Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties. For consumers of Girl Scout cookies it’s all about flavor, but to the Girl Scouts selling them, it’s about finances.

According to Joan McDonald, a South Portland resident and chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Maine, which has its headquarters in Scarborough, “The selling of Girl Scout Cookies … is an integral part of the Girl Scout leadership experience that focuses on financial literacy.”

The girls learn such skills as planning, marketing and budgeting as they sell the treats, according to the organization. Last year, they sold nearly 1.1 million boxes to raise money to support scouting programs.

It’s time for the toothsome tradition of Girl Scout cookies – the first sales of which date back to 1917. The cookies are on sale through April 11.

McDonald, whom Gov. John Baldacci recently appointed to the Maine Commission for Community Service, agreed to answer some questions from The Current on Girl Scout cookies, Girl Scouts in the 21st century, and her new appointment.

Q: First, some cookie questions. Girl Scout cookies date back more than 90 years. People today still remember Girl Scouts selling them door-to-door. When did that practice end in Maine and why? What are the various ways that people can purchase cookies now?

A: Girl Scouts do still sell cookies door-to-door in Maine! However, as times have changed, Girl Scouts has adapted and today’s girls participate in the cookie sale activity in a number of ways including

door-to-door sales; selling directly to their family and friends; taking orders – if allowed – at an adult’s workplace; (and) at a booth sale in a public venue. Girls may also use e-mail as a marketing tool to let family, friends and former customers know about the sale. However, they may not engage in selling Girl Scout Cookies or other products via the Internet.

The safety of girls as they engage in Girl Scout product sales is the number one priority!

As delicious as the cookies are, the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program isn’t about the cookies – it’s about the girls! The selling of Girl Scout Cookies or other council-sponsored products is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that focuses on financial literacy. Girls learn to set goals, budget, plan, market to others, work as a team, and many other skills necessary to conduct a successful sale activity. Adults serve in a supporting role but should never assume sole responsibility for sales.

Q: When Girl Scout cookies appear for sale, it’s a sure sign spring is on its way. Why are cookies sold at this time of year, and how long does that spring tradition date back? When’s the last date this year to purchase cookies?

A: Selling cookies is a tradition that dates back as early as 1917 when Girl Scouts began selling home-baked cookies to raise money to help their troop and community. Today’s cookie sale has grown into a highly successful program that helps girls learn and practice important leadership skills while earning proceeds for their team and council activities.

The Girl Scouts of Maine Cookie Sale activity began in January and continues until April 11.

In general, the activity dates are set by Girl Scouts of the USA to create consistency and ease of promotion.

Booth sales are an important part of the cookie sale activity. For people who may not have connected with a Girl Scout to take their order, buying cookies at a booth sale provides them with a final opportunity to stock up on their favorite cookies until next year. The booth sales are held at public venues in communities statewide. People interested in finding a booth sale location in their community can use the Booth Sale Locator on our Web site, www.girlscoutsofmaine.org.

Q: Are there any new cookie flavors this year? What are Mainers’ top three cookie favorites, judging by previous sales?

A: This year’s flavors are the same as last year’s – Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades, and Daisy Go Rounds.

2009 marked the first time that the youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies, were permitted to participate in the cookie sale activity. Daisy Go Rounds were named in their honor.

The top three selling cookies are: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, and Peanut Butter Patties.

Q: How many boxes of cookies do the Girl Scouts of Maine sell each year? What are some of the things that the Girl Scouts use that money for?

A: Long after the last box of cookies is gone, girls will still enjoy the benefits of knowing how to set goals, make decisions, manage money, and work as a team – skills they will continue to use throughout their lives.

In 2009, 1,084,450 boxes of cookies were sold and close to 12,000 girls benefited from the sale.

All of the proceeds – every penny – from the cookie activities remain in the area where the cookies were sold. This revenue is used to benefit girls, some of it directly by remaining in the Girl Scout troop/group treasury and some of it indirectly by subsidizing the cost of providing the Girl Scout program in the local area. Girls decide how to spend their money and typically use it to fund special activities, trips, etc. Girl Scouts of Maine uses the revenue in a number of ways, including recruiting and training volunteer leaders; providing financial assistance needed to make Girl Scouting available for all girls; improving and maintaining our camp properties; keeping event/camp fees for all members to a minimum; and sponsoring special events and projects.

Q: Cookies, crafts and camping – is that what the Girl Scouts are all about? What are some of the other skills a Girl Scout of the 21st century is expected to learn?

