2015 Cookie Program

Agenda

Cookie Program Highlights

Suzanne ParkerCookie Program Manager

Cookie PricesLisa Hardin-ReynoldsSr. Vice President of Program

Closing RemarksDebbie NielsonActing 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 yogurt-flavored chunks

Toffee-Tastic• Gluten-free • Rich, buttery cookie

with sweet crunchy toffee bits

PILOT COOKIEMore 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

0.03

0.02

0.25

0.10Girl Activity Credits Cost of Cookies Administration Camp Cloud Rim Mortgage

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 (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. 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?

Contact:

Suzanne Parker sparker@gsutah.org 801-716-5125 Cookie Program Manager

Lisa Hardin-Reynolds lhardin@gsutah.org 801-716-5122 Sr. VP of Program 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!

Questions?Contact:• Suzanne Parker sparker@gsutah.org 801-716-

5125Cookie Program Manager

• Lisa Hardin-Reynolds lhardin@gsutah.org 801-716-5122

Sr. VP of Program

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!