2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

2024 Girl Scout Treats & Reads Program

Happy Treats & Reads, Volunteers!

It’s that time of year again, where your troop gets a head start on earning funds for their troop activities. Treats & Reads is a great opportunity for your troop to hone their skills in practice for amazing Cookie success. Through their participation, your Girl Scouts can learn more about goal setting, communication, and good decision making. Not only does your troop earn funds to use this year, but they are also helping to support programs for everyone in Eastern Missouri, including the preservation of our beautiful camps. We know that you will do a wonderful job helping Girl Scouts navigate the Treats & Reads program and we could not ask for a better group of volunteers—you are greatly appreciated! Set Yourself Up for Success! 1. Add the Treats & Reads Manager role for your troop to your profile in your membership account at MyGS. 2. Look for your M2 onboarding email on Sept. 27 and set up your account. 3. Complete Nuts & Bolts “Let’s Get Started” training module in gsLearn. 4. Tell your Girl Scouts and families about the program and how they can participate. 5. Set up the Adult/Guardian email campaign for your troop in M2. Inside this playbook, you will find important information that will help you through the Treats & Reads program.

2 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Keep this checklist handy throughout the program for a quick reference for upcoming tasks and deadlines. Use the QR code to access the online version for step-by-step instructions. Sweet Dates & Checklist Make sure you are a registered Girl Scout member for the 2025 membership year; make sure the Troop Treats & Reads Manager role is assigned to you in the membership system. Complete Nuts & Bolts “Let’s Get Started” training module in gsLearn beginning Sept. 14 . Create login for M2 system for volunteer role beginning Sept. 27 . Set up Adult/Guardian email campaign for troop beginning Sept. 27 . Pick up troop’s materials from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager by Oct. 1 . Verify all Girl Scouts in the troop are showing in M2; reach out to the Answer Center to have any Girl Scouts added.

Create Treats & Reads goals with troop and discuss how they want to use their funds. For Junior-Ambassador troops, Girl Scouts decide whether to opt-out of receiving rewards. Host parent/caregiver info meeting and hand out Treats & Reads materials by Oct. 5 . Check your email for updates from Product Programs team. Sign up to join the Treats & Reads Rallyhood.

September

Girl Scouts can set up M2 account and begin taking online/card orders on Oct. 5 . Collect paper order cards from Girl Scouts by Oct. 27 . Enter order card orders from Girl Scouts and any extra troop products in M2 by Oct. 28 . If opting-out of rewards (Junior-Ambassador troops only), update opt-out setting in M2 by Oct. 28 . Verify/update troop bank account information in M2 by Oct. 28 . Last day for customers to choose girl-delivery option for online orders is Oct. 31 ; online donation/magazine/direct ship product orders continue through Nov. 24 . Check your email for updates from Product Programs team.

October

Complete Nuts & Bolts “Product Delivery” module in gsLearn by Nov. 15 . Print/save product tickets for each Girl Scout by Nov. 15 . Pick up troop’s order from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager the week of Nov. 18 . Distribute products to Girl Scouts the week of Nov. 18 . Complete Nuts & Bolts “Wrapping up Treats & Reads” module in gsLearn by Nov. 23 . Collect payments for products from Girl Scouts. Treats & Reads program ends on Nov. 24 . In M2, transfer any extra troop product to individual Girl Scouts by Nov. 26 . In M2, verify Girl Scout’s reward choices by Nov. 26 . Print/save reward tickets so you have them ready when rewards arrive. Check your email for updates from Product Programs team.

Finish collecting product payments from Girl Scouts in troop by Dec. 9 . Submit Troop Late Payment Report by Dec. 10 for any parent/caregiver who has not yet paid the troop for their product. Look for ACH withdrawal notice via email on Dec. 13 . Troop bank account ACH withdrawal (or deposits, as applicable) on Dec. 18 . Check your email for updates from Product Programs team. Look for communication from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager about picking up troop’s rewards. Pick up rewards from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager. Distribute rewards to Girl Scouts in troop. Check your email for updates from Product Programs team.

December

November

January

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 3

Treats & Reads Training and Support

In this Section: Nuts & Bolts Training Modules....................................................................................5 Answer Center...............................................................................................................5 Rallyhood........................................................................................................................5 Program News & Updates............................................................................................5

4 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Nuts & Bolts Training Modules Available on gsLearn, these training modules will cover a range of topics relevant to key parts of the program season. Troop-level volunteers are required to complete the “Getting Started” module prior to getting into M2 and participating in the program. Answer Center Need to reach Product Programs or have a more general program question? Contact our Answer Center at 314.400.4600 or answercenter@girlscoutsem.org. M2 Customer Care For assistance with registration, login, and technical issues; ordering assistance/status/inquiries; and program details/rewards/reporting, please visit support.gsnutsandmags.com or 1.800.372.8520. Rallyhood Connect with other Treats & Reads volunteers. Go to rallyhood.com/61660 to join. Then, download the Rallyhood app and enable notifications so you don’t miss any important announcements during the season.

