For Cookie Volunteers

Who can sell Girl Scout Cookies?

All registered Girl Scouts – and all girls are invited to join in! Although parents and Girl Scout adults may assist girls, it is the girl who makes the sale, sets learning and sales goals, and learns the entrepreneurial skills that are part of the program.

Non-registered members cannot sell cookies or benefit from proceeds. This is a safety and liability issue and is of the utmost importance in guaranteeing Council can support and safeguard cookie sellers.

When do Girl Scout Cookies go on sale?

The 2019 cookie season for Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is January 21 - March 3.

GSACPC is one of two councils in Arizona. The cookie season for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona (GSoSAZ) starts January 19.

When is cookie delivery to troops?

• Extended Area: January 13-18, 2019
• Metro Phoenix: January 19-20, 2019

Where does cookie money go?

If you are approached by someone who may not know how Girl Scout Cookie proceeds benefit all girls in Arizona, be prepared with this handout to display at booths – this will not only inform the customer, but it may also help customers feel more generous!

What cookie flavors does GSACPC offer?

We offer a crowd-pleasing lineup of six delicious and widely popular cookie flavors: Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, and Savannah Smiles.

We also continue to offer limited quantities of two specialty cookies: Gluten-free Toffee-tastics and the Girl Scout S’mores. Meet all the cookies.

What bakery does GSACPC use?

Our Council’s cookies are produced by Little Brownie Bakers (LBB). Visit their website for great tips and resources regarding Girl Scout Cookies for girls and volunteers!

Fun fact: The cookie lineup varies from Girl Scout Council to Council because there are two licensed bakers for Girl Scout Cookies nationwide. ABC Bakers is the second bakery used by other councils. That’s why similar cookie flavors have different names depending on where you buy them! For example, LBB’s Samoas are called Caramel deLites by ABC, Tagalongs are called Peanut Butter Patties, and Do-si-dos are called Peanut Butter Sandwiches!

If a customer asks for a cookie flavor that you haven’t heard of, it’s likely from ABC Bakers. Simply inform the customer of the two bakeries and recommend a similar flavor/cookie type offered by our Council.

Where can I find cookies?

Use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app to find a booth near you. It’s simple – just enter your zip code and choose from a list of locations nearby. For access on-the-go, download the free Girl Scout Cookie Finder app onto your iOS or Android mobile device from Google Play or the Apple store.

If a Girl Scout receives her cookies before January 21 can she start selling?
No, please wait until the season officially begins. Girl Scouts cannot sell cookies before Jan. 21. However, they may announce that cookie season is coming and when to expect order requests.

What should I do if I encounter someone selling cookies early?

Girl Scouts, both girls and adults, are governed by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. We hope you will remain faithful to these throughout the cookie program and remind fellow Girl Scouts to be honest and fair, considerate and caring, and respect the cookie program guidelines put in place to ensure a fun experience for every girl.

We know that conflicts can arise occasionally. We ask adults to remember they are role models for girls. Please do not argue in front of girls. If you witness people behaving in a ‘not-so-Girl Scout’ manner and wish to inform Council about it, our staff members will facilitate an open conversation with both parties.

Can a Troop Leader ask parents to pre-pay for cookies their daughter wants to sell?

No. Troop Leaders are not supposed to ask parents to pre-pay for cookies. Troops should monitor the amount of cookies each girl takes. Troops should only give girls additional cookies after cookie money has been turned in.

Can a Troop Leader tell girls they must sell a specific number of cookies?

No. Troops cannot assign girls a specific number of cookies to sell. Girls should collaborate within the troop on individual and shared cookie goals. Girls and parents should only take the amount of cookies they believe they can sell.

When should my troop pick up more cookies from a Cookie Cupboard?

Before going to the cupboard for more product, Troops should check every girl’s inventory of unsold cookies and also see if another troop may need to transfer unsold cookies. Only pick up more cookies from a cupboard when these alternatives not available.

