BoosterTrends Newsletter

October, 2005

Dear Readers,

For those of you who are just receiving Booster Trends for the first time - Welcome! You join a growing list of fellow booster associates from around the country.

We encourage you to keep your letters, emails, comments and questions coming. Staying in touch with your needs is our key focus. As we work to help provide a support system for booster clubs we thank you for allowing us the ability to play a part in helping you and your club succeed. Together, we are making positive progress that counts!

Now, on to this month's issue.

in this issue. .

• Executive Directors Column
• Coordinator Expansion Underway
• Dear Booster
• Innovative Athletic offers Jerky
• Vendor of the Month - Hot Shots
• Seeking Nationwide Support
• Fundraising & Grant Resources
• Do-It Yourself Fundraiser
• Night Golf Tournaments
• Spotlight of the Month - A Gary's Treasures
• HalfNoteHouse
• Fast Facts

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS COLUMN

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL BOOSTER CLUBS
This month my article continues with the second of four topics related to addressing the four greatest areas that challenge booster clubs. The remaining two topics will continue in November and December.

Booster Club Challenge #2: Increasing Parent Participation
The strength of any booster club is only as good as the active support from your parents so gaining their involvement is key to helping build a strong booster club.

How many of your parents actually take an active role in helping your club? Two, Five, Fifteen?

It's typical that only a handful of parents actually play an active role with a booster club, but increasing that number is something that will expand your club and its ability to better support your program. If you want to increase the level of parent participation you must include the following:

1. A clear and constant line of communication with all parents.
2. A clear understanding as to what is expected from each parent, and
3. An open and friendly working atmosphere where parents can feel welcome.

For the majority we choose to get involved in activities where we feel wanted, valuable and have fun. This is no different when you are trying to gain the active participation from parents within your club.

Don't make getting involved with your club a job for the parents. Keep jobs small and rewards many. Let the parents know right from the start of the year what is expected and what is not. Give them options that they can work with and that will be rewarding for your club.

Parent participation is vital to every clubs success so take the time to build a strong campaign around increasing your parent participation.

I wish each of you the best of success.
Happy Boostering!

Steve M. Beden
Executive Director

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Dear Booster........

Send Dear Booster your letters, comments and concerns. We will publish one each month and share Dear Booster answers with other clubs around the country.

Do you have something you would like to submit for the upcoming Dear Booster column? Send it to Dear Booster now.

Updates

Area Coordinator Expansion Underway

Online Links

Business Member Enrollment

Booster Club Enrollment

Advocate Enrollment

Member Login

BoosterTrends Archive

COORDINATOR EXPANSION UNDERWAY

The NBCA 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

DEAR BOOSTER

Dear Booster,
I have just taken on the role of president for our booster club and we are looking for guidance on how to structure a Booster Club to support our athletic teams at our schools. Our school has had a booster club in the past but in recent years it seems as though they've lost their way and no one seems to know exactly how a booster club should be organized and run. Any information you could offer would be appreciated.
Dennis R
Richardson Tiger Boosters

Dear Dennis,
Welcome to the NBCA. Our focus is helping support booster clubs and the activities they promote. Through our online Internet portal - BoosterWorld, seminars, regional events and activities, fundraising programs and solutions, interactive booster club tools and ongoing guidance the NBCA is working to help both start-up and existing clubs gain a position of stable growth. Within Club Central we have included sample documents that outlines booster club guidelines.You will also find other sample documents which can be used in starting your club. I would also like to encourage you to register your group once you have gathered some parents together to start the club. This will officially start the connection between your club and the NBCA so we can provide you more in depth support and guidance.

We welcome and encourage you to send additional emails as you start the process of building the club so we can provide one-on-one support and guidance. Review the documents and then email us so we can help insure your booster club becomes a huge success.

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@boosterclubs.org.

INNOVATIVE ATHLETIC OFFERS JERKY

America’s Family Favorite!
Fundraising!

Quickly Create Revenue for your teams, schools, churches, clubs, etc

“Hey Dude” BEEF JERKY
Re-Sealable Snack Bags!

Natural Style Solid Strips of Beef Original, Peppered and Teriyaki
Cost Per Package-$2.50 Retail $5.00 Profit 100%
36/3.5 oz packages per case Cost Per Case- $90.00 Profit-$90.00

Free Shipping 5 or more cases!

