2017Girl Scout

Cookie ProgramReference Guide

Where to Find itWelcome Troop Cookie Managers ............................................................................................. 2Getting Started .............................................................................................................................. 3Conducting A Girl/Parent Training ............................................................................................. 4Snap+ Online Cookie Tool (UPDATED) ....................................................................................... 5The Initial Order is Due ................................................................................................................. 7Cookie Deliveries ........................................................................................................................... 8Planned Orders and Home Delivery (UPDATED) ..................................................................... 9Pod/Truck Locations/Hours (UPDATED) ..................................................................................10Cookie Booths ............................................................................................................................... 11Kiosk ...............................................................................................................................................13The 5 Skills (center pull-out) ......................................................................................................142017 Girl Scout Cookie Program Dates (UPDATED - center pull-out) .................................15Successful Cookie Program (center pull-out) ........................................................................16Tools that Work (center pull-out) ..............................................................................................17 COCOdirect ....................................................................................................................................182017 Troop Benefits (NEW) .........................................................................................................19Troop-base Proceeds/Troop Bonus (NEW) ..............................................................................19Money Matters .......................................................................................................................20-22Money Collection Issues ............................................................................................................ 23Girl Rewards (NEW) .....................................................................................................................24Cookie Dough (NEW) ...................................................................................................................25Virtual Cookies for Soldiers (UPDATED) ................................................................................ 262017 Girl Scout Cookie Line-up .................................................................................................26Cookie Program Glossary (UPDATED) ..................................................................................... 272016-2017 Product Sales Team ................................................................................................ 28Notes ..............................................................................................................................................29Final Checklist ..............................................................................................................................30

Welcome Troop Cookie ManagersThank you for serving as your Troop’s Cookie Manager for the 2017 Girl Scout cookie program. The purpose of this reference guide is to provide you with information, tools, and answers to most of the questions about the Girl Scout cookie program. When you have a question, simply look at the topic on the Where to Find it (page 1) and you’ll find your answer. If you cannot find the answer you seek in this reference guide, please contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM).

Check out ABC/Interbake on their website at www.abcsmartcookies.com to find lots of FUN and INNOVATIVE activities for everyone to use throughout the Girl Scout cookie program. For more resources check out www.gssc-mm.org or www.girlscouts.org.

This year’s Girl Scout cookie program theme is be unique, be you! Girls in America have never been more empowered and encouraged to be themselves, and it’s time to celebrate the diversity and unique qualities of all girls - all the while highlighting the fun and rewarding nature of being a Girl Scout!

By participating in the cookie program your Girl Scouts are developing skills that can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success. Plus, it’s a great way to think about the many ways the cookie program yields tangible results in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Volunteers help girls develop leadership skills while they engage in the cookie program by using these three Girl Scout processes: Girl-Led, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative Learning.

Remember to use The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting on how girls earn the Financial Literacy and Cookie Business Badges and/or Daisy Leaves. The Financial Literacy Badges/Leaves teach girls how to use money wisely and the Cookie Business Badges/Leaves help put girls’ financial literacy skills into practice.

In addition to the life skills Girl Scouts gain from their hands-on participation, 100% of the proceeds generated from the cookie program stay in our Council, including the portion that goes directly to the troop selling the cookies.

Each year, some girls - who are otherwise actively involved in their troops - do not participate in the cookie program. We challenge each troop to achieve 100% participation from their girls. The point is that every cookie counts, and any level of participation is welcome. We believe every girl should have the opportunity to be a part of this great American tradition.

Thank you for all you do to ‘be unique, be you!’ and support this program that provides girls with “Skills for today...and tomorrow.”

What’s NEW?

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Girl Scout S’mores™

Getting StartedVolunteer Essentials, Chapter 5 (pages 73-79)

Getting StartedIn addition to what you learned by participating in the TCM adult learning session, you will need the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program Reference Guide, Girl Order Cards, and the Troop Goal Tracker. Encourage your Girl Scouts to go to COCO Command and begin setting their goals as well as setting an overall troop goal.

Preparation Become familiar with the way in which the Girl Scout cookie program is conducted and read through the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program Reference Guide.

Take into consideration the dates set by your Service Unit Cookie Manager and Council as you set troop deadline dates (SUCM dates supercede Council deadline dates).

Schedule at least one troop meeting to inform the girls and parents about the exciting program being offered through the cookie program before the sale begins.

Fill in important information (girl’s first name and last initial, troop number only) as well as sale dates on the Girl Order Cards.

Safety

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All girls selling must be a registered Girl Scout for the current membership year before they participate in the Girl Scout cookie sale. They must have a signed Parent Permission Slip turned in before they can receive a Girl Order Card. *Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, page 63

Girls can use electronic marketing, social networking, and group websites, to gather sale commitments from family, friends, and previous customers that are appropriate for their age level. *Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, pages 65-66

Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors (and older Girl Scouts not associated with a troop) who participate in door-to-door sales must be supervised by (but do not need to be directly accompanied by) an adult. Girls of all grade levels must always use the buddy system. *Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 5, pages 63

Girls should learn and practice these personal safety protection guidelines:

» Sell door-to-door only during daylight hours

» Do not enter the home of a stranger or approach customers in cars

» Do not carry large amounts of cash

» A girl should not give out her telephone number and/or address to strangers

When interacting with the public, girls should be identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing a membership pin, official uniform, tunic, sash or vest, or other Girl Scout clothing.

Before your girls ever begin selling cookies, everyone should learn all about our safety guidelines. Safety is one of the most important concepts that all adults must emphasize when talking with the girls. All Girl Scouts may sell cookies, subject to the following guidelines. *Volunteer Essentials - Chapter 4 (pages 56-66)

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Conducting a Girl/Parent Session

Try A Sample AgendaAs the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM), you are responsible for informing the girls and parents in your troop about the Girl Scout cookie program. Set your informational date and make it FUN! The more fun you make it, the more motivated your girls (and families) will be. When thinking about what you would like to cover during your cookie informational session, remember there may be parents who have never participated in the Girl Scout cookie program and some who have participated for multiple years.

If you need help organizing and conducting a parent informational session, contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) who may be able to assist you with the meeting or suggest a mentor leader from within your Service Unit to assist you.

For more resources on troop training, go to www.abcsmartcookies.com, girlscouts.org, or downloadparent/girl powerpoint on www.gssc-mm.org under Product Sales.

Benefits of participating in the cookie program• Five key skills that will serve girls for life - goal setting,

decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics

• Troop proceeds• Girl recognitions

Setting troop and individual sales goals• Go to COCO at www.abcsmartcookies.com

Safety• Review Safety Activity Checkpoints - “Girl Scout

Cookie/Council-Sponsored Product Sale” and talk about how girls can sell safely. Possibly do some role-playing to see if girls know how to handle themselves in different situations

Important Dates• Start and end dates• What’s due when (how often money will be collected)• When cookies will be available• Initial Orders and Planned Orders

The Cookies!• $4.00 per package for the eight (8) varieties• Gluten Free cookie are available ($5.00) during direct/

booth sales only• Get familiar with all of the cookie varieties• Girls can use COCOdirect to take orders directly from

customers (see page 18 regarding COCOdirect)• Remind parents they cannot return un-sold cookies

Using e-mail effectively in the cookie sale• Visit COCO at abcsmartcookies.com where

girls can enter their goals and register to do Online Marketing via COCOdirect

• COCOdirect benefits

Cookie Booths• Where, when and how many cookie booths

your troop wants to do• Being courteous and polite• Booth sale etiquette

Cookie Money• What the troop wants to do with their

proceeds• Adults signing for cookies and their payment

obligations• How and when to collect money and when it’s

due to the troop• Procedures on how and when to accept

checks

Other• Importance of parent/guardian support• Don’t overcommit when placing an order for

cookies. There are lots of opportunities to get more cookies throughout the sale

• Do some kind of fun activity related to the Girl Scout cookie program

Sample Parent/Girl Agenda

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Snap+ Online Cookie Tool

NEW AND IMPROVED: Snap+ is the online cookie program management tool. Snap+ makes ordering cookies and recognitions simple, quick and easy as 1-2-3! The Snap+ tutorial can be found at www.gssc-mm.org under Product Sales.

