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Learning to think like an entrepreneur? Developing business smarts?
Getting to know customers and building lasting relationships?
There’s so much more to that box of Thin Mints®.
Whether they participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program or the Girl Scout Fall Product Sweets 'N" Treats Program (or both!), everything your Girl Scouts learn prepares them to take on the world. Plus, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local in your community to power amazing year-round experiences—experiences that broaden their worlds and spark their sense of wonder.
Five essential skills 
Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls as young as five develop five essential skills that will help them be successful today and throughout their lives:
Goal Setting. Girls learn to create a plan to reach their goals.
Decision Making. Girls learn to make decisions on their own and as a team.
Money Management. Girls learn to create a budget and handle money.
People Skills. Girls find their voice and up their confidence through customer interactions that build relationships.
Business Ethics. Girls learn to act responsibly and honestly, both in business and in life.
But building their business know-how isn’t just tied to the cookies themselves! Girl Scouts at any level can continue honing their entrepreneurial skills by earning the Cookie Business badges, Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin, and the Financial Literacy badges year over year.
Before your cookie bosses open shop, be sure to check out these helpful troop leader resources that will empower you to:
Manage your troop’s funds.
Learn how girls participate in money earning.
Discover how your troop can reach its financial goals.
Plan activities to help her earn cookie pins and badges
Understand just how much your girls are capable of by grade level and how their entrepreneurial skills progress.
Girl Scout Cookie history
What started with Girl Scouts selling home-baked cookies to raise money grew into enlisting professional bakers in 1936 to handle the growing demand—and the rest is history. Explore Girl Scout Cookie History to find out how cookies have helped build generations of female entrepreneurs and leaders who make the world a better place.
Where cookie proceeds go
After paying for the cost of cookies and materials, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local and help councils provide Girl Scout programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the outdoors, life skills, entrepreneurship, and more—in camps, through leadership training, and multiple other ways. A portion of the proceeds is directly managed by girls, and it’s up to them to decide how to invest their troop’s share of the earnings.
GSC will provide a breakdown of how cookie program proceeds support Girl Scout activities locally. Please share this information with girls and their families so everyone understands that product program sales make it possible for your Girl Scout council to serve girls.
Troop members share in the proceeds from a successful product program; proceeds are not distributed to individual girl members. Girls, however, may be eligible for rewards and credits that they put toward council-sponsored camps, programs, and Girl Scout swag. The council plan for rewards applies equally to all girls participating in the product program activity. Visit the cookie section Cookies of GSC website for more information about individual rewards and troop proceeds locally.
The Girl Scout Blue Book of Basic Documents specifies that:
“All money and other assets, including property, that are raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the benefit of Girl Scouting must be held and authorized by a Girl Scout council or Girl Scouts of the USA. Such money and other assets must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting.”
“Ownership of Assets,” page 20, Blue Book of Basic Documents 2023
Making s’mores under the stars, creating a lasting impact in your community, or ordering supplies for an eye-opening STEM project—there are limitless ways to put troop proceeds toward dynamic Girl Scout experiences! There are a few things, however, that don’t qualify for “purposes of Girl Scouting,” for instance, using troop proceeds to purchase memberships in or uniforms for another organization. We encourage all councils to remind their volunteers of this policy to protect the all-girl environment and to avoid diversion of Girl Scout funds.
Your council's role
When you are set up for success, you are better able to set up your girls for success! That’s why every year, GSC provides training, guidelines, and procedures for conducting the Girl Scout Cookie Program and Fall Product Sweets ‘N’ Treats program and determines how the proceeds and product rewards system will be managed. Check the cookie section Cookies+ of GSC’s website to find the answers you need as well as local trainings and resources.
Each council also selects the vendors of its choice to provide the products for their product programs. Two commercial bakers that are licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout Cookies: Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Bakers. Citrus Council uses ABC Bakers. You can also Meet the Cookies and find additional info on cookie varieties, including nutritional details.
