2025 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program ® Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 1

Table of Contents

Welcome How to Get Started This Cookie Season Troop Cookie Manager Role There’s More Than One Way to Do Cookies 2025 Cookie Lineup Key Dates & Deadlines Checklist Training & Support Sweet 2025 Cookie News Cookie Contests Required Cookie Technology Online Sales & Marketing Guidelines Cookie Terms Media Inquiries Proceeds Packages & Cases: How Many Cookies? 2025 Cookie Rewards/Reward Opt-Out Project Thank You & Troop Gift of Caring Money/Receipting Financial Responsibility Bank Account Important Financial Practices Credit Cards ACH Withdrawal/Late Payments Returned/Bounced Checks Stolen Funds Monthly Detailed Timeline & Checklists November December ( Training/Family Meeting ) January ( Logging Into Online System/Digital Cookie Opt-Out/Cookie Booths/Initial Order ) February ( Initial Order Pickup/Cookie Cupboards Continued Orders ) March ( ACH/Transferring Cookies/Final Rewards ) April/May Taking Care of Your Product Cookie Order-Taking Options

3 4 4 5 5 6 8 10 11 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 16 18 19 19 19 20 21 22 22 22 23 24 24 25

Appendix

55 56 57 62 63 65 65 79 79 80 81 86 87 88 90 91 92 93 95 101 104 105 107 109 111

Order Sheet Sweet Tips & Information (FAQ) Cookie Booths Guidelines Booth Ideas Digital Cookie Booth Pickup Resources Getting Cookies for Your Booth Etiquette Safety & Incident Procedures Credit Card Booth Sign Cookie Booth Essentials Booth Inventory Sheet Project Thank You Box Wrap Booth Collaborator Form Digital Cookie Tipsheets Forgot Password/Reset Password Mobile App Setting Up Troop Site Fliers & Forms Cookies for a Year Contest Project Thank You Reward Opt-Out Agreement 2025 Social Media Toolkit

32

49 54

2 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Greetings Extraordinary Troop Cookie Managers,

Thank you for being a volunteer and supporter for our Girl Scouts and the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Your guidance and assistance will help your troop navigate the program, and you will help to produce our future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Your hard work and dedication will bring about a strong impact on your Girl Scouts’ confidence, goals and skills. We know you and every Girl Scout in Eastern Missouri are ready to Embrace Possibility for the 2025 Cookie Season. Mark your calendar for GO Day-Saturday, January 11, 2025. There are several dates key to the program for you, your Girl Scouts, and their families: • eBudde TM and Digital Cookie® links will be sent to Troop Cookie Managers and Troop Leaders on Saturday, January 4 . Please be on the lookout for the links because these systems are required to be used during the Cookie Program. • Complete all required training in gsLearn beginning Tuesday, December 10 . • Troop Cookie Booths officially start on Friday, February 21 , and end on Sunday, March 16 . Booths are a great way to earn a lot of troop proceeds in a short amount of time, so secure or report your locations in eBudde at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled booth. Updated guidelines and resources will be shared with you via regular Cookie News eBudde emails, at girlscoutsem.org/volunteercookieresources and in the online Troop Cookie Manager Playbook throughout the season.

The Product Program Team is ready to help you and your Girl Scouts’ goals for the 2025 Cookie Season!

Embrace Possibility With Us,

Your Product Program friends at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Get Started in Five Easy Steps!

1. Add (or renew) the Troop Cookie Manager role to your membership profile in MyGS

2. Complete Troop Cookie Training in gsLearn or website beginning Dec. 5

3. Get extra cookie materials from your Neighborhood Cookie Manager

4. Set up your eBudde and Digital Cookie accounts beginning Dec. 19

5. Tell your troop’s Girl Scouts and families about the Cookie Program and how they can participate; distribute materials

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 3

How To Get Started This Cookie Season 1. Add the Troop Cookie Manager role for your troop to your membership profile in MyGS 2. Complete Troop Cookie Manager Cookie Bites: Getting Started training module in gsLearn 3. Get extra cookie materials needed from your Neighborhood Cookie Manager 4. Set up your eBudde and Digital Cookie accounts beginning January 4 5. Tell your troop’s Girl Scouts and families about the Cookie Program and how they can participate; distribute materials

Troop Cookie Manager Role

Your Role as the Troop Cookie Manager Role Description available at vr.girlscoutsem.org/TCMRole .

The Cookie season can be a little hectic when you’re the Troop Cookie Manager. See below for ways you can delegate some responsibilities to other adults during this time. Please note: All adults volunteering with the troop must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteers and be in good financial standing with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.

Ways to Engage Caregivers During Cookie Season • Coordinating troop cookie booths, including securing troop-scheduled booths, picking up cookies for booth, staffing booth, etc. • Picking up troop’s initial cookie order, especially if more than one vehicle is needed • Distributing initial order cookies to each Girl Scout • Picking up a troop cookie cupboard order • Overseeing troop members creating cookie booth signage, etc. • Distributing cookie rewards to each Girl Scout Tips • Create a sign-up sheet for helpers at the cookie family meeting, with specific roles needed • If no one signs up, consider one-on-one direct asks to troop adults for certain jobs • If you’re the leader and cookie manager, ask for help with troop meetings and activities so you can focus on cookie responsibilities; check out advice on creating a cookie squad from a troop leader at vr.girlscoutsem.org/CookieSquad Staying organized, using the technology available to you, communicating frequently with families, paying attention to cookie information shared with you and setting boundaries are key for success in your role. Thank you so much for serving in this important volunteer role!

