Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Girl Scout Cookies
Girl Scout cookies are here. On Sunday, I spent 2 hours with a group of other parents sorting HUGE stacks of cookie cases onto pallets for the 50 Girl Scout troops in Lake Forest that ordered them. It was a good workout and it helps the girls, so I enjoy the chance to do this (this is my 3rd year).
Both of my girls sold cookies this year, although not as "gung ho" as in prior years. We will get some good bonding time in front of local stores over the next couple of weeks (seriously) while they sell the extra cookies that their troop ordered. It is a good break for me and it gives the girls good experience in being outgoing and feeling comfortable talking to adults and handling cash transactions.
What I find amazing is the amount of politics around GS cookie sales and the rules that have been developed due to this. For example, the girls receive their flyers for taking cookie orders before the "official" start of cookie sales. Anyone caught selling before the "official" start loses all of their orders (I think they just go to the council and the girl gets no credit). Not only is this rule strictly enforced, but the parents seem to delight in finding and turning in violators. Similarly, girls are expected to stay in their own cities and specifically in their own neighborhoods.
Similarly, selling in front of stores is very regimented. The girls have to stay in their own city. Within our city, there is a lottery for the store locations and times. Each troop gets a block of time at a store and has to clear out quickly for the next group when their time is over. I've seen adults get upset over losing 5 minutes in a 2 hour block of time.
I understand the need for rules. I don't understand how adults get so competitive over the situation, though I accept that it is something that happens and has to be dealt with. It's unfortunate and, in my opinion, sets a bad example for the girls. Overall, I really like the Girl Scout organization and what it offers for the girls. Even most of the cookie sales experiences are good. It's unfortunate that the few are there to spoil the experience.
Both of my girls sold cookies this year, although not as "gung ho" as in prior years. We will get some good bonding time in front of local stores over the next couple of weeks (seriously) while they sell the extra cookies that their troop ordered. It is a good break for me and it gives the girls good experience in being outgoing and feeling comfortable talking to adults and handling cash transactions.
What I find amazing is the amount of politics around GS cookie sales and the rules that have been developed due to this. For example, the girls receive their flyers for taking cookie orders before the "official" start of cookie sales. Anyone caught selling before the "official" start loses all of their orders (I think they just go to the council and the girl gets no credit). Not only is this rule strictly enforced, but the parents seem to delight in finding and turning in violators. Similarly, girls are expected to stay in their own cities and specifically in their own neighborhoods.
Similarly, selling in front of stores is very regimented. The girls have to stay in their own city. Within our city, there is a lottery for the store locations and times. Each troop gets a block of time at a store and has to clear out quickly for the next group when their time is over. I've seen adults get upset over losing 5 minutes in a 2 hour block of time.
I understand the need for rules. I don't understand how adults get so competitive over the situation, though I accept that it is something that happens and has to be dealt with. It's unfortunate and, in my opinion, sets a bad example for the girls. Overall, I really like the Girl Scout organization and what it offers for the girls. Even most of the cookie sales experiences are good. It's unfortunate that the few are there to spoil the experience.
# posted by - Rob @ 10:13 AM 
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Heh. Sorry!
We're on the 7th year here...
Besides being a troop leader, I'm also a Service Unit Manager, Trainer and this year for the first time, I'm directing our area-wide Talent Show. I used to do the cookie stuff, but I managed to pass that off to another lady who gets the conference room at our Sleep Inn to warehouse all the cookies for our area (much better than my carport!).
We also do a lottery system to determine who gets the prime locations around town (Wal-Mart, Sherm's, Fred Meyer). We use attendance at monthly Service Unit meetings to figure out who gets first pick. If you have 100% attendance, you're in the first round, 80% you are in the 2nd round with the first round again,, etc. That helps keep people coming to the SU meetings.
We distribute cards with date/time & location in case there's a dispute about who is supposed to be where. That works well too.
I hate booth sales. I wish they could all do pre-order & we'd be done. The problem is I have "older girls" and they have lost that cute factor that helps the little ones sell. So we have to borrow big 'ol cookie costumes & have the girls practically do a stage show to get the attention of people. Ugh. And no matter what you do, someone always steals a box or two.
We are still in pre-order here, so our booth sales will be next month. Thank God they'll be over before my birthday!
We'll probably make more money selling store-bought cookies in intermission at our Talent Show.
This basically teaches my girls they don't want to work sales... lol.