A: Cookies, crafts, and camping? Yes, and science, technology, engineering and math! Wilderness survival and environmental awareness. Backpacking and rock climbing. Community outreach and education. Financial literacy. The arts. Health and wellness. International travel and high adventure. And that’s just for starters!

Today’s girls and adult volunteers have access to life-changing experiences that inspire them to think big, and Girl Scouts offers unique resources to help get them where they want to go. With a wide variety of activities to choose from, each girl can zoom in on her passions and select programs that interest her while gaining the specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will make her a leader throughout her life.

From the very beginning, Girl Scouts has been about developing leadership in girls. At Girl Scouts of Maine, we believe there is a leader in every girl and, as we interact with them during this critical time in their development, we help them discover their inner potential and connect them with the skills needed to take action in their own lives. We want each girl to realize that “leadership” is not only something she does; it is who she is.

Q: Please tell us about the Girl Scouts of Maine. How many members does the organization have, and what are their age ranges? Is there any financial assistance available for girls who can’t afford a uniform or other costs?

A: Girl Scouts of Maine currently has almost 12,000 girl members. The levels are:

• Girl Scout Daisy – Grades K-1

• Girl Scout Brownie – Grades 2-3

• Girl Scout Junior – Grades 4-5

• Girl Scout Cadette – Grades 6-8

• Girl Scout Senior – Grades 9-10

• Girl Scout Ambassador – Grades 11-12

In addition, we also have just over 4,000 adult members/volunteers.

We have need of more volunteers, especially in southern Maine, so that we can service more girls, some of which are on a waiting list to join a troop. We offer volunteers flexible schedules, free training and support. People who are interested in finding out more about our volunteer opportunities should call us at 1-888-922-4763.

Yes, Girl Scouts of Maine provides financial assistance for membership and camp fees. In 2009, we gave out $100,000 in assistance to ensure that no girl is denied joining because of financial need.

Q: Can you describe a “typical” Maine Girl Scout? Some Girl Scouts nationally attend meetings online – do any in Maine do that?

A: At Girl Scouts of Maine, we’re quite fond of this saying, “If she can think it, she can do it in Girl Scouts.”

What we’re really implying here is that we offer so many diverse opportunities that there isn’t really just one way to be a Girl Scout. Whether learning wilderness survival at camp, traveling the world through the destinations program, attending math and technology workshops, acquiring financial savvy through the cookie sale program, or leading a community service project to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award … Each girl’s experience is as unique as she is!

Girl Scouts of Maine offers home study and Webinar training for volunteers and committee meetings are sometimes conducted online.

Q: You’re almost three years into the realignment that merged the Abnaki Girl Scout Council and the Girl Scouts of Kennebec Council into the Girl Scouts of Maine. What has changed and what is the same since the merger?

A: The realignment of our legacy councils to form Girl Scouts of Maine has allowed us to make the most effective use of our resources. We now have a high-capacity council that is able to serve local communities more efficiently and deliver a superior Girl Scout leadership program to even more girls statewide.

Q: How did you get involved in scouting. You’re head of the Girl Scouts of Maine. How long have you held that post? Were you a Girl Scout?

A: I had been an educator in New York City and, briefly, headed an art/science museum in the New York City/New Jersey area. I had returned home to California where I happened to see an ad in the Los Angeles Times for a Girl Scout Executive Director position located in northern L.A. County and north. I applied for the position and the rest is history. That was my first job in Girl Scouting and I loved it – and I still do. (I was a Camp Fire Girl.)

Q: Gov. John Baldacci recently appointed you to serve on the Maine Commission for Community Service. What do you hope to accomplish on the commission, for Maine and for Girl Scouts?

A: Girl Scouts is an organization that is largely dependent on volunteers and we have over 4,000 active adult volunteers already invested in community service. So, when the governor asked me to serve on the Maine Commission for Community Service board, I saw this opportunity as a natural collaboration for us. Our Girl Scouts love working as volunteers in their communities and throughout the state and they are accomplishing incredible things. For many girls the leadership skills, organizational skills, and service to community that come from earning a Girl Scout Gold Award set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. The commission shares a philosophy and purpose that is similar to Girl Scouts’, and it is an honor to serve on the commission.

Joan McDonald of South Portland is the chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Maine, which now in the middle of its annual cookie sale. McDonald has also recently been appointed by Gov. John Baldacci to serve on the Maine Commission for Community Service. (Staff photo by Brandon McKenney)
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