Inside this guide are the most important information you’ll need to help your Girl Scout participate in the one-and-only Girl Scout Cookie Program! The Cookie Program allows girls to learn valuable life skills including Goal Setting, Money Management, People Skills, Decision Making and Business Ethics - all while selling America’s Favorite Cookies! This Family Guide will help you with all the important details, and also tell you where to get support and find additional materials to help you along the way.

Cookie Program Dates: February 1 – March 18

Order-Taking: February 1 - March 11 Booth Sales: February 9 - March 18

Online: February 1 - March 18

Cookies: $4 per package, except Trios which are $5 per pouch.

HERE’S HOW YOU GET STARTED…

1. Be a Girl Scout! Each girl participant must be registered for the 2017-2018 Girl Scout year.

2. Give the “OK!” Turn in a signed Product Program Permission Form to your Troop Product Manager (TPM). They will have them for you to sign or you can find them online.

3. Learn the ropes. Attend your troop’s family training before the program starts.

4. Do you owe us from last year? Make sure you have no outstanding debt to the council.

5. Set a great example! Respect all program policies and dates, setting a positive example for your Girl Scout.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

Troop Product Manager (Volunteer): Your local contact for the program. This is the volunteer who has raised their hand to help your troop get cookies. They will reach out to let you know when and where you can get cookies for the first time and answer questions you might have.

Program Guides and Forms: girlscoutsiowa.org/cookieprogram

Just for Fun Resources: girlscouts.org/en/cookies/just-for-cookie-sellers.html

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa: 800-342-8389 | info@gsiowa.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Dates ................................................a

Meet the Cookies ..............................................a

Materials ..............................................................a

Selling Cookies ....................................................1

Buy 5 ......................................................................1

Cookie Share ......................................................2

Safety and Social Media..................................2

How to Get Cookies ..........................................3

Handling Money .................................................3

What Troops and Girls Earn ............................4

Girl Scouts of the USA’s Cookie Pro ...........................................................5

Definitions ...........................................................6

Forms and Resources ......................................6

2018 Cookie Program Family Guide

NEW! SMART COOKIES, ABCSMARTCOOKIES.COM

The Smart Cookies online platform helps families, volunteers, and council staff manage the Cookie Program from the beginning to end. Smart Cookies has replaced Cookie Command, COCOdirect, and COCOmobile! You will use Smart Cookies to set up an account for your Girl Scout and help her set goals, email customers, review online orders, and watch her earn recognitions as she works towards her goals!

Smart Cookies Helpdesk: (available 24/7) 800-853-3730 | abctech@interbake.com

Important DatesJanuary: Attend a training hosted by your troop and receive your Order Card!

January 20: Join us at the Cookie Kick-Off events!

January 23: Girl and Parent/Guardian Smart Cookies Training from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

February 1: Girl Order-Taking and online ordering begins.

February 3 – 8: On-hand selling begins as soon as you get your cookies!

February 9: Booth Sales Begin.

February 13: First day troops can get more cookies.

February 23 - 25: National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!

March 1: First troop payment to council.

March 11: Order-Taking ends. Give any last requests for cookies to your Troop Product Manager (TPM) including any online “girl-delivery” orders from Smart Cookie Direct Ship e-cards.

March 18: Booth and online sales end!

March 26: Troop Recognition Order due. Be sure to let your TPM know what items your Girl Scout wants.

April 3: Final payment due to council. TROOP PROCEEDS STAY IN THE TROOP ACCOUNT.

End of April: Cookie Dough will be sent directly to each family by email.

June: Recognition items should be received from your TPM.

Meet the CookiesWe have partnered with ABC Bakers for 9+ years to provide delicious cookies to our customers. The traditional cookies in our line-up again this year are: Thanks-A-Lots®, Lemonades™, Shortbreads, Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Girl Scout S’mores™, and gluten free Trios!

MaterialsEach Girl Scout will be receiving print materials from their TPM to assist you with the Cookie Program. Below are the materials you will receive:

Materials for Girls and Their Families

• Order Card

• 2018 Cookie Program Family Guide (this document)

• Money Envelope

Trios are available in limited quantities.

Check with your TPM to order.

New to this and not sure what all this “lingo means”? Check out the Definitions section on page 6.