Citrus Council also works with vendors to offer magazine subscriptions, nut, and candy products, for the fall product program. These companies are Ashdon Farms, and M2 Media Group. Each provides online tools and activities for girls to download. Magazine selection and sales may take place online—check with GSC for more details.
Your role
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:
- Get girls excited about the opportunities to support the troop (but allowing their participation to be voluntary).
- Support both competitive and apprehensive cookie bosses, helping all your girls set meaningful goals for themselves.
- Fostering partnerships with each Girl Scout’s family to ensure cookie season success, whatever that may look like for her, will help you build a positive partnership with girls and families, and the Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin is designed to help families support girls’ growth at home.
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 products 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 products are 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.
Remember that if a Girl Scout chooses to participate in a club/specialty troop, such as: travel, Trailblazers, Mariners, etc. they must decide prior to the product program season where their proceeds will be allocated to. Proceeds cannot be divided.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and the Fall Product Sweets ‘N’ Treats 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 Product Chairs when you’re feeling stuck.
Product program safety
As there are two bakers, there are also two online platforms troops use to manage their cookie business (Smart Cookie and DC24 Cloud®). Check the specific guidelines provided by each cookie vendor before participating. Before girls begin selling online, they should partner with their troop leader and 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; a Girl Scout should always lead online marketing and sales efforts, 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).
- 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 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.
Preparing for your Girl Scout Cookie booth
Cookie booths—that is, cookie pop-up sales in areas with lots of foot traffic—are a fun way for Girl Scouts to connect with their community and practice their sales pitch with new customers. Booth Sales can be defined as sales that are stationary, whether it is a store counter or a table at a specific location. Booth locations must be approved by councils, facilitated within council jurisdiction, and participants must follow all council guidelines with regard to setting up, running, and taking down a booth.
Only GSC Staff and/or the Service Community Product Chairs are allowed to set up booths for the Service Community.
Create a great cookie booth experience for your Girl Scouts by:
- Using your best judgment in setting up cookie booths in locations that will be open, accessible, and safe for all Girl Scouts and potential customers.
- Choosing a high traffic area—this could be your local supermarket, mall, or park—where you’ll maximize the number of visitors to your booth.
- Checking out your booth site ahead of the sale. Talk to business owners in the area so they’ll know what to expect. Find out what security measures are in place—these may include lights for evening sales and whether a security camera watches the booth area—and where the nearest bathrooms are located.
- Respecting the surrounding businesses by making sure your booth isn’t blocking a store entrance or exit.
- Encouraging your Girl Scouts to unleash their creativity—and work on their advertising skills—to make colorful signs and booth decorations that potential customers can’t resist! Remind girls to be polite and to have their sales pitch ready for interested customers.
Keep in mind:
- There must always be a minimum of two unrelated volunteers, one which must be a female (that do not live in the same household) with current GSUSA memberships and favorable background checks. Additional volunteers are always beneficial to help cover breaks or to escort the girls to use to the restroom.
- There should be a minimum of two Girl Scouts and a maximum of four Girl Scouts always present at the booth.
- Tag-a longs are not permitted at any booth locations.
- If your Daisies are still learning how to make correct change, help them handle money as needed. However, please remember that girls make all sales at the booth!
- Changing your cookie booth hours or location? Keep your customers in the loop and update your baker’s Digital Cookie or Smart Cookie system with the new details. All scheduled booths are available on the Cookie Finder link.
- Certain locations may be inappropriate for younger Girl Scouts based on the standards of your local community, may negatively impact the cookie program experience for girls, and/or may negatively impact our brand in your community. For additional clarity, girls should not sell in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize.
- Additionally, with respect to marijuana dispensaries, we have been steadfastly combating the unauthorized uses of the Girl Scout trademark by the cannabis community, which has been marketing—without our authorization—certain cannabis products under our youth-appealing brand. We are continuing to aggressively fight these unauthorized uses of the Girl Scout brand and hope that our councils and volunteers will join Girl Scouts of the USA’s efforts by discouraging cookie booth locations at such locations.
For more tips to make your booth a success, check out our Cookie Booth Essentials. For additional information about setting up a booth and safety and security suggestions, consult your council guidelines.