Program News & Updates The Product Programs team and Neighborhood Treats & Reads Managers share weekly program information via the integrated M2 email system. Please look for and read these messages, which arrive in your regular email box, so you don’t miss out.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 5

Treats & Reads Role and Expectations

In this Section: Your Role........................................................................................................................7

6 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Your role as the Treats & Reads Manager includes:

• Complete required Council Troop Treats & Reads Manager training(s) each year while in this position • Pick up Treats & Reads troop materials as requested by your Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager • Adhere to the established guidelines and deadlines regarding submission of orders, paperwork, product delivery, rewards and payment as established in the current program year

• Be accountable for all products and payments during the Treats & Reads program, completing receipts for every product and financial transaction • Collect money for product ordered from girls/ families and make regular deposits in troop bank account • Complete a Troop Late Payment Report by deadline for all adults that have an unpaid balance; you will be responsible for any unpaid balance if report is not submitted or the troop bank withdrawal fails

• Promote the Treats & Reads program with troop leaders, girls and parents/caregivers

• Provide support to girls and families, responding to communication in a timely manner

• Become familiar with and use M2 and promote technology to girls/families

• Distribute Treats & Reads rewards to girls in a timely manner

• Launch parent/adult email campaign in M2 system at the start of season

Thank you for giving of your time this Treats & Reads season!

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 7

Treats & Reads Basics

In this Section: Glossary........................................................................................................................ 2024 Sweet News........................................................................................................ 2024 Products............................................................................................................. Participation Options................................................................................................. Events and Contests................................................................................................... Rewards....................................................................................................................... Troop Proceeds........................................................................................................... Reward Opt-Out.......................................................................................................... M2................................................................................................................................. Project Thank You...................................................................................................... Money Management................................................................................................... Online Marketing Guidance....................................................................................... Media Inquiries........................................................................................................... Taking Care of Your Product..................................................................................... 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 20 20 20

8 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Treats & Reads Glossary ACH: Automated Clearing House; a safe, secure and quick method of electronic money transfer between bank accounts making collection of payments and reimbursement of proceeds easier for both volunteers and the Council. The ACH system utilizes the bank account and routing numbers when funds are withdrawn or reimbursed. All troops in eastern Missouri must use ACH as the method to pay council for product ordered and purchased by a troop for the Treats & Reads and Cookie Programs. The Troops Treats & Reads Manager, or leader, is responsible for ensuring bank account has sufficient funds for the ACH.

CEM: Community Engagement Manager; this is a council-level staff member who provides troop support in your local community.

Delivery Agent: Moving company contracted to deliver nut/candy product to Neighborhoods.

gsLearn: An online, learning platform for Girl Scout volunteers; it is accessed through your login at MyGS

M2: Online Treats & Reads software system that volunteers use to manage the Treats & Reads program for their troop.

MyGS: A tool located online at girlscoutsem.org that is used to renew membership, update your contact information and make sure we have the correct information about all your Girl Scout volunteer roles. NH: Neighborhood (Girl Scout); Neighborhoods support troops in their local communities and are comprised of a team of volunteers who serve as the first point of contact for troops and volunteers in their area.

Opt-Out: Troops, levels Junior and above, can choose not to receive reward items, but will receive extra proceeds instead.

PGA: Per Girl Average; total number of product units assigned to the troop divided by the number of Girl Scouts selling. A Girl Scout is selling if they have one or more units assigned to them in M2.

Service Unit: Alternate term for what we call a “Neighborhood.” It is the term used in the M2 platform.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 9

2024 Sweet Treats & Reads News

The Embrace Possibility theme for fall will carry over into the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season for a cohesive product programs theme and complementary mascots.

Help your troop learn about the Asian Elephant mascot by completing activities in the Treats & Reads activity booklet at girlscoutsem.org/en/cookies/treats-reads .

New Direct Ship Items Available! We’re excited to announce the addition of jar candles and personalized products to the online lineup this fall.

Embrace Possibility Online Contest: Oct. 5-Oct. 11 Girl Scouts who set up their M2 storefront and send out 20+ emails will be entered to win daily prizes; set

up early and earn more chances. Treats & Reads University

Your Girl Scout can begin their skill-building adventures at our program on Sept. 28. Find more information and register at vr.girlscoutsem.org/24TRU . Early Cookie Booth Access Incentive for Troops : It pays to participate in Treats & Reads! Your troop can earn early access to reserve a cookie booth with any of our council-sponsored cookie booth partners. Check out requirements on previous page. Shipping Standard Shipping is now an option for chocolate products ordered online. No longer will it default to expedited. M2 Update Girl Scouts can now customize a thank you message to customers.

Two New Bark Box Items! Due to the popularity of last year’s mini Bark Box, Girl Scouts can now offer three different Girl Scout Bark Box products.

Personalized Patch Just For You!

Personalized avatar patches for Girl Scouts and volunteers are available exclusively through Treats & Reads!

Girl Scout requirements are on the Girl Scout order card.

