You play an exciting role in giving your girls opportunities to
practice the five skills as they learn how to think like entrepreneurs
in a girl-led setting. Some of the things you’ll do include:
Not only can girls sell individually, both in-person and using the
online tools provided by each vendor, they can also participate in
group booth sales during the cookie program. Your local council has
additional guidance and processes to market booths and ensure they are
situated in a safe and appropriate location for girls
As your girls grow, your role will evolve from a hands-on one to
providing oversight and support where needed. No matter your girls’
ages, remember that volunteers and parents/caregivers do not sell
the product. Your role is to encourage your girls and let their
entrepreneurial spirit soar. Learning by doing is exactly how your
girls develop the business savvy and communication skills that will empower them to reach any goals they set for themselves.
Another critical task for each troop is to establish a clear
accounting system for all proceeds and product during the programs.
It's up to you to make sure that money is spent wisely, that excellent
records are kept (remember to keep copies of all receipts in a binder
or folder), and that all product is tracked. For older girls, your job
is to oversee their work as they learn to keep impeccable records. Be
sure to attend product program orientation or training so you are
aware of the systems and helpful tools available.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and the Fall Product Program can be
exhilarating and busy times during the troop year, but you’re never
alone in your efforts! You can reach out to your service unit
when you‘re feeling stuck, or you can build a cookie team to provide the support your
troop needs.
Product Program Safety
Girl safety is the top priority while selling Girl Scout
Cookies and other products. Volunteers, families, and girls should be
familiar with and practice the safety guidelines outlined in local
program resources as well as those available in the troop
leader resources section of girlscouts.org.
Selling Cookies Online
Will your troop use the Digital Cookie® platforms to manage its cookie
business? The Digital Cookie program comprises three different
platforms: Digital Order Card (DOC), Smart Cookies and M2. GSHCC
currently partners with ABC Bakers and M2 Media so troops will use the
M2 system for fall product and Smart Cookies for the cookie
program. Check the specific guidelines provided by each vendor before
participating. Before girls use any online platform, they should
partner with their families to learn how to safely run their business online.
A few more online safety practices to keep in mind:
- The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a girl-led program, and
online marketing and sales efforts should always be led by a girl,
with the supervision of her parent or caregiver.
- Girls
engaging in online sales and marketing must review and apply the Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie
Entrepreneurs and Families
.
- Girls, volunteers, and parents must review
and adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge,
the Digital Cookie Pledge, the Supplemental Safety Tips for Online
Marketing, and Girl Scouts’ Safety Activity Checkpoints for
Computer and Internet Use and Cookie and Product Sales (with the exception
that they may share beyond friends and family).
- Girl sales
links should never be posted to resale sites (Craigslist, eBay,
Facebook Marketplace, etc.).
- Girls must adhere to all terms
and conditions on Digital Cookie platforms. For copies of terms and
conditions, please contact GSUSA, ABC or M2 as needed.
- GSUSA reserves the right to remove or disable the link for any
reason including violation of guidance, inventory fulfillment
issues, safety issues, or if sales and marketing activity goes viral
and otherwise creates unanticipated disruption.
Additionally, families, girls, and volunteers should contact and
collaborate with GSHCC in advance on any national news media
opportunities tied to girls’ online marketing and sales efforts.
The Buddy System
Using the buddy system, girls are divided into teams of two.
Each girl is responsible for staying with her buddy at all times,
warning her buddy of danger, giving her buddy immediate assistance if
safe to do so, and seeking help if needed. Girls are encouraged to
stay near the group or buddy with another team of two so that in the
event someone is injured, one person cares for the patient while two
others seek help.