co-leader for a $30 fee. Be sure to double check all recognitions and distribute to girls quickly. Contact cookies@gswise.org quickly with any issues. All recognition issues must be reported by May 15.

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To start using ABC Smart Cookies1. Register as a “Cookie Captain” by logging into MY GS on

gswise.org.

2. Watch for an email from noreply@abcsmartcookies.combefore January 10.

3. Only registered cookie captains will receive this link. If you have registered as cookie captain and did not receive the email, contact the council.

Setting up your troopHover over MY TROOP to review the following:

• Troop Roster - check that all your girls are listed.

• Troop Information - complete all fields.

• Troop User Management - set up additional users if necessary (troop co-leaders, co-captains)

• Troop Messages - use this tool to communication with your troop families.

Check out the Dashboard!The dashboard is your quick reference guide.

• At the top of the page, you will see troop achievement, troop goals, the per-girl selling average, and available inventory.

• Below that is a calendar of important dates along with messages and troop sales statistics.

• At the bottom is important information about finances and cookie totals per girl.

Entering your initial cookie order (by January 27)

1. Hover over ORDERS and click on Troop Initial Order

2. Click on each girl’s icon and enter her order totals in PACKAGES.

3. Click on the BOOTH LINE to order additional packages to sell directly and at cookie booths.

4. Initial troop orders are picked up in FULL CASES (1 case = 12 packages). Click on EXTRA to see the number of extra packages needed to round up to full cases. Your troop is responsible for selling these extras.

5. Click SAVE and choose your delivery site location, date, and time.

Orders may be adjusted through Monday, January 27.

Creating a planned order to pick up additional cookiesIf the troop needs more cookies after the initial order, you will create a planned order.

1. Hover over ORDERS and click on PLANNED ORDER

2. Choose the cupboard, date, and time.

3. Enter your order by package and variety,

4. Click SAVE.

ABC Smart Cookies online cookie ordering system

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Transferring cookies (by March 31)Transferring cookies from the troop inventory to a specific girl will increase the girl’s total for recognitions and will be included in her balance report.

Hover over ORDERS and click on TRANSFER ORDER

1. Choose the transfer type.

2. Complete “from:” and “to:” accordingly.

3. Choose the girl from the drop down.

4. Notice the troop inventory shown under the troop and the girl total once a girl is chosen.

5. Enter the number of additional packages sold by the girl.

6. Click SAVE.

• All transfers MUST be documented by a signed receipt.

• Packages in the booth column will NOT be added financially to that girl.

• Troop-to-troop transfers are similar to girl transfers. An email will automatically be sent to both troops for confirmation.

Creating your rewards order (by March 31)Once all cookie packages are transferred to the girls in the troop, a recognition order must be created.

1. Hover over REWARDS and click on CREATE RECOGNITION ORDER.

2. Enter recognition choices using the girl’s choices from their permission slips.

3. Click SAVE.

4. To update a recognition order, hover over RECOGNITIONS and click MANAGE RECOGNITION ORDER. Double click on your existing recognition order.

Troop reward bonus!Troops with a selling average of 175+ will earn a special T-shirt for the whole troop including two for troop

co-leaders.

Creating financial transactionsFamilies should pay for cookies sold before taking more. Keep track of amounts paid by creating a financial transaction from the girl to the troop.

1. Hover over FINANCES and click FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.

2. Click on GIRL TRANSACTIONS.

3. Click the ADD GIRL TRANSACTION box in the lower left.

4. Complete the boxes in the pop-up window.

5. Click SAVE.

You cannot enter troop bank deposits into ABC Smart Cookies.

ABC Smart Cookies credit card payments• Troops can choose to take customer payments by

credit card through ABC Smart Cookies, but fees do apply. The service fee for this option is 2% + $.12 per transaction.

• Troops can also use other credit card options.

• Troops should decide if the potential additional sales are worth the cost of the fees.

ReportsABC Smart Cookies allows you to run a variety of reports to review information about the troop cookie sale. Reports are located under the REPORTS icon and are generated in real time.

The Troop Balance Summary report will show your troop’s selling average, the amount the troop has earned in proceeds, and the amount the troop owes the council.