• Troop Treats and Reads Manager earns the fall patch when the troop sells $1,800 in fall product and sends the Parent/ Adult Email Campaign through M2 • Troop Leader earns the cookie crossover patch when the troop sells $1,800 in fall and achieves a 170+ PGA in cookies

10 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

2024 Products

Chocolate Covered Almonds $9 Dark Chocolate Caramel Caps with Sea Salt $9 Dark Chocolate Mint Penguins $9 Deluxe Pecan Clusters—box $9 Deluxe Pecan Clusters—Holiday Tin $13 Dulce de Leche Owls $9 English Butter Toffee $9 Fruit Slices $7 Honey Roasted Peanuts $7 Hot Cajun Crunch Mix $7 Mint Treasures—Girl Scout Tin $13 Peanut Butter Bears $9 Peanut Butter Trail Mix $8 Vanilla Honey Roasted Pecans $9 Whole Cashews with Sea Salt $9 Project Thank You Donation $6 2024 Products Available on Order Card (Also available online, girl-delivery & direct ship)

Butter Toasted Peanuts Caramel Apples Cheddar Caramel Crunch Chocolate Covered Pretzels Tin Chocolate Covered Raisins Cranberry Nut Mix Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels Gourmet Caramel Corn Mix Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts Mint Treasures Past Years Tins Sweet & Salty Mix New/Renewed Magazine Subscriptions Tervis Tumblers Bark Box Jar Candles Personalized Items 2024 Online Exclusive Products— Direct Ship Only Dill Pickle Peanuts Gourmet Blend Tin

NEW Vanilla Honey Roasted Pecans

Holiday Tin

2024 Girl Scout Tin

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 11

Participation Options

Candy/Nuts

Sale Type Money Collection

Delivery to Customers Troop Proceeds

Girl Scouts take customer’s orders using paper order card

Troop picks up product in November from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager

In-Person/ Order Card Sales

Family/troop enters orders from order card into M2 by Oct. 27 (troops will need to inform their families if they expect the family to enter orders into the system)

15% of every item sold

Delivered by Girl Scouts to customers

20% for opt-out troops

Girl Scouts collect money from customers at time of product delivery

Girl Scout turns in money to the troop

Girl Scouts create their personalized storefront in M2 and send emails to friends and family

Shipped directly to the customer (1-2 week standard delivery time frame after order processing; customer will have option for expedited shipping at additional cost)

Online Direct Ship

15% of every item sold

Customers pay online, including shipping cost

20% for opt-out troops

Orders are automatically credited to the Girl Scout in M2 Girl Scouts create their personalized storefront in M2 and send emails to friends and family

Troop picks up product in November from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager Delivered by Girl Scouts to customers (if a Girl Scout receives an online Girl Scout-delivery order, where they will not be able to deliver the items in person, family will need to contact M2 Customer Care as soon as possible to cancel the order)

Online Girl Delivered

15% of every item sold

Customers pay online, no shipping cost

20% for opt-out troops

Orders are automatically credited to the Girl Scouts in M2 and are included in the troop’s product orders submitted in October

New and Renewed Magazines/Tervis/Bark Box/Candles/Personalized Products Sale Type Money Collection Delivery to Customers Troop Proceeds

Girl Scouts create their own personalized storefront in M2 and send emails to friends and family. Customers pay online through the specific store for the product. There are different ordering sites for each item.

Online

Shipped directly to the customer

15% of every item sold

20% for opt-out troops

Orders are automatically credited to the Girl Scout in M2.

Juliettes Juliettes are welcome to participate in the Treats & Reads program by linking with a participating troop. The partner troop will keep the proceeds, as proceeds may not be earned by individual Girl Scouts. The Juliette earns rewards and should be included in any activity in which the troop uses the proceeds. Partner troop volunteer must notify GSEM of any Juliette partnering with them so the Girl Scout can be added to M2.

12 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Events and Contests

Early Cookie Booth Access Incentive for Troops It pays to participate in Treats & Reads! Your troop can earn early access to reserve a cookie booth with any of our council-sponsored, premium cookie booth partners, such as Schnucks, Dierbergs and Walmart.

To earn this incentive, troops must meet these criteria:

• Troop must have at least three Girl Scouts with 2025 memberships by Oct. 15 • Troop Treats & Reads Manager and leader with 2025 membership as of Oct. 1 • Troop Treats & Reads Manager sets up the Parent/Adult Email Campaign in M2 • Troop has 75% of troop members with sales during 2024 Treats & Reads • Troop achieves a per girl average of 40+ items during the 2024 Treats & Reads Program (based only on Girl Scouts selling in troop; not based on total Girl Scouts registered in the troop) • Troop ACH for 2024 Treats & Reads is successful and troop is in good financial standing (as of Dec. 18) Leaders and Troop Cookie Managers with qualifying troops will be granted eBudde cookie booth reservation access 1-2 days before the all-troop access date and may reserve one booth slot at that time. They will then be able to sign up for an additional slot during round 2 reservations. Booth slots will be available for viewing in advance of access. Information will be sent via email in early January. Embrace Possibility Online Contest, Oct. 5-11 Girl Scouts who set up their online storefront in M2 and send out 20 marketing emails through M2 will be entered to win daily prizes. The earlier they set it up, the more chances they have to win. Daily prizes and winners will be announced on our council’s Instagram and Rallyhood.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 13

