You play an exciting role in giving your Girl Scouts opportunities to
practice the five skills as they learn how to think like
entrepreneurs. 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 product programs. Your local council has
additional guidance and processes to market and ensure every booth is
in a safe and appropriate location.
As your Girl Scouts grow, your role will evolve from a hands-on one
to providing oversight and support where needed. No matter their 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 Community Cookie/Fall
Product Chair when you‘re feeling stuck, or you can build
a cookie team to provide the support your troop needs.
Product Program Safety
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 girlscoutcookies.org and in
Safety Activity Checkpoints. Should safety come into
question, please contact Crystal Jones, Chief Operating Officer at cjones@citrus-gs.org or call 407-228-1630.
Selling Cookies Online
Will your troop use the Digital
Cookie® platform to manage its cookie business? Check the
specific guidelines provided by each cookie vendor before
participating. Before girls use their Digital Cookie or Smart Cookie
site (Citrus Council uses Smart Cookies 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, so online
marketing and sales efforts should always be led by a Girl Scout,
with the supervision of her parent or caregiver.
- Girl
Scouts engaging in online sales and marketing must review and apply
the
Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Their
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).
- 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 and Smart Cookie platforms.
For copies of terms and conditions, please contact GSUSA, ABC, or M2
as needed.
- Girl Scouts of the USA 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 their councils and Girl Scouts of the USA in advance
on any national news media opportunities tied to girls online
marketing and sales efforts.
The Buddy System
Using the buddy system, the troop is divided into teams of two. Each
Girl Scout 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.