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Update as of 3/24/2020: In accordance with Governor Whitmer's Executive Order to Stay at Home, Stay Safe, all Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Regional Centers are closed. Please call Help Desk at 1-800-497-2688 or email helpdesk@gshom.org for assistance.

March 19, 2020
Product Program Updates

We deeply thank you all for what you do, and how you have stepped up at this crucial time. We are so impressed with your amazing hard work and dedication to Girl Scouting. All of you have been leaders in modeling the Girl Scout Law showing courage, confidence and character. We have seen you practice those good decision making skills we work so hard to convey, during the Girl Scout Cookie program. The safety of our girls and volunteers is so important to us. We have been monitoring reports from Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Department Of Public Health, and the CDC, and have been in contact with Girl Scouts of the USA, Little Brownie Baker.  As you know, effective March 16, GSHOM  canceled all cookie booths throughout our council. Individual Girl Scouts are still eligible to participate through a variety of ways, that keep girls safe. Please see below for more details.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is here to help and support you. We have tried to answer many of your questions through our GSHOM webpage. Links are listed below for specific questions you may have. Please reach out to us if you have further thoughts, ideas, or suggestions.

Stay healthy and well, Girl Scouts!

Your GSHOM Product Program Team

Product Program FAQs

Looking for safe ways to help girls continue to participate in the cookie program?

Goal Getters

Girl Scouts are welcome to continue to place goal getter orders through our Cookie Cupboards. In an effort to continue to provide cookies for you and our customers, we are following state and federal guidelines. You will need to contact your Regional Cupboards to make an appointment to receive cookies. We will be happy to accommodate you as needed at main regional cupboards. Some local cupboards may be participating, you will want to contact the volunteer cupboard manager for verification and appointment.   Girls are encouraged to only deliver cookies to customers, when an all clear message to return to normal social interaction is announced.  Before that adults may deliver cookies to a customer, on behalf of a girl, using social distancing practices.

Digital Cookie

Girls may continue to send marketing emails to Family & Friends through email and your Social Media Platform! This unique online platform will continue to be open through May 1st! Online purchases are paid online and shipped directly.  Customers may also wish to support Hometown Heroes, by selecting donate cookies. GSHOM Hometown Hero cookie packages from donations are currently being delivered to our local foodbanks, first responders and hospitals. Get Started Today!

Home Town Heroes

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan donates designated Hometown Hero packages of Girl Scout cookies to hospitals, food banks and first responders,  shelters, veteran organizations and facilities and to our local military units. Remember, customers may purchase donated cookies through your girl’s individual Girl Scout store. They are also welcome to pay you directly for any remaining cookies you may have on hand and designate to Hometown Hero program. Please see payment options for other ways to collect payments.

Don’t forget your Hometown Hero Receipt

Here is a sample message a Girl Scout has already sent out:

Jenny R via Facebook: March 14 at 7:07 PM.

"So I totally took this idea from someone else, but knowing just how hard all of our first responders and hospital staff are currently working and will be working, I want to donate all of these cookies. But I can't do it myself. I'll donate $50 of my own money to start it. I need your help! For every $5 donated, we will be able to gift a box to local first responders and hospital staff in our community. PayPal, venmo, cashapp, credit cards, check or cash.

3/16 Update: 181 boxes!!

(Thank you Kathy P of Owosso for sharing!)

Want to share your Cookie Commercial? Don’t forget to tag #GSHOM on Instagram and Facebook!

Business to Business

Business to Business is now open! Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has identified prospective businesses for Girl Scouts to contact to support their Cookie Business. With help from an adult, a Girl Scout can contact the business they choose to see if they would be interested in sponsoring a case of Girl Scout Cookies as a part of our Hometown Hero Program or for individual purchase.

If your Girl Scout would like to continue on with her Cookie Business, she will be able use these links to access the lists:

Create your own Business Pitch with this helpful link from Little Brownie Baker!

Virtual Cookie Entrepreneur Pin

Earn your Cookie Entrepreneur Family Award Pin in 5 EASY Steps!