Rewards Girl Scouts earn individual rewards based on meeting certain goals. Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops that opt-out of rewards still qualify for earned patches, Top 10 Project Thank You Seller reward and Early Cookie Booth Reservation Access. Girl Scouts, Troop Treats & Reads Managers (fall only) and Troop Leaders (cookies only) can earn Personalized Avatar patches. Individual Girl Scout orders cannot be combined to achieve higher level rewards. Troop Treats & Reads Managers are on their honor to demonstrate good business ethics and not combine Girl Scout orders. To receive high-level rewards, a Girl Scout’s responsible adults must be in compliance with payment deadline. Rewards are shipped to Neighborhood Treats & Reads Managers in early January, and troops will pick up from them. Girl Scouts who earn higher-level rewards, such as experiences, will be contacted directly by Product Programs staff. Confirm your Girl Scouts’ reward/sizing choices in M2 by Nov. 26.

2024 TreaTs & reads

Rewards are cumulative. Girl Scout orders cannot be co

10+ ITems 2024 Patch

15+ ITems Theme Stickers

55+ ITems Elephant Charm Bracelet PLUS Theme Keychain

75+ ITems Elephant Them T-Shirt

experT enTrepreneur LeveL

Girl Scouts who sell 250+ items during Treats & Reads and sell 1,000 packages of cookies during cookie season earn the Cookie Expert Entrepreneur experience in spring 2025- an automatic credit of 500 cookie packages!

200+ ITems Candy Making Class for You PLUS Guest Guest

*Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri reserves the right to substitute any rewards with

14 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

rewards

earn personaLIzed paTches

TreaTs & reads avaTar paTch • Create your Avatar in M2 • Send 20+ emails through M2 • $375 Total Sales cookIe crossover paTch • Create your Avatar in M2 • Send 20+ emails through M2 during Treats & Reads • Sell 170+ packages during 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program

ombined for higher rewards.

40+ ITems Small Elephant Plush OR Diamond Art Kit

25+ ITems Elephant Patch PLUS LED Scrunchie

150+ ITems Large Plush OR Pom Pom String Lights

100+ ITems Wristlet

J

E

O

J

E

C

me

O

C

R

T

R

T

P

P

Top 10 projecT Thank you enTrepreneurs reward

THANK YOU

J

E

O

C

Special invitation to join our service project at Lambert, St. Louis airport in December. Girl Scouts will distribute donated candy and nuts to military personnel at this overnight event. Date TBA.

R

T

P

addITIonaL reward

embrace possIbILITy neckLace 6+ Project Thank You Donations

T

H

U

A

O

Y

N

K

embrace possIbILITy paTch Send 20+ Emails AND 1+ Share My Site in M2

250+ ITems Custom GS Jacket PLUS Mini Fridge

Check out reward details here OR visit: visit: https://vr.girlscoutsem.org/TRrewards

h similar products of equal or higher value. Final color/style may vary. Girl Scouts in reward opt-out troops still earn patches and any reward experiences as offered.

Troop Proceeds All troops earn 15% of each item sold by their Girl Scouts! Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops that choose to opt-out of rewards will increase their troop proceeds to 20%. Reward Opt-Out Junior through Ambassador troops may vote to opt-out of receiving rewards to earn an extra 5% in proceeds. Once voted unanimously by the troop, they must update their opt-out setting in M2 by Oct. 28. Troops that do not adjust this setting WILL NOT receive extra proceeds. Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops that opt-out of individual rewards still qualify for earned patches, Top 10 Project Thank You reward and Early Cookie Booth Reservation Access.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 15

M2 Treats & Reads is run through our vendor’s program, M2. Volunteers use their M2 dashboard to finalize troop orders, see reports and print delivery tickets. Volunteers log in at gsnutsandmags.com/admin . Girl Scouts log in at gsnutsandmags.com/gsem . If you are both a Girl Scout caregiver and a program volunteer, you must create an account at each site for the two roles. You can use the same email address for both accounts. Please note that the pickup person listed in M2 for a troop is the name of the Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager; not someone from their troop. If a Girl Scout is not showing in M2, or their caregiver is unable to connect the Girl Scout to a current M2 record, the Girl Scout goes to a “holding tank.” GSEM staff must verify these Girl Scouts’ membership status and information before they can be released and be able to sell online. You will receive a M2 login invitation on or before Sept. 27. It’s recommended you establish your access at that time, and set up your Parent/Adult Email Campaign. This will trigger an email, which looks like it’s coming from you, to your Girl Scout families on Oct. 5, giving your troop members access to set up their M2 site. If you did not receive an email, you can go directly to gsnutsandmags.com/admin to get set up. If you are still unable to gain access, please contact the Answer Center, 314.400.4600. Beginning Oct. 5, Girl Scouts log in to M2 to design their online store and create a Girl Scout Avatar in their likeness which can speak in their voice online. They can then email or share shopping invitations to family and friends. The online store offers nut, candy, tin and gift items from Ashdon Farms, as well as storefronts for magazines, candles, Girl Scout Bark boxes, Tervis and personalized products from M2 Media Group. Customers can choose: Girl Delivery Option: During order taking Oct. 5-31, customers can choose to have their items delivered by the Girl Scout when making a purchase. The nut and candy products available for Girl Scout delivery are those listed on the paper order card. Customers ordering online for girl-delivery will pay for product at time of order. Products will come at the same time as those ordered on the paper order card. Shipped Orders: Anytime during the program, Oct. 5-Nov. 24, customers can pay with a credit card for products to be shipped and/or donated, as well as purchase the online products mentioned previously. There is an extended list of candy/nut products exclusive to online ordering.

