New this year! Check out the new cookie packaging featuring stories from G.I.R.L.!

This year is all about Lemonades, the original lemon cookie! So be sure to show it some love at booth sales with cute signs and decorations.

Utilize Smart Cookies to maximize your business! When you receive your email, be sure to create your account, download the app, and explore the platform! Once you create a profile on Smart Cookies, you can do any of the following:• Set cookie sales goals• Take cookie orders• Place and track customer orders for hand-delivery• Track progress toward your goals• View your recognitions and achievements• Send Smart Cookies Direct Ship e-cards.

Customers can order and pay for their cookies completely online and have them shipped directly to their door just like in the past. There is NO minimum order!

ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS! Ask your Troop Leader or Cookie Manager if your troop will be able to accept credit cards as most people only use credit cards these days!

GET THIS! GSSA will still pay for HALF of your customer’s shipping cost! Half price shipping will be for orders of 5-12 packages; any additional packages you will need to place a separate order to receive half off. We are sure this will help boost your sales tremendously!

Something to Walkabout! What better way to celebrate and kick-off the Cookie Program by getting your troop/group together and going door-to-door selling cookies! Walkabout weekend is January 10-12. Make sure you share your goals with your customers. They love to hear how their purchase helps you with your goals. Always remember to say Thank You!

Don’t forget that Hometown Heroes (formerly known as Operation Cookie Care Package) is a FANTASTIC way to BOOST your sales! Hometown Heroes is a program through which customers make donations that are used to purchase Girl Scout Cookies for our brave military troops, first responders, veterans’ hospitals, and local nonprofits.

All Troops that want to participate in Cookie Drive Thrus must follow the Cookie and Product Program Safety Activity Checkpoints and check out a Drive Thru Kit through their Service Unit Manager. See www.girlscoutssa.org/cookies for more details.

COOKIE CRUMBLESA Family Guide to the Girl Scout Cookie Program

parent save the datesDECEMBER 26Cookie Program

begins and online marketing portal

opens!

JANUARY 6-11Troop Cookie

Deliveries

March 1Cookie Program

Ends

JANUARY 10-12Walkabout Weekend

JANUARY 17Cookie Booths

start

JANUARY 3Have your sales

goal entered in to Smart Cookies

DECEMBER 25Complete and

return the Parent Permission Form

to your Cookie Manager.

Feb 28- March 1National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

Program Highlights

You are GUESTS when you set up a cookie booth at a business location and should be on YOUR BEST behavior.

1. Contact the Store Manager when you arrive.2. Set-up booth sale in the designated area, DO NOT block the entrance and follow the rules

the business sets.3. Be identifiable as a Girl Scout and wear our Girl Scout Membership Pin, uniform, or other

Girl Scout clothing.4. Only approach customers as they are leaving the business and have a good attitude,

smile, and say thank you even if a customer does not buy.5. Adults will be present at all times; don’t allow girls to wander around the location un-chaperoned.6. Don’t ask businesses for change.7. Have your own table and hang our signs on your table, not on the businesses’ property.8. RESPECT other troops’ sale time. Don’t set up early, and don’t stay after the allotted time.

Resolve conflicts peacefully. DO NOT create a scene in front of a business!9. No eating or drinking during a booth sale (girls or adults).10. An adult is responsible for money at all times. An adult watches or assists as the girls

handle money. Keep money box in a safe place, especially during loading and unloading of cookies. DO NOT keep large amounts of money in the money box!

11. Make sure you count and write down the exact amount and flavor of boxes before beginning a booth sale. Then count the exact amount and flavor after the booth sale

is over.12. Clean up after a booth sale and take ALL trash with you.13. Park away from the front of the business, and do not take up their good parking spaces.