Continue to be creative and show your Girl Scout and her family can support her small business. We want to share with you GSUSA’s brand new award opportunity for every Girl Scout at every level.  Once you have completed your award, you will be able to order right away with GSHOM!

Order here from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan!

ACH and Girl Scout Product Program Payments

Cookie Program

Soon we will be sending ACH payment information to troop cookie managers or troop leaders.  We realize some goal getter cookies may not have been delivered before the social interaction precautions began, and that booth season was still underway.  In order to help troops make ACH payments that work with their progress in the cookie program, we have options and reminders to consider before the next ACH pull. 

The next ACH payment for the remaining 25% of initial orders and booths that were held prior to the booth suspension, is  March 30th.  GSHOM will continue to work with individual troops on a case by case basis to delay ACH payments as needed.  We also remind troop cookie managers to complete Outstanding Money Reports for not yet collected goal getter or initial order funds. These reports reduce the amount of ACH funds to be pulled, ensuring your account balance is compatible with your funds. Lastly, if all funds have not been collected for goal getters and there is unease about person to person contact with customers an option being used by many troops is Venmo.  Please see all the information below for specifics on each of these options.   Please refer to your email regarding ACH for further communication regarding this payment date.

Uncollected Girl Payments- If you are a Troop Leader or Troop Cookie Manager with uncollected girl payments, please complete an Outstanding Money Report, click here for the form. Send your completed form by 3/27/2020 to collections@gshom.org.  If your troop has received a returned check, please complete the NSF Check Form found here.

Options to collect girl payments: Thank you Anna Mae of Ann Arbor for this information! Be sure to submit the Merchant Agreement form, if signing up for one of these services with your troop bank account. Link to Mobile Merchant form here.

Electronic Payment Options

Venmo: Anna Mae says "Our troop has been doing Venmo to collect payments from troop members and at booths. I collected some cash this weekend, but used venmo to send equivalent money from my bank account to my troop leader who deposited it. You can setup both your personal account and your troop account on your Venmo. I am not the troop leader, so I have not hooked to the bank account (I am an authorized user), but I send it to one of the leaders. We text screenshots when paying each other or transferring our own funds to the troop."

  • Fees - No fees when using bank accounts
  • Free Transfer Time: 1-3 days - my leaders say we often see this faster
  • Transaction Limits: $299.99 weekly limit until you verify your identity. Then it is $4999.99. 
    • Verifying my identity was easy - name, address, DOB, last 4 SSN & I was done & verified. It says sometimes you’ll need to send a photo of your drivers license. I honestly was expecting to because of my first name (MI Drivers license has a -, but it’s really a space). 
  • Who has Venmo - Venmo seems really popular with the college aged crowd…and their parents. We started using it at booths near UM campus last year & we use it all the time now. I’m seeing it more among parents. I paid swim team gift this way last fall.

PayPal

  • Fees - No fees when using bank accounts
  • Free Transfer Time: 1-3 days
  • Transaction Limits: $10k in a single transaction from what I see. I thought it used to be much lower
  • Who has Paypal - It’s more old-school, so your troop parents may be more likely to have PayPal than venmo

Zelle

 Another tip from a Product Manager “Personally I bank at Chase and use their quickpay through Zelle. I use it to pay myself from my business account, or to send payments to my parents or sister since we all use Chase. All within Chase, it is instant and I pay no fees. Is your account at TCF (ours is). They say they have Zelle, but I’ve never used it through them.”

Physically Getting Payment from Parents

  • Suggestions for physically transferring money. Do you have a garage? Open it when parents arrive and have them place it in the garage and then retrieve when they are gone. No contact needed. Or if they have a garage do the reverse.
  • As long as everyone is there, you can do a front porch exchange. They put it in an envelope on the porch while you watch from the window. You get it as soon as they walk away. Texting or calling to coordinate will be vital here.

You can then deposit money or checks using a drive through or at the ATM. 

