Helping Girls Reach Their Financial Goals
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is so well known in communities , it ’ s likely that your girls will already know a bit about it and want to get out there to start selling as soon as possible . But it ’ s important that the girls have a clear plan and purpose for their product-sale activities . One of your opportunities as a volunteer is to facilitate girl-led financial planning , which may include the following steps for the girls :
1 . Set goals for money-earning activities . What do girls hope to accomplish through this activity ? In addition to earning money , what skills do they hope to build ? What leadership opportunities present themselves ?
2 . Create a budget . Use a budget worksheet that includes both expenses ( the cost of supplies , admission to events , travel , and so on ) and available income ( the group ’ s account balance , projected cookie proceeds , and so on ).
3 . Determine how much the group needs to earn . Subtract expenses from available income to determine how much money your group needs to earn .
4 . Make a plan . The group can brainstorm and make decisions about its financial plans . Will cookie and other product sales — if approached proactively and energetically — earn enough money to meet the group ’ s goals ? If not , which group money-earning activities might offset the difference in anticipated expense and anticipated income ? Will more than one group money-earning activity be necessary to achieve the group ’ s financial goals ? In this planning stage , engage the girls through the Girl Scout processes ( girl-led , learning by doing , and cooperative learning ) and consider the value of any potential activity . Have them weigh feasibility , implementation , and safety factors .
5 . Write it out . Once the group has decided on its financial plan , describe it in writing . If the plan involves a group money-earning activity , fill out an application for approval from your council and submit it along with the budget worksheet the girls created .
Remember : It ’ s great for girls to have opportunities , like the Girl Scout Cookie Program , to earn funds that help them fulfill their goals as part of the GSLE . As a volunteer , try to help girls balance the moneyearning they do with opportunities to enjoy other activities that have less emphasis on earning and spending money . Take Action projects , for example , may not always require girls to spend a lot of money !
Reviewing Financial and Sales Abilities by Grade Level
As with other activities , girls progress in their financial and sales abilities as they get older . This section gives you some examples of the abilities of girls at each grade level .
Girl Scout Daisies
The group volunteer handles money , keeps financial records , and does all group budgeting . Parents / guardians may decide they will contribute to the cost of activities . Girls can participate in Girl Scout cookie activities and other council-sponsored product sales .
Daisies are always paired with an adult when selling anything . Girls do the asking and deliver the product , but adults handle the money and keep the girls secure .