Once the Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) receives your signed Volunteer Agreement form, you will receive log-in information for Snap+ (if you are returning TCM, your log-in/password has not changed.) You will be responsible for entering and updating your contact information in Snap+ as well as your troop’s information, bank account, routing numbers and a voided check.

Quick SNAP+ Review » Go to Edit My Profile and edit Troop Cookie Manager

information (putting “TCM” after your last name)

» Go to My Troop and edit troop information – enter the PRIMARY Troop Leader’s full information (putting “PL” after her/his last name)

» You MUST enter your troop bank account and bank routing number in Snap+ (including all leading zeros). This step is done under My Troop – Edit Troop Information.

» My Troop – Please delete a girl if she is no longer active with the troop prior to committing your initial order(after upload from e-Council has been done in early January). As new girls are added to your troop, you will need to add them in Snap+. Make sure the girls’ names are entered in the same way that they were on their registration forms when they registered.

» SnapShot – keeps messages, tasks and dates updated

• Go to Cookies – click on initial order and input girls’ initial orders, along with extras for first booth sales Save as you go as Snap+ will time out. DO NOT ORDER FOR ALL BOOTH SALES SCHEDULED.

• Go to Cookies to transfer cookies – ensure all troop cookies are transferred to the girls through Troop to Girl, Girl to Girl, or Girl to Troop (packages only – must be done by variety −NEW!). Troop to Troop transfers can be done by packages – must be done by variety (your SUCM will need to do the Troop To Troop transfer – please receipt this transfer transaction with troop receiving the cookies)

• NEW! Smart Cookie Booth Divider (see Snap+ tutorial for further instructions)

• Ensure all money collected from girls is entered into Girl Balance Summary Report - a separate transaction should be entered for any cookies given and money received (this should have a $0.00 balance like the Troop Balance Summary report at the end of the sale). If Girl Balance Summary has not been continually updated, it will affect the girl recognitions

» To create recognitions go to Rewards Icon:

• Early recognitions (earned during the initial order taking between January 6 – 22) are created AFTER you have entered in all the girls’ cookie orders (if your troop opted out of recognitions, you will not need to create Early Recognitions)

• Main recognitions are created at the end of the Girl Scout cookie program AFTER all cookies have been transferred to the girls (if your troop opted out of recognitions, you will need to create Main Recognitions to receive patches)

• If recognitions were created prior to transferring cookies to the girls, you will need to UPDATE the recognitions and then SAVE!

» Reports: check your math through SNAP+ −ensuring you have not over or under deposited (this can be done by reviewing the Troop Balance Summary Report). The report will show you what the outstanding balance is prior to making that final deposit (Any over payment of more than $1, will exclude troops from meeting the correct and on time bonus criteria, see page 19)

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Helpful Snap+ Reports

Helpful Summary Reports to use throughout the Girl Scout cookie program:Snap+ allows you to run a variety of reports to review information about your cookie sale. Reports are located under the Reports icon and are generated in real time, which means that as soon as you enter information, you will be able to view the current information via the reports.

The following reports will help you throughout the Girl Scout Cookie Program:

Girl Balance Summary Report MUST be completed prior to meeting with your SUCMThis report will show all packages the girls have received and show all payments girls have made to the troop (please enter all transactions separately into Snap+). If the girl does not owe money, this report should show a $0.00 balance. If a girl owes, this report will help us in the documentation of what has been paid and what is still showing as outstanding. If it hasn’t been done correctly, recognitions will not be correct.

informs troop of all cookies received/transferred as well as showing troop proceeds and what needs to be remitted to the Council. This report should show a $0.00 balance due at the end of the sale

shows what recognitions have been earned by the girls (after all cookies have been transfered to the girls). This will also ensure you have input all manual patches into Snap+ (DO NOT ENTER PATCHES IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN EARNED). One (1) of each Booth (1+), Goal Getter (ONLY if they participated in the COCO Command online activity from start to finish) and Online Patch (2 orders or more taken via COCOdirect)

Troop Balance Summary Recognition Order Summary by Girl

Troop Cookie Manager will input in Snap+ what money has been paid by the parent for each girl. This report should show a $0.00 balance due at the end of the sale for each girl. This report MUST be completed to ensure recognitions for the girls are correct

Girl Balance Summary

keeps track of all cookies received by each girl. All cookies sold should be credited to girls (this report should equal the number showing on the Troop Balance Summary)

Girl Cookie Totals Summary

shows all e-card, COCOmobile and COCOdirect activities

Girl Internet Orders

shows all Pod/Truck to Troop, Troop to Troop transfers, etc.

Transfer Order Summary

shows all goal setting activity in COCO Command

COCO Report

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INITIAL ORDER IS IN - NOW WHAT? » Encourage your girls to continue taking orders!

» Determine how your troop is doing in reaching your troop goal. Keep your Troop Goal Chart current as a visual aid to the girls. It will help to keep them motivated! Make sure you update the goal in COCO - keep checking COCO (encourage your Girl Scouts to update their information in COCO as well).

» Plan cookie booths for your troop through the service unit or Council-managed businesses/retailers.

» Prepare to receive your cookies at your selected delivery station according to instructions given to you by your Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) or contact person.

» Plan for help from parents and have sufficient vehicle space to transport cookies safely (see page 8 for vehicle loading suggestions).

The Initial Order is Due

» Collect all order cards from girls by January 23rd. Encourage your girls to continue taking orders and give second card to girls.

» Notify Service Unit Cookie Manager (SUCM) of your choice of troop base proceeds plan, via email, and no later than January 24. Troop base proceeds plan cannot be changed after initial order has been submitted.

» Enter your troop’s* initial order and create early recognition order (for girls to receive their 300+ early recognition - earned only between January 6-22).

» Contact information (Troop Cookie Manager and Primary Troop Leader) is correct and bank account and routing number has been entered into Snap+.

» Verify (via email) with your SUCM the submission of the initial cookie order and that the early recognition order has been created.

» Fill out delivery station information (if 200 cases or more) and turn-in/email to SUCM by January 24th or date set my SUCM.

Initial Order is due to Service Unit Cookie Manager by January 24 (or as specified by SUCM)

» Turn in ALL Parent Permission Forms and voided troop check or letter of authorization from bank with bank account and routing number to SUCM (by their initial order deadline date).

• Initial Cookie Delivery: Troops under 200 cases will be combined with another troop or delivered to the Service Unit** OR

• Individual/combined troops that qualify for a 200+ case delivery to a location of their choice must provide complete delivery station information (includes the address and brief description of the delivery site as well as contact information and name of the person signing for the cookies, along with an email address) to the Service Unit Cookie Manager by the initial deadline (January 24). Copy of blank delivery ticket form can be found on www.gssc-mm.org under Product Sales - fill out and return to your SUCM

NO SPECIFIC DELIVERY DATES/TIMES WILL BE ACCEPTED. If there is a ‘restriction’ on time/date/location for delivery site, please have a second alternative. **If Service Units DO NOT have delivery, the SUCM will combine area troops together.

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*Delete any girls who are no longer active in troop before submitting initial order.

Cookie DeliveriesCookie Delivery DayThe cookies are finally here! By this time your Service Unit Cookie Manager should have announced the date that the cookies will be delivered to your area; OR if individual/combined troops have an order of 200 or more cases, you (if you are the contact) should have received notification via email from the delivery agent, Carey Moving and Storage, on delivery time and date (please check your spam/junk folder). Please respond promptly to the Carey Moving and Storage email notifying you of delivery date/time. If you are not able to receive cookies on date/time specified by Carey Moving and Storage, please recruit a trusted friend/family member/neighborto accept the cookies on your behalf.

REMEMBER » All initial cookie orders must be picked up/received on delivery day.

» All cookies delivered/picked up and signed for are your troop’s responsibility. Cookies cannot be returned due to Federal Department of Agriculture guidelines.

» Do not accept or sign for any damaged cases of cookies. The delivery agent is responsible for replacing damaged cases if you call it to their attention.

» Count and recount your order before signing for the cookies (you are responsible for all cookies listed on any receipt you sign).

» If you have a combined troop delivery:

• all troops are responsible for that delivery count;

• all troop representatives must sign-off on the delivery ticket, if possible;

• disperse cookies out to each troop to ensure total and individual count is correct; and

• receive individual receipts prior to departing the delivery site

Once girls have received their cookies, they may begin delivering the cookies to customers.