Can parents sell cookies for their daughter?

No. Girls should always sell Girl Scout Cookies (not parents or non-registered siblings). Please remember this is a girl program and learning opportunity, and ensure girls get the full experience. If a family member would like to sell cookies at work, their Girl Scout should make a live or recorded presentation to the staff, write a letter or design a poster outlining her goals and aspirations and then follow up with delivery, thank you notes, and calling or emailing for additional orders.

Can girls use electronic bulletin boards, like Craigslist, to sell cookies?

No. The safety of girls is very important, especially online. Girl Scouts and their families should never post identifying information (full names, phone numbers, etc.) on public-facing online sites.

Girls may only use the internet to market the Girl Scout Cookie Program to family and friends – people the girl or her family know personally. When using social media platforms, the account should be set to private.

Public online forums are not approved locations for individuals to post Girl Scout Cookie Program promotions. These include, but are not limited to Nextdoor, Offer Up, Let Go, Market Place, eBay, and Craigslist. Public Facebook pages or personal pages set for public view are the same as public online forums. Personal Facebook accounts with appropriate privacy settings may be used to share information with Facebook ‘friends,’ but not to sell cookies or take orders.

All online cookie sales should go through Digital Cookie. Should any online marketing activities be identified as violating these guidelines, GSACPC reserves the right to intervene and request removal of posts.

What should I do if my troop shows up to our booth and there is another troop there?

Always bring a copy of your eBudde Troop booth sign-up list. Booths scheduled in eBudde take priority. If two troops show up at the same location, the troop scheduled in eBudde has the booth, and the other troop must graciously depart.

What should I do if I have a conflict with a Troop Leader at a booth?

Adults should remember to behave respectfully and properly and refrain from fighting over booths. Girl Scouts, both girls and adults, are governed by our Promise and Law. All Girl Scouts are expected to remain faithful to these principles throughout the cookie program.

If I have a conflict with a Troop Leader at a booth and can’t get a hold of Council, should I speak with the store manager?

No. Store managers should NEVER be asked to mediate a dispute between troops. We are guests at their storefronts and fighting among ourselves damages our reputation and relationship with the store.

If you can’t reach Council Product Program staff, contact your Service Unit (SU) Product Program Manager or your Council MSE. You should leave the store and contact the Council at a later time to resolve the issue. If you witness people behaving in a ‘not-so-Girl Scout’ manner and you wish to inform the council about it, we would be more than happy to have an open conversation with both parties.

What should I do if a store manager asks me to move our booth away from the front entrance?

Please follow all instructions from the store manager, even if you do not agree with their rules and regulations. Remember, we are guests at their stores, and failure to abide by their requests could damage our reputation, our relationship with the store and future booth opportunities.

When at a booth, can the girls approach customers as they enter the store?
No. Stores have asked that their customers only be approached when leaving the store. Remember, we are guests at their stores, and failure to abide by their rules and regulations could damage our reputation and relationship with the store.

What if six girls show up at a booth shift at one time?

Please have two girls leave the booth and rotate them in during a later shift. Booths should have only two to four girls and two adults at a time. Stores request that no more than six people are outside their store at one time. We need to abide by this request.

Can my girls sing and dance at booths to entice customers to make a purchase?

Although it can be fun to make up songs and dances to encourage customers to make a purchase, read your audience and ensure you are professional in whatever you do. The stores have asked that girls approach customers graciously. Remember, we are guests at their stores, and failure to abide by their rules and regulations could damage our reputation, our relationship with the store and future booth opportunities.

Can I bring a Trader Joe’s or Fry’s bag to carry jackets (or other supplies) to our booth at Safeway?

No. Please be aware of the small details that make a difference to the stores that support us. Troops should never bring a competitor’s merchandise to the store at which they are boothing.

Can I booth at a liquor store or marijuana dispensary?

