Welcome to the 2012 Troop Cookie Manager Training

1. Welcome to the 2012 Troop Cookie Manager Training

2. Training Agenda 2011-2012 Theme 5 Skills for Girls Council Goal Cookie Badges What’s New? The Basics The Cookies Resources Girl and Troop Incentives Cookie Creativity Contests Cookies for Heroes Booth Sales and Cupboards Cookie Delivery Finances eBudde Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting.

3. Cookie Program Theme Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting.

4. Cookie Program Theme • This year’s theme explores the • Power of the • Girl Scout Cookie Program. • Last year… • An Ellington Troop purchased a harness for a Fidelco seeing-eye dog that went to a former Girl Scout leader • A Groton Troop planned and executed a trip to Quebec, Canada • A Wethersfield Troop purchased items for the CT Humane Society as part of their goal to collect/donate 100 items to the Humane Society in honor of the 100 Anniversary of Girl Scouting • What can cookies do in 2012?

5. 5 Skills for Girls Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls to develop skills they can use today and in their futures. Girls who take part in this important part of the Girl Scout experience develop five key skills: Goal Setting Decision Making Money Management People Skills Business Ethics

6. Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting! Juliette Gordon Low said that…“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers." Thank you for being part of the team that is making tomorrow’s history today! . Product Sales Team

7. 2012 Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Goal To have 35,474 girls experience the Power of the Cookie Program while selling a total of 2,857,143 boxes Last year we had a very successful Cookie Program, including an increase in total sales. We can do even better this year! Each Service Unit/Troop is encouraged to set a goal to increase girl participation and # of boxes sold

8. Cookie Business Badges and Pins Girls have the opportunity to earn cookie-related awards through their yearly participation in the Cookie Program. Leaders and Troop Cookie Managers should review the pin and badge summaries listed in the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and in the Cookie Program Guide on pages 20-21, and then guide the girls through the requirements. Sample Brownie Badge: Meet My Customers You can learn a lot about how to manage your money by pretending to be a customer! When you earn this Cookie Business badge, use what you learned to make sure your own cookie customers enjoy buying from you. .

9. What’s NEW this year New Cookie- Savannah Smiles! A zesty new addition to our cookie family. Changes to the Cookie Packages Exciting ways to celebrate the 100th Anniversary! Cookie Badges for girls to earn! New Cookies for Heroes opportunities! Cookie Creativity Contests! New incentive levels! Updates to eBudde! l

10. Troops need to read and understand the information in the • Cookie Program Guide and stay in contact with their SU Cookie Manager • Girls and their families need to understand the purpose and mechanics • of the Cookie Program • Troop Cookie Managers and/or Leaders should train the girls in the • Cookie Program and review the “Top Tips” for helping girls on page 10 • in the Cookie Program Guide • Troops and Girls should set goals and evaluate their progress towards • those goals during the Cookie Season • Troop Leaders/Troop Cookie Managers should set up the girls in • Cookie Club-this is a powerful tool for girls to use How to Help Girls Succeed in the Cookie Program

11. Cookie Rallies The Second Annual Cookie Rallies will be held on January 7, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills Crystal Mall Danbury Fair Mall Westfield CT Post Mall Westfield Meriden Mall All girls, families, and troops are invited to come and learn new skills to help them be successful in the Cookie Program. Girls will take part in activities that help them learn the 5 Skills and will also complete an activity from one of the new Cookie Badges for their age level And girls will receive a free patch !