Did you know that you can receive higher program credits by combining your daughters’ sales? Example, you have two daughters (Sally and Sara). Sally sells 150 packages and Sara sells 150 packages. Combined, they can receive $25 program credits awarded at the 300 package level. *Disclaimer: • This doesn’t mean that recognitions are combined or that they both receive the program credits at the higher level. Please inform your troop leader before the sale is over if you have multiple daughters, even if they are in separate troops.• Program Credits are only awarded to those that reach the 300 or above level (combined or separate) and who are not in a troop that decided to receive higher troop proceeds.

Cookie Booth Etiquette

Sister Credits

All About LemonadesThis year, we’re featuring everyones favorite tangy lemon-icing-topped shortbread cookie!

1Made with NO high fructose corn syrup

This original treat features the slightest hint of lemon, for a

refreshing, completely unique flavor that stands

out as a beloved Girl Scout staple!

2 0g Trans fat per serving

Count It UpLearn money managementbasics including understandingdifferent kinds of coins, how to count and use

paper money, and setting goals for buying fun items.

Talk it UpEarn this leaf by demonstratingsmart money management,such as learning the difference between needs and wants and learning how to prioritize and set goals for your troops cookieproceeds.

Meet My CustomersGirls learn all about how tofind, interact, and retain cookie customers.From role-playing good customer relations, to handling money and making change, this is a great way for girls to enhance selling skills and build confidence.

Give BackGirls learn how money andbusinesses can helpothers including practicinggiving back to the localcommunity and explaining to customers how theirpurchases help fund troop service projects and Hometown Heroes.

Customer InsightsGirls conduct market and customer research by finding out who buys cookies and gaining greater understanding of their cookie customers.

Cookie CEOGirls earn this badge by

exploring and mastering thedetails of running their very own Girl Scout Cookie business. As an

entrepreneur and CEO, girls will learn how to set a group goal, explore how businesses work, practice listening skills, and track sales.

Daisy Badges Brownie Badges Junior Badges

Focusing on the 5 Skills, the program is designed to help G.I.R.L.s (go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, leaders)grow into leaders of courage, confidence, and character while learning five valuable life skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

All Girl Scout troops earn proceeds for participating in the Cookie Program, which can be used to fund troop adventures such as travel, community service projects, council-sponsored activities, and much more. Troops earn proceeds on a scaled proceed plan based on their box-per-girl average. The more troops sell, the more they earn. In 2019, the average troop earned more than $1,667 in proceeds!

In addition to the scaled proceed plan, each Girl Scout is eligible to earn awesome recognitionsbased on overall sales. Girls earn cool patches for Walkabout Weekend, Hometown Heroes, and selling online through Smart Cookies Direct Ship. Girls are also eligible to earn additional rewards such as themed t-shirts, stuffed animals, a movie gift card, 3-day camp experience, drone, segway and so much more!

G.I.R.L. Entrepreneurs

Earn While You Learn There’s more than just what is in the box! Participating in the Fall Product Program (Munchies & Mags), and the Girl Scout Cookie Program gives girls useful skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. Plus, girls can earn some pretty cool Cookie Business badges aimed at sharpening their entrepreneurship skills while having a lot of fun!

Business PlanTake your Cookie

Business to the next level by learning to

create a business plan. Earning this badge gives girls

the opportunity to write a mission

statement, develop a business plan,

complete a risk management assessment and learn how to leverage this knowledge to increase their cookie customer base.

MarketingEvery business needs a solid brand identity and marketing plan. Girls earning this badge will learn more about branding,complete a competitor research and analysis assessment, develop a marketing message, and create a marketing campaign to helpreach more customers while achieving cookie goals.

Think BigGirls are encouraged to dream big for their cookie business while earning this badge. Girls will learn how to take their business to the next level by implementing innovative selling strategies and marketing messages to help increase their box-per-girl average and find new customers in unexpected places.

Cadette Badges

Ambassador Badges

Senior Badges

My PortfolioParticipating in the largest girl-led business in the world means girls have lots of experience and skills to aid their professional future and goals. Girls earning thisbadge will build their cookieresume and portfolio, develop a personal brand, and master interview skills.

