2021 Troop Cookie Manager Agreement

The Troop Cookie Manager’s (TCM) purpose is to manage all facets of their Girl Scout troop’s annual GS Cookie Program in a manner that is consistent with the Girl Scout Mission, Promise and Law, and policies and goals of the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc. and GSUSA. At the end of this agreement, by checking the final box indicates you promise to follow these guidelines during the 2021 Cookie Program.

 

Follow these 5 Skills of Girl Scouting for a successful Cookie Program for your Troop!

 

Money Management 

• Updated and accurate banking information MUST be on file with GSNYPENN Pathways. If the troop has changed anything since your last ACH form was filled out (signers, banks, bank accounts), a new ACH form must be completed and returned to your Engagement Manager (EM). If you are opening a new account, an ACH form needs to completed. If you are unsure if we have your most up-to-date information, please contact your EM.
• Maintain accurate financial records of transactions with girls/caregivers by using provided cookie receipts. This includes cookies and money transactions. Caregiver’s signatures are required for all transactions.
• Make frequent deposits of funds to your troop’s bank account. If your troop does not have a scheduled meeting when payments are due, please set up a special payment time with the families to avoid missing an ACH payment.

 

Goal Setting

• Promote the program and encourage 100% registered girl participation in the program.
• Work with your girls to figure out what they would like to achieve as a troop this season and set goals on how to get there!
• Guide the girls in setting a personal goal, too. Check the order card for fun and exciting items to earn.

People Skills

• Encourage girls to ask everyone to purchase and support the Cookie Program.
  • The #1 reason why people do not buy Girl Scout Cookies is that they are not asked to purchase cookies!
• Keep open communication with your caregivers, co-leaders, SUCC and of course, GSNYPENN. If you do not ask for help, help cannot be provided. Do not wait until the last minute to ask for help
• Good communication, math, organizational skills and ability to meet program/SU deadlines.
• Coordinate with the troop activities that can be done at troop meetings like goal setting, sales ideas, etc.

Decision Making

• Make sure that each and every registered girl in your troop has an equal opportunity to participate in any or all of the parts of the program
• Assure the troop is prepared to participate in the program by training girls and parents, verifying that all participating girls are registered for Girl Scouts and collecting 2021 Cookie Program Caregiver Guide before participating and signed receipts for every transaction.

Business Ethics

• Become/remain a registered/appointed GSUSA member for the 2021 Membership Year.
• Enter all selling girl’s cookie orders and reward selection(s) into eBudde by all deadlines as stated on gsnypenn.org
• Coordinate troop cookie inventory, including ordering product and distribution of product to families.
• Be financially responsible for all cookies until they are receipted to a caregiver.
• Participate in a Service Unit cookie training and/or Rally.
• Regular access to a computer (or phone) with email and internet is required.
• Assist troop in distributing sales materials, cookies and reward items to girls in a timely fashion.

 

 2021 Booth Sales DOs and DON’Ts

DOs:

• Wearing a mask is required by all booth participants
• It is suggested/recommended that troops bring cleaning wipes or sprays to their booth sale to clean down the area. 
• The girls should wear their GS uniform (vest/sash and pins) to let customers know you are a Girl Scout. GS Adults should wear a GS tee and/or their pins. Remember!….you and your girls are representing Girl Scouts.
• Be sure to follow Safety Checkpoints and Volunteer Essentials when participating in a booth sale. GSNYPENN highly recommends and encourages that each booth sale has 2 adults and 2 girls. Due to Covid, some locations do not permit 2 adults and 2 girls. GSNYPENN suggests that even if 2 adults cannot be present at the table, the 2nd adult needs to still be present at the location. i.e. if it is an outdoor location, the 2nd adult can wait in the car in the event that extra product is needed, surplus cash needs to be collected, a girl/adult need to use the rest room, a girl/adult need a break, etc. They can work as a runner.
• Troop MUST review Safety Checkpoints BEFORE participating in any Cookie Booth Sale. ALL information regarding the booth sale MUST be entered into eBudde 48 hours before the booth sale for approval by your SUCC. This includes booth location, date, time & contact information for the registered volunteer responsible. Excludes GSNYPENN organized locations.
• Kindly ask customers, "Would you like to purchase GS Cookies." Or "Girl Scout Cookies for sale. $5 a package!"
• Respect the location that is allowing the booth sale. Mall and/or stores cannot guarantee space. Booth locations may relocate an organization to another location without notice, at any time. Each location is at the discretion of the management team and is subject to change without notice. Booth locations have the right to cancel any agreement specified in the contract with the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc.
• Each booth must be completed during the scheduled hours. Store/Mall management is not responsible for lost, stolen, damage or injury to merchandise.
• Encourage customers to support the GSNYPENN Sweet Support Gift of Caring
• When customers purchase cookies provide them with delicious recipe cards that can be printed from littlebrownie.com.

DON’Ts:

• No active soliciting is permitted at any location. Girls and adults are not permitted to approach shoppers.
  • DO NOT SHOUT OR DISPLAY OBNOXIOUS BEHAVIOR. ANYONE DISREGARDING THIS RULE WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY.
• Do not contact the following locations to set up booth sales, as GSNYPENN already has agreements with these locations:
  • DestiNY USA, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wal-Marts, GNC, Lowes, Sam’s Clubs, Malls within GSNYPENN jurisdiction and Jo-Ann Fabrics as listed in eBudde. When a location is in question, please email info@gsnypenn.org for guidance.
• Do not set up a booth sale in a different Service Unit without communication with your SUCC and the other area’s SUCC.
• No food or beverage may be consumed in the booth sale area. Exhibits must be kept neat. Displays should be attractive and not crowded. Helium balloons are not permitted. Exhibitors will be asked to remove excess items or unacceptable signs. No signs, posters, banners, etc. should be adhered to store property or structure. All signs must look professional and clearly identify your booth.
• Do not block any doors, display windows, emergency/fire exits, or fire hydrants. All common area exhibits shall be set up so they do not interfere with the flow of visitor traffic.
• If dollies, carts or hand trucks are used to bring in cookies, please make sure they are hidden under the table or taken back out to the car. Any supplies, cookies, etc. must be fully concealed at all times, under the table. Any empty cases must leave with you. Do not leave in public trash receptacles.

DISCLAIMER:

Safety is GSNYPENN's first priority. Due to the ever changing status of Covid-19, this year's Cookie Program may be updated or modified. GSNYPENN will communicate such changes via email.

Please be patient as we navigate through changes.

By completing the information below, states that you promise to follow the items listed above to ensure that you will guide your girls throughout the Cookie Program!

I agree to abide by the terms of this agreement and to adhere to all council policies, standards and procedures outlined in Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints. By typing your name below, you are agreeing to the terms listed above.