Extra cookies may not be picked up at Pods/Trucks until Friday, February 17.

Initial Cookie Delivery – Vehicle Loading SuggestionsNot sure what will fit in your car? Use the following chart as a guide when planning for cookie pick-up on delivery day. The approximate amounts are figured with the vehicle empty and using all space except the driver’s seat. COUNT YOUR ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE. If you get home and realize you are short, your Service Unit Cookie Manager will have no choice but to go by the count agreed upon at your pick-up time.

Car Type & Approximate Fit for CasesCompact Auto 35

Standard Auto 50

Sport Utility 50 – 85

Standard Station Wagon

85

Standard Pickup Truck 100

Mini Van 150

Standard Van 200

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Planned Orders & Home Delivery

WHAT IS A PLANNED ORDER?A Planned Order allows troops to pick-up orders on a pre-designated day at a specific Pod/Truck location (see page 10). Planned orders are guaranteed available with the stipulation that delivery trucks are able to re-stock the pods/truck. Please keep in mind that weather from all over

the state AND country can affect delivery time. Troops that DO NOT place a Planned Order may have to wait until 5:00 PM each Friday.

In order to make sure that all Pods/Trucks are stocked each week with the correct number of cases of each variety, you will need to enter a Planned Order for any additional cases of cookies that you need to pick up.

Troops are not financially responsible for Planned Orders until they have been picked up and receipted. However, if you enter a Planned Order and do not need the order, please notify the Product Sales Assistant to cancel.

A Planned Order must be entered in Snap+ by the designated date/time in order to guarantee availability of cookie varieties at the Pods/Trucks (date will no longer be available after the deadline date/time has passed and TCM will have to select the next available date for a Planned Order and follow pickup guidelines). Planned Orders not picked up by Friday at 5:00 PM (unless Pod/Truck has been notified of a pickup delay) will be returned to inventory.• Planned Orders are not required for a Saturday or Sunday pick-up.

However, there is a possibility that not all varieties will be available. To enter a Planned Order in Snap+:• Click on the “Cookies” icon• Click on “Planned Order”• Select a Pod/Truck from the drop-down box• Once you select the date, the screen will register the troop number,

Pod/Truck and requested date. Enter in the number of cases for each variety that you want to pick up at the Pod/Truck. When reviewing your Planned Order, quantities will show up in packages and not cases

• Click Submit. You will be asked to confirm your order • Your SUCM may edit a Planned Order up until the ‘cut-off’ date/time

(see to the side)

Planned Orders are required when picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks (except Saturdays and Sundays – variety based on availability)

Instructions for placing Planned Orders are in the Snap+ tutorial located under Resources at www.gssc-mm.org.

*HOME DELIVERY FOR 200+ CASES:Beginning February 19, orders for 200+ cases may be placed for a home delivery. Please do not call in an order – emails only. During direct/cookie booth sales, orders will be delivered on Thursday to Service Units/troops that have additional case orders of 200+ cases. Orders must be placed by using the Order Form found at www.gssc-mm.org under Resources. For a Thursday delivery the order must be placed by or before 11:00 pm on Sunday. Please note: gluten free cookie is not available for a home delivery.

*NOTE: Any cookies received as a home delivery will be entered into Snap+ in a timely manner (please allow a 24-hour turnaround). TCM’s should always check the information in Snap+ to ensure delivery was ‘submitted’ in correctly.

*Planned Orders are NOT required for a Saturday or Sunday pick-up.

Last two weeks of sale: Pod/Truck varieties based upon availability. Planned Orders might be filled on Thursday or Friday based on truck arrival at warehouse.

Guaranteed date based on Pods/Trucks being re-stocked. If regular deposits have not been made, we reserve the right to not disperse additional cookies.

Review all Planned Orders picked up from Pod/Trucks. After you pick up your Planned Order, you will be able to view it on the Manage Order page as a Transfer within 24 hours after you’ve picked up.

Tuesday, February 14Pickup: Friday, February 17

Sunday, February 19Pickup: Wednesday-Friday, February 22-24 (must be picked up before 5:00pm on Fri)

Tuesday, February 21Pickup: Friday, February 24

Sunday, February 26Pickup: Thursday-Friday, March 2-3 (must be picked up before 5:00pm on Friday)

Tuesday, February 28Pickup: Friday, March 3

Sunday, March 5 (last day to do a PO)Pickup: Thursday-Friday, March 9-10

We will have six Planned Order dates. Planned Orders* must be in Snap+ before or by 11:00 pm on the dates below:

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Pod/Truck Locations & Hours

Day* Time

Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Saturday: February 18 & 25, March 4 and **March 11

9:00am - 3:00pm **March 11 only:9:00am - 12:00pm

*Cookie pick-ups may be delayed while the truck is being re-stocked. Please be patient while the cookies are unloaded and inventoried. Cookies will NOT BE dispersed while the truck is being loaded or counted. Please call to check status before going to pick up.

GS Service Center Locations:130 Pinnacle Point Court, Suite 100

Columbia, SC 29223803.782.5133Back Door

349 East Blackstock RoadSpartanburg, SC 29301

864.576.2514Back Door

5 Independence Pointe, Suite 120Greenville, SC 29615

800.849.4475 or 864.770.1400Bottom of Parking Lot

AIKEN (by appointment only)

Katie or Neil Miller803.502.02471430 Morningside DriveAiken, SC 29801

GREENWOOD (by appointment only)

Theresa McAfee864.337.0849106 Cypress Hollow, Greenwood, SC 29649mcafee29649@gmail.com

LEXINGTON (by appointment only)

Karen Meadows803-687-2923118 Cherry Hall DriveLexington, SC 29072

Remember, the Pods are run by a volunteer just like you. Please be courteous and respect their hours as they are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (DO NOT just show up at a Pod without having made an appointment).

PODSTRUCKS

SUMTER (by appointment only)

Robin ThamesDay: 803.934.5161Evening: 803.972.3207

WEST UNION (by appointment only)

Lori McCurry864.638.8780311 Country Junction RoadWest Union, SC 29696

Pods/Trucks open February 17-March 11

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Cookie Pick-up Authorization CardCookie Authorization Cards are used as an identifier when a troop representative is picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks.

Two Cookie Authorization Cards are provided in each troop’s materials. You, the Troop Cookie Manager, must fill out one Cookie Authorization Card for yourself as well as one card for a designated volunteer (Troop Leader or other registered, designated adult) and have it stamped/signed.

The Cookie Authorization Card (and photo ID) must be presented at all times when picking up cookies at the Pods/Trucks. Cookies will not be given out to anyone without this proper documentation. Authorization Card must be filled out completely and accompanied by a photo ID.

Cookie BoothsA cookie booth is set up by a Girl Scout troop to sell Girl Scout cookies directly to customers

who were not solicited during door-to-door sales. Booth sales begin February 17th.

Cookie Booth SitesBi-Lo, Kmart, Lowes, SAM’s Club, and Walmart/Walmart Neighborhood Market will be arranged and managed at the Council level to ensure fair and consistent procedures/guidelines are given to all troops throughout the Council’s 22-county jurisdiction.

If you have a public place where you would like to set up a cookie booth, contact your SUCM to assist you. DO NOT solicit a booth on your own. The SUCM will solicit the booth to ensure that businesses/retailers are not inundated with requests. This will also ensure that no troop holds a monopoly on a location for the entire sale and that booths are geologically dispersed. Neither parents nor Troops may set up booths without going through the SUCM.

Please remember that you are setting an example, not only for your troop but for Girl Scouts as an organization. For more information on booth sales, go to www.abcsmartcookies.com,www.gssc-mm.org under Cookies, or www.girlscouts.org.