Booth Violations
Any troop found violating booth policies will be subject to booth restrictions, which could include forfeiture of upcoming booths for the remainder of the sale.
The following violations will be subject to the above restrictions:
- Conducting booths prior to the Council wide start date of Booth Sales.
- Conducting booths at a location outside of the Community Boundaries without the consent of the impacted Community during the lottery. Once booth picks are open to the Council, booths will be permitted in any Community without getting consent from the Community that the booth is in.
- Troops who acquire their own booths
- Setting up a booth that is not in Smart Cookies. All booths MUST be in Smart Cookies.
- Securing a booth for an individual troop or girl only. All booths must be available for all girls/troops with the exception of the first round held within the Community.
- Conducting a booth with adults who does not have a current registration and approved background check.
- Overcharging for Products
Incident Reports
In the event that the funds are stolen by a third party (home robbery, auto theft, booth robbery), a completed police report must be provided to the Council Business Office. Do not attempt to physically recover the stolen items.
- Receipts will be necessary to prove possession and value of property.
- Council staff will work directly with the victim with regard to the resolution of missing funds.
- Do not speak to media, contact Theresa Rivera, Risk Management and Compliance Officer at Trivera@citrus-gs.org or call 407-228-1630.
Product Program Guidelines and consequences for failure to comply with the guidelines and the spirit of the Girl Scout culture.
It is very important that we not punish girls for adult actions, however, it is essential that we make an effort to address violations of the behavioral standards and guidelines presented during cookie trainings and inherent to our Girl Scout culture.
If GSC is made award of a situation in which a troop or individual is violating said standards and guidelines, the team will activate the following procedures and consequences:
- The parent or volunteer will receive a verbal warning and must complete a retraining of the guidelines, including signing for receipt of said training and agreement to comply. (This is paramount to a written warning to cease an unauthorized activity)
- If the parent or volunteer refuse the training, a formal written warning to cease the unauthorized behavior at risk of volunteer status removal will be sent via certified mail.
- If the original behavior does not cease, or a differing violation begins that is not in keeping with Girl Scout and the Product program standards, the adults involved will be removed from their volunteer leadership or parent-helper position.
- If behaviors worsen, the adult will be sent a certified letter, including a refund of their membership fee, notifying them that they are removed from the organization due to behaviors not in keeping with the expectations of the Council and the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
- These matters are to always be handled privately between the adults involved, in order to protect the girls and maintain the integrity of their Girl Scout experience.
Cookie donation programs
Cookies also help girls make a big impact in their community! GSC may have an established cookie donation program where customers can purchase cookies that will be donated to an organization by GSC. Cookie donations are not only a great talking point for girls to share with their customers—they’re also a thoughtful way to show girls how cookies can help them give back.
With cookie donations, remember that:
- Citrus Council provides a Care to Share Program in which all donated products benefit Council organizations.
- All donations collected during the programs should be applied toward the Care to Share program. Of which, the troop will receive a portion of the proceeds.
- All donated products for the Care to Share program are not physical troop or girl inventory.
- Donation Jars are not allowed at booths for troops personal donations nor are troops/girls allowed to ask for personal troop donations. Asking for Care to Share donations are allowed.
- Donated cookies must stay within the council jurisdiction unless GSC has the approval from other council jurisdictions.
- Donated products cannot be resold and must be used in a responsible and ethical way.
- Donated products are used in a way that does not undermine the work of councils or jeopardize the integrity of the Girl Scout brand.
Handling product complaints
Girl Scout Cookies are well loved and for good reason—it has always been the practice of Girl Scout councils and the bakers to guarantee customer satisfaction with their delicious cookies. If a customer is not satisfied with the quality of their cookies for some reason, they can contact the baker via the phone number printed on the side of the cookie package: 1-800-221-1002 Troops should also notify their Community Cookie Chair with any issues they have reported to ABC Bakery.