Girl Scouts cannot booth at any location that may negatively impact the cookie program experience for girls and volunteers, and/or negatively impact our brand. Therefore, girls cannot sell in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize, including marijuana dispensaries. Please email productprogram@girlscoutsaz.org if you are unsure whether a location is girl-appropriate. Remember, all self-scheduled booths must be entered into eBudde for Council approval.

Can I booth with my daughter?

Juniors (grades 4-5) and above are allowed to booth at a 1:1 ratio. This includes boothing with a parent or guardian who is a registered, background-checked Girl Scout. These booths should be self-scheduled at lower volume stores and entered into eBudde for Council approval by the Troop Product Manager or SU IGM Coordinator.

Are you Girl Scout Cookie booth ready?

Want more information to prepare for boothing? Check out our Cookie Season Readiness Guide – you’ll be ready in no time!

What to do if a customer asks me about Girl Scout issues that I’m unaware of?

Take the time to learn how to effectively communicate in uncomfortable situations that may arise during cookie season. When asked about issues you are unaware of, take the following steps:

• Please refer the inquiring party to girlscoutsaz.org/fortherecord or Council Communications staff.
• Remind them our priority is to let the girls learn and have fun. Ask adults to keep adult conversations to themselves. Approaching girls with salacious materials at a cookie sale is not acceptable, should be reported to Council and will be investigated.
• Safety is important. We don’t want members putting themselves in an untenable situation. This is especially true if a person becomes agitated in conversation – please remove yourself and girls from the setting.

Cookie Booth Essentials: How to Handle “What If?” Situations:

If you are still unsure how to answer certain questions, prepare yourself with this Cookie Booth Essentials Sheet. Take it with you when you’re boothing so that everyone has something to refer to if a situation arises.

What is the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge?

The Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge allows chefs from some of the state’s most popular restaurants to use their culinary expertise and re-imagine one of the ‘super six’ flavors of Girl Scout Cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Savannah Smiles – into a custom dessert menu item. Each Challenger’s dessert is featured on its menu during February, with a portion of the proceeds directly supporting GSACPC. It takes place Feb. 1-28, 2019.

Here are the answers to more frequently asked questions about the Challenge. Visit girlscoutsaz.org/dessertchallenge for participating restaurants and voting instructions.

What is Walkabout GSACPC?

Put simply, Walkabout GSACPC is a fun, social media-related contest to encourage Girl Scouts to do more Walkabouts during cookie season.

Girl Scouts are encouraged to walk their neighborhoods selling cookies door-to-door in residential areas with adult supervision as this helps #CookieBosses build courage and confidence and practice their sales pitch in a one-on-one setting. It’s also a strategic sales channel in this on-demand economy. All those customers who now have groceries delivered prefer having goods brought to them quickly (kinda like DoorDash for GS Cookies!).

Each Walkabout you complete during cookie season could be a chance to win a $25 gift card from one of the competing Dessert Challenge restaurants.

How do I enter?

• Take a picture while on a Walkabout any day during cookie season after school or on the weekend.
• Send the photo, along with your name and troop number, to stories@girlscoutsaz.org.

One photo per Walkabout per day counts as one entry. The more Walkabouts you do, take photos of and submit, the more chances you have to win!

Contest dates: Jan. 21 – March 3, 2019. Entries may be featured on social media with the hashtag #WalkaboutGSACPC. GSACPC staff will notify winners directly at the end of cookie season. For additional info visit girlscoutsaz.org/cookiecontests.

How do I get featured in GS Connections or social media?

We’re always looking to tell the community about what GSACPC Girl Scouts are doing! Whether it’s a successful cookie sale, special service project or a new leadership experience – we want to know about all the things your girls are learning in Girl Scouts!

Please email stories@girlscoutsaz.org with details, as many clear photos as possible, first names and troop number if applicable. To share directly from social media, tag us - @GSACPC or use the hashtag #GSACPC.