For Cookie Volunteers

Welcome to an AMAZING new Girl Scout Cookie Season

By participating in booth sales, girls have the opportunity to expand their skills and promote Girl Scouting in their overseas communities–all while having a great time selling cookies! With this opportunity comes the responsibility to follow guidelines set by store managers/owners and local and national Girl Scout headquarters, military installations, and schools.

As you participate in booth sales please keep in mind that selling cookies on base and in your community is a privilege. It is important to follow the rules and guidelines set by USAGSO and your local Girl Scout Overseas Community so that all girls continue to be allowed to participate in this fabulous program.

To help support our cookie volunteers, please see a list of commonly asked questions below.

How are Girl Scout cookies sold?

At USAGSO, Girl Scout cookies are sold in-person at booths in U.S. military installations and the approved U.S. Embassies. Rules and regulations that govern the ability to provide this program restrict door-to-door, “pre-order” or individual girl selling.

The aforementioned rules and regulations do not apply to our members in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Cookies are also sold through Digital Cookie platform. This platform allows girls to create their own cookie website where customers such as friends and family can purchase cookies and have them shipped directly from the baker to their home, (USA, APO, FPO, or DPO) address. Please check the sale dates on our website for more information.

What should I do if there is a crisis involving cookies?

During regular business hours, please contact the USAGSO office through email or call 001-800-467-0070. During cookie season, and for emergencies ONLY, please contact USAGSO's Product Program Manager, Sandra Rivera.

Can we accept currencies other than USD?

Yes. The Euro, TL, Yen, Won, and GBP prices per package for 2023 will be established in January 2023 and posted on our website.

^{*In the event of a drastic currency exchange fluctuation,
we will re-evaluate price points.}

I can't find a Cookie Manager. What should I do?

Find a volunteer who is willing to take on a short-term commitment. The OC Cookie Manger is an important key to a successful, smooth sale. This is a short-term position with an easy to read/follow guide, training, and on-going support from USAGSO.

Someone with money handling skills and organizational skills are critical to the success of this position. Check with your local banking institution or credit union for a volunteer. This is also a good short-term volunteer position for a Girl Scout parent who has a business or management background.

Do all volunteers at the cookie booth need to be registered and background checked?

All adults handling money and/or acting in a leadership role at the booth need to be registered and background checked. A minimum of two volunteers (one of whom, at least, is a registered Girl Scout volunteer with the required background check) and one girl should be present at the booth at all times. With two or more volunteers, you’ll have adequate booth coverage if the girls need to be accompanied to the restroom.

Please note, it is law in the U.S. Virgin Islands that all persons working with children and/or entering government property to work with children other than their own must have a background check on file at the Superior Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to ensure this is done before they meet with their troop.

The recommended adult-to-girl ratios are two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female). For more details see the Safety Activity Checkpoints.

What if my troop or community does not want to sell cookies?

Participating in the Cookie Program is optional. However, an Overseas Committee’s eligibility to utilize the resources provided by the cookie program is limited by lack of participation. Girl Scouts who apply for financial assistance must participate in the cookie program to be eligible for grants.

Why is the cookie program limited to 6 weeks? We could sell a lot with more time!

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is an event that girls and customers look forward to all year long. By having an enthusiastic, all-out effort for six weeks, you can sell more cookies than by having a sale that everyone grows tired of in two months. However, an extension can be granted on case-by-case basis AND as long the private organization in your community allows you to continue selling cookies. To request an extension, contact USAGSO .

We are almost out of cookies, can we reduce the price?

The cookie selling price is set by USAGSO. The price should never be decreased or increased.

We have three cases of cookies that didn’t sell. Can we give them away?

The leftover cookies belong to the Overseas Committee. Some choose to use them for snacks at meetings, day camp, OC events, or plan a service project where the cookies are donated. Be sure to check with the community commander regarding any regulations that might prohibit donations. Leftover cookies can also be sent downrange to our deployed soldiers.

Make sure to report unsold cookies in the cookie evaluation form at the end of the season. USAGSO will email a link to this form to both the Cookie Manager and the Overseas Committee Chair at the end of the cookie sale.

What do I do with the damaged cookies?

