GSKSMO Cookiegram for Parents / Caregivers - Getting Ready for the Season & NEW Log-In to Smart Cookies

Dear Parents & Caregivers:

We're very excited to announce some changes and resources for our annual Cookie Program for GSKSMO! Since the program is gearing up, we want to make sure you're in the loop on everything that is happening!

1. Your feedback has been heard! Lots of you have asked to be able to go door-to-door over the school holiday season so we're starting the program early.

All sales begin on December 21, 2017! Your Girl Scout(s) can go door-to-door, post information on social media and take orders from anyone starting 12/21. Please don't begin any sales prior to this date. Don't forget to remind customers who are ordering from your Girl Scout that cookies will not arrive until early February, 2018.

2. Your Girl Scout, via the email you registered her with, will receive a one-time email on Tuesday, December 5^th from noreply@abcsmartcookies.com. This email will allow her to set up an online presence/portal for the Cookie Program.

Emails can be sent to customers for both Direct Ship (customer orders, pays for order with a credit card, customer pays shipping and handling charges and cookies are shipped to her/his home) and Girl Delivery (customer places order, girl gets order on portal*, girl gets cookies from troop, girl delivers cookies to customer, collects payment and turns in to troop). Girls and Troops receive credit for the sales in both cases.

And great news for 2018-customers who order via Direct Ship can order any quantity and/or variety they want. No more minimums!

Here is a video for you to watch about the girl portal.

And we have videos that walk you through each step of the online portal if you need assistance with any of the steps.

How to upload/manage your contacts
How to send e-cards
How to view orders
Online Tools: girl video link and getting a URL that can be used on social media
Girl Dashboard-how to read

We also have a new app, Smart Cookies Mobile, which girls can use to manage their Cookie Program.

Smart Cookies Mobile is an electronic version of the girl paper order card. It does not "talk" to the troop in any way. The app can be downloaded (free) from your app store on your mobile device. Your log in and password for the app will be the same as the one you set up with the online Smart Cookies presence (bullet point #2). Here's a video on the app.

Key Reminders:

Participation in the Cookie Program and the online tools presented in this Cookiegram are optional. You are welcome to participate the very best way for your Girl Scout and your family.

Parents should sign a permission slip and turn that slip into their leader and/or Troop Cookie Manager prior to taking orders.

The information a girl enters into the Smart Cookie girl portal and/or the Smart Cookie Mobile app is not communicated to the troop. Girls do receive credit for Direct Ship orders and that is communicated to the troop electronically.

*Girls and troops are not notified when a customer places an order for Girl Delivery. You must log in, review your dashboard and handle the order just like you would an in-person order.

The annual Cookie Program is a great way for girls to earn their financial literacy badges and leaves. By focusing on the 5Skills: Money Management, Decision Making, Business Ethics, Goal Setting and People Skills our girls learn how to run their own businesses, how to work together for a goal and they have an opportunity to have a lot of fun!

Please join us in participating in the largest girl-led business in the world-the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Your troop's Cookie Manager and/or Leader will provide you with tools (order card, money envelope, permission slip, 2018 recognition worksheet and a Smart Cookies info sheet) to help your Girl Scout.

If you have any questions please ask your Troop Cookie Manager or email us at cookies@gsksmo.org .

Thank You!

Stay Connected!