Selling Cookies ONLINE SALES | FEBRUARY 1 - MARCH 18

Girls can reach customers online using Smart Cookies! Smart Cookies allows girls to email customers and invite them to purchase cookies through their online store. Customers have the option to pay for cookies and shipping using a credit or debit card and have cookies mailed directly to them, OR to have girls deliver cookies and pay in-person.

Direct Ship: Customers can pay with debit/credit card; troop will get credit and proceeds for online sales.

Girl Delivery Orders: Customers pay with cash or check; girl gives money to troop in its original form. Cookies will need to be picked up from your Troop Product Manager (TPM) and delivered to the customer.

For more information about how girls can set up a Smart Cookies account, check out the Smart Cookies for Girls Guide.

ORDER-TAKING | FEBRUARY 1 – MARCH 11

Girls can also sell cookies by taking orders and delivering the cookies later. You can use the paper Order Card or the Smart Cookies Mobile app to track these orders. The customer may pay at the time of the order or when the cookies are delivered.

Customers can pay with cash or check. Checks should be made out to Girl Scouts Troop (add your # here) or GSGI. Money should be given to the troop in its original form.

This is a great option for new troops who aren’t sure how many cookies to order up front!

COOKIES ON-HAND | AS SOON AS YOU GET THEM UNTIL MARCH 18

Girls can begin selling cookies on-hand when they receive them from their TPM They take the cookies out to customers to sell; money and cookies are exchanged at the same time. Note: You will not be able to receive any more cookies after March 18.

Customers can pay with cash or check. Checks should be made out to Girl Scouts Troop (add your # here) or GSGI. Money should be given to the troop in its original form.

BOOTH SALES | FEBRUARY 9 – MARCH 18

Booth sales promote team-building by giving girls the opportunity to work together, while also taking on leadership roles. Booth sales should be set up as a group and not hosted by individual families. Check with your TPM about available dates, or give her ideas on a great location!

Customers can pay with cash, check, or credit/debit cards (if the troop purchases a card reader on their own or gets one out from the council).

For more information about booth sales and guidelines, check out the Booth Sale Guidelines for Families document.

You can also access Smart

Cookies through the Smart

Cookies Mobile app for

customers to purchase

cookies in-person, and have

them shipped to another

person or location!

It has been shown that this method of selling is more successful for girls (they often sell more cookies per customer than through Order-Taking).

Buy 5 and Win!Customers who purchase five packages of cookies or more from your Girl Scout can have a chance to win a year’s supply of Girl Scout Cookies! Simply have them fill out a Buy 5 and Win Entry Form after they purchase. 10 winners from across our council will be selected and notified by April 20.

See the Buy 5 and Win Flyer, Buy 5 and Win Entry Forms, and Buy 5 and Win Official Rules for more information.

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Cookie ShareSome customers may not want to purchase cookies for themselves, but still want to support Girl Scouts - Cookie Share allows them to do just that! Customers pay for a quantity of cookies, but instead of taking cookies home, they are donated to a charity.

HOW IT WORKS

1. When a customer wants to donate, girls record the money received under the Cookie Share space on their Money Envelope or on their Order Card. A customer can donate any amount of money; it doesn’t have to be in increments of $4.

2. At the end of the program, add up total donations and then divide by four to find the quantity of packages to donate. Girls should turn in all money to their Troop Product Manager (TPM). There are two options for donating the packages of cookies:

☉ Virtual: If you have collected Cookie Share donations, but you or your troop do not have cookies left at the end of the program, your TPM can record them as Virtual Cookie Share packages in Smart Cookies. The council will donate them to our Cookie Share partner, Iowa Heroes! Firefighters, police officers, and military men and women will benefit from the generosity of your customer’s donation. Although you may not physically receive these cookies, you are still financially responsible for them.

☉ Local: If you or your troop have cookies on-hand, you can donate them to a local charity/organization. This helps everyone get rid of extra inventory at the end of the program. You are still financially responsible for these packages.

Safety and Social Media We know parents and guardians are cookie helpers every step of the way, and that includes helping girls reach out to extended audiences – whether it’s taking your Girl Scout with you to work, helping her talk to customers at church, or spreading the word about cookies through social media. With that, we want to encourage responsible use of social media sites to keep girl safety and the girl-led purpose of the Cookie Program top-of-mind. The Cookie Program is still a person-to-person business, and here are some ways that girls can incorporate social media into their business plan:

1. Girl Scouts are encouraged to use Smart Cookies to market their business and offer customers a way to order online. All it takes is an email address, and customers can have cookies shipped right to them! See the Smart Cookies for Girls Guide for more details.