- For technical issues with Smart Cookie, contact: abcsmartcookietech@hearthsidefoods.com
- For Smart Cookie Direct Ship inquiries, contact: abcsmartcookiedirect@hearthsidefoods.com
Girl Scouts of Citrus Council’s Fall Product Program Sweets ‘N’ Treats is a wonderful way for Girl Scouts to begin their year learning about Financial Literacy and to start planning for their Girl Scout year.
- For any M2 System issues or product concerns, contact M2 at: 1- 800-372-8520 or support.gsnutsandmags.com
For issues with registering any adults, girls or selecting product chair roles in salesforce, please contact Customer Care at customercare@citrus-gs.org
For all other product concerns or issues:
- Troop contacts the Community Chair with any issues, the Community Chair will contact the Council Product Team
- Issues registering any adults or girls or selecting product chair roles in your MyGS please contact your community chair.
- Your community chair will contact Customer Care.
Recognizing cookie sellers in the media
Focusing on entrepreneurial outcomes has always been the focus of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The cookie program has never been about and does not focus on individual girls’ sales results.
There are many impressive cookie bosses throughout the United States, and the Girl Scout organization will continue to recognize dynamic cookie entrepreneurs for various achievements tied to the Girl Scout Cookie Program and through their participation in Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts of the USA does not currently track the top seller(s) of Girl Scout Cookies on a national level and does not identify a specific Girl Scout as the number one or “record-breaking” national cookie seller.
Girl Scout councils should not reference such girls as “top sellers” in the media. Doing so detracts from the essence of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is based on offering girls important experiences in entrepreneurship, business, and finance from a young age as well as providing girls and local Girl Scout councils with the funds necessary to power amazing experiences and opportunities for Girl Scouts year-round.
Understanding the Fall Product Program
The Fall Product Sweets 'N' Treats Program in Citrus Council is made up of two parts:
- Magazines provided by M2 - Troops/groups who participate in this portion are asking friends and family to purchase magazine renewals or subscriptions. These purchases will help Troops earn a percentage of each magazine subscription they sell.
- Nuts and Chocolates provided by Ashdon Farms - Troops
who participate in this portion of the fall product program can take
pre-orders for the nuts and chocolates. They may sell door-to-door,
to family and friends or to the general public at established nut
and chocolate booths.
- Troops/Groups may participate in one or both parts of the FP Sweets 'N' TreatsProgram. The girl and her parents must be given the option to decide. Participation in at least one part of the Fall Product Program is required as a prerequisite for obtaining approval of future money-earning projects.
- The FP Sweets 'N' Treats Program is held in the fall for troops to earn “start-up” funds. Girl Scouts of Citrus determines specific dates and establishes procedures for the program. Training is provided for the Community Fall Product Chairs and the Troop Fall Product Chairs.
Juliettes and Product Sales
Juliette Program Credits - Our program gives Juliette Girl Scouts a chance to earn program credits needed to participate in girl scout programming. Credits earned give individually registered girls the opportunity to purchase supplies needed to support their programming, take Girl Scouts on field trips, attend camps etc.
*NOTE: It could be a couple of weeks before the balance is updated to reflect their program credits.
- All Juliette’s are required to pay in full Juliette’s do not keep their proceeds, instead they earn credits.
- Juliette’s may request their credits after their balance is paid in full.
- Credits are non-transferable to any troop and cannot be gifted to other Girl Scouts. If Juliette moves to a traditional troop, she will forfeit her credits.
- Juliette’s must have a current, active membership to access credits.
- Juliettes must have a minimum of two registered, and background checked adults, and a minimum of two registered Girl Scouts present at the booth at all times. If two non-related Juliettes are working a booth together, there must be two non-related registered and background checked adults present at the booth.
How to use Juliette Credits
- Membership Renewal - Credits can be redeemed toward the renewal of Juliette’s.
- membership and the membership of 1 adult per Juliette. Log onto MyGS to process renewals. Please select Program Credits as payment type.
- Girl Scouts of Citrus Programs - Credits can be used towards GSC program events. Log onto MyGS to register for the event. Please select Program Credits as payment type.