Cookie Booth Preparation:• Have each girl and parent (assisting with booths) sign a Cookie Etiquette Contract (www.gssc-mm.org

under Cookies)• Have a complete Health History Form for all girls• Take a card table and chairs (for adults only). Keep booth times age appropriate• Take a money box and change (about $100 in change consisting of: $50- ones; $20- fives; $30- tens)• Take enough cookies to sell• Count packages and money BEFORE and AFTER the cookie booth begins/ends and enter information on a

booth tally sheet and place the tally sheet in the cash box (a sample Booth Tally Sheet can be found under Resources at www.gssc-mm.org). Keep track of girls who worked the cookie booth

• During the booth, write down any packages that are opened for samples on back of tally sheet• REMEMBER to keep money/money box out of sight at all times

How to have a successful Cookie Booth:• Take an adequate supply of the best sellers (this is a recommendation only): at least 2-3 cases each of Thin

Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and Lemonades, 1-2 cases each of the other varieties (a typical three-hour booth sells between 12-14 cases)

• Make an attractive table display to invite customer interest• Prepare a troop goal poster and display it at your booth. Customers love

to help girls reach their goals! Update the poster as packages are sold• DO NOT accept large bills — if so, use a counterfeit pen

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Cookie Booths

» If you are the first troop at a booth sale site, always check in with the store manager before setting up your cookie booth to let her/him know you are there and to verify that you are setting up in the right place.

» Do not ask the place of business for change. » Make eye contact with the customer and ask, “Would

you like to purchase Girl Scout cookies?” Be prepared to share your troop goal and how proceeds will be used.

» Always thank the customer, whether or not a purchase is made.

» Ask customers on their way out of the place of business. Never badger customers.

» If one variety is not selling as well as the others, open a package, break the cookies into bite-size pieces and let customers take a small sample. This may spark interest among customers and increase your sales (your troop will be responsible for paying for the package that was opened to taste).

» It is a good idea for troops to purchase a counterfeit detection pen and to teach girls the skill of checking for counterfeit bills (DO NOT ACCEPT $50 or $100 bills).

» Secure your money to prevent loss and/or theft. Have the Emergency Procedures card on hand. You can get this from your Troop Leader.

Cookie Booth Basics• Have at least two adults on site at all times. NO ADULT-ONLY BOOTHS• Adults should be attentive to the girls at all times. Keep electronic devices out of sight• Have at least two girls (buddy system) at each booth at all times and no more than four girls• Girls should do the selling and handling the money (age-appropriate skill builder). Adults should supervise

younger girls• If it is raining or very hot, set up a canopy. Do not set up inside the store unless you have permission from

the store manager. Dress for the weather and bring appropriate items (space heaters, hand warmers)• Do not keep your car at the booth site – it should be moved immediately after unloading/ or loading• DO NOT LEAVE ANY TRASH when closing down your booth• Not Allowed: Pets, animals, tagalongs (younger/older

siblings); adults or girls smoking; or other food or chewing gum should not be at a booth

» If accepting a check, the following is required: name, address, phone number and driver’s license number along with expiration date (please check the customer’s driver’s license). Write in any missing information on the front of the check, e.g., driver’s license number and expiration date. NO counter checks or starter checks. Write your troop number on the front or back of the check.

» Girls should never play at the booth, run into the parking lot either to ask customer to purchase cookies or to play.

» Girls should be identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing a membership pin, official uniform, tunic, sash or vest, or other Girl Scout clothing.

» Keep cookies out of the sun and/or rain. » Credit Cards are accepted. Please review credit card

safety guidelines. » CLEAN UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE and take your trash

and empty cases with you. Remember, a Girl Scout always leaves the place cleaner than she found it!

» Your troop is financially responsible for all cookies signed out to the troop. If you have problems selling the cookies, please contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager immediately. Do not wait until the end of the sale to inform your SUCM.

Cookie Booth Tips to Share with Girls/Parents:

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If your booth is double booked, please do the following:• Remain calm — remember, girls are present and watching you• Contact your SUCM• Never involve the store manager. By doing so, you could cause the store to deny us

the opportunity to sell cookies there again

Kiosk

Kiosk is the site where troops obtain a Council managed booth location, date, and time. The Council has contacted and received or is in the process of receiving approval from the following five businesses at Bi-Lo, Kmart, Lowe’s, SAM’s Club and Walmart/Walmart Neighborhood Market, for troops to hold booth sales on their premises (this is separate from the service unit managed booths). Service Unit Booth Sale Coordinators and individual troops are not to contact these businesses. Some businesses may not be on the list at the opening of the Kiosk. They will be added to the Kiosk as confirmation is received (throughout the Girl Scout cookie program). See page 15 for Kiosk dates.

Occasionally, businesses will cancel even after confirming. You will be notified by the product sales department if a business cancels a booth. If you have scheduled a Council managed cookie booth at a business or during a time slot that has canceled after the scheduling periods, the Council or your Service Unit Cookie Manager will help you to find another booth opportunity.

Go to www.gssc-mm.orgunder Cookies for

Kiosk tutorial

To access Kiosk for the first time:1. Go to www.gssc-mm.org and click on Kiosk link at top of page.2. In the login section, click on “Forgot Password.” You will be taken to a “Forgot Password Form.”3. Enter your email address, then click on “Retrieve Password.” 4. If it says “Account Not Found,” please check with your Service Unit Cookie Manager to receive access

(you must be a registered Girl Scout to have access to Kiosk). 5. If your email address is recognized, you will receive an email with a password. If you do not receive an

email, check your spam/junk email folder or with your SUCM. 6. After receiving your password, return to www.gssc-mm.org and click on Cookie Icon.7. In the log in section, enter your username (your membership ID #) and the new password you

received in your email and click “Log In.” You will have the opportunity to change your password.

Once you access the site, if you have any problems with the Kiosk, please click on “Report A Problem.” Do not call. Email will have a quicker response. See page 15 for Kiosk dates opening and closing dates.

You can also use the Kiosk to check troop roster and check bonus status (late May).

13

The 5 SkillsEverything girls do in Girl Scouting is designed to help them grow into leaders of courage, confidence, and character. The 5 Skills girls learn through the Girl Scout cookie program are an important ingredient in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

To learn more about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and Girl Scouts Financial Empowerment Program visit www.girlscouts.org/gsle. You may also download the Financial Empowerment booklet at www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies.

Here are a few examples of how participating in the cookie program teachesGirl Scouts skills that will help them grow into leaders in their own lives, leaders in business and leaders in the world:

The

Leadership Benefitsin Girl Scouting & Beyond

5Skills

GoalSetting

Decision MakingYour Girl Scout helps decide how

her team will spend their cookie money, furthering her

critical thinking and problem solving

skills that will help her in

many aspects of her life

Your Girl Scout sets cookie sale goals individually and

with her team; she creates a plan to reach them; and she develops

cooperation and team building skills all along the way!

MoneyManagementYour Girl Scout takes

cookie orders, handles customers’ money and gains

valuable and practical life skills around financial literacy.

People SkillsYour Girl Scout 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.

BusinessEthics

Your Girl Scout is honest and responsible at every step

of the cookie sale. Her business ethics help reinforce the postive

values she is developing as a Girl Scout.

14

2017 Cookie Program DatesJanuary Cookie rallies held throughout the Council

By January 5 All girls and parents trained in Girl Scout cookie program procedures and program components by the Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)

January 5 All girls/troops/TCM’s need to be registered Girl Scouts to participate in the 2017 Girl Scout cookie program (girls may be added throughout the sale as long as they are registered for the 2016-2017 membership year and have a signed Parent Permission Slip)

January 6 Girl Scout cookie program begins

January 10 (noon) - January 13 (10:00am)

Round 1 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections

January 13 (noon) - January 16 (10:00am)

Round 2 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections

January 16 (noon) - January 19 (10:00am)

Round 3 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections

January 19 (noon) - January 23 (10:00am)

Round 4 - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections

January 22 Initial order of Girl Scout cookie sale ends - GIRLS CONTINUE TO TAKE ORDERS

January 23 Girl orders due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)

January 24 - March 12 Live round - Kiosk open for Council-managed booth selections - first come, first served (two cookie booths assigned per day per troop)

January 24 (or date specified by your SUCM)

Initial order, Early Recognitions, Troop Base Proceeds, Parent Permission Slips, voided troop check/authorized letter from bank turned in to SUCM and bank info entered into Snap+ by TCM and Delivery Station information

February 10 - 16 Cookie delivery to SUCM and/or troops

February 13 (11:00pm) First Planned Order due in Snap+

February 17 - March 12 Direct/Cookie Booth Sales

February 19 (11:00pm) Second Planned Order due in Snap+

February 21 (11:00pm) Third Planned Order due in Snap+

February 24 - 26 National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

February 26 (11:00pm) Fourth Planned Order due in Snap+

February 28 (11:00pm) Fifth Planned Order due in Snap+

March 1 (on or before this date)

35% OR MORE of troop’s initial order (amount due to Council) has been deposited in Council’s account at First Citizens (see page 20 and 21.)