More details about the fun online program can be found on the M2 Media Group flier.

Skill-Building and Mascot Activities Help your Girl Scouts set goals, then learn about the Asian Elephant and conservation through fun activity sheets by visiting vr.girlscoutsem.org/24TRactivity .

2024 A C TIVITIES The GIRL SCOUTS name and mark, and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design, are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. M2 Media Services is an of cial GSUSA licensee.

16 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Project Thank You

The Project Thank You program is a Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri service project that lets our community donate treats to the USO of Missouri and Operation Food Search. The program provides Girl Scouts the opportunity to learn about philanthropy and the importance of giving back. For each $6 donation, we will gift a treat to these organizations! To help promote Project Thank You to customers, a flier and receipt is available online. Customers can donate $6 Project Thank You nuts/candy in two ways: • Using the Project Thank You column on the paper order card • Adding Project Thank You to online orders through M2

Girl Scout troops never physically receive Project Thank You items with their product order. The Project Thank You items will be ordered and donated on the troop’s behalf by the Girl Scout Council.

Troops that select a charitable organization other than Project Thank You organizations need to order and track these donations separately as Gift of Caring. Only Project Thank You packages are eligible for Project Thank You rewards. One of our Project Thank You partners is USO of Missouri. Nut and candy treats donated to the USO will go to military personnel. The top 10 Project Thank You Sellers will earn the opportunity to hand out donated treats at the USO Holiday Block Leave event in December. This event is subject to change.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 17

Money Management

Money for products ordered through the order card by the troop must be paid to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Your troop is financially responsible for all products ordered, regardless of whether they are sold. Your troop will keep the earned proceeds. This payment is collected electronically from the troop’s bank account via ACH on Dec. 18. In early November, a test ACH may be run by the Finance team to make sure all bank account information is accurate. If this happens, it would show as a $.01 withdrawal. You should collect and deposit cash frequently as a best practice. A Troop Late Payment Report is required for any family not paying in full by the deadline. Check out the Money Management Nuts & Bolts module for more details. Returning troops: Troop bank account information will be rolled over into M2 from the 2024 Cookie Program. Troops must review and make any needed changes by Oct. 28 to authorize ACH transfers for the 2024 Program. New troops: Work with your troop leader to accurately enter the troop’s bank account information by Oct. 28. The entry of this information is required and provides your troop’s agreement to conduct ACH transfers for the 2024 Treats & Reads Program. Troop Late Payment Report Form

Treats & Reads Money Management Best Practices

• Establish and communicate troop deadlines for order card and money collection; deadlines should be no later than a few days prior to the Dec. 18 ACH date

• Collect money for order card payments and deposit money in the troop bank account frequently

• Always count product and money in person with the Girl Scout’s parent/adult; avoid leaving product or money on a porch • Always use the paper receipts from your materials packet when distributing product to a Girl Scout/ parent or another troop and make sure they sign it and both parties keep a copy • Always use the paper receipts from your materials packet for any check/cash payment from a Girl Scout or another troop for product. Make sure the other party signs it and both keep a copy

2024

• In the absence of a receipt book, you can print product delivery form to include financials from M2

18 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

ACH Withdrawal/Late Payments A single ACH withdrawal for 100% of the money due to council for product purchased will be drawn on Dec. 18. The ACH withdrawal amount is equal to the troop’s total sales, minus the troop’s earned proceeds. For instance, if a troop sells $1,000 in product, the withdrawal will be $850, and the troop retains the $150 (15%) in proceeds in their account. The Treats & Reads Manager and Troop Leader will receive an email one week before, confirming the amount due. If the troop has submitted a Troop Late Payment Report due to non-payment by a Girl Scout parent/adult, that amount will be deducted from the amount due to Council. If a troop’s online sales exceed the amount due to council, an ACH deposit for the proceeds owed will be transferred to the troop on Dec. 18. Failure by the troop to pay the full balance due for the product may result in collections agency action and a funds restriction with the council for the leader/Troop Treats & Reads Manager. Payment Collection Options For customer payment collection, Girl Scouts can accept cash or check made out to GSEM Troop XXXX. If the troop receives a returned check, we ask that you make an attempt to collect the funds from the check writer and document that attempt. If your attempt is not successful, please fill out a Collection Request Form as completely as possible, include the “legal copy” of the check, as well as a copy of your bank statement showing the bounced check fee and mail or deliver to Council, Attn: Finance Department. The completed form should be submitted no more than 45 days after the returned check date. We will then take over the collection process. Once the documents are received, Council will either decrease the ACH draw for the troop or utilize ACH to reimburse the troop as appropriate. Stolen Funds If money, checks or product have been stolen, the troop should complete a Troop Late Payment Report for the responsible party. The responsible party should file a police report and contact their insurance company. It is the responsibility of the individual involved to obtain a written copy of the police report and insurance company report. These reports should be sent via registered mail directly to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Attn: Finance Department, 2300 Ball Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146. Parents/caregivers are fully financially responsible for all product received—including any lost or stolen product, funds or product damaged while in their possession.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 19