2. Have a conversation with your troop about safe ways to use social media, which don’t involve sharing a girl’s personal information to unfamiliar audience. Here are some ideas!

☉ Have girls create a fun poster or short video message for their parent/guardian to post on their Facebook wall.

☉ Girls older than 13 may have their own Facebook pages! Get them involved in sharing best practices with each other for online safety and sales tips, as they market cookies to their own network of friends and family!

As in all aspects of the Cookie Program, safety should be taken very seriously by anyone posting on social media sites. Parents/guardians are encouraged to teach their daughters safe and responsible use of social media, including the importance of protecting your personal information online.

For more information on safety while participating in the Cookie Program, please check out the Girl Scout Cookie/Council-Sponsored Product Sale: Safety Activity Checkpoints.

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How to Get Cookies

YOUR TROOP’S FIRST COOKIE ORDER

To ensure your troop has cookies in their hands at the start of the Cookie Program, your Troop Product Manager (TPM) places an Initial Order on or before January 16. The Initial Order amount is figured based on data from past Cookie Programs, or for new troops, based on suggested amounts according to grade level. The Initial Order should not be based on girl orders because Order-Taking doesn’t start until February 1. Troops will receive their Initial Order February 3 – 8. If your troop chooses not to place an Initial Order, the next chance for the troop to pick-up cookies will be mid-February.

GET MORE COOKIES THROUGH COOKIE CUPBOARDS!

Your Troop Product Manager (TPM) has access to Cookie Cupboards across the council to get more cookies each week. They’ll be making lots of trips on your behalf, so be sure to stay in contact with them and be aware of order deadlines to keep your Girl Scout’s business going strong.

EXCHANGING COOKIES

Moving cookies between girls and troops is encouraged during the program to help everyone manage their inventory. Any such change should be documented and reported to your TPM so they can keep track of where the product is. In the end, any cookies you sign a receipt for are your responsibility to sell and pay for.

Handling MoneyThroughout the Cookie Program, you and your Girl Scout will come in contact with a lot of cash and checks. We want to help you ensure they’re handled responsibly.

• Checks can be made out to Girl Scout Troop (add your # here) or GSGI.

• Money should be given in its original form to your TPM. Never deposit checks into your personal account first.

• Be sure to get a receipt from your TPM so you both have a record that you turned in money.

• We have your back if your troop gets a bad check. Some troops might decide not to accept checks at all, and that’s ok too.

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What Troops and Girls EarnTROOP PROCEEDS

All troops earn $0.45 per package of Girl Scout Cookies, including Trios. That amount increases as troops reach certain per-girl average (PGA) levels and/or increase their sales from last year. For each package of cookies sold during the Cookie Program, the troop proceeds stay in the troop bank account. Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops may opt-out of all recognition items as a group to receive $0.10 more per package in troop proceeds.

GIRL RECOGNITIONS

See your Order Card for the full line-up of recognition items! Girls can earn recognitions and patches for reaching certain package levels. Most recognitions are cumulative, meaning they get all of the items up to the highest level they reach!

700 Club Day at Adventureland June 2, 2018 – For all girls who sell 700+ packages

Each girl who sells 700+ packages will be invited to spend the day at Adventureland with other top-selling Girl Scouts. Two tickets will be provided for the June 2 event; additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event at a discount-ed rate. Girls will earn this event if they opt-out for a camp or tech item.

Tech and Camp See Order Card for options – For all girls selling 950+ packages.

Starting at 950+ packages, girls can choose to opt-out of cumulative recognition items and Cookie Dough in order to receive tech and camp options. These items are listed on the Order Card.

TROOP EXPERIENCES

By working together, girls can also help their entire troop earn awesome experiences! These are based on group averages and sales. Troop recognitions are cumulative. If your troop earns these recognitions, confirmation emails will be provided with details to your Troop Product Manager (TPM) closer to the event.

Note: Chaperones are required. Free chaperone spots will be awarded based on Safety Activity Checkpoint guidance. Transportation and gas reimbursement will not be provided for events.