12. 2012 Cookie Program Basics Initial Order Taking January 7, 2012- February 5, 2012 Goal Getter Orders through March 23, 2012 Drive Thru Cookie Delivery March 3 and 4, 2012 Booth Sales March 3, 2012- April 1, 2012 Cookies Sell for $4.00 per box Troop Proceeds are $.75 per box Older Girl Proceeds Option- additional $.10 per box Booth Sale Bonus- $20.00 for 20 cases on the initial order

13. Dulce de Leche Thank U Berry Munch

14. Savannah Smiles™ Lemon Cookies Celebrate the Anniversary of Girl Scouting! These bite-sized, lemon-wedge cookies are dusted in powdered sugar and are bursting with zesty lemon flavor. Enjoy these delightful treats, remember where Girl Scouting began … and smile. tribute

15. New! 2011-12 Cookie Package Changes • “Use or freeze by” date on top flap • Only cookies that were received in late February, during March, and early April may be sold • Cookies from the 2011 Cookie Program or the 2011 EDBS may not be sold/delivered to customers • Updated with new Girl Scout service mark and font

16. Printed Materials for Troops Materials for Girls and Troops One per troop: Cookie Program Guide for Troop Cookie Managers Cookie Activity Kits Cookies for Heroes patch order form 5 for 5 Troop Incentive form Troop Envelope Webster Bank deposit slips if needed One per girl: Girl Order Card Parent/Guardian letter for each family Cookies for Heroes order card reminders Goal-Getter Order Card Money Envelope Visit the Cookie Connection page at gsofct.org for forms, links, and information 2011-2012 Cookie Program Guide 340 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106 (800) 922-2770 www.gsofct.org

17. more resources Volunteer Guides offer busy volunteers what they need to follow the five steps to cookie success; with more resources online. Goal Poster GSUSA Poster Cookie Poster Mobile App Poster New! “green- friendly” format printed on recycled materials

18. www.littlebrownie.com • Visit the website to: • Link to Cookie Club • Find Clip Art and Photos • Access Cookie Activity Kits • Read the Family Involvement Guide • Find Spanish Language Activities • Learn Selling Tips • Create Yummy Recipes • Link to Cookie VIP Training

19. Cookie VIP eTraining provides additional information about the cookie program. Logon through the Little Brownie Bakers’ website after 12/15/11 to access the training - http://littlebrowniebakers.com/

21. Use Cookie Club to: • Record your goals • Send emails to customers • Track your progress • Keep your Cookie Promises in order. The Troop Volunteer must register the girls in Cookie Club!

22. ELECTRONIC COOKIE ORDER CARD

23. 95,326+ iPhone Downloads 15,000+ Android Downloads

24. Incentives for Girls • Incentives for the 2012 Cookie Program are better than ever! • Incentives are based on the girl’s final box count. • Junior girls and older may opt to take an additional $.10 per box in place of incentives. They will still receive all patches, cookie credits, and incentives at the 750 level and above. Initial Order Incentives Girls with an initial order of 110 boxes will receive waterproof playing cards. Girls with an initial order of 160 boxes or more will also receive a giraffe neck pillow! Participation Patch/Theme Patch 20-49 boxes New Lower Box Count for the second tier incentive ! Bandana 50–74 boxes

25. Incentives for Girls Georgia Giraffe plush AND $10 Cookie Credit 150—199 boxes New Level! 100 for 100 Patch & Lanyard and recognition at the Girl Scout 100th Jubilee 100–124 boxes Peace T-Shirt 125-149 boxes Small travel case 75-99 boxes Special 100th Anniversary Level! Glamour soccer ball AND $35 Cookie Credit 400-499 boxes Be a 500 Club Member! Fleece blanket in a wrap, two tickets to the Girl Scout 100th Jubilee on May 19 at the Durham Fairgrounds, 500+ patch AND $50 Cookie Credit 500-749 boxes Giraffe print duffel bag AND $25 Cookie Credit 300-399 boxes Popart tote AND $15 Cookie Credit 200-299 boxes

26. Incentives for Girls Join the 1,000 box club! Girls who reach the 1,000 box benchmark will be invited to attend a luncheon on May 5, 2012 with the GSOFCT CEO! Share your thoughts and feelings about Girl Scouts while receiving special recognition for reaching the 1,000 box level. Girls may be accompanied by one adult guest. Girls will also earn a 1000+ patch AND $100 Cookie Credit! 1,000-1249 boxes Reach for the 1250 box club! Girls who sell 1250 boxes will earn a digital camera (model selected by GSOFCT) or a free week at day camp (up to $215 value) 1250-1599 boxes Have an adventure at the 750 club level! This year girls who reach the 750 club will receive two tickets to a surprise event. Locations to include: Amusement parks, sporting events, and other venues. Girls will also receive 700+ patch AND $75 Cookie Credit 750-999 boxes Strive for the 1600+ box club! Girls who reach the 1600+ boxes level will receive a tablet computer (model will be selected by GSOFCT) or a week at resident camp! (up to $400 value)