- Council Shop/Camp/Community Events - Credits can also be used towards the above listed items by going to the forms section of the website and filling out the Program Credit Request Form.
- Travel/Events - Travel/ Event credits must adhere to Girl Scout related programming. All expenses will be paid directly by the Council to the vendor. Covered expenses would include all pre-approved accommodations, experiences, rental or cost of transportation and prepaid meals for the Juliette/s and 1 chaperone. You must complete the Program Credit Request Form a minimum of 6 weeks prior to your planned activity.
ACH Debit for Products
ACH Debit for Products
Fall Products
- All troops must complete the ACH section in M2 by the due date printed on the Fall Product paperwork. This authorizes the council to debit all monies due to the council from their troop accounts and validates current banking information.
- M2 will be updated by the Council after the debit has taken place. If an ACH is returned to us there will be a separate entry indicating that as well as a fee for all returns due to NSF or closed account.
Cookies
- All troops must complete the ACH section in DC24 by the due date printed on the Cookie paperwork. This authorizes the council to debit all monies due to the council from their troop accounts and validates current banking information.
- DC24 will be updated by council after the debit has taken place. If an ACH is returned to us there will be a separate entry indicating that as well as a fee for all returns due to NSF or closed account.
- All monies due to the council need to be in the troop’s bank account on the day the final paperwork is due. It will be the troop’s responsibility to have the entire balance in their account on the date the paperwork is due to council. GSC staff will not review troop accounts for funds availability. If funds are not in the account when council debits the troop’s account that troop will be responsible for all charges incurred to that account.
Parent/Guardian Debt to Troop
Since Recognitions cannot be guaranteed after about 6 weeks for Troops with an outstanding amount due to Council, we recommend contacting Customer Care at customercare@citrus-gs.org as soon as you realize there may be Product Money due or you have not been able to collect from a Troop Parent. We are here to help! When Product money is due to the Council Business Office and you have not been able to collect from a troop parent, do not hold up your troops paperwork. Make sure all monies collected have been deposited into your Troops Bank Account by the deadline.
As soon as you realize there is a problem, act immediately!
- Collect as much money as possible and set up definite deadlines for additional payments. Promptly Notify Customer Care at: customercare@citrus-gs.org with information listed in "information needed for further review" section if deadline is not met.
- Make at least three attempts to collect money. The attempts to collect money must be documented in writing. Be aware that an answering machine or phone message might not be received by the person involved. It is not a reliable form of contact.
- Attempts to collect monies need to be pleasant and tactful, but firm. Do not harass. Emphasize that missing money denies girls program opportunities.
- All outstanding parent debt must be reported within 2 weeks of the end of the sale. It becomes increasingly difficult to help with collections after time has passed.
- If you need additional help or need to talk it over, contact Customer Care at: customercare@citrus-gs.org
Document all information: Written/Verbal Documentation needed as follows:
- Date
- Who made contact?
- Method of Contact (phone, letter, in person)
- Summary of what was said and the response.
- Your follow-up actions and plans
- Information Needed for further review (see next section)
Information Needed for further review:
- Names (girls and parents)
- Phone numbers
- Physical Address
- Total Products checked out and returned from all signed M3 receipts.
- Amount owed troop and Council Business Office
- Signed Parent Permission Agreement
- All signed M3 receipts from parent
- If you have all the signed documentation, the Council Business Office will be able to help with future payments from the parent/ guardian.
How can this be avoided?
- By training and informing the parents/guardians during a meeting about the consequences of outstanding balances.
- Meeting the deadlines for payments during the sale.
- Be firm with the guidelines about payment before an additional product is given out.
- Keeping in touch with parents and girls to verify all payments are received for delivered product with corresponding signed M3 receipts.
Misappropriation of Funds by Troop Chair/Leader
If misappropriation of troop funds is suspected, Leaders access to troop funds could be suspended during research and review of the allegations. If evidence of misuse of funds or personal use of troop funds is substantiated, this will result in Girl Scouts of Citrus action including, but not limited to, staff oversight, termination from the volunteer position, and/or restrictions of further fundraising activities until the matter is resolved. The leader/chair could be reported to Law Enforcement for further investigation.