Troop Overnight at Camp (Outdoor Badge Program Provided) Select one overnight between the dates of: August 6-10, 2018 at Camp Tanglefoot OR August 9-14, 2018 at Camp Sacajawea (5000+ pkgs total)

Camp programming will be offered in the morning and in the

afternoon. Groups may not be able to participate in every listed activity. Eligibility for some activities is based on grade level.

• Camp Sacajawea: Programs offered based on age and availability include swimming, teambuilding/low ropes activities, high ropes activities, horseback riding, hiking, outdoor skills, GaGa ball, Frisbee golf, an arts & crafts project, kayaking or canoeing.

• Camp Tanglefoot: Programs offered based on age and availability include swimming, boating (canoeing, kayaking, pontoon ride), paddle boarding, group games/teambuilding, high ropes course, GaGa ball, an arts & crafts project, and archery.

Schedule: Check-in in the evening, programs in the morning and afternoon until 3:00pm check-out.

Options: $5 per person per meal provided OR bring your own food.

Overnights are possible at our other camps and outside of the dates listed above; however, programming is not guaranteed.

Mud Run Admission at Camp Sacajawea September 22, 2018 (250+ PGA)

Take on the challenge of our muddy obstacle course at Girl Scout Camp Sacajawea in Boone! Troops earn free admission for the troop and chaperones, plus a t-shirt for each person attending! Additional family and friends can pay the event registration cost and attend with the troop too. Registration details and event times will be sent before the event.

Trampoline Party or Water Park Adventure July 15, 2018 (400+ PGA)

Girls can jump till they drop or swim till they stop! Each troop will pick the location of their choice and will get free admission for the troop and chaperones to one of these awesome activities for girls to enjoy. Additional friends and family can pay to attend with the troop too! Registration links to RSVP for a specific location and time will be sent before the event.

Park Locations:

Beach Ottumwa Ottumwa

Drop Zone Sioux City

Get Air Urbandale

Get Air* Waterloo

King’s Pointe Storm Lake

Sky Zone Trampoline Park Omaha, NE

Sky Zone Trampoline Park Grimes

*Pending Location Opening

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COOKIE DOUGH

Cookie Dough are credits that girls can earn while participating in the Cookie Program. Credits are tallied at the end of the program, loaded onto an account number which is emailed to each family and retained at the council. Credits may be shared between Girl Scouts in the same household; otherwise, they are non-transferable. Girls can earn Cookie Dough two ways: Selling at least 24 packages, and at additional levels noted on her Order Card AND selecting Cookie Dough in lieu of a recognition item at certain levels. You can check your balance anytime at: www.mercury-gift.com.

Credits can be used towards:

• Council-sponsored events, outdoor programs, and camps on our Events List. Can also be used towards adult fees only when chaperones are required.

• Council-approved, service unit-sponsored events on our Events List.

• Council-sponsored travel opportunities and Girl Scout Destinations or Getaways on our Girl Scout Travel page.

• Troop activities approved by the council. See the Credit Request for Troop Activities Form under Forms on our council website.

• Girl Scouts of the USA membership dues and/or Lifetime Membership dues, for graduating seniors.

• In our GSGI Retail Stores or on the Official Online Store*. *The Official Online Store requires us to give you a different code that is

compatible with the Official Online Store platform. To request this code,

use the Online Code Request Form.

• Supporting Girl Scouts who need assistance by donating unused credits towards scholarships.

Credits cannot be used for:

• Deposits

• Events hosted by outside organizations

• Adult event fees and apparel

Credit Expiration: Girl Scouts have until September 15 of the current membership year to use their credits. After September 15 the following will happen:

• Girl Scouts in Grades K-4 who have any credits left on their account after September 15 will have their credits transferred and become the property of the troop the Girl Scout was registered with at the time of earning those credits. Troop credits expire on September 15 of the following year.

• Girl Scouts in Grades 5-11 (including Juliettes) who have re-registered by September 15 will automatically get their credits SAVED on their accounts. Ideally, these are for use towards larger scale Girl Scout camps or trips. Credits will only expire if a Girl Scout has not re-registered by September 15 OR when she graduates from Girl Scouting.

