Girl Scouts are not required to sell cookies. It is a voluntary program activity. Daisy Girl Scouts cannot participate in the cookie sale. While girls are not required to sell cookies, most girls are eager to do so. Each girl who does participate must have written permission from her parent or guardian. Under no circumstances are girls or adult volunteers pressured to participate.

Question:

How does the cookie sale relate to the basic principles of Girl Scouting?

The cookie sale helps girls develop self-confidence and teaches them important life skills like teamwork, leadership, business and economic literacy, and goal-setting. These skills help girls become confident, resourceful, and responsible citizens.

Question:

How does the Girl Scout Cookie Sale benefit the community?

Taking part in the cookie sale is a community's way of showing support for its girls and their growth as future leaders. When someone purchases Girl Scout cookies, they get the satisfaction of knowing they are making a contribution to help support the positive growth and development of the girls in our council � and they get a special treat.

Question:

How do Girl Scouts benefit from the proceeds of the cookie sale?

For each box of cookies sold, $2.56 benefits Girl Scouting locally. The council's volunteer board of directors decides how cookie sale proceeds are to be used.

23%* is retained by the troop to fund trips, community service projects and other activities the girls have planned. Before the sale, the girls set their goals and decide how their "cookie money" will be spent. In 2006, Mid-South troops received $450,075.

77% enables Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South to:

• provide training, resources, and support services for over 2,200 volunteers

• provide year-round program opportunities for over 8,000 girl members

• maintain outdoor and in town program facilities

* This is an average due to a graduated scale of troop proceeds earned by troops.

Question:

Why don�t the girls get to keep all of the money? Why does some of the revenue from selling the cookies go to our council?

Girls are the ultimate beneficiaries of the revenue from all Girl Scout cookies - either directly or indirectly.

The council uses the revenue to benefit all of the girls in our council by providing essential services to our membership such as financial assistance, program resources, and training for adult volunteers, and support for special events.

Question:

Who decides how the council's portion of cookie sale money is spent and how the sale is run?

Each of the nation's Girl Scout councils is governed locally by a volunteer board of directors. Our council's board establishes the selling price and how the proceeds from the sale will be used. They delegate the responsibility for managing a successful sale to the executive director/CEO. Volunteers coordinate the sale within each community.

Question:

What is the role of parents, guardians and other family members in the cookie sale?

Parents and other family members are important to the success of the cookie sale. They provide transportation, support their Girl Scout, help at booth sales, accompany girls during order taking and delivery, and are responsible for making sure deadlines are met for turning in order cards and money.

However, in their efforts to be helpful and supportive, family members should remember this is a learning activity for the girl. For example, order cards (and cookies) taken to their place of business should be accompanied by a personal note from the Girl Scout. Resist the temptation to do it for them.

Question:

Is the purchase of Girl Scout Cookies tax deductible?

Individuals who buy cookies and take them home, have purchased a product at fair market value; therefore, no part of the price is tax deductible.

If an individual purchases cookies and leaves the box for the troop to donate (such as to a food pantry), they have received no direct benefit from the purchase. Therefore, the entire expense is tax deductible.

Question:

Can Girl Scout Cookies be sold over the Internet?

For safety reasons and product quality, girls are not allowed to sell cookies on the Internet. Girls can use E-mail to let family and friends know about the sale.

Question:

Can cookies be returned?

To assure the product integrity and condition, cookies cannot be returned. Damaged boxes may be replaced by the Girl Scout leader through a cookie cupboard.

Question:

Who can I contact for help?