For Leaders

Why should my troop participate?

It’s one of the best ways for girls to start earning troop funds without having to wait until late spring after cookie season to start having fun (and troop leaders don’t need to spend any of their own money to fund the troop). Participating in the fall product program and the Girl Scout Cookie Program covers the year’s various expenses like badges, troop shirts, activity registration fees, and troop meeting supplies. When girls understand the program and process, they take pride in knowing that they earned funds to support all their troop activities.

The fall product program provides girls with valuable skills, including customer service, organizing, creative problem solving, money handling, marketing savvy, and goal setting. Whether taking online orders, or meeting customers in person, the fall product program gives girls the chance to put their skills into action, show off their Girl Scout spirit, and let their confidence soar as they interact with customers.

All proceeds stay in Eastern Oklahoma. Council proceeds help to underwrite the costs of all council programs, facilities and campsites - to keep costs affordable for troops and girls. When girls sell fall products they contribute to the overall good of the council.

With all that in mind, here is some key information to help your troop participate in a successful fall product program:

Set a Troop Goal: Do your girls want to complete some new badges this winter, or maybe save up for a big event six months from now? Whatever their hearts desire, make sure they set a troop goal. By working as a team, even new members can feel a part of something bigger as they join with their new friends to achieve a common goal. And troop leaders can help guide their girls’ dreams, but remember, activities should always be girl-led. Keep your parents and girls updated on your troop’s sales and remind girls to set individual goals—that way their excitement lasts all season long.

Complete the Training and Get Troop Materials: Any registered adult volunteer can take the basic fall product program training on gsLearn. If you are the Troop Fall Product Program Manager, you must be a registered Girl Scout who can pass a background check and you must complete training with your Service Unit Fall Product Program Coordinator (SUFPPC). Upon completion of your training and after submitting your agreement form, your SUFPPC will provide you with the program materials such as order forms for every girl in your troop. The training, program materials and SUFPPC should guide you through a successful fall product program.

Pro tip: Need more support? Try reaching out to another adult volunteer who previously headed up the program for their troop—they can be a great resource for questions and best practices!

Prepare for the Season: You know the good ‘ol Girl Scout motto—always be prepared! From handling troop leader logistics (e.g., finding a troop fall product manager, setting up your troop’s bank account) to making sure girls are ready (e.g., they’ve got their sales pitch down), be sure you and your troop are prepared for the fall product program.

Get Families Involved: If the parents of your girls know the specific goal that their daughters have set (i.e., how much they need to sell in order earn their way to the awesome activities they have planned), they can better do their part to support and encourage girls. Plan a parent meeting before the season begins, with both parents and girls in attendance, to ensure that all parents know key dates and goals/expectations for the program. Bonus points if you let your girls do the talking!

Earn Financial Literacy Badge: Explore the badge options for girls in your troop. You can filter for Girl Scout grade levels and topics with the Award and Badge Explorer.

Troop Finances: To learn more about troop finances you can complete the short training, GSUSA Generating Troop Funds on gsLearn and read through the details on the Troop Finances page.

2022 Important Dates

Early-Access for Troop Volunteers	Sept. 16
SALE BEGINS! Online & In-Person Ordering	Sept. 24
Last day for in-person ordering Last day for online girl-delivered ordering	Oct. 9 Oct. 12
Family deadline to enter in-person orders to M2OS	Oct. 10
Troop deadline to enter in-person orders in M2OS	Oct. 11
Delivery of in-person nut/chocolate items to SU	Oct. 24-31
Girls deliver products to customers and turn payments in to Troop	Oct. 28 - Nov. 13
Online sales for direct-ship nuts and magazines ends	Nov. 13
Last day for girls/Troops to make reward choices	Nov. 14
All money due must be turned in to Troop	Nov. 15
Council ACH Sweep	Nov. 22
Unpaid Funds Forms, 306F due	Dec. 1