4 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

There’s More Than One Way to Do Cookies

Depending on your troop’s schedule and needs, your troop can decide in which cookie activities to participate.

Maybe you’re a new Daisy troop and just want to keep it simple this year. Consider focusing only on the initial/pre-order period, then just one Cookie Booth in February or March. This gives the Girl Scouts a chance to interact with people and work together.

Girl Scouts can sell their Girl Scout Cookies in different ways: • In-person order taking using the order sheet • Digital Cookie girl-delivery • Digital Cookie direct ship • Digital Cookie donation • Cookie Booths • Cookie Stands (Girl Scouts can set up a booth in their neighborhood)

See pgs. 14-15 for the general flow of order to fulfillment for each ordering option.

2025 Cookie Lineup

S’mores will be retired after 2025 season

All Girl Scout Cookie varieties are $6 Our council’s Girl Scout Cookies are baked by Little Brownie Bakers. All Girl Scout Cookies: • Have NO high-fructose corn syrup • Have NO partially-hydrogenated oils (PHOs) • Have zero grams trans fat per serving • Use only RSPO certified (Mass Balance) Palm Oil • Are Halal certified For detailed Girl Scout Cookie descriptions, ingredients and nutrition information, please visit girlscoutsem.org/en/cookies/cookie-flavors-lbb.html .

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 5

Key Dates and Deadlines Checklist

Use the checklist below to stay up to date on important training and deadlines during the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Check off items once completed.

Make sure you are a registered Girl Scout member for 2025, and the Troop Cookie Manager role is assigned to you in the membership system Beginning Dec. 10—Complete Troop Cookie Manager Cookie Bites “Getting Started” training module in gsLearn Discuss cookie goals with troop and how they want to use their funds For Junior-Ambassador troops, Girl Scouts vote whether to opt-out of receiving rewards Host parent/caregiver cookie meeting and distribute cookie materials Confirm participating Girl Scouts in troop have a 2025 membership and signed product programs permission on the Annual Healthy History/Permission form

December

Sign up to join the Eastern Missouri Cookie Manager Rallyhood Rally Check your email for weekly updates from Product Programs team

Beginning Jan. 4—Log into eBudde and Digital Cookie accounts Confirm all Girl Scouts in troop show in eBudde correctly Update your eBudde settings to include your troop’s parent initial order deadline and correct troop banking information Jan. 6—Digital Cookie access for Girl Scouts opens Jan. 11—Cookie GO Day; Girl Scouts can begin taking in person or online orders Jan. 11—Answer Center Extended Hours, 10 am-2 pm; Product Programs Virtual Office Hours, 9 am-2 pm (Zoom link on pg. 7) Jan. 25—Last Day to opt out of rewards in eBudde (Junior-Ambassador troops only) Jan. 26—Complete Cookie Bites “Submitting Troop Initial Order” training module in gsLearn Jan. 28, 9 am—Troops can reserve one council-scheduled cookie booth in eBudde Jan. 30, 6 pm—Troops can reserve one additional council-scheduled cookie booth in eBudde Check your email for weekly updates from Product Programs Feb. 1—Deadline to collect pre-order/initial order sheets from Girl Scouts; Parents/caregivers can turn off girl-delivery option in Digital Cookie, if desired Feb. 1—Answer Center Extended Hours, 10 am-2 pm; Product Programs Virtual Office Hours, 10 am-2 pm (Zoom link on pg. 7) Feb. 3—Deadline for troop to verify/accept/enter all order sheet orders submitted via paper or Digital Cookie and submit full troop pre-order in eBudde Feb. 3—Deadline for troop to submit initial cookie reward order Feb. 3—Deadline to enter/update troop bank account info in eBudde settings Feb. 3—Deadline for troop to select pre-order/initial cookie pickup date/location/time in eBudde

January

February

6 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Feb. 3—Print/save troop pre/initial cookie order report from eBudde Initial Order tab so you’re ready to distribute to Girl Scouts Feb. 3—Product Programs Virtual Office Hours, 5-8 pm (Zoom link on pg. 7) Feb. 4, 9 am—Council cookie booth open reservations in eBudde (limited to three/store chain until 2/11) Feb. 7—View Cookie Bites: Best Practices in Cookie Money Management training module and Cookie Bites: Cookie

Pickup/Cupboards/Cookie Booths training module in gsLearn Feb. 10—Troop Digital Cookie link can be activated and set up

Feb. 10—Digital Cookie “give cookies to customer now” payment feature becomes active Feb. 14-18—Pick up troop’s cookie pre/initial order at your selected date/time/location Feb. 14-16—Bonus Early Cookie Booth weekend

Feb. 21—Cookie Cupboards open Feb. 21-23—Cookie Booth weekend Feb. 28-March 2—Cookie Booth weekend

February (Cont.)