Online Marketing Guidance

Online marketing and sales efforts for Treats & Reads should be limited to friends and family only and not promoted on public facing websites.

Sales links should never be posted to online resale sites (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Swap etc.). GSUSA reserves the right to remove or disable the link for any reason including violation of guidance, inventory fulfillment issues, safety issues, or if sales and marketing activity goes viral and otherwise creates unanticipated disruption.

Safety Tips for Online Marketing 1. Continue to adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge 2. Review Product Program Safety information in Volunteer Essentials

3. In addition, review and apply the below Supplemental Safety Tips for Online Marketing: • To protect your personal identity, NEVER direct message with people you do not know online or on social media platforms • Always use the M2 online sales link for customer orders • Parents or caretakers should approve all girl-delivered online orders and supervise all communications and product delivery logistics with any customers Girl Scouts don’t personally know. As a reminder, Girl Scouts should never deliver product alone. • Never share your personal information (e.g., last name, phone number, email, or street address) • Never share your personal location information If you become aware of a Girl Scout or family who may not be following online marketing guidance, please contact the troop volunteer about the situation. If issues persist, it can be escalated to the Product Programs team. Media Inquiries During the Girl Scout Treats & Reads Program, troops are occasionally approached by reporters from television, radio, newspapers and online media for interviews and photo opportunities. Please do not issue any statements to the media. Contact the Council communications team at communications@girlscoutsem.org to further discuss any media requests. GSEM members should not seek out their own media opportunities. It is our goal to uplift the Treats & Reads program to benefit all participating GSEM members, instead of promoting the specific efforts of an individual Girl Scout. Taking Care of Your Product Chocolates must be stored under 72 degrees at all times. Chocolate will “bloom” and turn white if it is exposed to heat above 72 degrees or exposed to different temperatures quickly (moved from a warm car to a freezer). Please store nut/candy product in garage only if the outside temperatures are cold enough. Remove product from vehicles as soon as possible, as car temperatures are warmer than the outside temperature.

20 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Timelines and Checklists

In this Section: September....................................................................................................................22 October.........................................................................................................................26 November.....................................................................................................................29 December.....................................................................................................................34 January........................................................................................................................35

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 21

Program Materials Look for information from your Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager about how to get your troop’s program materials. They may also post the information on your Neighborhood’s communication forums, such as Facebook. Please contact the Answer Center for assistance locating your Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager. If you do not have a Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager and you need materials, please complete this form to place a request: vr.girlscoutsem.org/TRmaterials . September Ƒ Complete the Nuts & Bolts “Let’s Get Started” training module in gsLearn beginning Sept. 14 Ƒ Log into M2 and set up parent/adult email campaign beginning Sept. 27 Ƒ Pick up your troop’s program materials from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager by Oct. 1 Ƒ Host Treats & Reads parent/caregiver information meeting and hand out materials by Oct. 5 Ƒ Verify Girl Scouts in troop are 2025 members, are showing up in M2 for your troop & have a signed product programs permission by Oct. 5 Ƒ Assist Girl Scouts with setting up M2 storefront Ƒ Troop votes to opt out of rewards (Junior troops and older only) Ƒ Check your email for updates from Product Programs team

Accessing gslearn Instructions 1. Log into MyGS from girlscoutsem.org 2. Select MyGS Login button on the MyGS homepage

3. Select Login a the top of the page 4. Type your username and password 5. Select gsLearn from the left menu 6. On the gsLearn dashboard, you can find a to-do list of course ready to go. To browse what gsLearn has to offer, select Content Library on the left. 7. In Content Library, you can search for a course using keywords 8. Select a course and begin your learning experience!

22 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Log Into M2 A unique login will be emailed to you titled “Username and password for the Girl Scout magazine and nut program.” The email contains a link to gsnutsandmags.com/admin where you will create your password, watch a brief training video, create a Girl Scout Avatar and complete your setup. Be sure to create your avatar for the personalized patch you will earn! Click the Parent Adult Email Campaign button on your troop dashboard and create an email to the parents/adults of your troop members. This email will go out on Oct. 5 inviting Girl Scouts to set up their store. This step is crucial to ensuring your troop members are able to participate in online marketing of their product. Parent/adult emails begin sending at 9 am Oct. 5, and will arrive throughout the morning. Remember—Sending the Parent/Adult Email Campaign is a required step for Troop Treats & Reads Managers to earn the personalized fall patch.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 23

Familiarize Yourself with the M2 Dashboard The top half of the page is the dashboard. It gives you a quick overview of sale progress for your troop, including Girl Scout engagement (creating avatars, making a recording and video, sending emails, etc.), how many paper orders have been entered and how many nut/candy/magazine orders have been placed through online storefronts.

