Product Program Permission Form

This form is for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. If this is not your council, please do not complete this form.

We are so excited to have your Girl Scout join us for an exciting year, including our Girl Scout Product Programs!

Please complete the information below granting your Girl Scout permission to participate in the Mags & Munchies and/or Cookie Program(s).

You will only have to complete this form once to give your Girl Scout permission for both product programs (Mags & Munchies, Cookies).

Please have your troop number, troop leader name, and troop leader's email handy as they are required for this form.

Unsure? Please reach out to your troop leader directly prior to completing this form.

I hereby give permission for my Girl Scout to participate in the GSGCF product programs for the 2023-2024 Girl Scout Membership year. I will see that she does not sell prior to the official starting date(s) and that she has adult guidance at all times. To that end, I will review the safety guidelines with my Girl Scout for contacting customers, taking orders, and selling and delivering product, including the latest online guidelines from GSUSA and GSGCF.

I agree to the following:

• I will ensure that my Girl Scout has adult guidance at all times during the program(s).
• My Girl Scout will not take orders until each program begins.
• I will not collect payment from a customer until the product is delivered.
• I will ask for a copy of the receipt for pickup of any product and funds submitted, if not provided by the troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager.
• I will submit all funds received for payment of my Girls Scout's sales to the troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager by the required deadlines.
• All product obtained for my Girls Scout's sales will be picked up and paid for no later than the program(s) end date.
• I understand that I cannot return product once it is ordered by my troop, and I agree to accept full financial responsibility for all of the product that I order. If I am in need of assistance with selling the remaining product, I will contact the troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager in a timely manner, before the sale has concluded.
• I understand that should any of my product or money get lost, stolen, or damaged, I am still fully responsible for the product and funds.
• I understand that if I do not pay the full amount of money due for product, I will be subject to legal prosecution and any fees incurred.
• My Girl Scout and I will be guided in all actions by the Girl Scout Mission, Promise, and Law.

• Money is collected when product is delivered, except for online orders, which are paid by credit card at the time of the order.
• Customers should make checks payable to your troop. Example: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Troop 12345 or GSGCF Troop 12345.
• Even when using the Cheddar Up credit card processing app, these funds should not be collected until delivery of the ordered packages. Funds will be deposited directly into the troop account.
• Do not keep large amounts of cash. Make frequent visits to your troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager to give them money to take to the bank.
• Protect yourself! Every time that you pick up cookies from your troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager and/or give them money, be sure to get a receipt. Keep all receipts for your records. Do not take product from your troop Mags & Munchies/Cookie Manager or give them money without also receiving a receipt in return.
• Remember: Product cannot be returned or exchanged. Caregivers are financially responsible for all product ordered.
• You are responsible for lost or stolen funds.
• Any donations made should be accounted for and the funds turned in with your other payments.

I understand that while participating in Girl Scout product programs, I am considered a representative of Girl Scouts. I understand that:
• Girl Scouts must be in uniform or wearing identifiable Girl Scout apparel while participating in product program activities.
• Any chaperones must be wearing appropriate attire and be fully clothed.
• To receive the educational benefit and skill building of the Girl Scout product program(s), girls must be directly involved in the product program through advertising, the ask of the sale, and/or delivery of product to customers. Parents/caregivers cannot sell products on a girl's behalf.

All Girl Scouts must follow the rules and guidelines listed on this agreement, the Girl Scout Cookie Family Guide, and the Troop Cookie Guide. The rules and regulations are designed to ensure girl safety, excellent customer service, and promote a successful, fair, fun, and safe cookie season.

Booth Etiquette Rules
• A minimum of one registered and background-screened adult and at least one registered girl is required at each booth. No tag-a-longs (non-Girl Scouts, including infants).
• Arrive and leave on time.
• Booths should be set up a minimum of 15 feet from doors or remain in the location designated by store.
• Store locations cannot grant permission to stay any later than the allotted time as GSGCF has agreements with corporations for specific times/dates.
• Store managers may cancel booths for any reason.
• If a store manager asks booth attendees to leave the store location, they must do so immediately. Politely thank the store manager and notify your Service Unit Cookie Coordinator and/or the GSGCF Product Program Department.
• Do not ask the store location to make announcements regarding booth sales.
• Girls should allow entering/exiting customers to approach them and never approach customers as they enter or exit the store.
• Girls are in charge of selling the cookies. Adults are there to provide guidance and handle money for younger Girl Scouts.
• Donation jars are not allowed unless clearly designated for the GSGCF Gift of Caring/Hometown Heroes donation program.
• Girls must remain close to their booths at all times; no running around or approaching people inside the store location.
• Girl Scouts are polite and should never yell to customers to attract sales, block access to store entrances, or employ aggressive sales techniques.
• No eating at the booth location.
• No smoking at the booth location.
• Keep cell phone usage to a minimum and focus on customer engagement.
• Remove all trash, including empty cookie boxes, and take it with you. Store trash receptacles are not for public trash or recycling.
• Before leaving the location, one girl and one adult should thank store location.

Not following these guidelines may result in the following:
If girls and/or troops (to include troop parents) are not participating within the established rules and guidelines, they may be penalized in the following ways:
1st Offense: Verbal or written counseling regarding any offense outlined in the guidelines.
2nd Offense: Removal from the next scheduled booth location.
3rd Offense: Girls/troop will not be allowed to hold any further cookie booths for the remainder of the season.

The Mags & Munchies and Cookie Programs are ever changing.  Information is shared through Service Unit Coordinators and Troop Leaders.  For the latest information, contact your Troop Leader first. 

I understand that:
• I am responsible for staying up-to-date on any program changes provided to me by council or my troop leadership.