Collect payments from Girl Scouts and deposit money regularly Check your email for weekly updates from Product Programs

March 7-9—Cookie Booth weekend March 7—Pre/initial cookie order ACH withdrawal emails go out to troop leadership March 12—Complete Cookie Bites: Wrapping Up Cookies training module in gsLearn March 14—Online girl-delivery option in Digital Cookie ends; shipping and donation continue March 16-18—Cookie Booth weekend March 16—Cookie Program ends; Digital Cookie closes for shipping and donation March 17—Initial Troop ACH bank withdrawal

March 18—Product Programs Virtual Office Hours, 5-8 pm (Zoom link on pg. 7) March 19—Complete all cookie transfers to individual Girl Scouts in eBudde March 19—Submit troop’s final cookie reward choices in eBudde March 19—Print/save initial and final rewards reports from eBudde so you have them ready when rewards arrive March 19—Product Programs Virtual Office Hours, 5-8pm (Zoom link on pg. 7) March 27—Submit Troop Late Payment Report for any caregiver who has not yet paid the troop for their cookies

March May April

March 31—Final troop cookie payment (ACH) email notices go out Collect payments from Girl Scouts and deposit money regularly Check your email for weekly updates from Product Programs

April 7—Final troop cookie payment (ACH) withdrawal or council deposit to troop, as applicable

April 21—Expected date for cookie rewards to ship to Neighborhood Cookie Managers Check your email for weekly updates from Product Programs

Look for communication from Neighborhood Cookie Manager about picking up troop’s rewards Pick up troop rewards from Neighborhood Cookie Manager Distribute cookie rewards to Girl Scouts in troop

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 7

Training and Support

Answer Center Customer Support Need to reach Product Programs or have a general program question? Contact our Answer Center at 314.400.4600 or answercenter@girlscoutsem.org .

Troop Cookie Manager Training in gsLearn Cookie Bites training modules are available in gsLearn. It includes five sessions that can be viewed at a volunteer’s convenience. Completion of the “Getting Started” module is required prior to accessing the eBudde system and to participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Modules are available beginning Dec. 10.

Rallyhood Connect with other Cookie volunteers. Go to

rallyhood.com/39880 to join. Then, download the Rallyhood app and enable notification so you don’t miss important announcements during the season. Digital Cookie Support Visit vr.girlscoutsem.org/DCSupport25 or scan the QR code for Digital Cookie support.

Modules: •

Getting Started

•

Submitting Initial Order

• Best Practices in Cookie Money Management • Cookie Delivery/Cupboards/Booths • Wrapping Up Cookies eBudde 101 will provide volunteers with an overview of the eBudde system, which is used by cookie volunteers to manage their troop’s cookie activities. Offered live on Zoom on Jan. 6 at 6:30 pm; recording available following live session. Register for live session in gsLearn. Digital Cookie for Volunteers (GSUSA) is created for all volunteers who help manage their troop’s Girl Scout Cookie program, this course is full of tip sheets and videos to get volunteers up-to-speed on how to use Digital Cookie to support their troop. New Leader Onboarding: The Girl Scout Cookie Program (GSUSA) is where volunteers will learn the basics of the Girl Scout Cookie program. Review how and why Girl Scouts sell cookies, who the bakers are that make the cookies, and how to utilize cookie proceeds with a troop. Review all the exciting program options leaders can explore with their troop as they build their entrepreneurial skills. Go over cookie selling safety, and important ways to bring families and caregivers along in a troop’s cookie business adventure. Cookie Rookie Learning Path is for those new to the Cookie Manager role and not sure what this means or what to do. The courses in this learning path are curated to ensure a new troop cookie manager better understands the Cookie Program, the systems and their role. Courses in this learning path : • New Leader Onboarding: The Girl Scout Cookie Program (GSUSA) • eBudde 101 • Digital Cookie for Volunteers • Cookie Delivery/Cupboards/Booths • Best Practices in Cookie Money Management

8 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Special Support Hours During Cookie Season, the Answer Center will be available during extended hours to help cookie volunteers and caregivers with their cookie needs:

January 11

Cookie GO Day

10 am-2 pm

February 1

Pre/Initial Order Sheet Deadline

10 am-2 pm

February 3

Troop Pre/Initial Cookie Order Deadline

Open until 8 pm

Virtual Office Hours In conjunction with Answer Center special support hours, the Product Programs Team will have virtual office hours for volunteers: (passcode for all dates is cookie2025 )

vr.girlscoutsem.org/GOday25

January 11

Cookie GO Day

9 am-2 pm

vr.girlscoutsem.org/initorder25

February 1 Pre/Initial Order Sheet Deadline 10 am-2 pm

Troop Pre/Initial Cookie Order Deadline

vr.girlscoutsem.org/troopinitorder25

February 3

5-8 pm

Day Prior to Transfer/Reward Deadline

vr.girlscoutsem.org/rewarddeadline25

March 18

5-8 pm

Troop Cookie Transfer/Reward Selections Deadline

vr.girlscoutsem.org/troopreward25

March 19

5-8 pm

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 9

The Digital Cookie team has been hard at work smoothing out the Girl Scout and troop experience for this season. We’re excited to let you know that the issues some of you faced last year have been addresses, and we’ve made some great improvements to the system. AN ENHANCED DIGITAL COOKIE EXPERIENCE