March 5 (11:00pm) Sixth and final Planned Order due in Snap+

March 12 Girl Scout cookie sale ends

March 13 Girl money due to TCM

March 16 (or date specified by your SUCM)

ALL troop final paperwork due to SUCM (see page 30)

15

Successful Cookie ProgramNOVEMBER-DECEMBER• Note ALL your SUCM’s deadlines (as their dates supersedes Council dates)• Plan and conduct girl/parent meetings• Encourage girls to use COCO to set personal goals and to track and update troop/individual girl goals/activity

throughout the sale• Enter troop information into Snap+ (both Troop Cookie Manager and Primary Leader information), along with

troop bank account and routing number (including all leading zeros)• Set a Troop Goal

JANUARY• Collect Parent Permission Slip from each girl prior to handing out order cards. Make sure there is a physical

address versus a PO Box. Ensure she is not owing from previous product sales• Turn in voided troop check or bank authorization letter showing troop’s bank account/routing number (enter

information into Snap+) and Parent Permission Slips to SUCM• Begin selecting cookie booths (either through the Council or Service Unit managed booths)• Collect order cards to prepare initial cookie order; distribute additional order cards so girls may continue to take

orders• Inform SUCM of troop base proceeds plan if the troop is a registered Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, Ambassador

troop or older Girl Scout not associated with a troop• Enter initial cookie order into Snap+ and submit delivery information to SUCM (do not make parents order full

cases if they don’t need them). Reminder: Delete any girl no longer active in your troop• Create Early Recognition order (do this last)

FEBRUARY• Pick up and distribute cookies to girls (ensuring separate receipts are given for all cookies signed out and girl

name is at the top of the receipt, even for siblings). Do not combine sisters on the same receipt.• Conduct booth sales• Collect and deposit cookie money as frequently and as often as possible (ensuring separate receipts are

given for all money turned in or cookies handed out and girl name is at the top of the receipt)• Enter receipt of money into Snap+ (each deposit must be entered separately). Track how much each girl still

owes by entering individual transactions into Snap+• Distribute Early Recognitions to girls who earned the t-shirt (hand these out as soon as possible – this is

why they are called Early Recognitions)

MARCH• Deposit 35% or more of Council profits of troop’s initial order into Council’s account at First Citizens on or

before March 1 (depositing frequently and often will cause less confusion)• Check Troop Balance Summary against Girl Cookie Totals Summary to ensure all cookies have been credited

to the girls• DO NOT MAKE FINAL DEPOSIT until you have updated and reviewed the Troop Balance Summary Report –

ensuring all COCOdirect orders have been credited• Create Main Recognition Order for troop (this is to be done AFTER all cookies have been credited to girls). Don’t

forget to input manually the three patches – Goal Getter (check COCO report to see which girls earned this patch), Online Patch (girls MUST have 2 online orders via COCOdirect) and Booth Patch (if they sold at least 1 package at a booth sale – 1 per girl)

• Update and review the Troop Balance Summary Report• Finalize sale using Checklist for Final Turn-In (page 30) and give to SUCM to sign-off (ensuring everything has

been completed correctly and on-time)

MAY• Pick up rewards from SUCM and distribute to girls

16

Tools that Work!The Girl Scout cookie program can help girls learn about goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Check out the following resources for important Girl Scout cookie program information!

Resource What You’ll Find Who It’s For

www.abcsmartcookies.com Don’t forget to check out COCO and COCOdirect!

Fabulous grade-level specific resources for your troop, girls, and families along with information about cookies, clip art and reasons to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Girl Scouts, Parents, Troop Leaders

http://kiosk.gssc-mm.org Kiosk for Council-managed booth sales Troop Cookie Manager

www.gssc-mm.org Cookie information, resources (manual, forms, tutorials, girl recognitions), safety manual, Council office hours, program information, staff listing and so much more!

Parents, Girl Scouts, Troop Leaders, Troop Cookie Managers

www.abcsnap.com System for ordering cookies, tracking payments and sales

Troop Cookie Manager(password and login required)

http://girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies

Cookie Activity Pin, 411 On Online Marketing, 5 Skills, Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the list goes on!

Troop Cookie Manager, Troop Leader, Parents, Girl Scouts

Volunteer Essentials Reference to use as needed – an encyclopedia to Girl Scout volunteering

Troop Leader, Troop Cookie Manager

The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting Information and requirements for earning the *Financial Literacy and *Cookie Business badges/leaves - one for each year for all age levels

Girl Scouts

Service Unit Cookie Manager Volunteer support, information center, mentor and coordinator for troops in your service unit

Troop Cookie Manager, Troop Leader

*Girls can earn one Financial Literacy and one Cookie Business badge or leaf each year. Girls can choose to earn badges for their grade level in any order. Girls do NOT have to earn a Financial Literacy badge before earning a Cookie Business badge or vice versa.

How can a Girl Scout win a giant Llama?

It is all about goal setting!

1. She must sell at least 450 packages of cookies to have her name entered into the drawing.

2. For each additional 100 packages of cookies she sells, her name will be entered into the drawing again.

For example, if a girl sells 700 packages of cookies her name will be entered into the drawing three times.

17

Cookie CostumesCookie Costumes are available for troops to sign out at Girl Scout Service Centers and must be reserved in advance by the Troop Cookie Manager. Costumes are subject to availability – first come, first served. Reservations can be made by calling your Girl Scout Service Center. There is a $15.00 refundable deposit (deposit is refundable ONLY IF costumes are returned clean and complete).

COCOdirect - Girl Experience via COCOmobileCOCO COMMAND

Check out www.abcsmartcookies.com – COCO. This is the place where girls will find COCO Cookie Command – an interactive online experience for goal setting, sales planning and online marketing. With COCO, your troop and each girl can have their own customized online business center.

COCO tutorial can be found under www.gssc-mm.org under Resources

Set Your Goals!Research shows that when girls set goals they reach them. Setting goals is easy, fun and inspiring! Take your girls to the interactive and cool goal setting activity at www.abcsmartcookies.com, click on COCO, then click Girl Login and have them set and track their personal goals. Girls who participate in the online activity by entering their name, troop number, goal and continually updating the information in COCO (packages sold, etc.) between January 6 – March 12 will earn a Goal Getter patch.

COCO Highlights for Volunteers » Track each girl’s performance and her troop engagement

» Message girls to remind them of important troop events and sale activity milestones

» Access troop level reporting to review sales performance (i.e. print out an excel report to track girl progress)

COCOdirect will make it easier than ever to be a part of the world’s largest girl-led business. COCOdirect is easy to use. For sales made through COCOdirect, there’s NO money collection and NO hand delivery (as the cookies will be shipped directly to the customers)!

COCOmobile is available on Android, iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. This is a free mobile app for girls participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. To use this app, Girl Scouts must have a valid username and password on COCO (ABC Bakers’ Cookie Command Center), available exclusively at abcsmartcookies.com. COCOmobile allows girls to sell Girl Scout cookies and track sale progress right from their mobile device!

This is a great way to promote participation in a contemporary way. Doing business online is expected today. And today’s Girl Scouts are living in a digital world, so offering a digital sale is not only relevant, but also critical to keeping the cookie sale going for the next 100 years. Girls can sell using COCOdirect in two ways by using:

» COCOmobile or

» COCO Online Marketing where girls can send an eCard to friends and family that includes a secure link to COCOdirect.

• Girls would choose the COCOdirect e-Card

• Choose the contact name(s)

• Add a message

• Preview the card

• Hit send and friends and family receive an email with a link to COCOdirect, allowing them to place an order and pay with a credit card!

Customers can choose from packaging sizes: » Eight-pack sampler (includes one of each variety; excludes Trios) » Six-pack of any one variety » Twelve-pack of any one variety » While supplies last, Gluten Free Trios Cookie

Please review the Snap+ tutorial for more complete information.

