Cookie, Cookie, COOKIE!

Ask any Girl Scout what they remember about scouting, and they'll come around to cookies.  (Songs, sure, camp, hopefully, cookies, definitely!)  For that matter, ask any non-Girl Scout what they know about Girl Scouts, and they'll come around to cookies.  So, guess what time it is?  That's right, 

COOKIE TIME!

This year's cookie sale begins on January 22.  Actually, many folks have already been working behind to the scenes to get things rolling (Sue, Martha, and Lynne all attended training in December), but, for your girl's purposes, the day is January 22nd.

We will be 'training' the girls for this year's cookie sales in the meeting Monday (January 11).  We will talk to them about their responsibilities, as well as discuss reasonable goals for participation.  While we do not require girls to sell cookies, we do use the proceeds for troop activities, so we encourage the girls to participate at their comfort level.

We are hoping to avoid a parent meeting because we are sensitive to everyone's tight time.  In lieu, we are asking all parents to pick up their girl's packet, including the order form, reference booklet, and some paper work we need signed. Paper work must be signed before your girl can sell cookies.  We will be providing information in the form of email, and with some of the materials provided in the packet.  Please do take some time to read the materials in the next week or so.  And please do ask any questions you may have! 

1.  We do not require participation, although we do encourage it.  Girl Scouts USA has a thoughtful program where girls learn about finances, public interaction, philanthropy through cookie sales.  We also use the proceeds to fund our activities.  Finally, and no less important to the girls, they earn prizes for meeting different sales goals.  (Prizes pictured on the back of the sales order form.)

2.  We are selling, for $4 per box, through out the cookie sale:

• Thin Mints
• Samoas
• Tagalongs
• Trefoils
• Do-si-dos
• Savanna Smiles lemon cookies

We will also have Toffe Tastic gluten free cookies available through Digital Cookie and during booth sales, for $5.50 per box.

Finally, patrons can buy boxes for 'Operation Cooke Drop'.  The way this works, someone buys a number of boxes, but instead of specifying a type and taking delivery, all the OCD cookes are shipped to active military recipients at the end of the sales period.  (This is a way for someone to 'make a donation' without buying boxes.)

3.  We do both pre-sales (girls go door-to-door with order forms and take commitments.  They do not collect money at this time), direct sales (girls can carry boxes around and sell them directly, they collect money as they sell), and booth sales (girls work in a team to sell cookies directly at a booth).

The girls have decided that there will BE NO SELLING AT SCHOOL during the pre-sale period.  We will organize a 'booth' day for girls to sell at school together, and all schools based sales will be divided evenly between the girls.  This is to prevent pressure on teachers or staff who may have relationships with many of our girls.

4.  Once your girl has taken possession of cookies she (you) are financially liable for them.  They can not be returned to the council.  If you think your girls can't sell all the cookies she has taken into her possession, please let us know - we can probably place them with someone who needs extra boxes.

You will be liable for the cost of the cookies.  Initial money is due on 3/7, and all the funds are due to the troop by 3/22.

5.  Important dates summarized:

1/11 - Packet pick up date

1/18 - No meeting (MLK day)

1/22 - Cookie sales start

2/7 - Pre-order sales due

2/28 - initial cookie shipment recieved

3/4 - 3/20 - booth sales

3/7 - initial money return due

3/22 - all money due

6.  Etiquette and safety - We will be discussing these issues on an on-going basis with the girls.  It is important for them to follow the safety rules laid out in the cookie booklet, and to observe Girl Scout etiquette guidelines.

7.  Girls should wear some part of their uniform during cookies sales.  The bare minimum is their brownie pin, but sashes, beanies, etc. are encouraged.