Sweet 2025 Cookie News

• Simplified Cookie order sheet—make copies and print from website more easily! • Pre-order/initial order sheets due on a Saturday to give you more weekend time to finalize your troop order. • Cookie receipts from receipt book now include a caregiver permission and financial responsibility acknowledgment. • eBudde Initial Order report now comes in a pdf with one Girl Scout order per page—much easier for order sorting! Cookie Updates • Girl Scout S’mores cookie variety will retire after the 2025 season. Make sure your customers stock up! • A new Girl Scout Cookie variety will be announced in late summer 2025. • Little Brownie Bakers continues their work toward sustainability—the tray used for Samoas now uses 17 percent less plastic (same amount of cookies) and all cookie reward packaging is recyclable or reusable. • Some cookie packages may have a use or freeze by date of June 2025. These will primarily be troop samples and initial Digital Cookie shipments. Only applies to Thin Mints, Samoas and Trefoil varieties. Cookie Bites training modules will be available on demand in gsLearn beginning Dec. 10. Volunteers can complete the modules at their convenience. • Live eBudde overview webinar on Jan. 6. • Product Programs offering extended virtual office hours that coincide with key dates and deadlines. Support & Training Updates •

Last Year

This Year

ACCESS

Some users had trouble getting into Digital Cookie or troops and Girl Scouts unable to set up sites

The database that manages the data for Girl Scouts, volunteers and troops has been updated to better handle changes. That update will resolve those access issues

DATA

The number of cookies sold was not updating or didn’t match what the leader had entered in the baker system

The progress bar on user dashboards has been simplified and features a fresh design that now reflects updates in minutes. Revamped the data transfer between Digital Cookie and baker system for faster updates

CUSTOMERS

Customer lists not accessible for some returning users. Trouble sending emails to customers

Returning users will see their existing customer lists. Sending emails has been optimized and tested to get those to customers

CHECKOUT

Some users encountered difficulties placing orders

Revised prompts and some behind-the scenes changes will let customers breeze through checkout

BONUS! Venmo and Paypal added to the mobile app and required fields reduced. More new features coming in 2025. Looking forward to seeing you in Digital Cookie this season. We’re confident you’ll enjoy the improved experience.

10 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Cookie Contests

Marketing Maven Contest (Individual Girl Scouts) The Cookie Season is a great time for Girl Scouts to show off how creative they can be. We want to see Girl Scouts’ marketing creations. Whether it be an online newsletter, flyer, video, or more, share it with us! Girl Scouts who submit their creative marketing pieces by the deadline will be entered to win.

Embrace Possibility Online for Digital Cookie (Individual Girl Scouts) Girl Scouts who set up and publish their Digital Cookie site between Jan. 11-17 will be entered to win daily prizes. Publish early—the more chances to win. Winners will be notified directly and announced on council social media. Embrace Possibility Online for Digital Cookie (Troops) Troops that set up and publish their troop Digital Cookie page between Feb. 10-14 will be entered to win one of three prizes the troop can use this cookie season.

The winning Girl Scout will be chosen based on cookie knowledge displayed, creativity, innovation and connection to the Girl Scout mission. The winner will receive a one-day pass to Six Flags St. Louis for the Girl Scout and chaperone.

Submission deadline: January 26

Brighten Our Booth Contest (Troops) Did your troop have a creative cookie booth? Show us your stuff! Submit a photo of your troop’s cookie booth by the Tuesday following each booth weekend. Booths will be evaluated based on their creativity, Girl Scout branding and cookie prominence.

S’mores Contest (Troops) It’s customers’ last chance to purchase the Girl Scout S’mores Cookie this year! Show us how well your troop can promote the cookie this season. Troops with at least three Girl Scouts selling Cookies, achieve a troop S’mores PGA of 100+, and submit their S’mores marketing video will be entered to win a splash adventure at a local aquatic facility.

Submission link: vr.girlscoutsem.org/BrightenBooth

Video submission deadline: March 9

Cookies for a Year (Customers) Reward loyal customers! Customers who order at least five packages of cookies are entered to win six cases of cookies of their choosing. More information and resources in the online troop playbook. Make sure your troop knows about this promotion, which can help them meet their goals.

See contest prize details and submission links at vr.girlscoutsem.org/25cookiecontests .

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 11

Required Cookie Technology

eBudde—Your troop’s cookie management tool eBudde must be used by all troop volunteers for tracking and placing cookie orders, recording payments from Girl Scouts, recording extra cookies given to Girl Scouts, signing up for cookie booths, selecting cookie rewards and more. eBudde has both a web-based system and an app. Your access to eBudde opens on January 4. Be sure to log in and update your contact information before you can access your Digital Cookie account for the season. Complete the eBudde 101 training for an overview of the system. eBudde tutorials available in the online Troop Cookie Manager Playbook and the eBudde Help Center. Digital Cookie—Girl Scout Cookie online sales platform Girl Scouts work with their parent/caregiver to create an account and set up a personal online store to sell Girl Scout Cookies through Digital Cookie. Their access opens on January 6. • Customer list tab and ability to add new supporters to list • Pre-written emails a Girl Scout can send to supporters • Dashboard for a Girl Scout to track online sales progress • A way for customers or leaders to send Cheers to a Girl Scout • Ability for parent/caregiver to approve or reject any girl-delivery cookie orders • QR code the Girl Scout can copy and paste to create flyers and more • Tab for parent/caregiver to enter and submit initial/ pre-order totals to troop • Tab to get requirements for cookie business badges and track completion • A mobile app for on-the-go cookie sales (app is accessible beginning Jan. 11) • An option for the troop to create a troop Digital Cookie storefront, making it useful to take cookie booth payments via the app and to take cookie booth pre-orders (feature available Feb. 10-March 16) Digital Cookie features include: • Unique URL for the Girl Scout’s store

