Please read our guidelines for returning to in-person Girl Scout gatherings before participating in the 2020 Fall Product Program. As the risks associated with the pandemic continue to change, we will modify these guidelines accordingly.
Recommended Methods for Girls and Troops Participating in the 2020 Fall Product Program
- Online participation/Direct Ship: Girls send emails via M2 (the Fall Product database) to their friends and family network to purchase nuts, candy, and magazines online. The customer chooses the Direct Ship method, and pays for their order with a credit card. The product is shipped directly to their door. GSEMA will pay 50% of shipping costs for all orders over $30.00.
- Online participation/Girl Delivered: Girls send emails via M2 (the Fall Product database) to their friends and family network to purchase nuts and candy online. The customer chooses the Girl Delivered method, and pays for their order with a credit card. The product is then delivered to the Service Unit Fall Mentor on November 16-17, who will then set up a contactless distribution plan (see COVID-19 distribution guidelines below). Girls will then set up a contactless delivery plan (see COVID-19 distribution guidelines below) with the help of a parent/guardian to deliver product to their customers before Thanksgiving.
- Order Card collection: Girls contact their friends and family network via contactless methods to offer them all items on the Girl Order Card. Girls notate all orders on their paper order card and enter orders into M2 (the Fall Product database), or submit their order card to their Troop Fall Coordinator to enter into M2 by October 23. Customers submit their payment to the girl/family via a contactless method. The product is then delivered to the Service Unit Fall Mentor on November 16-17, who will then set up a contactless distribution plan (see COVID-19 distribution guidelines below). Girls will then set up a contactless delivery plan (see COVID-19 distribution guidelines below) with the help of a parent/guardian to deliver product to their customers before Thanksgiving.
Additional COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
- Fall Product Program trainings should be held virtually as much as possible. In-person meetings should be limited to 25 people gathering outdoors. In-person meeting attendees should wear face masks, and hand sanitizer and/or gloves should be provided to all. At all in-person meetings, girls and volunteers should not be permitted to share samples; each individual should have their own.
- Girl Scouts and troops should be encouraged to participate virtually in the program as much as possible.
- Scheduled times should be arranged for troops to pick up materials, and delivered materials should be left on a recipient's front steps or porch to avoid in-person interactions.
Distribution Guidelines
When distributing materials or recognitions to girls and families, volunteers should follow the guidelines below (based on guidance from our governing bodies*) to safely exchange materials with Girl Scout members.
- Ensure that everyone who is participating in contactless materials exchange is feeling healthy and well.
- Carefully disinfect materials when received or purchased.
- Wear a mask and gloves when handling materials.
- Coordinate with members for contactless pick-up ahead of time, such as scheduling curbside/porch pick-ups or making time slotted appointments to avoid in-person interactions.
- Remind members to also wear proper protection gear, including but not limited to masks, for pick-up.
*Governing bodies’ guidance includes, but is not limited to: GSUSA “Re-opening phases” guidelines; GSEMA Safety Activity Checkpoints including Coronavirus Safety in Girl Scouts on page 6; the Mass.gov guide to reopening guidelines, especially the restrictions in the Four-Phase approach; CDC COVID Guidelines, specifically, those guidelines for Child Care, Schools, and Youth Programs and Cleaning and Disinfecting paying close attention to Reopening.