97% fat free
Soft, Tender, and Chewy.
Marinated to perfection, mesquite smoked to deliver a mouth watering taste, unmatched by any other beef jerky available.

I'm the head cheer coach at Lake County High School in Leadville Colorado. My cheerleaders were in desperate need of funds. We took a chance on the "Hey Dude" Targhee brand Beef Jerky. The taste was delicious, the price was great, and the product moved quickly. I can't rave enough about the customer service. We are looking at our Fundraisers for next year and will definitely consider selling the beef jerky again. Sincerely,
J. Lucero, Head Cheer Coach, LCHS, 1/30/04

Call us @ (800)504-0434 or Visit the Store @ www.innovativeathletic.com

VENDOR OF THE MONTH

Hot Shots
Hot Shots was started about a year ago when we were attending a fundraising luncheon put on by the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame Baseball Museum in Kansas City. The fundraising luncheon was attended by many local and national sports celebrities, media, as well as youth sports organizations. As photographs of fans and sports celebrities were being taken and sold to support the Museum we began thinking that putting these photographs on the actual sports ball would become an even more valuable keepsake...thus Hot Shots began.

Hot Shots became involved with NBCA because it's no secret that fundraising is the key to success for youth sports, schools, etc... Our product is extremely unique, and provides a keepsake that doesn't end up in a drawer somewhere in the house. There are a number of fundraising products out there on the market, but nothing we've found as unique and personalized as the Hot Shots product. We've found that booster clubs and other fundraising organizations are always looking for something different to sell to raise money because it always seems that the same old candy bars are sold each and every year.

Hot Shots is able to customize our fundraising programs to fit any organization. We have a couple of standard programs, which have seemed to work best. The Hot Shots product is different and unique. It’s a product that can be personalized and the cross-selling opportunities with our entire product line provides additional incentives to those organizations wanting to raise serious dollars.

Believe - We believe that fun, family, photography, and philanthropy is the key to success in this business. Our objective is to share our success with others through fundraising.

Mission - Is to provide a unique, exciting product that enhances and preserves your favorite memories; while serving dually as an excellent tool of marketing, advertising, merchandising and fundraising.

Strive - To contribute to the larger community. To that end, Hot Shots partners with worthwhile causes and foundations to use the Hot Shots products as fundraisers. For moor information, please email customerservice@hotshotsmvp.com, or call 816.522.1490

www.hotshotsmvp.com

SEEKING NATIONWIDE SUPPORT

NBCA Advocate - This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with contacts to local booster clubs, teams and businesses. The NBCA Advocate position does not require you to make any commitment other than your interest to periodically refer the NBCA to local booster clubs, teams and businesses. NBCA 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 extra-curricular activities play in shaping our society. If you would like to register and become an NBCA Advocate, please email your contact information or visit BoosterWorld and register today.

Area Coordinators - The NBCA 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 extra-curricular activities play in shaping our society. If you would like to register and become an NBCA Advocate, please email your contact information or visit BoosterWorld and register today.

Club Coordinators - The NBCA is seeking individuals who are currently working with or involved with a booster club or extra-curricular program. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone currently involved with a club, team or extra-curricular program and who would like to turn the time you are spending into an opportunity to receive prizes, awards, recognition and compensation. Club Coordinators simply do what they are currently doing, nothing more. If you would like to register for the position of Club Coordinator, please email your name, club affiliation, city and state. Email us today at marketing@boosterclubs.org

FUNDRAISING & GRANT RESOURCES

10 grants worth roughly $3,550 each in cash and eq
Deadline: December 30, 2005
Source: http://www.toolfactory.com/olympus_contest/olympus_teacher.htm
Educators whose curriculum ideas illustrate effective and creative use of digital cameras and software resources are invited to apply. Proposals should involve the teacher's entire class via a group project or should allow each student to have the opportunity to build their own project.

$3 million for environmental stewardship
Grant Title: Environmental Education Grants Program
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Eligibility: Education agencies, nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities
Value: Up to $79,000 per award; total number of awards va
Deadline: November 23, 2005
Source: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants_sol2006.html
This grant supports environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop aware and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. The program provides financial support for projects which design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques as described in this notice.

DO IT YOURSELF FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH

Pajama Day Fundraising
Students pay $.50 to $1.00 on a designated day and get to wear their pajamas to school. It's a very easy fundraising idea. All you need is someone to go the classrooms and collect the money. Everyone at our school likes it so much that even the teachers participate! Consider having a contest for the ugliest, weirdest, etc. pajamas.