For more information about Cookie Dough - please see the Cookie Dough, Munch Money and Juliette Program Credits Policy Guide.

Girl Scouts of the USA’s Cookie Pro This cookie season, six girls nationwide (one per Girl Scout grade level) will be named GSUSA’s Top Cookie Pro 2018!

This challenge will run from January 2 - April 30, 2018, and all registered Girl Scout Cookie sellers can participate. Here’s how it works:

Girls complete their very own Cookie Pro Resume survey online and submit it along with a photo. Her Cookie Pro submission should include things like:

• Cookie badges she’s earned and skills she’s learned.

• What she’s done or plans to do with her cookie earnings.

• Best sales tips for crushing cookie goals like a PRO!

By entering the contest, girls get a chance to:

• Unlock this awesome, limited edition Cookie Pro 2018 Patch.

• Be featured on our iconic Girl Scout Cookie box.

• Travel to NYC for an all-expenses-paid Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur Experience, where girls will talk business with GSUSA leaders and be recognized as a Top Cookie Pro 2018!

COOKIEPRO

Girl Scouts of the USA

2018

Full contest details are available at girlscouts.org/cookiepro. 5

Definitions ABC Bakers: This is the bakery we work with to provide the delicious cookies for your Girl Scout to sell in her community!

Cookie Dough: These are program credits girls receive by selling 24 or more packages of cookies. Girls can also choose Cookie Dough as a recognition item at certain levels.

Cookie Share: This is our donation program; all donations received by the troop during the Cookie Program must go towards Cookie Share.

Council: The western two-thirds of Iowa, two counties in southeast South Dakota, and one county in northwest Nebraska are known as the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa council. We have offices, staff and, of course, a large network of volunteers who support girls in our area every day. At the council offices, our staff help do the behind the scenes work for the program so you and your Girl Scout can focus on the fun!

Recognitions: These are items or experiences troops and girls can earn for meeting certain sales milestones.

Smart Cookies: This is where girls go to set up their account to sell online. The website is abcsmartcookies.com.

Troop Proceeds: These are the funds that troops earn, based on their sales, per girl average, and grade level.

Troop Product Manager: Your go-to cookie person! This is the volunteer who makes it all happen for your troop.

Forms and Resources Available at girlscoutsiowa.org/cookieprogram

Forms

• Product Program Permission Form

Program Guides

• Smart Cookies for Girls Guide

• Cookie Dough, Munch Money and Juliette Program Credits Policy Guide

• Girl Scout Cookie/Council-Sponsored Product Sale: Safety Activity Checkpoints

• Booth Sale Guidelines for Families

Sales Tools

• Buy 5 and Win Entry Forms (including Flyer and Official Rules)

Patches Girls EarnTheme Patch: Girls earn this by selling 12 or more packages of cookies.

Achievement Bar Patch: Girls earn this by selling 50 or more packages. The bar is available in increments of 50, awarded at the highest level achieved.

My 1st Cookie Sale Patch: Girls who are participating in the Cookie Program for the first time can receive this free patch; let your Troop Product Manager (TPM) know you want it so they can put it into Smart Cookies.

NEW Instant Recognition! Smart Cookie Patch: Girls earn this by having at least one Smart Cookies Direct Ship. The council will mail this patch directly to each girl once they’ve received one online Smart Cookie Direct Ship order. (Patches mailed out weekly during the program.)

Cookie Booth Patch: Girls who participate in a Cookie Booth can receive this free patch; let your Troop Product Manager (TPM) know you want it so they can put it into Smart Cookies.

Cookie University Patch: Girls earn this by attending one of the Cookie University sessions at the Cookie Kick-Offs.

Goal Getter Patch: Girls earn this by selling 230 or more packages of cookies.

Gluten Free Patch: Girls earn this by selling 1 or more packages of Trios, our gluten free cookies.

Cookie Rally Patch: Girls earn this by attending a Service Unit Cookie Rally.

NEW Instant Recognition! Online Patch: Girls earn this by setting up a Smart Cookies account. The council will mail this patch directly to each girl who sets up an account. (Patches mailed out weekly during the program.)

Cookie Kickoff Patch: Girls earn this by attending one of the council-sponsored Cookie Kick-Off events.

Cookie Share Patch: Girls earn this by collecting $24 or more in Cookie Share donations (6 or more packages worth).

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