18

2017 Troop BenefitsTROOP BASE PROCEEDS OPTIONSAll troops earn proceeds for each package of cookies sold by their troop.• $.45 per package/Standard Option: for girls at every

level. Girls will receive rewards and patches, which are listed on page 24 of this manual

• $.50 per package/No Recognitions Option: for older girls - (Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops and older Girl Scouts not associated with a troop) Girls will not receive any recognitions, but will receive patches and Cookie Dough (excluding double Cookie Dough)• If the troop chooses to opt out of receiving

recognitions, the Service Unit Cookie Manager must be informed of this choice via email by January 28. This option must be voted on by the girls in the older girl troop and if it is a troop which contains more than one Girl Scout level, the troop must declare their level according to the level of the largest number of girls in their troop

Once the troop chooses which option they want, the troop base proceeds plan cannot be changed. However, ALL troops must create a main recognitions order in Snap+ to receive their patches.

Troop Cookie Manager RewardAs a special reward, a fold-up Eco Tote will be earned by the TCM IF the troop has a 10% package increase in sales over the previous year or NEW troops who meet the 200 Per Girl Average registered on packages sold. The Eco Tote will not be available for purchase and is only given to the Troop Cookie Manager (must fill out section on page 30).

TROOP BONUS Troops that meet the following criteria will receive the specified cookie bonus(es) – determined AFTER reconciliation has occurred on Council level. These are EARNED bonuses for troops who meet the criteria (they are not given out automatically). Bonus checks will be issued after the Council bank account is reconciled and all paperwork is reviewed for accuracy, ensuring all the criteria for EARNING the bonus has been met. This process might take 6-8 weeks. The bonuses (if earned) will be direct deposited to your troop account if the bank account is still active and we have the correct bank account information for your troop. TROOP TIERED BONUS CRITERIA • Correct and On-time = +$.05 per

package • Picked up initial order as

scheduled• Paperwork turned in complete

and correct• First set of Parent Permission Slips and voided

troop check/bank authorization letter turned in January 26 (as well as banking information entered into Snap+)

• All recognition orders submitted (January 24 and March 16)

• 35% or more of initial order money deposited on or before March 1st

• All money deposited and entered correctly in Snap+ (each deposit entered in separately), and

• All Red Flag documentation completed correctly and attached (see page 23)

• 200 PGA = +$.05 per package: Troop had a 200 Per-Girl-Average (per package, based on registered girls in troop). This information can be found on the Troop Balance Summary Report in Snap+. Calculation may exclude girls who have moved or dropped out of the troop, but not girls who opt out of participating in the Girl Scout cookie program. • Must meet minimum age level troop

size standard and 2 adult leaders-refer to guide (left) or Volunteer Essentials page 11 for your suggested troop size standard.

• Early Bird Registration = +$.15: must register at least 75% of the troop for the 2017-2018 membership year by March 31 AND meet the minimum 5 girls and 2 adult troop size. Must round up to next number is 75% is a decimal number.

Girl Scout groups are large enough to provide a cooperative learning environment and small enough to allow development of individual girls. The following group sizes are recommended:• Girl Scout Daisies: 5-12 girls• Girl Scout Brownies: 10-20 girls• Girl Scout Juniors: 10-25 girls• Girl Scout Cadettes: 5-25 girls• Girl Scout Seniors: 5-30 girls• Girl Scout Ambassadors: 5-30 girls

19 Opportunity to make$.70 or $.75per package!

NOTE! ALL TCMs will also receive a Patch for turning in their paperwork correct and on-time.

Money MattersTroop Base Proceeds

» All money (minus the troop base proceeds - $.45 per package) should be deposited into the Council bank account (First Citizens) using your assigned deposit slips.

» Girl Scout Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops who opt out of recognitions will keep the troop base proceeds of $.50 per package and deposit the rest into First Citizens.

» Girl Scouts not associated with a troop will be part of IGP for their assigned Region and NOT part of the SU Cookie Sale.

Sample Initial Payment Calculation:If a troop places an initial order for 100 cases:

Based on:$.45: 100 cases x 12 packages x 3.55 x 35% = $1491.00$.50: 100 cases x 12 packages x 3.50 x 35% = $1470.00

*Always do a higher percentage than 35% so you are

not short on the deposit.

Depositing as frequently and as often as possible will ensure the deposit is correct. Transfers do not affect the initial payment due from a troop. So if your troop places an initial order for 100 cases and transfers 10 cases to another troop, your troop would still be responsible for paying 35% of 100 cases on March 1.

Troop Base Proceeds Level

What you earn....

Troop Base Proceeds to Keep

Standard troop baseproceeds

$.45 per package/

No-Recognitions Option (available to Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Troops)

$.50 per package/

Do not keep more than the $.45 or $.50 per package. *Refer to page 19 for further information on troop base proceeds.

TCMs: » Distribute money envelopes to the girls to assist with the collection of cookie money.

» Remind parents that they are financially responsible for all cookies signed for and received by their daughter and that cookies cannot be returned to the troop.

» Collect money as frequently and as often as possible. If a girl requests more cookies and has not made any payments for the initial order, do not give her any more cookies until payment has been made

» Issue separate receipts for each payment made by parents (with the girl’s name at the top of the receipt. If you have sisters in the same troop – they must have separate receipts). Troop retains the white (top) copy and parents are given the yellow (bottom) copy. DO NOT RECEIVE MONEY WITHOUT GIVING A RECEIPT.

» Deposit 35% or more of troop’s initial order money before or by March 1.

» Check all girl and troop records carefully.

» Use Snap+ to keep track of money collected from each girl and to know her balance (enter each financial transaction and cookies signed out separately).

• Take note of a girl not turning in money. Follow up with a telephone call to her parent/guardian(s). Do not continue to issue cookies to the girl if money is not being turned it.

• Remind girls to accept payment for Girl Scout cookies ONLY at the time of delivery to customers. Girls should not accept payment before the cookies have been delivered.

20

Money Matters Check Endorsement:

» Checks and money orders should be made payable to Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to

Midlands (or GSSCMM or Girl Scouts).

• If accepting a check, the following is required: name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number along with expiration date (please check the customer’s driver’s license*). Write in any missing information on the front of the check, i.e., driver’s license number and expiration date. NO counter checks or starter checks from newly opened accounts should be accepted at any time. *NOTE: This will allow Council to pursue any Non-Sufficient Fund checks received by the troop.

» Your troop number should be either on the front or back of the check before depositing it into Council account.

Banking Procedures:

Preparing the Deposit:1. Troop cookie money (minus troop base proceeds) must be

deposited into the Council’s account at any First Citizens branch location by the Troop Cookie Manager. Make deposits FREQUENTLY and as OFTEN as possible. Only one deposit slip per deposit (do not combine multiple deposit slips for one deposit).

2. Deposit slips are assigned (by reference number, located on the bottom left hand side of the deposit slip) specifically to your troop by your Service Unit Cookie Manager. Do NOT share your deposit slips with other troops OR use over-the-counter deposit slips.

3. Enter the total cash and currency to be deposited in the spaces provided. List each check, using last names or check numbers as identifiers, on the deposit slip. Press down firmly as there are three carbon copies.

• Ensure you triple check the addition as Council will incur bank charges for corrections made by the bank.

BANK

21

Money MattersMaking the Deposit:Inform the teller prior to your transaction that the deposit is for Girl Scouts. If there is a problem with a bank branch, please contact the Product Sales Assistant

» Request two white bank transaction receipts for each deposit made. The Council’s deposit slips must be validated (bank will keep the top white copy and return the yellow and pink validated copies to you). ONLY use one deposit slip per transaction

» The Council’s account is designated for deposit only. Double check the Troop Balance Summary report, as any overpayments will not be returned to your troop for 6-8 weeks, when reconciliation is completed

» Enter your deposit into Snap+. Use the deposit reference number found in the bottom left hand corner to identify each deposit. Record ALL deposit transactions into Snap+ individually. Verify that all deposits match amounts entered in Snap+

Bank Corrections (Debit/Credit) » The Council will be notified if there is a bank correction from

your troop’s deposit. You and your SUCM will receive an email notification if it is a:

• debit (less check/money showing on your deposit slip) or

• credit (more check/money deposited but not showing on deposit slip)

» Your SUCM will go into Snap+ and enter the:

• debit as a Deposit Adjustment - Debit correction or

• credit as a Deposit Adjustment - Addition correction to ensure your Troop Balance Report will be correct. Please verify this has been done and is correct prior to submitting paperwork to SUCM.