The bottom half of the page has links to all other pages within the operating system. Each page will show you Girl Scout and troop information in more detail. A quick link to all reports is included here too.

Under each category, click on page titles to access the page. At the bottom of each of those pages is a button that will take you back to the homepage with one click. Near the top right-hand corner of each of those pages is a “Show quick dashboard links” dropdown menu, making it easy for you to go to another page or report. Verify Girl Scout Membership and Permission Work with your leader to verify that the Girl Scouts participating in Treats & Reads have a 2024-2025 Girl Scout membership, as well as signed Product Programs Permission for 2024-2025 on their Girl Health History and Permissions form. Girl Scouts who join your troop after Oct. 5 are always welcome to participate in Treats & Reads too! If your troop receives notification that a Girl Scout parent/adult has a “No Funds Handling” restriction in place, that parent/adult is not permitted to sign product programs permission, nor handle money/ product. The Girl Scout must have an unrelated adult from a different household be willing to sign permission and take responsibility for product and payment for Treats & Reads and Cookies. You can contact us via the Answer Center for guidance on this. Host Troop Treats & Reads Parent/Caregiver Meeting After completing your training and receiving the troop Treats & Reads program materials, you should schedule a time to go over the program and expectations with Girl Scouts and parents/adults before the program starts on Oct. 5. Before the meeting: • Fill out order cards, M2 flyers, money envelopes with troop number, and due dates along with any other information • Only distribute order cards and information to Girl Scouts whose parents/adults have signed the product programs permission form • Review email sent from a member of the Product Programs team in mid-September to verify if there are parents/adults not in good financial standing. Girl Scouts with parents/adults with a no funds handling restriction may only participate if an adult non-family member living at a different address agrees to be responsible for the order card, product and money. The Girl Scout may still participate in product booths. Please contact your Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager if you have any questions

A meeting script is available in the Appendix.

24 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Girls Set Up M2 Storefront Girl Scouts use the instructions on the M2 flier, or in the M2 email, to access the online site ( gsnutsandmags.com/gsem ) and set up their online store. They can create a Girl Scout Avatar, record a message and/or upload a video then send emails to friends and family inviting them to shop from an expanded selection of nuts, candy, tins, new or renewed magazine subscriptions, Tervis products and Girl Scout Bark Box. They can earn special patches just for sending 20+ emails through the system.

To assist your Girl Scouts, if needed, in setting up their M2 site, please check out these videos:

• Girl Site Setup Overview • How to use the Share My Site feature • How to Send Emails to Customers • How to Record a Voice Message in M2 • How to Create an Avatar • How to Personalize Your Avatar Patch • Dashboard Tour & Tracking Progress • Options for Contacting Customers • Customizing a Customer Thank You Message Reward Opt-Out Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops may vote to opt out of receiving rewards in order to receive an extra 5% in proceeds • Conduct a vote to opt out of the Girl Scouts in your troop. A unanimous vote must be made for a troop to opt out and the troop members need to sign the form for your records, see appendix • Change reward opt-out setting in M2 on the troop dashboard

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 25

Enter Nut Order Card Orders in M2 Girl Scouts have two choices: turn in the paper nut order card to you or their parent/adult enters it into M2 through their Girl Scout’s dashboard. Girl Scouts who need you to enter the orders for them need to turn those cards in to you by Oct. 27. You must then manually enter the product quantities under that Girl Scout in M2. All girl delivery orders must be updated by Oct. 28 for the troop. For those who want to enter their own order card items, they will do this through Manage Paper Orders on their Girl Scout’s online M2 dashboard. The deadline for them to do this is Oct. 27 at 11 pm CST. If they cannot enter the paper orders by that time, then you will have to manually enter the order. October Ƒ Girl Scouts can begin taking orders on Oct. 5 Ƒ Collect nut order cards from troop members by Oct. 27 Ƒ Enter nut order card orders from Girl Scouts and any extra troop product in M2 by Oct. 28 Ƒ If opting out of rewards (Junior-Ambassador troops only), update setting in M2 by Oct. 28 Ƒ Verify/update troop bank account information in M2 by Oct. 28 Ƒ Last day for customers to choose girl-delivery option for online orders is Oct. 31 Ƒ Online orders for donation and direct shipping continue through Nov. 24 Ƒ Check your email for updates from Product Programs team

Note: Parents/caregivers only enter the paper order card items. All online, paid-for orders calculate automatically and are added to your troop’s order.

