2015 Cookie Program
Agenda
Cookie Program Highlights
Suzanne Parker
Cookie Program Manager
Cookie Prices
Lisa Hardin-Reynolds
Sr. Vice President of Program
Closing Remarks
Debbie Nielson
Acting Chief Executive Officer
2015 Cookie Program
Highlights
2015 Cookie Theme
Inside every box of Girl Scout Cookies,
• You’ll find scrumptious treats.
• You’ll find an amazing opportunity
to help girls build skills and make
memories that last a lifetime.
• You’ll help girls discover what’s
amazing inside them.
2015 Cookie Celebration
Let’s get
the party started!
• Community Cookie Rallies
• Troop Cookie Booths
• GSU’s Social Media &
Email Communications
New Cookies
Thin Mints
• Vegan
• Same delicious flavor
Rah-Rah Raisins
• Hearty oatmeal
cookie with plump
raisins & trendy
Greek yogurtflavored chunks
Toffee-Tastic
• Gluten-free
• Rich, buttery cookie
with sweet crunchy
toffee bits
PILOT COOKIE
More details provided at CCPR Trainings
Cookies - Cows and Milk
2015 Cookie Prices
Price Increase Highlights
• The price of cookies will increase to $4/box (+14%) for the 2015 cookie
program.
• The last cookie price increase was over 11 years ago in 2003!
• The cookie program is the world’s largest girl-run business (and financial
literacy program!) Troops fund their service projects and activities with
cookie proceeds. Our council uses its share to provide camps, relevant
programs, volunteer training, and the financial assistance that keeps Girl
Scouting available and affordable for 8,500 Utah girls.
Research behind the decision
• Girl Scouts of Utah used the Consumer Price Index for all urban
consumers provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to review inflation
rates of U.S. city averages, by commodity and service group and detailed
expenditure categories.
• At the national level, the inflation rate of Cookies increased by +29%
since 2004! At that rate, our cookies would now cost $4.52.
• The Audit and Finance Committee reviewed options for several months
before recommending the increase to the Board of Directors.
Why Are We Increasing Our Price?
•
Since 2003, the cookie price for Girl Scouts of Utah customers has been a constant
$3.50/box, while the baker cost of cookies and the program have increased
substantially. Over this decade, inflationary increases in the costs of facilities, girl
programs and volunteer support have continued to rise.
•
Since 2003:
– Cost of cookies (from the baker) has increased 22%.
– Total council operating expenses have increased 46%.
•
While we work hard applying for grants and requesting donations from individuals and
corporations, cookie proceeds remain our largest source of income and funds nearly
70% of our council’s operating expenses.
•
To be good stewards of our council’s proceeds, to model good money management
skills, and to use our resources wisely, we are making this business decision for the
benefit of the girls.
•
Our national organization, GSUSA, receives 100% of the $15 membership dues that girl
and adult members pay annually. It is up to Girl Scouts of Utah to raise the funds we
need to support Girl Scouting in our council.
– Many councils have implemented a $15 Council Service Fee for their members. By
charging $4/box, we can further defer charging girl members a $15 Council Service
Fee. This will help us keep Girl Scouting affordable for all girls.
How will the increase affect troop proceeds?
• There will be no increase in troop proceeds, however the Board of
Directors has made the decision to increase activity credits directly to our
girls.
– 1 to 349 boxes - $12.50 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
– 350+ boxes - $15.00 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
• Members will receive detailed information during cookie program training
(November-January months), as always, about the activity credit
structure.
What other councils sell cookies at $4/box?
• For the 2015 cookie program, the surrounding councils of Girl Scouts of
Colorado, Silver Sage, Montana & Wyoming, and Girl Scouts of Sierra
Nevada and Southern Nevada are selling cookies at $4/box.
How will a price increase affect cookie sales?
• Historically throughout all councils a price increase causes a decrease in
sales volume.
• We are carefully considering how a price increase will affect all aspects of
our sale, and are working hard to ensure the 2015 cookie program is a
success.
• We recognize that “5 for $20” was a popular sales strategy for many
councils, and are therefore developing an updated marketing campaign for
the public.
What is the price increase
communication and rollout plan?
•
Apr: Board of Directors asks Audit & Finance Committee to review the Cookie Program.