Customer LoyaltyBusinesses are always thinking of new ways to keep and engage their current and past customers. A girl’s cookie business is nodifferent! Earning this badge will help girls communicate with customers about how proceeds fund exciting new opportunities and provide need-to-know skills about customer service and building relationships.

Research and DevelopmentUse data to grow cookie sales! Girls earning thisbadge will analyze saletrends, research how companies innovate, and leverage research and development to keep their business moving forward.

Profit and Loss/Promise and LawHaving good business ethics is what helps businessesbecome and stay successful. Girls earning this badge will develop their business mission statement and promise, work with younger

Girl Scouts to share selling tips and tricks, and determine what legacy they will leave as part of the Girl Scout

Cookie Program.

Caramel Chocolate Chip

Thanks-A-LotsLemonades S’Mores

CarameldeLites

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Peanut Butter Patties

Thin MintsShortbreadA typical Girl Scout in our council sells an average of 235 packages of cookies and generates between $90 and $120 in proceeds for her troop! It starts with the girl and her family committing themselves to helping the troop achieve their goals. Support can be offered in many ways – like serving as the Troop Cookie Manager, helping girls make cookie programposters, staff cookie booths, managing cookie inventory, or helping distribute cookies, among other things. Check with your Girl Scout’s troop to see how you can help!

Meet The Cookies

How The Cookie

Crumbles Revenue generated by the Cookie Program goes directly to troops or is designated for program opportunities that directly support girls and/or adult members in our council.

Who can sell Girl Scout cookies?Registered Girl Scouts who have submitted a signed Permission Form may sell Girl Scout cookies. Participation in the program is optional.Where can girls sell cookies?Girls can sell cookies within our 30-county jurisdiction. There are no restrictions on where girls can sell door-to-door within our council (i.e. no girl or troop has exclusive rights to any town, area, neighborhood, or street). However, requests for cookie booths must be submitted by the Troop Cookie Manager and approved by the Booth Coordinator in the county/area in which the booth would be set up. Different rules may apply on military bases, so please check with the appropriate persons regarding selling on base.When should customers pay?Customers should pay when cookies are received.When should parents pay for their cookies?Parents should turn in money weekly and by each deadline set by their troop.

Can customers pay with a check and to whom should it be written?Yes, girls and troops can accept checks from customers they know, but should not accept checks from strangers or checks over $25 in value. Parents are encouraged to work with your troop to be able to accept credit/debit card payments from customers. Checks should be written out to the troop bank account.Can customers return cookies?If a customer believes that a box of cookies is in any way unsatisfactory, the box can be returned to the council for a replacement.Can girls return cookies?Once a parent/guardian signs for cookies they cannot return them and the parent is responsible for paying for them. However, troops and parents need to work together to aid in getting any remaining cookies sold to help the troop achieve its overall sales goal.

Parent FAQs Cookies are $4 a package

2%administration

expenses

56%girl and adult

programs, camps, and

training

26%cost of

cookies and distribution

18%troop proceeds,

bonuses, patches & recognitions

Hometown Heroes makes it possible to ship packages of Girl Scout cookies to our brave military men and women serving overseas, returning from deployment, veterans, first responders and local nonprofits.

This year our council is striving to reach a goal of 7,000 overall packages donated!

Why Girls and Troops Participate:• It’s easy and can really boost your sales! In 2019 our troops collectively earned over

$3,500 in proceeds from collecting Hometown Heroes donations -- without having to deliver a single package of cookies!

• Some customers don’t want to purchase Girl Scout cookies for themselves, but want to support Girl Scouts and help you reach your sales goal. Their donation to

Hometown Heroes will do just that – you earn sales credit and your troop earns proceeds as well.• Girls who turn in donations for 10 packages or more can purchase a 2020 Cookie

Share Patch.• Girls love helping others and Hometown Heroes does just this! Help us recognize the

sacrifices of our brave military men and women, first responders and local nonprofits, who we all consider Hometown Heroes by giving them a taste of home.