26 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

Enter Paper Orders Not Entered By Parents/Caregivers Troop Treats & Reads Managers can see when Girl Scout’s paper orders have been entered by the parent/ caregiver on their M2 dashboard, to avoid entering duplicate orders. To prevent duplicate accounts, troops cannot add newly registered Girl Scouts. The Answer Center can help add girls or the parent/adult can add them at gsnutsandmags.com/gsem . Troop Treats & Reads Managers must enter ALL orders by 11 pm CST on Oct. 28. At that time, troops will be locked out of the site and will not be able to make changes or additions. Please contact your Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager, or in the absence of that volunteer, contact the Answer Center if you need assistance with your order.

Volunteer Instructions for Entering Paper Order Card Orders: 1. Log in to M2 2. Click on the Paper Order Entry icon on the troop dashboard 3. Select the troop you will be making a paper order entry for 4. Click on the Girl Scout’s name 5. If a Girl Scout’s name does not appear, click the Add Girl Scout button on the bottom right corner of the screen, enter their information and click Save 6. Enter the quantity of each product ordered and click Save Ordering Additional Products in M2 If you need extra products for booths or anticipate late girl-delivery orders, you can order additional products at the same time as their Girl Scout orders. All products ordered will be your troop’s financial responsibility, so be sure to order wisely. 1. Click Manage Troops and Girl Scouts on the dashboard 2. Click the + sign to the left of the troop number 3. Select Manage Extra Products 4. Enter the desired number of products in units 5. Click Save Additional products will arrive with the troop’s order in November. You will need to transfer the products in M2 to the Girl Scouts who sold them by Nov. 26 so they receive credit.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 27

Verify/Enter Troop Bank Account Details

1. Click on Banking and Payments on the troop dashboard 2. Click on the + sign next to your troop number 3. Select Manage ACH 4. Enter or verify troop bank account information, making changes as needed to update (see screenshot) 5. Click the Save ACH button

The routing and account numbers can be found on your troop checks:

Please only use the routing and account numbers from your troop’s checking account, and not use numbers you may find on a bank statement or online. Personal accounts MAY NOT be used to conduct troop business.

28 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook

November Ƒ Complete Nuts & Bolts “Product Delivery” module in gsLearn by Nov. 15 Ƒ Pick up order card and online girl-delivery products from Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager the week of Nov. 18 Ƒ Save/print product delivery tickets for each Girl Scout by Nov. 18 Ƒ Complete Nuts & Bolts “Wrapping Up Treats & Reads” module in gsLearn by Nov. 23 Ƒ Record order card payments in M2 Ƒ Online orders for donation and direct shipping continue through Nov. 24 Ƒ Treats & Reads program ends on Nov. 24; all online sales close at 11 pm CST Ƒ Transfer any extra troop product to individual Girl Scouts by Nov. 26 Ƒ Verify Girl Scouts’ reward choices in M2 by Nov. 26 Ƒ Print/save reward tickets for each Girl Scout so you have them ready for distribution when rewards arrive Ƒ Check your email for updates from Product Programs team

Pick Up Troop Order and Distribute to Girl Scouts Troop orders will be delivered to the Neighborhood Treats & Reads Manager. Be on the lookout for communications regarding date and time of pick up. Upon arrival, make sure to carefully count your product before signing the receipt and leaving. Remember—your troop’s pickup should include all order card items AND all online nuts/candy selected for girl-delivery.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 29

After product pickup, distribute products to parents/adults as quickly as possible to ensure adequate time for Girl Scouts to deliver and collect payment:

1. Prior to picking up your troop’s order, determine how you want to get orders to your Girl Scouts. You could also set up a product pickup schedule that allows time between pickups for counting and verifying quantities. Sites like Sign Up Genius, Doodle Polls and Google Forms are helpful, and links can be emailed to your troop’s families.

2. Contact your troop’s families in advance of your scheduled reward pickup so they can plan for your pickup system.

3. Count and separate the product by Girl Scout in advance.

4. Distribute products to your Girl Scouts/families, along with their original order card, money collection envelope and your troop’s instructions for turning in money to you frequently. Ask each Girl Scout’s adult to count and verify the product they are picking up, sign the receipt and keep one copy of the receipt. They can leave the other receipt copy with you.

Tip: Girl Scout product delivery tickets are a quick and easy way to prepare product for pickup Print/Save Delivery Tickets 1. Click Delivery Tickets on your M2 dashboard 2. Under Product Delivery Tickets, make your selections by entire troop or individual Girl Scout 3. If you toggle the Include Financials button, the ticket will print with any payments posted and balance due 4. Click Create Ticket 5. Print two copies of each ticket to use as a packing slip and receipt

Remember to always use money/product receipts for each transaction because they provide a record of product picked up and money turned in. If there is an issue, these receipts are used to verify the transactions. Receipts should be kept for six months. For product, you can use the receipts from the receipt book, or the printed delivery tickets. This process is to protect you.

Please contact answercenter@girlscoutsem.org with the subject line “Product Damage” immediately if you receive damaged product and arrange for the replacement of the same product.

30 2024 Treats & Reads Manager Playbook