• Executive Directors Column
• Booster Club Membership Drive
• Coordinator Expansion Underway
• Dear Booster
• Vendor of the Month -New Spin
• Booster Tips
• Seeking Nationwide Support
• Do-It Yourself Fundraiser
• Spotlight of the Month -Big Tray
• Fast Facts

STOP OVER FUNDRAISING. For many this might sound a bit different from the normal but if you want to raise more money, you need to run fewer really good fundraisers next year.

Most groups already run too many fundraisers. Boosters all understand the need for fundraising and have the best of intentions in helping to pay for more and more team and school priorities, but booster clubs can also find themselves burning out their volunteers which results in lower fundraising participation.

Take a critical look at all the times you asked parents to contribute or purchase items this year. Look especially for the one or two activities that took the most effort for the least reward or those programs that yielded relatively few dollars for your group. My advice: Drop those sales and put that same time and effort into improving your other fundraisers.

In almost every case you can most likely earn more by improving your primary fundraising event than by running an additional smaller fundraisers. An additional benefit, which will be greatly appreciated by your parents and members is that you will reduce the times you ask your parents' to reach into their pockets.

Sincerely,

Steve M. Beden
President
sbeden@boostercentral.org

OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open enrollment is now in process. This is the perfect time to register your club and take advantage of the club building tools, resources, training and support offered to members.

If your club has not received a membership notice, email us today: NABCA Club Enrollment

The NABCA is now recruiting Area Coordinators nationwide.
- Unlimited opportunity
- No competition
- Part-time or Full-time
- Help make a difference in your community!

To find out more email us your contact information and one of our qualified staff members will personally contact you or click here to learn more: Coordinator Opportunity

Enroll Your Club

Dear Booster........

Dear Booster,
I am interested in starting a booster club to support afterschool programs, any ideas on how we get started?
Jennifer S.
Detroit, MI

Dear Jennifer,
Congratulations on taking the first step in setting up a booster club. The benefits will be many for both the afterschool program and the participants. The proper organizational structure for booster clubs is traditionally the same regardless of whether it's sports music, school or non-school related. You will need to focus on three initial areas:

1. Corporate Registration
2. Officers & Directors, and
3. Policies & Procedures

Here is a short overview on each of these areas:
Corporate Registration; with the exception of a small number of clubs, the initial step in structuring your booster club should include filing for a non-profit corporate registration with your state Corporations Division. Before you can file, you will need to determine the clubs official name, establish a mailing address, decide who will become the registered agent and pick the initial incorporators. At the time of filing you will need to either submit a set of Articles of Incorporation, or in most cases you can fill out a downloadable template from the Corporations Division.

Officers & Directors; selecting your officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) is a task that is required to complete your state filing and to properly establish the organizational structure of your group. In most all states you are required to have at least a President and Secretary, which must be a different person. You will want to check your state requirements to insure compliance. Regardless of the size or number of people your club is starting out with, hold some form of recorded elections to position your officers. This can be from simply asking who would like to become the President and then all agreeing that this person will take the initial position, to holding official nominations, allowing the candidates to speak and then holding elections that become recorded and permanent record within your corporate book. When electing your officers set a term that will fit your group. Traditionally terms are set for 1 year at a time, with some positions carrying a longer term of 2 years.

Policies & Procedures; establishing the guidelines, which need to include a set of by-laws is the last of the organizational structure process your club will need to incorporate if you want to build a successful club. Your by-laws are the set of policies and procedures that typically govern the internal affairs of your organization. By-laws typically include rules concerning the election of directors, terms and responsibilities of the officers, and establish the procedures for handling money, conducting meetings and the scope of business.

Include all three of these steps in establishing proper organizational structure and your booster club can insure itself that it is taking the right steps to get your club moving..

Send us your Dear Booster.... article and we will select one each month to share with the readers of Booster Trends. To submit your email send to: dearbooster@boostercentral.org.

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Booster Basic:

- Visit parent meetings at schools and programs involving younger kids within similar activities – invite them to attend special events and activities.

- Conduct pre-season planning sessions with coaches, program directors and school officials. Let them know your group is their to support them and also needs their support as well.

- Develop postcards, flyers and promotional pieces where you can promote your mission and invite people to become a member and support your program.

NABCA Advocate - This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with contacts to local booster clubs, teams and businesses. The NABCA Advocate position does not require you to make any commitment other than your interest to periodically refer the NABCA to local booster clubs, teams and businesses. NABCA Advocates receive a commission or override for simply referring the association’s services to booster clubs, teams and businesses. This is an outstanding opportunity for any person who understands the role that extracurricular activities play in shaping our society. If you would like to register and become an NABCA Advocate, please email your contact information or visit BoosterWorld and register today.

Area Coordinators - The NABCA is now seeking individuals who would like to assist local clubs, teams and businesses. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone looking for an opportunity to work part-time, or looking to help make a difference in your community. Coordinators will receive high commissions for introducing the association’s services to businesses, schools and parent organizations. This is an outstanding opportunity for any person who understands the role that extracurricular activities play in shaping our society. If you would like to register and become an NABCA Advocate, please email your contact information or visit BoosterWorld and register today.

Polar Bear Plunge

A number of communities host Polar Bear (or similar) plunges into frigid winter waters to support Special Olympics and other worthy causes. They are open to anyone willing to “bear” the elements for a good cause. The object is simple. Raise money then plunge into the cold water! The charities raise funds from entry fees, sponsorships and the sale of "Plunge" souvenirs. The success of these events shows there are plenty of generous (and maybe crazy) people everywhere.

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