Treats & Reads Program

The payment schedule for March 23 will remain unchanged. Troops will receive an email regarding their Initial Order payment.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will continue with our payment schedule through bonus booths and continued goal getters on the 1st & 15th of each month for both Product Programs

Girl Scout Product Program Rewards

Cookie Program

GSUSA is working with the Bakers to see if there is a possibility of delaying rewards, however nothing is definite at this time.  We will keep you posted.  Until then date for Girl Scout rewards is March 25th. After this time, Girl Scouts will still be able to continue to work towards the 600+ and 1,000+ events. After March 25th, troops will earn an additional proceeds of $0.10/package up to $.95 per package. (Reward opt-out bonus). Please note, higher rewards items like the Pearl and American Girl Doll are purchased seperately by GSHOM, and we have some flexibility with those items. Contact your regional Product Program staff member directly if your Girl Scout is close to those higher items, and we can work with you.

Treats & Reads Program

Final date for Girl Scout rewards is April 8th. After this time, Girl Scouts will continue to be eligible to work towards the 600+ and 1000+ event requirements. Troops will continue to earn additional proceeds of 16% of sales after this time. (Reward opt-out bonus).

Five for Five

Our Five for Five contest is currently postponed until further notice. Please continue to collect these contest entry forms, cut them out and mail them into your local Regional Center. 

            

Previous Coronavirus Statements

March 18, 2020
March 18, 2020
Updated Statement Regarding Coronavirus  

At Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and well-being of our girls, volunteers, and staff. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will take all possible and appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have safe, fun, one-of-a-kind experiences at Girl Scouts. At this time, based on the guidance of the federal government, it is our recommendation to cancel all in-person Girl Scout activities including troop meetings. We have also made the decision to postpone our Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor Cookie Bake-Off and Junior Weekend at camp, and cancel the Adult Awards Ceremony and Juliette Weekend. As a reminder, all programs scheduled through April 18 are postponed.

All Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Regional Centers remain closed to the public, but we can offer free shipping from the online Girl Scout Shop, as well as curbside pick-up from our regional centers so that we can meet your Girl Scout shop needs. Girls have put a lot of planning to set goals and we all need to help them achieve them. Our Product Program Team is working diligently to come up with a plan and you’ll get updates soon. Cookie Cupboards are open by appointment only until further notice. Feel free to call us to make an appointment.

We know that people across the world are faced with challenges after so many things of great importance have been postponed or cancelled. Girl Scouts, however, is never cancelled. We view this time as an opportunity to rise to the challenge and make the most of the situation at hand. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts have been there for every major event the country has faced for over 100 years. It is during these most challenging times that we exhibit the resilience and courage that we instill in girls on a daily basis. This time presents an opportunity to transition our Girl Scout activities to the virtual world, by hosting Troop Meetings online or working on badge requirements at home with parents.

Girls and families will need Girl Scouting more than ever during and after this crisis, and it is vital for us to focus on what matters most in this uncertain time. For 108 years, Girl Scouting has been a vital part of the fabric of this country, helping to prepare millions of girls and women to face adversity with resilience and creativity, innovation and compassion. Nationwide, Girl Scout Councils are committing our collective resources to being one of the assets embedded in this country that can step forward during incredibly stressful times to support families and communities with service in our hearts and optimism in our plans.

In the days and weeks ahead, we are funneling all our energy into being a resource for all families, not just for those who are current or former members. Please refer to the State of Michigan’s website regarding information about coronavirus. Please direct all inquiries to our amazing Help Desk Team at 1-800-497-2688 or HelpDesk@gshom.org.

Thank you for your cooperation, partnership, and understanding during this time.

March 13, 2020
March 13, 2020
Updated Statement Regarding Coronavirus  

At Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and well-being of our girls, volunteers, and staff. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will take all possible and appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have safe, fun, and one-of-a-kind experiences at Girl Scouts. Based on the governor’s closure of K-12 Schools effective March 16, we have decided that: cookie booths, Girl Scout camp reservations, and council programs will be suspended effective March 16. We will work with everyone with a property reservation to accommodate any rescheduling. All Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Regional Centers will be closed beginning Monday, March 16. We will have a small group of staff working at each office to offer support. Girls can deliver cookies, while ensuring minimal contact with their customers. We trust our well-informed, thoughtful leaders to make wise decisions regarding cookie booths this weekend. Our cookie cupboards will be open during regular cupboard hours for cookie returns on Monday, March 16. After that point, cupboards will be open by appointment only until further notice. Feel free to call us to make an appointment.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Camps operate under a health services policy that is reviewed regularly by a licensed pediatrician. As we do at all summer camp programs, we are offering health screenings for participants as they enter camp as an additional precaution at the group’s request.