• If additional cookies were picked up after the initial pickup, they will show up in the Transfers section.

• The total number of packages sold includes Cookie Share and extra packages needed to fill cases.

The Girl Balance Summary report will show how much money each girl owes for cookies sold. Cookies allocated to girls from booth sales will NOT be included in this total. Leave the girl name field blank to pull the report for all girls in the troop.

The Transfer Order Summary report will show a detailed list of all transfers made by the troop.

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Cookie boothsCookie booths are an opportunity for girls to sell cookies directly to customers at area businesses. They provide girls with opportunity to set up and manage their own cookie store. They are a great way for your troop to earn additional proceeds and for girls to increase their recognition totals.

Cookie booths begin on February 21.

Council-secured cookie boothThe council has already reserved these locations for cookie booths.

Cookie booth lotteryEach troop can enter up to five lottery choices January 19- 20.

ABC Smart Cookies will randomly select lottery “winners” on January 21. All troops will be notified via email from ABC Smart Cookies.

Cookie booth first-come, first-servedBetween January 22-27 troops may sign up for more council secured booths (one shift per day).

Troop-secured cookie boothsTroops can secure these locations for cookie booths at sites not already reserved by the council.

Troops can contact any local business and ask permission to run a cookie booth at that location as long as that site is not already a council-secured site. The troop works with the business to set a date and time.

Once the business has given approval:

• Login to abcsmartcookies.com and go to ‘Booths’.

• Click ‘Troop Secured Booth’ and enter the information.

• Wait for approval from the council.

• There is no limit to how many troop-secured booths you can have.

All cookie booths must be approved by the council through ABC Smart Cookies.

Tips for successGirls are financially responsible for cookies ordered in the initial order. It is important to communicate with all troop members throughout the cookie program. If a girl needs more cookies, or if a girl is having a hard time selling what she ordered, you can help. This is a great way to promote teamwork!

Collect receipts

Be sure that receipts are signed by both parties any time a cookie or money transaction takes place. It is best to complete a transfer in ABC Smart Cookies for each transaction.

Set goals

Set a troop goal and share that goal with all families. Keep in mind that the council goal is 175 packages per girl. Experience has proven that girls will sell more when they are motivated to meet a goal!

Order cookies wisely

Remember, cookies are not returnable. Girls that have set high goals should still order manageable amounts up front. Additional cookies can be picked up through the month of March. It is safest to order a few additional cases to start with, and pick up more when needed.

If your troop has more than one cookie booth shift scheduled, do not order cookies for all the shifts at once. Use leftovers from prior booth shifts or use a cookie cupboard to be sure you’re only getting what the troop needs.

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Money collection and paymentWhen troops participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, all money collected is deposited into the troop bank account. The amount earned by the troop (troop proceeds) will remain in the troop account and the portion due to the council will be electronically withdrawn. (Make sure the troop has completed their Troop-Service Unit Account Information and ACH form online.)

Collecting money• Girls collect payment from customers at the time

the cookies are delivered or sold.

• Customers pay for their cookie order by cash or check (written to the troop account).

• The troop collects payment from girls/families.

• Any time a family is making a payment to the troop, a receipt must be filled out and signed. (Additional receipt books are available.)

• Do not have parents write one check for their daughter’s entire order. Accepting multiple payments is encouraged. This ensures that there will be enough money in the troop account to cover ACH debits from the council.

• Do not accept a single check for more than $150.

• Do not give families additional cookies until they have paid for what they already have.

• Complete a girl financial transaction in ABC Smart Cookies every time a family submits a payment. This will help you keep track of troop finances.

• Deposit money collected into the troop account as soon as possible.

Paying the council• ACH debits will occur in three separate

transactions:

⬩ March 4 – 25% will be deducted

⬩ March 18 – 25% will be deducted

⬩ April 1 – the remaining balance will be deducted

• To view the amount due to the council, check the dashboard in ABC Smart Cookies. After March 6, the report will reflect the first payment and will show the remaining balance due.

If your troop has any money problems, contact GSWISE immediately.

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