How the Cookie Crumbles at GSWPA (this information changes yearly)
Cost of Sale
5%
Troop Proceeds
18%
Membership
Services
49%
Recognitions
for Girls
3%
Cost of Cookies
25%
Please share this information with
girls and their parents/guardians so
everyone’s clear on how revenue
raised through product sales makes it
possible for our Girl Scout council to
serve girls. Proceeds resulting from
product sales support program
activities—in fact, council-sponsored
product sales are a primary way in
which your council raises funds to
support Girl Scouting. The percentage
of money to be allocated to
participating troops (like yours) is
determined by your council and
explained to girls and adults as part of
the product sale activity orientation.
The income from product sales does not become the property of individual girl members. Girls, however, may be
eligible for incentives and credits that they put toward Girl Scout activities, such as camp, travel, Take Action
projects, and Girl Scout membership dues for the next year.
Girls may earn official Girl Scout grade-appropriate rewards and recognitions related to product sale activities,
and each council may choose to provide items such as participation patches, recognitions, and council credit for
event fees, camp fees, grants for travel and Take Action projects, as well as materials and supplies for program
activities. The council plan for recognition applies equally to all girls participating in the product sale activity.
Whenever possible, councils try to involve girls in the selection of awards and administration of money given to
girls from product sales.
One critical task for each group, is to keep excellent records and establish a clear accounting system for all
money earned and spent. As the group’s volunteer, you’re in charge of making sure money is spent wisely,
excellent records are kept (keeping copies of all receipts in a binder or folder), and all income is tracked, too. For
older girls, your job is to oversee their work, as they learn to keep impeccable records.
A few other considerations will help keep girls safe:
Parents and guardians must grant permission for girls to participate and must be informed about the
girls’ whereabouts when they are engaged in product sale activities. Specific permission must be
obtained when a girl intends to use the Internet for product marketing. A parent, guardian, or other
adult must know each girl’s whereabouts when she is engaged in product sales, and if and when she
is online.
Girls should be identifiable as Girl Scouts by wearing a Membership Pin, official uniform, tunic, sash,
vest, or other Girl Scout clothing.
Adult volunteers must monitor, supervise, and guide the sale activities of all girls at age levels.
75