Where I have a problem with the GSA is not their politics, because I never bothered to look them up. My daughter. is only 2. I have a problem with cookie sales. I know it sounds dumb, but I assume someone is getting filthy rich on this enterprise on the backs of small girls. Seems like the troop receives a smaller amount of the percentage of their sales. Their headquarters is a very large office building which is contrary to the BSA. I know every club has fund raisers. BSA relies on heavy donations from former scouts.
We have a young neighborhood girl who tries to sell cookies at our house every year. Three and two years ago I wrote a small check to her troop. This last year she said they were not allowed to take contributions, only money for cookies and if I didn’t want them for our family, I could designate that they be sent to the military. So said no thanks. I have already told mom at length about why I won’t buy them on numerous occasions.
Because GSA now offers up the military as a solution it would appear that they have run into their problem enough to provide an option but that’s not going to work for us either.
Our Republican Women’s Group has several guys in the military in Afghanistan that we send a package to every month. And it does not include Girl Scout cookies.
Today, each GS-USA council operates its own cookie sale. Approximately 70% of the proceeds stay in the local GS-USA council to support Girl Scouting in that area, including a portion that goes directly to the unit selling the cookies. The profits are divided by a formula, with local troops receiving about 10-15% of the retail price, the council more than 50%, and the manufacturer the remainder. GS-USA is paid a royalty for use of the licensed trademarks by its licensed bakers based on gross annual sales volume. It also provides contractual services and approves all program, marketing, and sales materials developed by the bakers. GS-USA also provides coordination and training for national media, safety standards for girls and volunteers, and full support during cookie season.
... Their headquarters is a very large office building which is contrary to the BSA. ...
The BSA National HQ in Irving, TX ain't no shrinking violet, either.
... I know every club has fund raisers. BSA relies on heavy donations from former scouts.
True, but BSA has its annual popcorn sale ...
1986 – BSA National entered in an agreement with the Weaver Popcorn Company to sell its popcorn products as a fundraiser for scout units. The Weaver Popcorn Company, a family-owned business based in Indianapolis, IN, is the world's largest manufacturer of popcorn and supplies roughly 30% of all of the popcorn consumed in the world. Their popcorn is grown in the U.S. and Argentina and sold in over 90 countries. The Trails End Popcorn brand is manufactured by the Weaver Popcorn Company. It is not sold by any other means and is not available in stores. The unit commissions (the part of the retail cost that a unit gets to keep) varies per product, but is ~ 30%. The local council gets about the same commission for handling and distribution to the units. Trail's End gets the rest as payment for the popcorn. Cub packs proved to be the biggest sellers of the popcorn products.