We're on the 7th year here...
Besides being a troop leader, I'm also a Service Unit Manager, Trainer and this year for the first time, I'm directing our area-wide Talent Show. I used to do the cookie stuff, but I managed to pass that off to another lady who gets the conference room at our Sleep Inn to warehouse all the cookies for our area (much better than my carport!).
We also do a lottery system to determine who gets the prime locations around town (Wal-Mart, Sherm's, Fred Meyer). We use attendance at monthly Service Unit meetings to figure out who gets first pick. If you have 100% attendance, you're in the first round, 80% you are in the 2nd round with the first round again,, etc. That helps keep people coming to the SU meetings.
We distribute cards with date/time & location in case there's a dispute about who is supposed to be where. That works well too.
I hate booth sales. I wish they could all do pre-order & we'd be done. The problem is I have "older girls" and they have lost that cute factor that helps the little ones sell. So we have to borrow big 'ol cookie costumes & have the girls practically do a stage show to get the attention of people. Ugh. And no matter what you do, someone always steals a box or two.
We are still in pre-order here, so our booth sales will be next month. Thank God they'll be over before my birthday!
We'll probably make more money selling store-bought cookies in intermission at our Talent Show.
This basically teaches my girls they don't want to work sales... lol.
Wow. We've never used the costumes or done a "show" although I have seen some troops do that.
To my knowledge, we have never had Girl Scout cookies get stolen from us. What kind of slimewad steals from Girl Scouts?
To my knowledge, we have never had Girl Scout cookies get stolen from us. What kind of slimewad steals from Girl Scouts?
They wait for a "rush" at the table when there are 3 or more people purchasing and somehow slip a box or two in their bags (we are only allowed to approach people LEAVING a store).
Yes, we have the slimewads here. With cookies costing $4/box now, maybe a bunch of folks will give us $5 & say the rest is a donation??? Please??? hehe.
:)
Yes, we have the slimewads here. With cookies costing $4/box now, maybe a bunch of folks will give us $5 & say the rest is a donation??? Please??? hehe.
:)
More slimewads in the world...
Girl Scout cookie sale stung by fake $100 bill
Associated Press
Mar. 7, 2006 08:06 AM
TENINO, Wash. - A woman used a phony $100 bill to pay for Girl Scout cookies and made off with the change before the Scout's mother determined the currency was counterfeit, police said.
Katie Lundquist's delight at selling 10 boxes of cookies quickly turned to disappointment.
"Sometimes you can't trust just anybody," the 10-year-old told The Olympian for Monday's editions.
Michelle Lundquist said she and her daughter were about to finish selling cookies at Dave's Market Place on Sunday when a woman asked to buy $40 worth. The woman handed Katie a $100 bill and her mother made change with some $20 bills from her pocket.
"I was just being nice," Michelle Lundquist said. "It's the Girl Scouts thing to do."
She suspected the bill might be fake and asked the grocery manager for help, but the woman left while it was being checked with a counterfeit-detector pen.
Surveillance tapes from video cameras outside the store were being examined, police Lt. Robin Ayers said.
The Girl Scouts Pacific Peaks Council will make up the loss after receiving the police report, said Dorothy Nelson, the council's communication and marketing director.
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Girl Scout cookie sale stung by fake $100 bill
Associated Press
Mar. 7, 2006 08:06 AM
TENINO, Wash. - A woman used a phony $100 bill to pay for Girl Scout cookies and made off with the change before the Scout's mother determined the currency was counterfeit, police said.
Katie Lundquist's delight at selling 10 boxes of cookies quickly turned to disappointment.
"Sometimes you can't trust just anybody," the 10-year-old told The Olympian for Monday's editions.
Michelle Lundquist said she and her daughter were about to finish selling cookies at Dave's Market Place on Sunday when a woman asked to buy $40 worth. The woman handed Katie a $100 bill and her mother made change with some $20 bills from her pocket.
"I was just being nice," Michelle Lundquist said. "It's the Girl Scouts thing to do."
She suspected the bill might be fake and asked the grocery manager for help, but the woman left while it was being checked with a counterfeit-detector pen.
Surveillance tapes from video cameras outside the store were being examined, police Lt. Robin Ayers said.
The Girl Scouts Pacific Peaks Council will make up the loss after receiving the police report, said Dorothy Nelson, the council's communication and marketing director.
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