Report the concern immediately to Customer Care at customercare@citrus-gs.org. If review of the concern yields substantial evidence of theft or fraud, the Council Office is the legal party to file Police Reports and will do so.
Third Party Theft
In the event that funds are stolen by a third party (home robbery, auto theft, booth robbery), a completed police report must be provided to the Council Business Office.
- Receipts will be helpful to prove possession and value of property.
- Council Staff will work directly with the victim with regard to the resolution of missing funds.
- Do not speak to media - contact Theresa Rivera, Risk Management and Compliance Officer, at trivera@citrus-gs.org or call 407-228-1662
Using Online Resources
Using Online Resources and Social Media to Market Cookies and Other Products
Girls are only to use the Internet to market the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a girl-led program and online marketing and sales efforts should always be led by a girl while also being supervised by her parents or caretakers.
- For safety purposes and other reasons, online marketing activities, especially those conducted through social media platforms, should always be done through accounts set to "private."
- Should any online marketing activities be identified as in violation of guidance, GSUSA or the council reserves the right to intervene and request removal or remove the post.
- Parents, girls, and volunteers should contact and collaborate with their councils and GSUSA in advance on any national news media opportunities.
Girls may use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, text messages, IMs, and emails as online marketing tools to let family, friends, and former customers know about the sale and collect indications of interest. All are effective ways that girls 13 and older can promote cookies and other product programs. Girls under 13 cannot independently set up online marketing sites. Girls under 13 can use their parent or guardian’s online sites with their approval and supervision.
The following sections detail how girls can use electronic marketing, social media, and group websites to gather sale commitments from family, friends, and previous customers. But first, please keep in mind that girls:
- Can market to and collect indications of interest from customers within their councils' zip codes. Refer prospects that come from outside council jurisdiction to the council finder at Girl Scout Cookies Family members and Digital Cookie sales are the exception to this rule.
- Must sign the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge (available at http://www.girlscouts.org/help/internet safety pledge.asp) before doing any online activities, and all online activities must be under the supervision of volunteers.
- Cannot expose their own or any other girl's email address, physical address, or phone number to the public. When writing e-mail messages or online announcements, girls should sign with their first name only, along with their group number or name and their council name.
Selling Product on-line:
If a girl/parent creates an online store/post on a public online marketplace (EBAY, Amazon, FB Marketplace, Craig's List, any other similar sites or garage sale type sites), for the purpose of selling Girl Scout Product, the parent/volunteer will be contacted and instructed to remove the online store/post from the site within 48 hours.
If the online store/post is not removed within 48 hours:
- The girls sale will be restricted -The girl will be permitted to participate in troop booth sales and in online sales through our GS approved vendors (Smart Cookies and Unify) but will not be permitted to order any additional cookies for walk-abouts for the remainder of the sale.
- If the parent of the girl holds a volunteer position within the troop, they will be subject to removal from their volunteer position.
Setting up a Troop/Group Website
Be sure not to violate copyright law by using designs, text from magazine or books, poetry, music, lyrics, videos, graphics, or trademarked symbols without specific permission from the copyright or trademark holder (and, generally, this permission is pretty tough to get). Girl Scout trademarks(such as the trefoil shape, Girl Scout pins, badges, or patches) can be used only in accordance with guidelines for their use. (The Girl Scout trefoil, for example, may not be animated or used as wallpaper for a website) Check with GSC for complete guidelines and approvals.
Troops whose girls meet age criteria of 13 years of age or older and have parental permission may set up a group Facebook page or website. This site must be approved by the Council, but it can be a fantastic way for girls to share information , market Girl Scout products , and talk about Take Action Products.
It is important to remember the twofold purpose of the Girl Scout Cookie Program when selling cookies or other products. The primary purposes of these programs are to help girls grow and develop and generate the revenue necessary to provide Girl Scouting to as many girls as possible. For this reason , girls should be directly involved in any decisions that are made, whether in person or over the internet.
© Copyright 2009–2022 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.