•
May: Presentation to GSU Audit & Finance Committee
•
July: Final approval from Board of Directors
•
Aug. 6: GSU staff roll out
•
Early August: Email Community Leadership Team; invite Community Cookie Program
Representatives to rollout/webinar
•
Aug. 19: Community Cookie Program Representative rollout/webinar
•
Aug. 23: Official rollout at Community Leadership Team Kickoff
•
Sept.: Rollout to Community Leadership Teams
•
Sept.: Email and/or mailer to all registered members
•
Nov. – Jan.: Cookie program training for volunteers and members
How the Cookie Crumbles
Allocation of .50 increase
0.10
Girl Activity Credits
Cost of Cookies
Administration
Camp Cloud Rim Mortgage
Capital Improvements Reserve
0.10
0.03
0.02
0.25
445 E 4500 S Ste. 125
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107
(801) 265-8472
Fax: (801) 261-1213
www.gsutah.org
Membership
Girl Scouts of Utah (GSU) serves over 8,500 girls and 3,000 adults throughout the state of Utah.
Benefits
The benefits of the Girl Scout program are far-reaching. Girl Scouting is a unique girl-only place
where a girl finds:
1. Courage by exploring new adventures
2. Confidence by discovering her abilities
3. Character by shaping her values
4. Connections by friendships with other girls
…and where a girl returns those gifts by making the world a better place.
Cookie Sale Program
The Girl Scout Cookie Program – it’s not just about cookies! This annual event offers many
opportunities for hands-on entrepreneurial program activities that encourage girls to develop their
potential, learn to relate to others, develop values, and contribute to society. Besides the fun they
have, there are two main reasons Girl Scouts sell cookies:
1. To teach girls valuable life skills, and
2. To help fund council activities for girls.
For the first time in over 11 years, the cost of cookies will increase in 2015. The price for a box
of cookies will be $4.00. All proceeds from the annual Cookie Sale Program stay in Utah to serve
our girls and volunteers.
Troop proceeds will not increase, however the Board of Directors has made the decision to
increase activity credits.
 1 to 349 boxes - $12.50 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
 350+ boxes - $15.00 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
Why did GSU need to increase the cookie price? GSU wants to ensure that every girl who wants to be a Girl
Scout can, regardless of her situation. The cost of providing programs for our membership has increased
significantly over the past 11 years. This requires additional funds to subsidize all girl program, adult
development, financial aid and support for special programs. The money needed to maintain facilities and other
large costs, and prices for everyday items have increased as well.
Consider the following statistics:

Since 2003 the cost of cookies (from the baker) has increased 22% and the total council operating expenses
have increased 46%.

While we work hard applying for grants and requesting donations from individuals and corporations, cookie
proceeds remain our largest source of income and funds nearly 70% of our council’s operating expenses.

Our national organization, GSUSA, receives 100% of the $15 membership dues that girl and adult members
pay annually. By charging $4/box, we can further defer charging girl members a $15 Council Service Fee
and help keep Girl Scouting affordable for all girls.
Statistics show that the price of the cookies is NOT a negative factor in a sale – how the increase is
communicated is what affects the sale numbers. It is important girls, families and customers realize this is the
first price increase in 11 years.
Most customers do not remember what they paid for Girl Scout Cookies the previous year; however, if they
do here is an example of a positive response to the price increase.
Girl Scout Cookies® cost a little more than Oreos, Pepperidge Farm and other retail cookie brands because the
proceeds benefit so many girls in our community, and allows us to participate in so many worthwhile girl
programs. (Showing troop camp photo). See this picture of me and my troop at camp? We were able to go to
camp (or other educational destination), where we learned survival skills, teamwork and other life skills that last
well beyond the Cookie Sale.
The Cookie Sale is great fun for everyone –
girls enjoy the experience and consumers love the cookies.
The 2015 Cookie Program theme, “There’s Something Amazing Inside,” emphasizes the
amazing opportunities girls have to build skills and make memories that last a lifetime, as
well as discover what’s amazing inside each of them.



Price:
$4.00 / box
Troop Proceeds: $.40 / box
New Cookie:
Rah Rah Raisin
(Money is NOT to be collected until cookies are delivered to the customer!)
Important Dates:
Oct. 1
Community Cookie Program
Representative Agreements
Due
Nov. 1
Troop Cookie Manager
Agreements Due
Nov. 1
Community Cookie Program
Representative Training St.
George
Nov. 8 & 11
Community Cookie Program
Representative Training SLC
Jan. 17 – Feb. 8
Girl Order Taking
Jan. 26 @ 8 a.m.
On-line Cookie Booth
reservations begin
Feb. 9 - 12
Girls’ orders placed in
eCookie
Feb. 28 - Mar. 7
Community Delivery
Mar. 13 - 29
Cookie Booths
Mar. 31
All Cookie Money due to GSU
May 1
Activity Credits Mailed
June
Cookie Celebration
Get energized - visit www.littlebrownie.com.
 Games
 Crafts
 Recipes
 Training Agendas
 Rally & Kick-off Guides … and more!
What is the Cookie Sale Program all about? It’s all about the girls. Cookie activities encourage
girls to develop their potential, learn to relate to others, develop valuable life skills and contribute
to society. Life lessons learned while selling cookies may be the single most influential experience
for girls in the country because it gives them the confidence to set goals and follow their dreams.
The annual Girl Scout Cookie Program allows girls the opportunity to be mini business owners,
which fosters business and entrepreneurial development. Girl Scouting has always encouraged
goal-setting and career exploration through its many events and initiatives. In fact, many of
today’s businesswomen say that selling Girl Scout Cookies was an important first step toward
successful careers.
Girl Scouts Volunteers, Parents and Guardians
Thank you for your participation, enthusiasm, and contributions to the Girl Scout program through
your support and encouragement of girls and of Girl Scouts of Utah.
2015 Cookie Program Price Increase
Frequently Asked Questions
Price increase highlights
 The price of cookies will increase to $4/box (+14%) for the 2015 cookie program.
 The last cookie price increase was over 11 years ago in 2003!
 The cookie program is the world’s largest girl-run business (and financial literacy
program!) Troops fund their service projects and activities with cookie proceeds. Our
council uses its share to provide camps, relevant programs, volunteer training, and
the financial assistance that keeps Girl Scouting available and affordable for 8,500
Utah girls.
Research behind the decision
 Girl Scouts of Utah used the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers provided
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to review inflation rates of U.S. city averages, by
commodity and service group and detailed expenditure categories.
 At the national level, the inflation rate of Cookies increased by +29% since 2004! At
that rate, our cookies would now cost $4.52.
 The Audit and Finance Committee reviewed options for several months before
recommending the increase to the Board of Directors.
Why are we increasing our price?
 Since 2003, the cookie price for Girl Scouts of Utah customers has been a constant
$3.50/box, while the baker cost of cookies and the program have increased
substantially. Over this decade, inflationary increases in the costs of facilities, girl
programs and volunteer support have continued to rise.
 Since 2003:
o Cost of cookies (from the baker) has increased 22%.
o Total council operating expenses have increased 46%.
 While we work hard applying for grants and requesting donations from individuals and
corporations, cookie proceeds remain our largest source of income and funds nearly
70% of our council’s operating expenses.
 To be good stewards of our council’s proceeds, to model good money management
skills, and to use our resources wisely, we are making this business decision for the
benefit of the girls.
 Our national organization, GSUSA, receives 100% of the $15 membership dues that
girl and adult members pay annually. It is up to Girl Scouts of Utah to raise the funds
we need to support Girl Scouting in our council.
o Many councils have implemented a $15 Council Service Fee for their
members. By charging $4/box, we can further defer charging girl members a
$15 Council Service Fee. This will help us keep Girl Scouting affordable for all
girls.
How will the increase affect troop proceeds?
 There will be no increase in troop proceeds, however the Board of Directors has
made the decision to increase activity credits directly to our girls.
o 1 to 349 boxes - $12.50 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
o 350+ boxes - $15.00 in ACs for every 50 boxes sold
 Members will receive detailed information during cookie program training (NovemberJanuary months), as always, about the activity credit structure.
What other councils sell cookies at $4/box?
 For the 2015 cookie program, the surrounding councils of Girl Scouts of Colorado,
Silver Sage, Montana & Wyoming, and Girl Scouts of Sierra Nevada and Southern
Nevada are selling cookies at $4/box.
How will a price increase affect cookie sales?
 Historically throughout all councils a price increase causes a decrease in sales volume.
 We are carefully considering how a price increase will affect all aspects of our sale, and
are working hard to ensure the 2015 cookie program is a success.
o We recognize that “5 for $20” was a popular sales strategy for many councils, and
are therefore developing an updated marketing campaign for the public.
What is the price increase communication and rollout plan?
 Apr: Board of Directors asks Audit & Finance Committee to review the Cookie Program.
 May: Presentation to GSU Audit & Finance Committee
 July: Final approval from Board of Directors
 Aug. 6: GSU staff roll out
 Early August: Email Community Leadership Team; invite Community Cookie Program
Representatives to rollout/webinar
 Aug. 19: Community Cookie Program Representative rollout/webinar
 Aug. 23: Official rollout at Community Leadership Team Kickoff
 Sept.: Rollout to Community Leadership Teams
 Sept.: Email and/or mailer to all registered members
 Nov. – Jan.: Cookie program training for volunteers and members
Questions?
Questions?
Contact:
• Suzanne Parker
Cookie Program Manager
sparker@gsutah.org
801-716-5125
• Lisa Hardin-Reynolds
Sr. VP of Program
lhardin@gsutah.org
801-716-5122
We greatly appreciate the support of our
girls, families, volunteers, and communities
and look forward to a successful
2015 Girl Scouts of Utah Cookie Program!
Closing Remarks
Thank You!