Finalizing Collections and Deposits » All final cookie money collected from the girls should be turned in to you by March 13.

» If there are monies outstanding from girls, make every effort to collect and contact the parent(s) involved.

• If your efforts to collect the money are not successful, fill out and submit information using the Red Flag Form (www.gssc-mm.org under Resources). Do not cover their outstanding balance out of your troop’s account. See page 23.

• Make sure the Red Flag PLUS money deposited into First Citizens is EQUAL to the total amount showing from the Troop Balance Summary report. If this is not correct or proper documentation has not been given, the troop will be liable for the difference (see page 23).

» Before making your final deposit, check your Troop Balance Summary Report in Snap+ to verify the amount needed to deposit to ensure your troop will have a $0.00 balance due to Council (there is a $1.00 overpayment ‘grace’ amount). If you overpay by more than $1.00, consider purchasing another case of cookies to zero out your balance or purchasing virtual Cookies for Soldiers.

• Confirm the accuracy of your deposit balance before turning paperwork in to your Service Unit Cookie Manager. If you are still unsure as to how to determine your balance owed to Council, contact your Service Unit Cookie Manager for assistance

PLEASE NOTE: Checks written on closed accounts, non-sufficient funds or missing money will be pursued by the Solicitor’s Office. Mishandling money is a serious matter. Any misuse of girl funds collected is a criminal offense and action will be taken as necessary. Do not give girls more cookies if money has not been turned in.

22

Money Collection IssuesTroops should not pay for cookies issued to parents who have not turned in cookie money. Fill out the Red Flag Form when a girl fails to turn in money for cookies received. All transactions between the Troop Cookie Manager and parent/guardian(s) must be properly and correctly documented.

Sample Red FlagThe following documentation must be turned in CORRECTLY with the Red Flag Form:

» ALL ORIGINAL cookie receipts signed by the parent/guardian(s) when cookies are issued (white copy). Individual girl’s name should be at the top of the receipt.

» ALL ORIGINAL receipts for any/all money turned in by parent/guardian(s) during the sale (white copy). Individual girl’s name should be at the top of the receipt.

» UPDATED Girl Balance Summary report (must match white cookie and money receipts).

» Be sure to state clearly on the Red Flag Form the total amount owed to the troop by the parent/guardian(s) - this should be the full $4.00 or $5.00 per package (all receipts - cookies and money - MUST equal what is showing on the Red Flag Form and Girl Balance Summary Report)

» Any notes and/or copies of correspondence with the parent/guardian(s).

» DO NOT combine receipts for cookies signed out or money turned in on same receipt (especially if they are sisters or from the same family). Must be separate receipts given for each individual girl’s transaction.

Turn in the Red Flag Form (along with documentation listed above) to your Service Unit Cookie Manager, along with the rest of your paperwork. The information you provide on the Red Flag Form will assist Council in resolving outstanding balances more efficiently. If troop does not turn in all correct documentation, they will be liable for the difference.

If a troop does not turn in any paperwork at the final deadline, they will automatically be Red Flagged and will not receive any bonuses (if earned) or recognitions.

Outstanding funds owed to the troop will be pursued by the Council; however, without proper documentation, the troop assumes financial responsibility.

RED FLAG FORM with total amount owed to the troop stated clearly (full $4/$5 per package). Should equal Girl Balance Summary.

23

Girl Rewards24

The rewards program is a proven method to excite and motivate the girls during the Girl Scout cookie program.

The rewards for the 2017 Girl Scout cookie program were selected by the girls who attended summer camps or participated in the online rewards selection.

Girls begin earning Cookie Dough at 150+ packages (see page 25).

Other Available Patches:Online: for girls who took 2+ orders via COCOdirect - 6, 12 or 8 packages sold= 1 order

Achievement Bars:in increments of 100 (100-3000) - only the highest earned level will be awarded (these are not cumulative)

*Booth Sale: girls must have sold 1 or more packages at a booth

*Goal Getter: only if Girl Scout participated in the online activity at www.abcsmartcookies.com - COCO Command

*To be manually entered in Snap+ (only 1 per girl, if earned)

Girls selling 300+ packages of

cookies during January 6-22 will receive a t-shirt. This is not available

to troops/girls who opt out of receiving

rewards.

Early Recognition:300+12+ 100+ 200+

400+ 550+ 700+ 1000+

1500+

be unique, be you! patch

wristlet and pouch

small llama

no prob-llama lunch box

blanketsling backpack

ORlarge llama

hoodie

double cookie doughBike & helmet

ALL REWARDS ARE

CUMULATIVE!

$300 Campership 2-in-1 laptop

OR

2017+

OR

Cookie DoughGirls who participate in the Girl Scout cookie program and sell 150–174 packages will earn $15 in Cookie Dough. For every additional 25-package increment sold, girls earn an additional $2.50 in Cookie Dough (Cookie Dough Table is located at www.gssc-mm.org under Resources):

Number of Packages Sold Amount of Cookie Dough Earned

starting at 150-174 packages $15.00

175-199 packages $17.50

200-224 packages $20.00

225-249 $22.50 and so on

Cookie Dough may be used for:• Council-sponsored Girl Scout day camp and resident camp fees • Council-sponsored program event fees (designated events in FOCALPoint) • GSUSA-sponsored destinations • Council-sponsored trips with regional, national or international itineraries• Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award project expenses and• To help pay for Girl Scout Lifetime Membership A girl may designate the unused value of her Cookie Dough prior to its expiration date to help sustain and build Girl Scouting in our Council. Girls may select: • outreach to girls who are at-risk• financial assistance and camperships• equipping and maintaining our Girl Scout camps • Council-sponsored teen program options

Bring or send in your unused Cookie Dough to the Girl Scout Service Center, along with a letter stating how you would like to designate your unused Cookie Dough. Sister-to-sister transfers will be accepted (registered Girl Scout sisters living in the same household). Cookie Dough:1. Unused value may not be redeemed for cash.2. Cookie Dough may not be used in the Girlz Gear shops or Camp Trading Posts.3. Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands will not re-issue Cookie Dough if lost, stolen or damaged.4. Cookie Dough will not be re-issued after September 2017.

To use your Cookie Dough:To redeem Cookie Dough, use a Troop or Individual Registration Form. On the registration form, list the amount of Cookie Dough being used (see page 18 in FOCALPoint for more information). The 2017 Cookie Dough expires September 30, 2018.The 2016 Cookie Dough expires September 30, 2017.

25

Cookies for SoldiersCookies for Soldiers brings philanthropy to the Girl Scout cookie program. For various reasons, some customers do not want to purchase cookies themselves, but they want to support Girl Scouts, your troop, and/or our military troops. We have a program that will allow them to do all three!

How can Girl Scouts and the community help support the men and women of our armed forces? With Girl Scout cookies - COOKIES FOR SOLDIERS! Midlands and Upstate Chapters of the Blue Star Mothers of America; Soldiers’ Angels and the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands are working together during the months of February and March to show soldiers how big our hearts are.

When girls take orders, ask customers if they would like to donate a package to our Cookies for Soldiers program. If the customer wishes to donate cookies to this program, indicate the number of packages in the white column on the girl order form. Customers do not specify flavors nor does the TCM order these cookies in with your initial order.

Virtual Cookies for SoldiersIf customers want to purchase Girl Scout cookies to support a Girl Scout without taking cookies home? No problem! Troops in Girl Scouts of SC Mountains to Midlands have the option of participating in the Virtual Cookie Share program. Customers can indicate they would like their purchase donated instead of delivered, and the cookies will be distributed to the indicated organizations. Not only is the customer helping a Girl Scout learn the 5 Skills of the cookie program they are helping others who serve our military.

Enter Cookies for Soldiers in Snap+ with the girl’s initial order in the column marked Cookie Share. Troops DO NOT TAKE possession of these cookies but are responsible for collecting the money for these orders. At the end of the season all of these cookies are accounted for and GSSCMM will make arrangements to have them delivered to our specified organizations. If a troop is sending/delivering cookies to an organization or military personnel, the troop will continue to order physical cookies.

How are Cookies for Soldiers handled at booth sales? For customers who do not want to purchase cookies, you may ask them to purchase Cookies for Soldiers. The money is collected and will be notated in Snap+, but they will be ‘virtual’ (no handling of physical cookies). If a troop has an organization or military personnel to send or deliver cookies, the troop will continue to do it physically. Booth sale divider will also divide up Cookie for Soldier sales. See Snap+ tutorial.