Online Sales & Marketing Guidelines • Online cookie sales should only be conducted through Digital Cookie to ensure financial security and order tracking. • Cookies ordered for, and approved by caregiver, for Girl Scout-delivery through Digital Cookie during the initial/pre-order period will automatically be included in troop’s initial order pickup in February. • After that time, cookies for Girl Scout-delivery must come from the troop’s extras. • All Girl Scout-delivery orders must be approved by the parent/caregiver within five business days of the order. Parents/caregivers should deny any orders they do not feel comfortable delivering or would be unable to deliver. • Links can be shared on social media, but may not be posted in buy, sell, trade, exchange type groups. Always make sure to follow the GSUSA Digital Marketing Guidelines when selling online. • If posting the sales link in community or neighborhood groups on social media, never share Girl Scout’s personally identifiable information, including last name, address, etc. • Parents/caregivers can turn off girl-delivery beginning Feb. 1. Find this feature in the My Cookies tab. Safety Tips for Online Marketing • Continue to adhere to the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge • Review Product Program Safety information in Volunteer Essentials • 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 Digital Cookie link for customer orders • Parents or caregivers 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 personal information (e.g., last name, phone number, email, or street address) • Never share personal location information If you become aware of a Girl Scout or family who may not be following online marketing guidance, please reach out to them about the situation, and respectfully discuss it. If issues persist, it can be escalated to your Neighborhood Cookie Manager.

The web-based Digital Cookie system must be used to set up an online store. The app will not work for this.

See FAQs for more Digital Cookie tips.

12 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

More Cookie Knowledge

Need-To-Know Cookie Terms • 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 troop 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 products ordered and purchased by a troop for the Treats & Reads and Cookie Programs. • Goal-Getter Orders: Refers to orders Girl Scouts take after the troop submits their initial/pre-order. Each troop handles these orders differently. • gsLearn: An online learning platform for Girl Scout volunteers accessed through your login at MyGS. • Initial/Pre-Order (IO): Refers to the orders (through Digital Cookie and order sheet) taken by Girl Scouts and submitted by the troop by Feb. 3. These orders are submitted by the Troop Cookie Manager and picked up by the troop in bulk in mid-February. • Service Unit: Alternate term for what we call a Girl Scout “Neighborhood.” It is the term used in the eBudde platform. • PGA: Per Girl Average; total number of packages assigned to the troop divided by the number of Girl Scouts selling. A Girl Scout is selling if they have one or more packages of cookies assigned to them in eBudde. Media Inquiries During the Girl Scout Cookie Program, troops are occasionally approached by reporters from television, radio, newspapers and online media for interviews and photo opportunities. Please do not issue any statement 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 Girl Scout Cookie Program to benefit all participating GSEM members, instead of promoting the specific efforts of an individual Girl Scout.

Rewards and Proceeds • Troops earn higher proceeds—up to $1.10/pkg in two tiered structure • Girl Scout Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops can vote to opt-out of rewards • Tiered opt-out proceeds—earn up to $1.20/pkg • Reward opt-out should be unanimous decision by Girl Scouts in troop

Troop Per Girl Average (PGA)

Base Proceeds/ Pkg

Reward Opt-Out Proceed/Pkg

1-199

$0.95

$1.00

200+

$1.10

$1.20

Reward Opt-Out Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops are eligible to opt-out of receiving rewards and receive extra proceeds instead. Multi-level troops that include Daisies or Brownies are not eligible to opt-out. Individual Girl Scouts in opt-out troops are still eligible to earn patches, Troop PGA Reward event, Trefoil Rewards and any rewards at the 1,000 level and higher. Opting-out is a unanimous decision of all Girl Scouts selling in the troop and they must sign the opt-out form (available in online cookie manager playbook) which the troop maintains for its records. Once the troop has voted and signed, the troop volunteer MUST select opt-out in their eBudde settings NO LATER THAN Jan. 25. We cannot make changes on a troop’s behalf after initial order submission. Taking Care of Your Product Cookies should be stored in a cool, dry place in an area free of chemicals, pets or pests. Certain cookies—including Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Adventurefuls are more prone to melting because of their chocolate coatings. In case of unseasonably warm temperatures, coolers can be used to keep cookies cool. Packages and Cases: How Many Cookies? Cookie packages have varying numbers of cookies depending on variety. A case is 12 packages of cookies. When submitting your troop initial order, your order will automatically round up to full cases of 12, typically providing troops a few extras to fulfill later orders. Unlike initial order, once Cookie Cupboards open, orders can be for full cases or individual packages.