First, be sure to report them as damaged in the eBudde system. Damaged cookies do not need to be returned to the baker or USAGSO. If damaged cookies are not stale and there is no evidence of exposure to animals, you may use them for snacks at meetings, day camp and OC events.

To report damaged or missing cookies in the eBudde system, please follow the instructions below:

Reporting damaged cookies during transit:

Go to the Transaction tab
Add a transaction
Under type, select: Normal
Under 2nd party, select: Cupboard
Then select option: Damage cookies (13)
Enter the quantities that apply under boxes or cases
Under product movement select: Remove
Save

Reporting damaged cookies quality control related:

Go to the Transaction tab
Add a transaction
Under type, select: Normal
Under 2nd party, select: Cupboard
Then select option: Damage cookies (14)
Enter the quantities that apply under boxes or cases
Under product movement select: Remove
Save

Reporting missing cookies:

Go to the Transaction tab
Add a transaction
Under type, select: Normal
Under 2nd party, select: Cupboard
Then select option: Missing cookies (21)
Enter the quantities that apply under boxes or cases
Under product movement select: Remove
Save

Provide a picture of the batch code- this code is printed in white ink on the flap of the box is what the baker uses to track packaging. This code provides specific information about when cookies were prepared, down to the date and shift made. It allows the baker to pull retention samples from product baked at the same time as your product. This also allows the baker to do product comparisons and product tests if needed. (Required)

What if the cookie money is lost or stolen?

OCs are covered by bonding and liability insurance, provided by GSUSA. However, stolen money is a police matter, and must be reported to law enforcement agencies and USAGSO.

OC Cookie Managers must ensure that the OC Cookie Program Plan includes procedures on the accountabilities by troops for cookies received including paper trails for all cookies received, distributed, and monies received. It is the OC Cookie Manager’s responsibility to inform the Overseas Committee Chair and USAGSO if a problem is encountered in collection of monies from Cookie Managers or other volunteers.

When is the cookie bill due to USAGSO?

USAGSO will email the cookie bill and payment instructions to the Overseas Committee Chair, Cookie Manager, and Treasurer before the cookie sales end. The final cookie payment is due on April 14, 2023.

USAGSO will establish a later due date for communities with cookie delivery delays. Those communities impacted by delays will be informed of their extended due dates via email. For more information about cookie billing, please contact USAGSO.

How much do Girl Scout cookies cost?

The sale price for the seven-traditional flavor Girl Scout cookies is $5.00 per box and for the specialty cookies, S’mores and Toffee-tastic is $6.00 per box.

Why are the specialty cookies more expensive?

The specialty cookies price is higher than traditional cookies because they cost more to make due to their natural, organic, and non-GMO ingredients—which makes specialty cookies a high-quality product in the marketplace. Therefore, this means that the baker charges more for these cookies and USAGSO’s price must reflect the increased costs associated with specialty cookies.

What does USAGSO do with their share of the cookie profit?

The profit covers the expense of the cookie rewards program, patches, etc. Additionally, the net cookie profit is the second major income stream for the USAGSO operating budget. The operating budget provides staffing and services, including direct support to overseas communities, resident camp, and financial scholarships for USAGSO members.

What happens if our Overseas Committee orders too many cookies?

It is the responsibility of the Overseas Committee to work directly with the Cookie Manager to set a realistic sales goal for the cookie program. Overseas Committees can help troops set cookie sales goals and develop plans to reach those goals. Please remember that cookie orders are non-refundable and can’t be returned.

If our Overseas Committee doesn’t sell all our cookies, can USAGSO help?

Unfortunately, USAGSO does not have sources for selling leftover cookies, and cookies cannot be returned to the baker. The best way to handle extra cookies is to get in contact with surrounding Overseas Committees to see if they can use additional cookies. If OCs transfer cookies between each other, you must notify USAGSO at overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org before processing the transfer. The cookie bill will be adjusted to reflect the transfer for both OCs involved in it. If you still have questions about leftover cookies, please contact USAGSO.

Additionally, make sure to report unsold cookies in the cookie evaluation form at the end of the season. USAGSO will email a link to this form to both the Cookie Manager and the Overseas Committee Chair at the end of the cookie sale.