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Cookie Sale FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) |
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If your question is not here call Paul Drake at What does the Girl Scout cookie sale support? The first woman president, hope for the world and endless opportunities for girls! Girl Scout troops use the sale proceeds to support troop activities such as field trips, camping, and service projects. The proceeds also provide funds for the council to recruit and train volunteers, maintain Girl Scout camps, offer council-wide programs such as Aviation Adventures and Money Smarts, and provide financial assistance. The Girl Scout cookie program teaches girls valuable life skills such as how to set goals, manage money, develop customer service skills, and how to follow through on a commitment. Like the girls in 1920, girls today are able to transfer these experiences and skills to other aspects of their lives. In 2006, more than 15,000 girls sold 1,889,868 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and troops earned more than $1,000,000 in proceeds. How much money does each Troop keep? For every package of cookies sold this year, $0.55 remains with the troop to be used for activities girls design. It is important to remember that girls in individual troops determine how this money will be spent. Subtracting the cost of the product, the associated distribution cost of the sale, and the $.55 retained by troops, the net income to the council is $2.38. These proceeds are used to provide essential services and opportunities to all Girl Scouts. Some of these resources include:
Proceeds from the cookie sale make it possible to offer these resources while still keeping fees for girls and volunteers to a minimum and ensuring high quality, safe experiences for all. Why is there a fee for participating in Girl Scout programs? Cookie sales, United Way allocations and contributions do not cover the full cost of serving girls in the program. But it is those resources which make it possible to keep fees affordable for most girls. Unlike many organizations, the full amount of national membership dues, $10, goes to the national organization. Local councils must raise funds locally for the Girl Scout program. No girl is excluded from Girl Scouting for lack of funds. The council offers financial assistance for troop dues, national membership, events/camping programs, transportation, and books and insignia. In 2007, the two councils that now form Girl Scouts of Western Washington -- Pacific Peaks and Totem -- together granted over $300,000 in financial assistance. Girls in northwest Washington apply for assistance to attend resident camp, to take advantage of travel opportunities and to attend events. There are some activities and programs which have no charge. Troops make day use of camp sites, utilizing trails, playing fields, or picnic areas at no charge. If use is made of a facility for cooking, meeting space or overnight accommodations, a minimal usage fee is charged to offset utility and maintenance costs. Do all girls sell cookies? Is it required? Brownie through Senior Girl Scouts can participate in the cookie sale. Selling cookies is a voluntary activity. While girls are not required to sell cookies, all girls are encouraged to participate and most are eager to do so. Each girl who does participate in cookie sales has the written consent of her parent or guardian. The sale is a valuable part of troop program for girls. For many girls, the cookie sale is their first experience in setting goals and working with others in a team. Girls learn to meet and greet people, keep accurate financial records, and follow through on a promise to deliver the cookies ordered. Girls have fun while building self-confidence and learning important life skills. What is the policy on cookie returns? Because of FDA regulations, once cookies are ordered from the bakery, they cannot be returned. In training for the cookie sale, volunteers are advised to order only what the troop needs. Additional cookies can be ordered up to the last day of the sale. The Council makes every effort to assist troops with unsold packages of cookies by re-routing them to girls who need additional cookies to sell. Are volunteers required to cover customers' or parents' bad debt? No volunteer should pay out of their own pocket for other peoples' bad debt such as bounced checks (yes, Girl Scouts get bad checks) or any outstanding money. These matters are turned over to Council staff for collection. What is the role of parents, guardians, and other family members during the cookie sale? Girl Scouts of Western Washington encourages parents to work in partnership with their daughters, supporting girls in their sales activities such as providing transportation and assisting them in keeping records for the sale. The Council encourages girls to do the selling; otherwise the girls miss out on the learning opportunities offered by participating in the sale. |