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 13

Cookie Order-Taking Options

Girl Scouts can participate in the Cookie Program using the in-person order sheet and/or the online Digital Cookie platform. Please see below for the general flow of order to fulfillment for each option.

Cookie Order Sheet (for pre-orders in person Jan. 11-Feb. 1)

Girl Scouts take orders on paper order sheet

Girl Scout turns in order sheet to troop leader by Feb. 1

Parent/troop leader enters order sheet information in Digital Cookie by Feb. 1

OR

Girl Scout delivers cookies and collects customer payments to turn in to cookie manager

Troop picks up at designated date/time/ location and distributes cookies

Cookies arrive with troop initial order Feb. 14-18

Goal Getter Sheet (in-person orders Feb. 2-March 16)

Troop uses extra troop cookies or visits a cookie cupboard to get cookies to fulfill orders

Troop volunteer enters total pkgs by variety given to Girl Scout in Girl Orders tab

Girl Scout delivers cookies and collects customer payments to turn in to cookie manager

Girl Scout turns in order sheet to troop

Girl Scouts take orders on second cookie order sheet

Girl Scout picks up cookies from troop volunteer

according to troop’s deadlines

14 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Digital Cookie Girl Delivery (Jan. 11-Feb. 1)

Troop volunteer records pkgs in eBudde Girl Order tab under

Customer places order through Digital Cookie for

Girl Scout request extra cookies from troop volunteer before end of season

Caregiver reviews and approves/ rejects order within five days

Troop volunteer uses extra cookies or visits a cupboard to fulfill orders

Girl Scout delivers cookies to customers

girls’ name to balance out negative payment

girl-delivery cookies and pays online

If order is rejected, the order will be canceled or will default to donation, depending on what customer chose

Digital Cookie Direct Shipped Orders (Jan. 11-March 16)

Orders processed within 3-5 business days, ship to customer via commercial carrier from baker fulfillment center

Orders will automatically show in eBudde Girl Orders tab

Shipped orders Jan. 11-Feb. 1 will count toward initial order rewards

Customer places order

through Digital Cookie and pays shipping fees

Digital Cookie Donation Orders (Jan. 11-March 16)

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri delivers cookie donations at end of season to community partners

Orders will automatically show in eBudde Girl Orders tab

Donation orders Jan. 11-Feb. 1 will count toward initial order rewards

Customer places order through Digital Cookie and pays for it

No cookies received by customer

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 15

Girl Scouts of Eastern M 2025 Cookie Program

2025 Rewards

Council reserves the right to make substitutions to the item’s color, material or size, or to substitute an item of equal or greater value due to changes or challenges in product availability. Number in bubble is the number of cookie packages sold to earn the item. All rewards are cumulative except Trefoil Rewards and Bar Patches, which are earned only at the highest level achieved. Girl Scouts in opt-out troops will still receive any patches, Trefoil Rewards, and rewards at the 1,000 pkgs and higher when earned. Thank you email messages sent in Digital Cookie do not count toward Cookie Phone Charm. Troop rewards are cumulative; earned by troops with 3+ Girl Scouts selling. Eligible reward opt-out troops can earn the 320+ PGA experience. Trefoil Rewards may be used for a variety of Girl Scout programs in summer 2025 See larger images of, and learn more about all 2025 rewards here! Or visit: https://vr.girlscoutsem.org/CR

Girl Scouts earn individual rewards based on total sales. Individual Girl Scout orders cannot be combined to achieve higher level rewards.

1

Troop Cookie Managers are on their honor to demonstrate good business ethics and not combine orders. Initial Orders are calculated based on the package distribution in eBudde on February 3, 2025. All packages must be transferred/ credited to girls by March 19 in order to count towards final rewards. To receive high-level rewards, a Girl Scout’s parents/caregivers must be in compliance with payment deadline.

P

B

Rewards are expected to ship to Neighborhood Cookie Managers in late April/ early May and troops will pick up from them.

Girl Scouts who earn higher-level rewards, at 1,500+ package levels will be contacted directly by Product Programs.

55

80

Reward Opt-Out Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops are eligible to opt-out of receiving rewards and receive extra proceeds instead. Multi-level troops that include Daisies or Brownies are not eligible to opt-out. Individual Girl Scouts in opt-out troops are still eligible to earn patches, Troop PGA Reward event, Trefoil Rewards and any rewards at the 1,000 level and higher. Opting-out is a unanimous decision of all Girl Scouts selling in the troop and they must sign the opt-out form (available in online cookie manager playbook) which the troop maintains for its records. Once the troop has voted and signed, the troop volunteer MUST select opt-out in their eBudde settings NO LATER THAN Jan. 25. We cannot make changes on a troop’s behalf after initial order submission.

