GIRL SCOUTS START COOKIE SALE TODAY

Because Girl Scout cookies practically sell themselves, it doesn't take a high-pressure sales pitch to get orders. But the annual cookie sale still teaches youngsters lessons that can last a lifetime, troop leaders say.

Girl Scouts will begin taking orders for cookies, which cost $3 a box, at 3 p.m. today, and will take orders until Jan. 24. Cookie orders will be delivered and booth sales will be held Feb. 23 through March 10.

The actual order-taking culminates planning and training efforts that troops have been working on for weeks.

Members of Brownie Troop 10, made up of first-graders at Clippard School and led by Jamie Morton, have been learning to make change.

Morton also is the leader for Brownie Troop 227.

These Clippard third-graders have been deciding how many boxes of cookies they need to sell to fund the field trips and service projects they want to undertake and who likely sales prospects are.

Older Girl Scouts have been planning how and where they will sell cookies.

That translates into these girls learning skills in handling money, planning projects, budgeting funds and networking, said Morton, a registered nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital, whose mother and grandmother were also Girl Scout troop leaders.

"Learning the fundamentals of money exchange is something that will benefit these girls the rest of their lives," Morton said.

Selling the cookies also boosts girls' self-esteem and independence, increases their communication skills, helps them overcome fears of approaching people and talking on the phone and teaches them to network by encouraging them to contact relatives, friends and their parents' business associates.

A portion of the funds raised through cookie sales goes to the troops where the members decide how to spend it, said Laura Hinkebein, marketing director for the Girl Scouts of Otahki Council. So the girls can set their cookie sales goals according to the projects they want to fund and get a feel for budgeting.

Safety and manners are emphasized, Morton said. And selling cookies even teaches girls to handle rejection.

"While most people say yes to buying cookies, some people will turn you down," she said.

Girls are taught not to take it personally and to remain polite.

Kelly Urhahn, a respiratory therapist at St. Francis Medical Center, said the things she learned when she was a Girl Scout selling cookies has helped her with her life and her job.

"It taught me how to be safe and to have courtesy toward people," said Urhahn, whose daughter is now a Girl Scout who will be selling cookies this year.

"The lessons in courtesy and respect I learned then I still use today in my job," Urhahn said.

Members of Brownie Troop 227, who as third-graders are in their third year of selling, offered these selling tips they have found helpful:

"Ask politely," said Vanessa Ayers.

"Be kind," said Shelby Halter.

"Even if they say no, say thank you," said Jamie Popp.

"Smile," said Angela Morton.

COOKIES FOR SALE

Girl Scouts will be taking orders for cookies through Jan. 24. Delivery will be Feb. 23 through March 10.

Cost is $3 A box.

Cookie varieties this year are Thin Mints, Shortbread, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Lemon Pastry Cremes (reduced fat), Peanut Butter Patties, Upside-Downs Frosted Oatmeal and Animal Treasures (a new variety).

Cookie proceeds are used to fund local Girl Scout programs, camp properties and costs, service centers and troop projects.

For more information, call 334-7741 or (800) 686-0106.