27. Troop Incentives • 5 for 5 Troop Incentive • Troops earn an additional $.05 per box in Council Shop credit by • completing the 5 requirements • Note- ALL 5 REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET! • 5 for 5 CERTIFICATES EXPIRE! THEY MUST BE USED BEFORE THE DEADLINE. • Average 125 boxes per girl selling • Participate in a local or Council sponsored (Cookies for Heroes) Gift of Caring project • Update contact and troop information in eBudde and submit all paperwork on • or before April 4, 2012 • 4. Make all payments to the Council using online banking • 5. Complete all the questions on the 5 for 5 Incentive Form • Troop Cookie Managers should complete the 5 for 5 form and submit it with • the final paperwork in April. Service Unit Cookie Managers will confirm that the • Troop earned the incentive and make the entry in eBudde. • Booth Sale Bonus • Troops who order 20 cases of booth sale cookies on the initial order are • eligible to earn the Booth Sale Bonus. For every 20 cases ordered, the troop will • earn a $20 bonus. These cookies may not be returned. • This is a great way to maximize proceeds from booth sales!

28. Cookies for Heroes We sent over 120,000 boxes of cookies to our Military men, women, and Veterans last year through the Cookies for Heroes Program. Let’s work together to send even more in 2012! • How does Cookies for Heroes work? • Cookies for Heroes is the Council Gift of Caring service project. Girls offer customers the opportunity to purchase boxes of cookies that are sent to the men and women serving our country. • Cookies for Heroes cookies are reported in eBudde in the GOC column • The troop does not handle these cookies • The Council delivers these cookies from its inventory • Each girl’s final box count includes the cookies she sold for Cookies for Heroes

29. Cookies for Heroes Weekend • March 17-18, 2012 • Support the Cookies for Heroes program in your area by participating in a Service Unit event. • Some ideas for events include: • Local Fill-A-Truck events • Cookie booths decked out in a Cookies for Heroes theme • Hold an event with a military or veterans group • Plan a Card-a-thon and booth sale for notes to be sent with cookies • The event coordinator and her team will be responsible for reserving a site, organizing girls to participate, and picking up cookies. • GSOFCT staff will assist in ordering cookies, supplying Cookie Program signs, providing press release templates, and directing the public to the event.

30. Local Gift of Caring Projects • Troops and individual girls may have a local organization they would like to support through cookie donations. To participate, troops should: • Work with the girls to decide on the organization and make sure they understand the importance of the project • Contact the organization and confirm that they would like cookies • Decide when and how the cookies will be delivered • Cookies sold for a local Gift of Caring project should be recorded in eBudde in the girls’ orders and delivered by the troop.

31. Booth Sales • Booth Sales are a great way for girls to work together, develop skills, and reach their sales goals! They are: • A direct sale of cookies to customers in a public place • A way to bring cookies to people who have not been asked and to repeat customers who are ready for more cookies • An opportunity for the public to purchase cookies for Cookies for Heroes and local Gift of Caring projects • Important Booth Sale Reminders: • Contact your SU Cookie Manager for booth scheduling procedures for your area • If troops do not have cookies on hand for the booth sale, they need to contact a Cookie Cupboard at least 2 weeks in advance of their booth sale date

32. Cookie Creativity Contests! ways to attract customers to your sale! Bling your Booth! Have your Cookie Booth be unique by “Blinging” it. You can add balloons, have your troop dress in costumes, or create a theme that is out of this world. What do you think you can add to your booth to make you stand out in a crowd? Rock your Block! Looking for a way to stand out in your neighborhood? Then decorate your Walk-About Wagon, create a cookie poster to wear, or decorate your order form. Get creative and make your presence in the neighborhood known and remembered!