2017 Girl Scout Cookie Product Line-up$4.00 per package

Lemonades™ Caramel deLites ® Girl Scout S’mores™

Peanut Butter Patties ®

Peanut Butter Sandwich

Thin Mints ® Shortbread Thanks-A-Lot ®

TriosGluten Free

Available only during direct/booth sales

(while supplies last)

$5.00 per package

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NEW

Cookie Program GlossaryABCOne of two commercial bakers who are licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout cookies. ABC is GSSCMM’s baker.

Initial Order/Door-to-DoorThis is the time girls TAKE cookie pre-orders from January 6-22 (after this date, girls continue to take orders).

COCOAn interactive online experience for goal setting, sales planning, and online marketing.

KioskCouncil website for troops to obtain a Council managed cookie booth location.

COCOdirectWhere consumers can have cookies shipped and pay via credit card. Girls use COCOmobile or COCO Online Marketing.

Main RewardMain rewards are earned from all cookies sold through door-to-door/initial and direct sales.

COCOmobileAllows girls to sell Girl Scout cookies and track sale progress right from their mobile device (iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Android).

Parent Permission SlipA slip signed by parent/guardian (s) giving their Girl Scout permission to participate in the Girl Scout cookie program.

Cookie BoothsTroops set up at businesses to sell Girl Scout cookies directly to the customers who were not solicited during door-to-door.

Planned OrderTroops can obtain additional cases of cookies from Pods/Trucks by placing a Planned Order. This can be done in Snap+ under Cookie icon.

Credit - DepositCredit is a bank correction for a troop that deposited more than what was shown on their deposit slip into First Citizens account.

Pods/TrucksVolunteers/staff-run cookie warehouse where troops pick up extra cases of cookies.

Debit - DepositDebit is a bank correction for a troop that deposited less than what was shown on their deposit slip into First Citizens account.

PLAbbreviation for Primary Leader.

Delivery StationTroop or Service Unit delivery of initial cookies ordered. Troops go through their Service Unit Cookie Manager if they have an order of less than 200 cases of cookies or combine with other troops to have a home delivery.

Red FlagTerm used for troop/individual girl who does not pay the balance owed on their cookies.

Deposit SlipAssigned deposit slips to individual troops to make troop deposit (minus troop base proceeds) into First Citizens account.

Snap+Online cookie ordering program to keep track of girls’ cookie sales, recognitions and financial transactions.

Early RewardsThe Early Reward is earned by a girl who sells 300+ during door-to-door/initial order period (January 6-22).

TCMAbbreviation for Troop Cookie Manager.

Five SkillsThe Girl Scout cookie program provides an important ingredient for leadership by helping girls develop five key skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Troop Base ProceedsTroop Profit from cookie sales kept by troop prior to depositing money into First Citizens account.

Goal GetterAn opportunity for girls to participate in COCO - an online activity to set and follow through on goal setting to earn a patch.

Troop BonusTroops who meet the criteria will earn up to three of the bonuses: Correct and On-Time, Early Bird Registration, and/or 200-Per-Registered-Girl-Average

Home Delivery for 200+ CasesDuring Direct/Cookie Booth sales, troops can order 200+ cases of additional cases of cookies and have it delivered to their home.

TriosGluten Free Cookie - available only during Direct/Booth sales while supplies last

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Many thanks to our volunteer Product Sales Team who helped strategize, plan and implement the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program:

Cindy Becker - ColumbiaPortia Grooms - AndersonKatharine Harbison - SpartanburgVeronika Hyte - AndersonJamilla Little - Travelers RestTheresa McAfee - GreenwoodDiane Martin - SimpsonvilleLinda Medlin - Travelers RestCathy Monts - ColumbiaKristy Perez - LexingtonAndrea Simpson - GreenvilleLasonya Wise - Columbia

Staff RepresentativeUrsula Lovejoyulovejoy@gssc-mm.org; 803-461-3735

ABC RepresentativeJohn Drikakis

2016-2017 Product Sales Team

Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands serves more than 12,500 girls and 5,000 adults in 22 counties of central and western South Carolina

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Notes29

Helpful Hints for TCMs: » Use an organization system for your troop — page protector sheets that you can label with girls names

to keep paperwork from each girl separate, envelopes for each girl, folders or even a coupon organizer to keep track of all their receipts.

» Enter in receipts FREQUENTLY — try to do it the same day you receive money or give out cookies. This will save you time and frustration at the end of the sale.

» Set up times that work in YOUR schedule for parents to pick up extra cookies or bring you money. Troop meeting times may or may not work for you.

» Set up a time and location for money turn in for your 35% that is due.

» DO NOT give out more cookies to ANYONE (except on initial order pick up day) if they DO NOT turn in money first. This will keep the potential for Red Flags down, and help with money on final turn in day.

» ASK questions! DO NOT wait until the night before due date to ask them, or worse, at turn in!

Checklist For Final Turn-In

Bring this checklist with you, along with ALL your final paperwork – correct and complete, when you meet with your Service Unit Cookie Manager on March 16, 2017 (or on his/her designated date).

The below items are enclosed. I understand that if I do not return all of the paperwork below COMPLETE AND CORRECT, along with meeting earlier information deadlines and turn-in dates, to my Service Unit Cookie Manager, my troop will not have earned the Correct and On-time bonus criteria:

Bonus will be determined when paperwork is reconciled in April, not at time of SUCM meeting.

» Updated Troop Balance Summary Report » Yellow deposit slips AND white bank transaction receipt for each deposit. Entered each deposit

transaction separately into Snap+ » Parent Permissions Slips (for those girls who were added in throughout the sale) » Review Girl Balance Summary Report (everything zeroing out if no Red Flags) » All rewards correctly submitted in Snap+ (manually entered Goal Getter, Online and Booth

patches - if earned - 1 per girl) » Evaluation entered into Survey Monkey (link found at www.gssc-mm.org under Cookies). » If applicable, Red Flag Forms (all correct and completed documentation needed. If not, troop is

liable for balance) » If applicable, troop had 10% package increase. 10% increase goal of __________ pkgs. » TCM Name _____________________________ » Page 30 - signed by Troop Cookie Manager AND Service Unit Cookie Manager

TO FILL OUT WITH YOUR SERVICE UNIT COOKIE MANAGER

Service Unit # ________________ Troop # ________________ Total Packages Sold

____________

Overpaid $__________ Girl Red Flag Amount $__________ Troop Red Flag Amount $__________

Troop Cookie Manager Service Unit Cookie Manager

Signed _________________________________ Signed _________________________________

Date ___________________________________ Date ___________________________________

Staff Use For Reconciliation Purposes

________ Correct and On-Time _________ 200 PGA _________ Early Bird Registration

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My Information:

Service Unit: _______________ SUCM: _____________________________________

SUCM email: __________________________________________ SUCM phone number: ________________________________

800.849.GIRL (4475) ● 864.770.1400 ● www.gssc-mm.orgAll calls are routed through our centralized switchboard

Girl Scout Service Centers and Girlz Gear Shops Customer Service HoursMonday 1 – 5:30 PM ⚬ Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM ⚬ Thursday 8:30 AM – 7 PM (except

June and July)

Girlz Gear Shops and Resource Areas OnlySaturday 10 AM – 1 PM

1st Saturday of every month (except legal holiday weekends and the month of July)Every Saturday in September, October, May (except legal holiday weekends)

Columbia Service Center130 Pinnacle Point Court, Suite 100

Columbia, SC 29223Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 803.782.5133 ⚬ FAX 803.782.0410

Greenville Service Center/Corporate HeadquartersFive Independence Pointe, Suite 120

Greenville, SC 29615 Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 864.770.1400 ⚬ FAX 864.272.3394

Spartanburg Service Center349 East Blackstock Road

Spartanburg, SC 29301Toll Free 800.849.GIRL ⚬ Local 864.576.2514 ⚬ FAX 864.587.7367

Service Centers, Girlz Gear Shops and Corporate Headquarters Holiday Closings

Winter Holidays Friday and Monday, December 23-26

New Year’s Day Monday, January 2

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday Monday, January 16

Memorial Day Monday, May 29

Fourth of July Monday and Tuesday, July 3–4