Hanging Panda Spa Hand Towel

Fidget Bea Stacking S

360

425

and

Bento Box + Take-Along Utensil Set

P Rock

ExpErt EntrEprEnEur rEwards

1500

MAY 3, 2025

Gam Event at

16 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Missouri m Rewards

Bar Patches Earned at highest sales level increments of 100, up to 1,000+

Collect All Charms! All charms can be added to Embrace Possibilty Charm Patch

20

20+ Marketing Emails In Digital Cookie

30+ Project Thank You Donations

1+ Booth Pkgs

Inital Order Rewards

170+ cookie packages in 2025 AND created Avatar, sent 20+ emails during 2024 Treats & Reads program 2025 Crossover Patch

Jan. 11-Feb. 1

170

Gift of Caring Charm

Cookie Phone Charm

Cookie Stand Charm

Embrace Possibilty Charm Patch (Charms Earned Separately)

Troop Rewards

During Inital Order Period Jan. 11-Feb. 1

Panda Necklace + Butterfly Charm

130

170

425

JULY 18, 2025

Urban Air Adventure Park Private Girl Scout Event

Era Beaded Friendship Bracelet

Embrace Possibility Charm

Butterfly Charm

Rock Cairn Charm

170+ Troop PGA

320+ Troop PGA

230

290

130

170

and

and

an Bag Stones

Cooling Headband + Embrace Possibilty Charm

Panda Plush

Handle with Pop-In Charm + Water Bottle

Do-si-dos® Panda Cookie T-shirt + 1 Trefoil Reward

510

730

1000

and

and

Panda Rug+ k Cairn Charm

Panda Neck Pillow + 2 Trefoil Rewards

Do-si-dos® Duffle Bag

lululemon® Belt Bag + Cookie Expert Hoodie + 3 Trefoil Rewards

OR

and

2000

2500

3000

and

™

Sushi-Making Class for Girl Scout & Friend + Apple® AirPods OR Yeti® Backpack

3-Day/2-Night Chicago Adventure Visit the Museum of Ice Cream, Shedd Aquarium and more!

4K Digital Camera, + Filmmaking class with Cinema St. Louis

me and Food t Dave & Busters

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 17

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 package of cookies 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 cookies in three ways: • Using the Project Thank You column on the paper order card • Adding Project Thank You to online orders through Digital Cookie • Through in-person cookie booths

Girl Scout troops never physically receive Project Thank You items with their cookie order. The Project Thank You cookies will be ordered and donated on the troop’s behalf by the Girl Scout Council. Troop Gift of Caring Troops that select a charitable organization other than Project Thank You organizations need to order and track these donations separately as Troop Gift of Caring (TGOC in eBudde). Only Project Thank You packages are eligible for Project Thank You rewards. If your troop is doing TGOC, please update the beneficiary information on the GOC Org tab in eBudde. Your troop must have extra cookies on hand to fulfill any TGOC commitments, and is responsible for delivery of the cookies to the organization.

18 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Money/Receipting

Your troop must pay Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for all cookies they order/receive for the troop. Your troop is financially responsible for all cookies ordered, regardless of whether they are sold. Your troop will keep the earned proceeds. The payment is collected electronically from the troop’s bank account via ACH in March (for 1/3 of troop’s initial order) and in April (for the remaining balance). If a troop’s final ACH rejects, the troop’s payment is considered past due, and the Finance team will contact the Troop Cookie Manager to collect payment. The troop is responsible for covering any fees incurred for insufficient funds or ACH rejection.

Parent/caregiver financially responsible Cookie volunteer financially responsible

Council financially responsible

Start Here

Troop financially responsible

Cookies arrive in warehouse

Cookie volunteer receives booth payments and Girl Scout payments and deposits into troop bank account

Troop picks up initial/pre-order or cupboard cookies

Financial Responsibility Flowchart

Parent/caregiver receives cookies and collects payment

You must enter/update your troop bank account information in eBudde by Feb. 3. This requires the bank account number and bank routing number, which is found on your troop checks. After this time, you will be locked out from making updates. Council will do a test ACH on Feb. 5 to ensure accurate account information. Note: Personal bank accounts MAY NOT be used to conduct troop business. If you need assistance setting up a troop bank account, please contact the Answer Center.

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 19

Strongly-Encouraged Financial Practices • ALWAYS make sure your Girl Scouts’ parent/caregiver has signed the product programs permission section of the annual Girl Health History/Permission Form before any cookies are ever given to them. • Cookie payments should be collected from customers upon delivery of their cookies (except for Digital Cookie orders) • Do not give additional cookies to a Girl Scout/family until they have paid the troop for the cookies they already received. A good rule of thumb is not to give more than 100 additional packages of cookies at a time. This limits the potential financial risk to the troop. • Checks should be made payable to GSEM Troop XXXX (insert troop #) and include the customer phone number and driver’s license number on the memo line • Use the Digital Cookie app for cookie booth credit card payments • Caregivers can use the Digital Cookie app for collection of payments for order sheet and in-hand cookies • Don’t leave large amounts of cash laying around. Make frequent visits to the bank to deposit it • Be protected! Each time you give cookies to a Girl Scout/family, complete a product receipt. Each time you collect money from a Girl Scout/family for cookies, complete a product receipt. The new cookie receipt includes a financial responsibility line on it; another layer of protection. • Enter each cookie and payment transaction in the eBudde Girl Order tab. Each receipt you complete should match a line in eBudde. • Use only eBudde to keep track of cookies and money • Do not over-order cookies to avoid unsold inventory. Cookies may not be returned or exchanged.