We are working on resources for girls, parents, and volunteers that include activities and badge work to complete at home while schools are closed. This is when Girl Scouts shines. During a potentially negative event, we make the most of it by educating girls around proper hand-washing procedures, how surgeons do surgical scrubs, learn about viruses and the science behind the situation at hand, and more. We have a recipe for hand sanitizer that is an opportunity for girls to learn about chemistry, recipes, and self-reliance. We included an educational and fun flyer for your convenience.

Communication with Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is crucial so that we can navigate the situation together. During this process, we are engaging in cooperative learning together, which is something we include in our Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

We will continue to monitor state-wide and county-by-county and we will communicate on an ongoing basis. Updates regarding specific events and programs will be sent via email to any registrants. Any updates will be posted on Facebook, our blog, and will be sent via email. If you have questions, please refer to the State of Michigan’s website regarding coronavirus. Please direct all inquiries to Help Desk at 1-800-497-2688 or HelpDesk@gshom.org.

Thank you for your cooperation, partnership, and understanding during this time.

March 12, 2020
March 12, 2020
Coronavirus Statement Update

At Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and well-being of our girls, volunteers, and staff. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will take all possible and appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have safe, fun, one-of-a-kind experiences at Girl Scouts. Based on the recommendations of the Governor, we are rescheduling all events larger than 100 people through April 9th. We will continue to monitor state-wide and county-by-county and we will communicate on an ongoing basis. Updates regarding specific events and programs will be sent via email to any registrants. Any updates will be posted on Facebook, our blog, and via email.

Cookie Booths can continue at the judgment of the Troop Leaders and parents. We encourage volunteers and parents to engage girls in the decision-making process regarding cookie booths and all other troop activities, as the decision may vary from one region to another. Remember to consider the science-based information available during this decision-making process.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Camps operate under a health services policy that is reviewed regularly by a licensed pediatrician. As we do at all summer camp programs, we are offering health screenings for participants as they enter camp as an additional precaution at the group’s request.

Communication with Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is crucial so that we can navigate the situation together. During this process, we are engaging in cooperative learning together, which is something we include in our Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

As a reminder, please stay home if you are sick or believe you have come into contact with a sick person, and make handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds a priority. Use disinfecting wipes such as Clorox and Lysol, and use sanitizer when hand washing is not an option. Individuals at risk of severe illness should stay at home and keep away from others who are sick. Encourage girls not to touch their faces or each other for the time being. This means that Troop Leaders should be flexible about traditions such as the Friendship Circle to reduce person-to-person contact.

This is when Girl Scouts shines. During a potentially negative event, we make the most of it by educating girls around proper hand-washing procedures, what surgeons do with surgical scrubs, how to learn about viruses and the science behind the situation at hand, and more. We have a recipe for hand sanitizer that is an opportunity for girls to learn about chemistry, recipes, and self-reliance. We will continue to monitor and update as needed. We’ve included an educational, fun flyer for your convenience. If you have questions, please refer to the State of Michigan’s website regarding coronavirus. Please direct all inquiries to Help Desk at 1-800-497-2688 or HelpDesk@gshom.org.

Thank you for your cooperation, partnership, and understanding during this time.

March 5, 2020
March 5, 2020
Coronavirus Statement

At Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, there is nothing we take more seriously than the safety and wellbeing of our girls, volunteers, and staff. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan will take all possible and appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have safe, fun, one-of-a-kind experiences at Girl Scouts. As we closely monitor the coronavirus situation, it is crucial that we role model preventative safety and critical thinking for our girls. Our Regional Centers are equipped with cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and hand sanitizer to ensure a safe and healthy experience for everyone.