Here’s How it Works:• Collect donations from December 26 to March 1 and give Hometown Heroes money

to your troop as often as possible. (Money must be turned in to your troop in order for a girl to receive credit for Hometown Heroes. Please communicate regularly with your Troop Cookie

Manager to make sure these sales are accurately put in Smart Cookies for your Girl Scout.)• Girls and troops must report all Hometown Heroes donations and cannot use donations to pay for other cookie orders or undelivered cookies.• Troops report their total donations at the end of the program and the council places a special Hometown Heroes order directly with ABC Bakers.• In May, the council delivers cookies to designated organizations.

Remember to use these guidelines to participate safely in the Cookie Program.

• Sell only during daylight hours and in neighborhoods with which you are familiar

• Younger Girl Scouts should be accompanied by an adult at all times;

Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors should use the buddy system

or be with an adult

• Never enter the home of a stranger

• Do not give customers your last name or address

• Practice pedestrian safety

• Do not carry large amounts of money

• Do not accept checks for more than $25

(if your Troop decides to accept checks)

Safety First

Hometown Heroes

Make it to the TOP!Top 5 girls will have the choice between a family 4-pack day adventure to OWA OR a two-pack day adventure to iFLY. The

Top Seller this year will have the choice of a Drone or Segway! *If Top Seller chooses either a Drone or Segway, the Top 5 prize is non-redeemable. AND GUESS WHAT?! Top 10 overall sellers will win a family 4-pack overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge on June 26th!!

Did someone say cookies for a year? When customers “Buy Five” boxes of cookies make sure they fill out an entry form for a random drawing to win a year of Girl Scout Cookies (SIX CASES of COOKIES). There will be a winner drawn from the five regions in our council. “Buy 5” is a SIMPLE way to increase troop sales and help Girl Scouts reach their goals. That’s not all! Troops that sold to the lucky winners will win a $50 GSSA shop gift card!

Are YOU a Cookie Pro? (GSUSA Contest)Ready to enter for your chance to be one of 24 WINNERS NATIONWIDE? The 24 lucky winners will get an opportunity to:• Travel to sunny Orlando, FL for an epic

Cookie Entrepreneur Experience with their parent/guardian

• Enjoy full VIP access to all G.I.R.L. 2020 activities

• Have breakfast with GSUSA CEO and Council CEOs

• Embark on epic adventures at a local amusement park

• Attend a Girl Scout alums coaching session to build entrepreneurial skills

• Get recognized on the EXPO Hall main stage and through a featured story at the Entrepreneurship Pavilion

It’s all part of the COOKIE ENTREPRENEUR EXPERIENCE! For Cookie Pro entry details and offical contest rules go to girlscouts.org/cookiepro.

Find all other contest details, including deadline dates to enter and rules, at www.girlscoutssa.org/cookies.

Cookie Contests

2019 Top 10 SellersLorelei A. 4776

Kevelyn W. 4489

Hannah J. 3864

Madison W. 3405

Emma B. 2942

Lydia P. 2569

Kenda B. 2403

Jordan K. 2195

Abigail M. 2088

Bailee G. 2004

1st place will receive $100 in Program Credits

2nd - 5th place will each receive $25 in Program Credits

**Participants may purchase the Bling My Booth patch from our retail shops.

Bling Your Booth Patch & Photo Contest

Rules:

Are the Girl Scouts in your troop some of the most creative cookie bosses around?

All entries must be emailed to communications@girlscoutssa.org with Photo Contest and Troop Number in subject line.

Show us what you’ve got by Blinging Your Booth! This will generate excitement and attract more customers to increase cookie sales! Booth kits will be available for purchase at our retail locations

and then you can add your own bling to it!

Final deadline for entries is Friday, February 21, 2020. We will put all photos received in an album starting on January 22 for our followers to vote on their favorite!

Maximum of three pictures (showing different views) may be sent by any one troop and all pictures must be sent in ONE email. Note: Please size down large photos for email and web usage.

Winners will be notified on Friday, February 28. Top 5 Prizes

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