What happens if a Girl Scout/family doesn’t pay the troop for their cookies? To avoid large, outstanding balances, try to limit how many additional cookies you give to a Girl Scout at a time. Make sure they pay for those before you give them more. To protect the troop, be sure to document all communication to parent/caregiver regarding collection of the payments and keep copies of all receipts. Record ALL cookies given to the Girl Scouts and ALL money received in eBudde as backup for us. Without such documentation, it’s difficult for us to prove the person owes any money. Complete a Troop Late Payment Report by March 27. This transfers payment collection responsibility to Council. How often should I collect cookie payments? Collect payments regularly and deposit cash as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of it going missing. Until the money is deposited into the troop account, you are responsible for it. The Cookie Manager, if different from the leader, should collect ALL cookie payments, even from the other troop volunteers. This ensures accurate record-keeping and ethical practices. How are payments handled if my troop’s Digital Cookie orders exceeded our in-person orders? Payments collected through Digital Cookie will automatically be transferred to Council, not the troop’s bank account. If your troop conducted most of its sales through Digital Cookie, you may be due a deposit of troop proceeds from Council at the end of the season. Your eBudde Sales Report will show a negative number in the balance due if this is the case. What are the credit card options for Cookie Booths? The Digital Cookie app is the preferred option for processing credit cards for cookie booths. It can also be used by individual Girl Scouts when delivering cookies that haven’t been paid for. Council covers processing fees. Please note that cash transfer apps, such as a personal Venmo, Cash app, Zelle, etc. are not approved payment systems for Girl Scout troop business. Digital Cookie will accept Venmo and PayPal, as well as Visa, Mastercard, etc.

20 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Credit Card Payments Payments collected through Digital Cookie will automatically be transferred to council, not the troop’s bank account. If a troop has conducted most of its sales through Digital Cookie, the troop may be due a deposit from council at the end of the season. It is strongly recommended troops use the Digital Cookie mobile app for accepting credit card payments at booths and by individual Girl Scouts when delivering product. Council covers processing fees. Troops must set up and publish their Digital Cookie Troop site to enable this feature. Please note that cash transfer apps, such as Venmo, Cash app, Zelle, etc. are not approved payment systems for Girl Scout troop business. The Digital Cookie app is the primary system for taking credit card payments during the cookie season. This option will be available for troops and Girl Scouts starting February 10.

Completing Receipts Properly No matter the situation, ALWAYS use a cookie receipt to record movement of cookies and money between troop and Girl Scout/family. Other than initial order cookies, which will already be recorded in eBudde, each receipt for cookies given to a Girl Scout and money received should have a matching line in the eBudde Girl Orders tab. Here are some examples of what receipts could look like in different situations.

Giving Cookies to Girl Scouts (Order Sheet Only)

Giving Cookies to Girl Scouts (Digital Cookie Only)

Giving Cookies to Girl Scouts (Order Sheet & Digital Cookie)

Cash & Check Payment from Girl Scout Caregiver

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 21

ACH Withdrawal/Late Payments The Troop Cookie Manager and Troop Leader will receive an email one week before the scheduled ACH withdrawals confirming the amount due. If the troop has submitted a Troop Late Payment Report due to non-payment by a Girl Scout parent/caregiver, 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 April 7.

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 Cookie Manager.

Returned/Bounced Checks For customer payment collection, Girl Scouts can accept checks made out to GSEM Troop XXXX. If the troop receives a returned check, we ask that you try 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 responsible party should contact the police, get a police report and file a claim with their insurance company. The troop should also complete a Troop Late Payment Report for the responsible party. If product or funds are stolen during the course of a cookie booth, the cookie manager or leader should contact the council finance department after contacting the police. 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.

22 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook

Monthly Detailed Timeline and Checklists

Troop Cookie Manager Playbook 23

Detailed Timeline and Instructions

■ End of November: No Funds Handling list goes out November

No Funds Handling Troop Cookie Managers and Troop Leaders may receive an email from council, with information on any parents/caregivers within the troop who have no-funds handling restrictions. Anyone with a no-funds handling restriction cannot be in a role that handles money or product, and this includes adults who may not be registered members. A Girl Scout whose caregiver is on the list may only participate in the Cookie Program if another, unrelated adult from another address signs permission and accepts responsibility for the Girl Scout’s cookie activities. Alternatively, they can also request to participate in online direct ship and donation only. Girl Scouts can also participate in troop cookie booths, but the adult with the restriction may not serve as a booth volunteer. Any Girl Scout whose adult is on the restricted list will not be uploaded to eBudde or Digital Cookie. Please let Product Programs know if another adult will be taking responsibility or to edit the Girl Scout’s Digital Cookie settings to be ship/ donation only.

■ Beginning Dec. 10: Complete Troop Cookie Manager Cookie Bites “Getting Started” module in gsLearn December

Complete Troop Cookie Manager Training Complete the Getting Started Troop Cookie Manager Cookie Bites module before the Cookie Program begins. The module, and four others, are available in gsLearn. If you need assistance accessing gsLearn, please contact the Answer Center at 314.400.4600 or answercenter@girlscoutsem.org .

If your Neighborhood Cookie Manager is hosting a cookie meeting or training, we strongly encourage you to attend.

24 Troop Cookie Manager Playbook