33. Cookie Creativity Contests! Customize your Car! Do you deliver your cookies every year in style? Do people in your hometown know your family car as the “cookie mobile”? This year we want pictures of all the creative cookie customizations that you add to your cruiser. How to Enter: Take a picture of your troop’s creativity and email to productsales@gsofct.org along with the contest you are entering, Troop number, and contact information. A panel of staff and volunteers will select a first and second place winner in each category. There can only be 1 submission per troop. Additional submissions cannot be considered for prizes. Submit by April 15, 2012. Each category will be judged on: creativity, originality, and cookie spirit! Prizes include: Gift certificates to Council shops, weekend camp fees, and more!

34. Cookie Cupboards Cookie Cupboards are locations where troops/groups/girls can obtain more cookies for direct sales and booth sales. But, they do not have an unlimited number of cookies, so cookie requests must be placed at least two weeks in advance of need. There are two types of Cookie Cupboards… • Council Cupboard • Provides cookies to all troops • Open from end of Feb. through early April • Restocked by the trucker • Cookies come from the warehouse • Will have cookies through April • eBudde entries need to be done ASAP • List of locations will be out in February • Volunteer Managed • Service Unit Cupboard • Provides cookies only to troops within the SU • Open from early March through end of March • Restocked by SU Volunteers • Cookies come from a Council Cupboard • Attempt to get inventory down to zero • eBudde entries need to be done ASAP • SU needs to inform volunteers of cupboard info • Volunteer Managed We are currently looking for volunteers to run both Council and SU Cupboards

35. Cookie Delivery Our successful Drive-Thru Deliveries will be continuing this year! We are working to secure all locations from last year including... Avon, Bristol, Brookfield, Dayville, East Hartford, East Haven, Fairfield, Lebanon, Marlborough, Middletown, Milford, Monroe, New Britain, New London, Norwalk, North Haven, Old Saybrook, Seymour, Tolland, Torrington, Wallingford, Waterbury, and Windsor Locks Troops will again register their cookie pick-up times in eBudde.

36. Finances • Troops are financially responsible for the cookies they order on the initial order and for those picked up to fill Goal Getter Orders. • They are also responsible for all cookies sold at booth sales. • To help the Council finalize cookie finances, please follow these guidelines: • Payment from customers should be collected at the time of delivery • Deposits to the Council should be done each week in March. • Final payment is due on March 23, 2012. • Online banking is the preferred method of payment but deposit slips are available for troops who would like to use them. • Troops must ensure that the bank validates all copies of the deposit slips • Banking confirmations (either online confirmation or validated deposit slip) must be submitted with the final paperwork on or before April 4, 2012. • All deposits into the Council account should be recorded in eBudde. • Troops should bank carefully as overpayments of $10.00 or less will not be refunded.

37. eBudde • The eBudde that we know and love is back • and better than ever! • Enhancements for 2011-2012 • GOC boxes will now show as a separate bar on the • dashboard bar graph • The Troop checklist will be customized for CT • Initial order will be locked after submitted • Redesigned Girl Order tab

38. eBudde Girl Order Summary

39. eBudde Girl Order Tab

40. eBudde • Return of last year’s changes • Troops will select their Cookie pick-up time using eBudde • Troops will request booth sale location approval through eBudde • Service Units will communicate their list of booth sales via eBudde • eBudde will be open on December 1, 2011 • Instructions will be sent via email before then • Webinars will be available for SU and Troop Cookie Managers

41. Official Samoas facebook Page

42. What Do We Need to Remember This Year It is the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting! Let’s celebrate and be kind to each other! Cookie Credits and 5 for 5 Certificates have an expiration date. These certificates will be mailed directly to Troop Leaders or Troop Cookie Managers- they need to be given to girls right away. All Cookie Cupboards need Two (2) weeks notice to ensure that cookies are available- please remind Troop Cookie Managers! It’s Cookies – Let’s Have Fun!

43. Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting.