GS Delish

2013-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Our Fall Sale kicks off this Monday, October 7! I can't believe it's here....it's really here! I love Fall- the leaves are turning, apple cider, pumpkin spiced lattes, Art Prize and our FALL SALE!

It's not too late to participate. Even if your troop is not participating, your Girl Scout can still sell. The Sale runs until October 28th so you can participate anytime until October 28.

Contact me today to receive materials. tdeblaay@gsmists.org or 616-784-3341 x 142.

2013-09-25T06:25:00.001-07:00

I am soooo excited about our upcoming Fall Sale! Not only do I love the product- but profit goes to our girls! Girls learn leadership skills, selling skills, financial literacy, marketing....while having a great time selling! My favorite candies are the chocolate covered raisins and the chocolate covered toffee almonds. The raisins are HUGE, juicy and sooo yummy! The almonds are sweet, crunchy and coated in toffee.

If you are not sure about having your Girl Scout participate- we make it easy. You may choose any option below to participate. Of course, we hope you do all 3 but choosing even 1 option will earn you girl $1 for her troop and 50 cents for her Service Unit! Girls earn 10% of whatever they sell. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!!

Three ways to participate:

1. Magazines, nuts, chocolates and more!

v Take orders and payment up front for:

· Hundreds of magazines (new subscriptions and renewals!)

· Nuts and chocolates in pop top cans, collectable tins and gift boxes.

2. Mail-in address booklets

v Complete 11 addresses for family and friends.

v Include a special note on the P.S. line to the person receiving the mailing.

v Two mailings will be sent out using the information and giving the customer an opportunity to support GSMISTS with their magazine orders.

3. Online orders and learning activity

v Girls can access the online order program through www.gsmists.org. They will first register and complete the interactive learning activity.

v Girls will provide at least 12 names and email addresses of friends and family who many choose to make their magazine purchases online.

v Two emails will be sent out one week apart. The first goes out immediately upon the completion of the online order program.

v Girls should visit the online order program periodically to watch their sales progress.

v Girls also have the option of signing up to have emails sent to alert them that a magazine order has been placed online.

v Credit for incentives and troop funds are earned for magazine orders placed online by October 28.

v No money to collect! No product to deliver! Easy! Fast! Fun!

2013-07-23T06:35:00.002-07:00

2013-2014 PRODUCT SALES DATES!

Fall Sale Program Calendar

AUGUST 27-28, 2013: FALL TRAINING FOR SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGERS

• AUGUST 26, 6-8 PM at the Muskegon Service Center

• AUGUST 27, 6 PM-8PM at the Grand Rapids Service Center

• AUGUST 28, 10 AM-12 PM at the Traverse City Service Center

• AUGUST 29, 6 PM-8 PM in Gaylord, Peace Lutheran Church

AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 13, 2013: FALL TRAINING FOR TROOP LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS (scheduled and done by Service Unit Product Managers)

SEPTEMBER 16 – SEPTEMBER 20, 2013: Troop Leaders communicate details of Fall Sale with parents

OCTOBER 7, 2013: FALL SALE BEGINS!

OCTOBER 7-OCTOBER 28 , 2013: ORDER TAKING WITH PAYMENT COLLECTION IN ADVANCE FOR NUT PRODUCTS

OCTOBER 30, 2013: ALL TROOP ORDERS SUBMITTED INTO NUT-E. PAYMENTS DEPOSITED INTO TROOP BANK ACCOUNT

NOVEMBER 1, 2013: ORDERS DUE TO SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGERS FROM TROOPS

NOVEMBER 4, 2013: ORDERS & PAPERWORK DUE TO COUNCIL

NOVEMBER 5, 2013: BANK SWEEP for all Fall Product payments (taken directly from Troop Bank Account)

NOVEMBER 18-20 , 2013: DELIVERY TO SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGER

Week of NOVEMBER 18, 2013: GIRL REWARDS SHIPPED FROM ASHDON FARMS

Cookie Sale Program Calendar

DECEMBER 2-4, 2013: COOKIE TRAINING FOR SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGERS

DATE: FALL TRAINING FOR TROOP LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS (scheduled and done by Service Unit Product Managers)

DATE: Troop Leaders communicate details of Fall Sale with parents

JANUARY 13, 2014: COOKIE SALES BEGIN!

FEBRUARY 7-8, 2014: NATIONAL COOKIE DAYS

FEBRUARY 17, 2014: INITIAL ORDERS DUE TO TROOPS

FEBRUARY 19, 2014: ORDERS DUE TO SERVICE UNITS

FEBRUARY 21, 2013: ORDERS DUE TO COUNCIL

MARCH 15, 2014: COMMUNITY COOKIE BOOTH WEEKEND

MARCH 17-21, 2013: DELIVERY FOR INITIAL ORDERS

MARCH 22, 2013: BOOTH SALES BEGIN

APRIL 3, 2014: BANK SWEEP FOR ALL INITIAL ORDERS

APRIL 11, 2014: BOOTH SALES END

APRIL 12, 2014: COOKIE SALES END

APRIL 11, 2014: LAST DAY TO SUBMIT INCENTIVES

APRIL 15, 2014: BOOTH SALE/COOKIE STATION BANK SWEEP

National Cookie Day this Friday!

2013-02-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

The 1st ever National Cookie Day is taking place this Friday, Feb. 8th! How cool to have a day that is officially "all about cookies"!! Of course, here at GSMISTS, every day is all about cookies! To commemorate this very important occasion, we will be posting local celebrities eating cookies on our facebook page. Also, girls who report how many cookies they sell on the day of Feb. 8th, can enter a drawing for an ipod shuffle! Again- it's only for cookies being sold ON Feb. 8th. Please email Mary Hartfield your numbers at: mhartfield@gsmists.org. 100 or more girls must email their numbers in order for us to do the drawing for the ipod.

Also- stop by any of our Service Centers to shop and munch on girl scout cookies! Cookie samples will be available at our front desk!!

How will you celebrate National Cookie Day? Email me your fun ideas, photos and we may just promote your Girl Scout and/or troop!!

New Cookie Reward just added!

2013-01-28T10:03:00.001-08:00

GSMISTS has some exciting news! For girls who sell 1500+ packages, we are adding an additional choice for this top incentive.

Girls can choose either:
1. Laptop
2. Nook Color
3. Kindle Fire HD (7 inch) **new incentive**

Also, don't forget that for girls who sell 50+ packages, they will receive a free membership!
We are soooo excited by these great rewards!

Happy 1st day of cookies!!

2013-01-18T07:09:00.002-08:00

It's Friday, January 18th and you know what that means..... cookie selling officially begins! My Product Sales team and I are sooo excited about this year's cookie season! We hope your girls have an amazing experience selling cookies-- setting goals-- learning to communicate and so much more!

Don't forget that your Troop Bank Account form must be turned in before receiving access to ebudde.

Also- we are closed this Monday, January 21st in observance of Marting Luther King Jr. Day. We will be back in the office and ready to roll on Tuesday, January 22nd.

Thanks for all your hard work as well. We couldn't do what we do without all of you!! :)

Cookie Kickoffs happening this weekend!

2013-01-08T06:57:00.002-08:00

We are sooo excited about our Cookie Kickoffs happening this weekend! Girls can come in pjs, bling out 3d glasses and have a blast learning all about our fabulous Cookie Sale!
Don't forget to RSVP thru Personify or by contacting one of your council Product Sales staff members! (Sally in Muskegon: sellis@gsmists.org, Deb in TC: dlang@gsmists.org or Taryn in GR: tmyers@gsmists.org)

Traverse City
Sat., Jan. 12, 7:30-9 PM
Northwestern Michigan College
Cadillac
Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30-9 PM
McAuley Center
Grand Rapids
Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30-9
Cornerstone University Athletic Center
Alpena
Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30-9
Bingham Arts Academy
Muskegon
Sat., Jan. 12, 10 AM-12 PM
Fifth Reformed Church
Gaylord
Sat., Jan. 12, 6-8 PM
Ostego County Community Center
Ludington
Fri., Jan. 11, 6-8 PM
West Shore Community College

1 more week to sell Fall Product!

2012-10-30T06:33:00.003-07:00

Greetings Volunteers!

I hope your Fall Sale is going great! Girls have 1 more week to sell. Just a reminder to encourage your Girl Scouts to finish strong..... fill out those address booklets, participate in the online portion and sell those nuts and candies (which make great holiday gifts!)

As always--- the Fall Sale is prepay. Money must be collected up front and deposited in your troop bank account.

Have a great day and thanks for all you do!

Happy 1st day of the Fall Sale!

2012-10-15T13:53:00.001-07:00

It's October 15th which means it's the first day of the Fall Sale!!

The 1st 2 girls who email me through our online magazine portion, I will purchase a magazine subscription from each. My email: tmyers@gsmists.org.

Looking forward to a fabulous season!!

Fall Sale Kicks off this Monday, October 15th!

2012-10-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited about our Fall Product Sale! This year we have some yummy new additions~
1. Chocolate Toffee Almonds
2. Dark Chocolate Mint Penguins (super cute)
3. Peanut Butter Bears (also soooo cute!)
4. Dulce de Leche
5. Salsa Mix
6. Butter Toasted Peanuts

It's not too late to participate! The fall sale is easy and your troop/group can do as little or much as you would like. For instance - just by filling out an address booklet, your troop earns $2 a girl! For participating in ANY WAY, your troop earns $1 (and Service Unit earns 50 cents!). So, your troop earns $3 just for doing the address booklet, without selling anything! How easy is that?

Option 2: Online Magazine sale. Your Girl Scout, with the help of a parent, uploads 12 email addresses for magazines. Anyone who purchases, does so online so there is no money collecting. So easy!

Option 3: Going with order card in hand to sell nuts, candy and magazines.

We have great options with the sale. If you have not completed training, please contact your Service Unit Product Manager. New this year- an Online Troop Training! If you have participated in at least 1 Fall Sale, you are eligible for this training.

So, get your troop started on the right foot with this fun, interactive sale! If you have questions you can contact myself or your nearest Product Sales Manager at any time. We are here for you every step of the way!

(pictured is our new mailbox tin, filled with delicious mint treasures)

Fall Sale Program Calendar

2012-08-23T07:39:00.003-07:00

Fall Sale Program Calendar

SEPTEMBER 4-6, 2012: FALL TRAINING FOR SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGERS

v Tuesday, Sept. 4, Muskegon Service Center. 10 AM-12 PM OR 6 PM-8 PM

v Wednesday, Sept. 5, Grand Rapids Service Center. 10 AM-12 PM OR 6 PM-8 PM

v Thursday, Sept. 6, Traverse City Service Center. 10 AM-12 PM OR 6 PM-8 PM

Note: You must RSVP to let us know which training you will be attending. You may RSVP through eBiz or by filling out a Council Registration form. RSVP required by August 24.

SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 21, 2012: FALL TRAINING FOR TROOP LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS (scheduled and done by Service Unit Product Managers)

SEPTEMBER 24 – SEPTEMBER 28, 2012: Troop Leaders communicate details of Fall Sale with parents

October 2-4, 2012: FALL KICKOFF PARTIES

Fall Kickoffs are fun and interactive parties where girls can come and learn about selling Fall Product. You may attend as a troop or with your family. Open to girls in troops or other pathways - basically, any girl who will be selling nuts, candy and magazine subscriptions.

v Tuesday, Oct. 2, come anytime between 4 & 6PM @ Betsy Cutler House

v Wednesday, Oct. 3, come anytime between 4 & 6 PM @ Grand Rapids Service Center

v Thursday, Oct. 4, come anytime between 4 & 6 PM @ Traverse City Service Center

RSVP encouraged to reserve your spot at one of these spectacular events! To RSVP, please register on ebiz or by filling out a Council Registration Form.

OCTOBER 15, 2012: FALL SALE BEGINS!

OCTOBER 15-NOVEMBER 5, 2012: ORDER TAKING WITH PAYMENT COLLECTION IN ADVANCE FOR NUT PRODUCTS

NOVEMBER 7, 2012: ALL TROOP ORDERS SUBMITTED INTO NUT-E. PAYMENTS DEPOSITED INTO TROOP BANK ACCOUNT

NOVEMBER 9, 2012: ORDERS DUE TO SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGERS FROM TROOPS

NOVEMBER 13, 2012: ORDERS & PAPERWORK DUE TO COUNCIL

NOVEMBER 13, 2012: BANK SWEEP for all Fall Product payments (taken directly from Troop Bank Account)

NOVEMBER 27-NOVEMBER 29, 2012: DELIVERY TO SERVICE UNIT PRODUCT MANAGER

TBD: GIRL REWARDS SHIPPED FROM ASHDON FARMS

Watch Smart Cookies on Hallmark Channel, August 18

2012-08-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Gather your Girl Scout sisters and pop some popcorn! Smart Cookies, a made-for-TV movie, airs on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, August 18, at 9:00 p.m. EDT (8:00 p.m. CDT). Starring Jessalyn Gilsig, Bailee Madison, and Ty Olsson, Smart Cookies tells the story of Julie Sterling, a hard-charging real estate agent who finds herself leading a troop of Girl Scouts at the height of cookie season. She channels her energies into the Girl Scout cookie campaign and along the way discovers the meaning of true love and friendship.

Watch Smart Cookies on Hallmark Channel, August 18

Top Cookie Prize ~ iPad3!

2012-08-07T13:29:00.002-07:00

Keanna Eiseler

Meredith Allen

Natalee Hill

We had 17 happy girls who received iPads! On the cookie card, we had listed iPad 2s but we were able to give the girls iPad 3s instead. It was so much fun handing out these well deserved rewards and the girls had to sell 1,500+ boxes of Girl Scout cookies! I wanted to share a few pictures of some of the girls when they picked up their iPads. Way to go, girls.... you are indeed awesome SUPER SELLERS!
Enjoy!

Super Seller Overnight Trip

2012-08-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Some of our top cookie sellers enjoyed their reward during our Overnight Super Seller Trip last week. This year, the trip was held in Grand Rapids. The girls met in the hotel lobby and were each given a dog stuffed animal. Then, we went to Red Robin for dinner. Between bites of burgers and fries, the girls gave their input on what they would like to see as some of the top prizes for the 2013 Cookie Season. (We are using some of their suggestions so, stay tuned!)

After dinner, we drove downtown to the Civic Theatre to watch the musical 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'. Afterward, some of the girls received autographs from the actors and we took a group picture in front of the stage.

The night didn't end there.... we went back to the hotel and had a spa event complete with manis, pedis, hand and head massages. We also had several craft projects going on. The giggling girls went to sleep somewhere in the middle of the night and we woke up and had a continental breakfast at the hotel.

What a fun event! It was great to celebrate with these hard-working, amazing girls!

Cookie dough status

2012-05-15T09:21:00.001-07:00

GSMISTS staff is diligently working on sorting and mailing out Cookie Dough. Cookie Dough will be mailed directly to the troop leader. We are hoping to have all gift cards mailed out by the end of next week. We so appreciate your patience!

Just a reminder that if your Girl Scout is a Super Seller, I need to know by May 31st which trip option she is taking. (All parents received a letter in the mail with details).

Thanks so much, everyone!

Service Units with Increased Cookie Sales!

2012-04-19T12:46:00.003-07:00

I wanted to send a big 'Shout-Out' to the following Service Units who increased their cookie sales from last year. Way to go!!

Atlanta/Hillman

Belding/Greenville

Benzie

Big Rapids

Byron Center/Rabbit Run

Cherry Valley

EBO

Emmet

Flat River

Forest Hills

Fruitport

Gaylord

Grand River

Grand Traverse

Hesperia

Holland

Hudsvonville

Kalkaska

Lake

Lakewood

Lewiston/Johannesburg

Marion/McBain

Morley/Stanwood

North Kent

North Park

Norton Shores

Oceana

Onaway

Presque Isle/Rogers

Rockford

RPF/N. Muskegon

Spring Lake

TriCities

West Muskegon

White Lake

Zeeland

Cookie Wrap-up Details

2012-04-18T11:54:00.003-07:00

April 17th Bank Sweep Delay
It is taking a bit longer for council to upload all the info for the April 17th sweep. The sweep will be done within the next few days; for those of you wondering why the money is still in your account. Thanks for your understanding.

Bounced Check Fees

If your troop has any bounced checks and fees associated with those checks, please turn into our GR Service Center to the Accounting Department. You can either mail the info in or fax to: 616-784-8187, attn: Accounting Dept.

We will need:

A-a copy of the bounced checks

B-a copy of your bank statement with any fees associated

Last Minute Cookie Events

If your troop has a special event where you might need to sell cookies ~ there will be some leftover cookies available at your local service center until April 30. Please contact your Retail & Product Sales Manager to arrange cookies. You will need to pay up front and those cookies will be yours. No returns of cookies, as always.

Community Cookie Booth Weekend ~ Troop Instructions

2012-03-16T07:37:00.001-07:00

GIRL SCOUTS OF MICHIGAN SHORE TO SHORE

COMMUNITY COOKIE BOOTH DAY - TROOP PROCEDURES 2012

Community Cookie Booths are designed to accomplish the following goals:

1. Provide a venue for troops, especially those that have never hosted a cookie booth, to learn that it is a fun way to increase troop proceeds after the initial order.

2. Create visibility for our girls, our program, our council and the cookie sale program in local communities.

3. Partner with local media to send customers in to the streets to find cookie booths.

Thank you for signing up for a Community Cookie Booth!

Please remember the following important safety guidelines:

· There must be at least two adults present with girls at all times.

· Girls must be supervised and controlled at all times, including restroom trips.

· The troop leader/volunteer in charge must have written permission for each girl to participate.

· Keep the money secure at all times.

· Remember to watch all transactions as you will be responsible to pay for all cookies less than the starting inventory.

· Make sure everyone eats before you arrive – do not plan to eat at your booth.

On the day of the Community Cookie Booth you will:

· Bring change – Do not rely on the store location for change. Suggested amount is at least one roll of quarters, 20 ones, and 4 fives for a total of $50.00. If you have plastic grocery bags they are often helpful for bigger sales. If you accept a check please make sure to get the phone number and Drivers License number.

· Please arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Be patient if the staff person is not on time – traffic and unexpected problems can happen. Leave some wiggle room in your schedule. Do not leave until you check-out with the staff person.

· Dress for the weather, most locations are outside.

· Have the girls make posters to bring or photo collages to show customers your troop activities.

· Bring your goal poster!

· Teach girls to ask each customer who buys cookies if they would like to buy a Gift of Caring box to donate to a local charity. The customer pays for the cookies but you will keep them to donate. The girls can give the cookies to who they choose. Keep Gift of Caring cookies in a separate place. The troop could decorate a box or basket to collect Gift of Caring packages.

· Be a good role model and show the best possible image of Girl Scouts – you and the volunteers with you may never smoke near the booth or near girls. Do not curse, or yell at the girls. If a girl is behaving badly, call the parent to come and retrieve the child.

· Follow all instructions from store staff without complaining.

· Remember it is not a right to have a booth. Allowing us to be there is a big favor the store is doing for us.

· Count and sign for the cookies at the start of your booth. Count and sign for the number left at the end of the booth. Pay $2.85 for each box difference. Earn $.65 per package sold.

· A Girl Scout leaves a place cleaner than she found it.

· Questions before the day of the sale: Contact Jered (Grand Rapids) 616-784-3341 X 124 jmichael@gsmists.org, Sally (Muskegon) 231-744-4774 x 202 sellis@gsmists.org and Deb (Traverse City) 231-947-7354, dlang@gsmists.org.

There will be GSMISTS staff members checking troops in and out.

If you need more cookies or have a problem ask your check-in GSMISTS Staff Contact first.

Secondary, contact your nearest service center

Grand Rapids Service Center: 616-784-3341

Muskegon Service Center: 231-744-4774

Traverse City Service Center: 231-947-7354

Community Cookie Booth FAQs

Will troops be responsible for unsold cookies on Community Booth Day? No. the troop will schedule a block of time at a specific location. They will bring at least two adults, a signed permission form for each girl and money to make change. The cookies, a table and a sign will be there for them.

How much will troops earn at the Community Cookie Booth Day? Troops will earn $.65 per package of cookies sold. At the end of their time block they will inventory cookies, calculate the difference between the starting number and the ending number. The troop will pay $2.85 for the number of packages difference. (Yes, this means if they made an error they will still pay for the cookies that are gone.) The troop will leave with proceeds in hand.

Will cookies sold at the Community Booth Day be used to calculate incentives for the girls that attend? No. The cookies sold on March 17 & 18 will not count towards incentives or cookie dough. Booths held after delivery starts will count towards girl incentives and cookie dough.

Can troops sell Gift of Caring boxes during Community Booth Day? Yes, troops can suggest that customers purchase additional cookies to donate to a Gift of Caring charity or suggest Gift of Caring purchases for those with dietary or health issues.

Why are there no booths scheduled in small towns? This project relies on staff to be responsible for the cookie inventory and there are not enough staff to be in every small town. Travel time is also a consideration.

Happy Selling!!!! J

Fun Cookie PR Events happening this Saturday and Monday!

2012-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

Traverse City:
If you are in the Traverse City area on Saturday, please pop by the Cherry Capital Winter WOW! Fest. An area troop will be decked out in cookie costumes, passing out Girl Scout cookie information. The WOW! Fest has everything from an ice cream eating contest to a frozen cherry pit spit contest! It is going to be one fun weekend with activities for kids as well as adults. Come on out and support Girl Scouts while having a family-fun weekend!

http://www.winterwowfest.com/

Grand Rapids:
This Monday, Feb. 20th, make a stop out to Woodland Mall. Girl Scouts and Michigan Blood are partnering together on a Cookie Blood Drive. The Blood Drive will be next to Express down the Sears wing, 3:30-7:30 PM. 2 troops will be on hand, in cookie costumes with cookie info for the public. After giving blood, donors will receive a Girl Scout cookie. We will also be doing some fun giveaways. Make a stop to the mall to support Girl Scouts and give blood too!

http://shopwoodlandmall.com/calendar/event/13501

2012-02-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

What selling Girl Scout cookies teaches you about business

By: Laura Vanderkam

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57376447/what-selling-girl-scout-cookies-teaches-you-about-business/?tag=mncol;lst;6

(MoneyWatch)
The Girl Scouts are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Though the cookies didn't come until later, this annual fundraiser is what the Girl Scouts are probably best known for, and at this point, millions of girls have gotten an early lesson in business by hawking them. Among my take-aways from a scouting stint years ago:

1. The most likely sale is to an existing customer. I had one lady who bought about 20 boxes from me one year. I made sure to call her up the next year to get that order logged fast. These days, likewise, I know that people I've worked with before are better bets than hunting for new prospects. If I want more work, I call them first.

2. There's no accounting for taste. I don't particularly like Think Mints, but they were always my biggest seller, so I made sure to mention them when people asked what kinds of cookies we were selling. Likewise, I'm not particularly fond of lists like "22 Things To Do During That Boring Conference Call," but those are always my most read posts. So I write them.

3. Cold calling isn't as awful as it sounds. My best friend and I went door to door through our neighborhood, alternating who would get each sale. There were, indeed, some questionable people who answered the doors (one reason I suspect many parents don't encourage door-to-door selling now) but in a team, and always smiling, we racked up some serious sales that way. Whenever I'm nervous about picking up the phone, I remember that it usually turns out fine.

4. Internal motivation is great, but sales targets are motivational too. One year, as I neared sales of 200 boxes (then costing $2/each), I became incredibly fixated on crossing that mark. Seeing that neat number on my total, and counting up $400 in cash and checks, was so much nicer than counting up $396. These days, I know that setting a specific, numerical goal (a certain number of blog readers, book sales, newsletter subscribers, etc.) tends to have a focusing effect. Even if I like the work for its own sake, too.

5. Connections matter, but they're not everything. Some girls sold cookies largely by having their parents take the sign-up form to their offices. That can work, but those girls weren't necessarily our troop's top sellers. Smart scouts learn that customers prefer to buy directly from the girl the sale is benefiting. If you want to be well-connected, you can make your own connections.

What did you learn by selling Girl Scout cookies?

Fun Cookie PR Opportunity for the Traverse City area

2012-02-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

Earn cookie proceeds! Participate in an ice cream eating contest! Do a frozen cherry pit spit!

We have an excellent opportunity for troops to participate in the Winter WOWfest in Traverse City this Saturday.

A troop or 2 can pass out cookie postcards directing the public to purchase cookies at the TC Service Center. Troops will then get those proceeds.

In addition to earning cookie proceeds, troops can participate in The Brain Freeze Ice Cream Eating Contest! How cool is that?
We have a morning or afternoon slot and will have cookie costumes available. If interested- please contact Deb Lang within the next 24 hours. dlang@gsmists.org or 231-947-7354 x 222.

http://www.winterwowfest.com/

Cookie Booth Etiquette 101

2012-02-01T07:38:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder that when you secure your own booth sale location (March 23-April 15), you must have Girl Scouts! We had a few instances last year where only the adults showed up to man the booth. Girls must be present and selling the cookies.

Also- you may begin reserving your own personal booths anytime. Just remember to post them to eBudde for council approval. This way, we can help advertise your cookie booth as well as avoid any duplicate scheduling errors.

Community Cookie Booth weekend is March 17-18. You can reserve your booth space beginning February 20th on eBudde.

Thank you and happy selling!

Where is my magazine?

2012-01-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

We have received a few calls about magazine subscriptions. If you ordered a subscription from a Girl Scout on paper (not online), it should arrive by the March issue. Online orders should be coming already. March issues come out at the end of February, unless it's a quarterly subscription.

Thanks for your patience.

How to Accept Credit Cards at Cookie Booths

2012-01-30T09:40:00.001-08:00

How to Accept Credit Cards at Cookie Booths

GSMISTS is offering to partner with troops this year to have credit/debit cards be a form of payment for cookies purchased at cookie booths or expos. GSMISTS has selected Square as the vendor for credit card processing.

1) In order to use the credit card reading device at cookie booths an iPhone, iPad, or Android device is required.

2) Go to www.squareup.com , enter your email address and create a password.

3) Click “continue” and fill in the rest of the information as prompted. Please note that you will be asked to give a mailing address to ship the credit card reader to, your date of birth, and your social security number.

4) Select to sign up as a business and enter our EIN of 38-1366924 when prompted. Type your business name as: GSMISTS-Troop (your troop number). This is what will show up on the customer’s credit card statements.

5) You will also need the account information for your troop bank account, such as routing number and account number, so that deposits can be made to the bank account.

6) Upon completing registration, make sure to download the Square app on your mobile device. Feel free to spend a few minutes browsing the help information on the website and/or app to familiarize yourself on how to accept credit/debit cards.

7) Your Square credit card reader should be shipped within a few days!

***IMPORTANT REMINDERS***

1) Credit/debit cards can only be accepted at cookie booths or expos. The idea behind accepting credit cards is to increase payment options for people who are walking by your cookie booth who otherwise might not have stopped to purchase cookies. Feel free to advertise the fact that your troop can accept credit cards at the booth so people who are walking by can see.

2) There is a 2.75% fee charged by Square for credit card sales. Council will be reimbursing these fees to the troops for transactions occurring at booths and expos. In order for your fees to be reimbursed, you will need to submit a detail of your credit card sales and fees to council within three days of the completion of your cookie booth. This information will be cross referenced with the sales information in ebuddie. To access this detail, login to your account on squareup.com, choose the tab that says “deposits,” then click “download spreadsheet” to download to Excel. Please return this report to your retail/product sales manager by email, fax, or by dropping it off at your service center.

If you have any questions regarding the above process contact Justin by email at jglover@gsmists.org or by phone at 616-784-3341 ext. 125.

Updated Cookie Station List & Instructions

2012-01-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

2012 Cookie Stations

Alpena County ~ InGS Store Front @ Harborside Mall

135 N. State Street

Alpena, MI 49707

Contact: Cindy Ranshaw, 989-464-6022, alpenagirlscouts@aol.com

Alto/Caledonia

8479 Vincent Ave

Alto, MI 49302

Contact: Gayle Kraft, 616-891-1802, kraftj7471@aol.com

Bellaire ~ Bellaire Wesleyan Church

108 E. Cayuga sally_ann@charter.net

Bellaire, MI 49615-0250

Contact: Sally Ann Corner, 231-533-8751,

Big Rapids

420 Hutchinson St

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Contact: Nancy Pins, h: 231-592-5251, w:231-796-6138, nancypins@charter.net

NEW***

Carson City

7681 E. Holland Lake Rd

Carson City, MI

Contact: Linda Limon, h: 989-235-4336, w: (between 7 AM-10:30 AM) 616-597-3220 x 8354 or 2071

llimon@ventra.us or llimon13@gmail.com

Charlevoix~ Your Service Plus 6643 Easter WoodMichelle@atyourserviceplus.com

East Jordan, MI 49727 Contact: Michelle Nowka, c: 231-350-0751, h:231-536-2532, w:231-536-9668

Ionia

644 Woods Road

Orleans, MI 48865

Contact: Jenny Root, h: 616-527-9532 (after 3:00 PM), c: 616-240-7256

Gumby63@charter.net

Ludington ~ Ludington Little House (trailer in parking lot)

1024 Olmstead St

Ludington, MI 49431

Contact: Pam Huether, 231-843-4814, phuether@charter.net

Manistee

1424 Timber Ridge

Manistee, MI 49660

Contact: Renee Myers, 231-690-7340, myers1424@sbcglobal.net

Zeeland

954 64^th Avenue

Zeeland, MI 49464

Contact: Norma Dearborn, 616-688-5221, norma@towersunlimited.com

Cookies also available at our 3 GSMISTS Service Centers

STATION GUIDELINES

Please call Cookie Station a day ahead & order your cookies so they can be prepared for you in advance.
Please call the Cookie Station at least 4 days ahead for orders of 25 cases or more. As the sale winds down we may not have all varieties available.
Cookies must be taken by Troops in full cases of 12 packages each.
Mixed cases of 12 packages each are available.
The big change for this year is that there will be no post-dated checks (and actually no checks being left at the stations at all). Cookies taken from your Cookie Station will be paid for via the bank sweeps on April 5 (and again on April 17 for those taken after April 5).
Station cookies are $2.95 per package or $35.40 per case until the Troop’s initial order is paid for.
If a Troop earns over $.55/ box proceeds an adjustment will be made from the amount due for the initial order.
There will be absolutely no returns of cookies. Damaged or defective cookies will be replaced.
Cookies purchased by the box will be $3.50 per box and not included for girl incentives.
The Troop Cookie Manager or Leader must allocate boxes of cookies taken from the Cookie Station to individual girls in the e-budde software to qualify for added incentives. This can be done any time after they are picked up but must be done before April 15, 2012.