We are taking the following precautions:

  • Closely monitoring the recommendations and updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Michigan state officials
  • Communicating council-wide as we monitor developments of the virus
  • Encouraging girls, volunteers, and staff to engage in the following prevention measures recommended by health officials:
  1. Washing hands frequently, especially after sneezing, shaking hands/bodily contact with another individual, and before eating. Use soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
  2. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like your phone or computer
  5. Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing then throw the tissue in the trash, or as a last resort cough into the elbow
  6. Stay home when you are not feeling well
  7. Get plenty of sleep, good nutrition, stress-relief, and exercise – a healthy body is the best defense against illness
  • Increasing cleaning and sanitization at all GSHOM properties

This situation can serve as an example of how Girl Scouts discuss and analyze the conditions of a circumstance and teach girls to understand the steps in decision-making and problem-solving. As Girl Scouts, we want our girls to learn the power of critical thinking skills, and the importance of adapting to specific circumstances. A calm, thoughtful dialog around and reaction to this issue allows us the chance to further model the 15 Outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that are so important to girls’ development and future success.

This situation is also an example of the power of scientific knowledge and the importance of teaching girls how to find high quality, research-based information. Talking with girls about situations like this encourages them to think critically, and could inspire a girl to pursue her passion of science, medicine, or research.

When discussing coronavirus with girls, act with confidence so that she feels reassured. Ask how she feels without assuming that she is scared. Answer questions about things that she is observing, but do not be afraid to admit that you don’t know the answer. Instead, teach her how to find and assess information sources for their validity and trustworthiness. Talk with her about the recommended prevention measures mentioned above. Remind her that you are there to support her, and that you will continue this conversation as the situation evolves.

Keep in mind the three processes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: girl-led, cooperative learning, and learning by doing. Below, we’ve outlined some steps to take when discussing this with your girls and families. Please remember to involve your girls in the critical thinking process so they can develop their skills and experience firsthand the value and importance they contribute in the decision-making process. Girl-led decision-making gives girls the chance to practice critical thinking skills and learn to maintain grace and composure during a time of uncertainty. Our job as leaders is to gently walk behind them to guide and encourage their engagement and thinking around these real-life scenarios.

Decision-Making Process

  • Step 1: Identify the situation. Realize the need to have a discussion and determine how to conduct a girl-led, cooperative learning dialog around the issue.
  • Step 2: Create a trusting environment for participants to identify and share their feelings about the situation.
  • Step 3: Gather relevant information and facts.
  • Step 4: Identify the alternatives and solutions to the problem.
  • tep 5:  Weigh the evidence and all  relevant data.
  • Step 6: Engage the group in dialog on how the facts impacted understanding of the issue, created clarity and thus impacted their feelings around the issue
  • Step 7: With the group, choose among alternatives and cooperatively decide on a course of action and the steps needed to achieve results.
  • Step 8: Decide cooperatively which members in the group will take action, follow up, and assist in details.
  • Step 9: Review your decision & its consequences.
  • Step 10:  Discuss which competencies the girls learned. Have each girl review the 15 outcomes sheet to discover what they learned and share with the group.

These moments give us the chance to involve girls in a way that builds many of these outcomes, further assuring the development of their future leadership skills.

                 

Resources

                 

Troop Leader Resources

Thank you for taking steps to ensure the safety of girls in this difficult time. While, we cannot endorse or support specific online meeting tools for your use, we are aware of several tools that troops and Service Units are using for virtual meetings. We have provided a list of free and low-cost tools that may be useful to you. We encourage troop leaders to look at these and other options, and discuss wih parents and girls to determine what the best solution is for your troop's needs. 

Video and Audio-Conferencing Tools with Free Versions

       Note: Meetings durations maximum of 40 minutes in free version

       Note: Up to 10 participants free

        Note: Limited file and content sharing in free version

Chat and Collaboration Tools with free versions

Additional low-cost tools for collaboration and conferencing to consider if the above options do not meet your group's needs.