NIGHT GOLF TOURNAMENTS

C.N. IS BELIEVING BRIGHTENS UP THE NIGHT AND BOOSTS YOUR BANK ACCOUNT!

C.N. IS BELIEVING creates amazing sports products in the backwoods of New Hampshire. They have, perhaps, the MOST UNIQUE line of sports products in America. That is quite a claim to make, so let's take peek inside their "toy box" and see if you, too, can become a believer.

Have you ever hit a golf ball in the dark? Chances are if you have, it is the famous NITELITE GOLFBALL which has been used in over 237,000 NITELITE tournaments and fundraisers in the U.S.A. and 79 countries. The translucent NITELITE golf ball uses a small lightstick that makes it shine like a shooting star. Golf courses look like something from STAR WARS when they are illuminated with larger lightsticks on the flag pins, around the circumference of the greens, in the cups, at the 100, 150 and 200 yard markers and on the tees where 4 giant lighted golf balls appear. Players and golf carts are also illuminated. Hand held flashlights guide the cart drivers if the carts do not have headlights. A nine hole shotgun scramble is usually the format. Many times nine holes are played in the afternoon and nine holes at night with a cocktail party and dinner, barbeque or cook-out in between. This gives the golfers a full round of 18 holes with real golf and the challenge and FUN OF NITE GOLF!

Millions of dollars have been raised by schools, churches, hospitals, civic groups and charities all over the world with NITELITE GOLF. Many times charities cannot use busy and famous golf courses during the daytime but they can at night. A small percentage of the total profit can be given to the host golf course. Many courses will do it for free since it is for a good cause like raising money for the local football or class trip. Prices per player start at about $10. So if a greens fee of $100 is charged and there are 72 players, $6490 will be raised. Plus a lot more money will be raised by holding CLOSEST TO THE PIN and PUTTING CONTESTS before the tournament starts. Also sponsorships can be sold for advertising signs of companies on the tee boxes and around the greens at $100 or more per sign. Everyone is GUARANTEED to have lots of fun and will be asking when is the next NITELITE GOLF TOURNAMENT.

Other golf products that can be sold at your NITELITE GOLF FUNDRAISER include the NEW TEETIME GOLFBALL GLASSES which light up 7 colors and oscillate, NEW DRIVER WILD COLOGNE AND TEES PERFUME WITH TALKING SILVER AND GOLD GOLFBALLS which allow every golfer to record 1,000 messages for their favorite playing partner, FORE-EVER GOLFBALLS, the world's longest distance golf balls, WON-PUTT GOLFBALLS, the only golf balls with a patented and LEGAL guidance system on the ball, the SHORT-SHOT GOLFBALL, the world's shortest golf ball because it can only be hit 50 yards, the GOLFBALL FINDER which finds golf balls as well as other lost items and saves every golfer strokes and finally what better way to raise some money than by selling money with the $100 MONEYBALLS, which are $100 bill look-a- likes wrapped around the inside of a golf ball and then covered with a clear surlyn cover. Golfers can now drive for show and PUTT WITH DOUGH.

If golf is not your sport, don't worry. C.N. IS BELIEVING has something for everyone. New this year is the NITELITE FOOTBALL, a 8 inch foam football which lights up anywhere for nighttime fun by using two light sticks which slip right inside the football. This football can be passed over 60 yards and looks like a FIREBALL. A great fundraiser which requires no selling.....JUST SHOW AND TELL. Exciting halftime entertainment shows can be held during night football games. Cheerleaders and players can do some razzle-dazzle pass patterns with the NITELITE FOOTBALLS and educate all the fans that the balls are for sale at the concession stands. Peps rallies held in the gym or auditorium are perfect places for NITELITE FOOTBALL demonstrations. The students will be ABSOLUTELY CRAZY about them! Don't forget colleges and fraternities located near your town.

If football is not your game, how about the NITELITE FLYING MAJIK DISC, NITELITE WIFFLEBALL, NITELITE HOCKEY PUCK, NITELITE BADMINTON BIRDIE AND NITELITE EASTER EGGS? These exciting products all light up for nighttime fun! When people see them in action, they have to buy them!

Want to DOUBLE YOUR MONEY? Just show the NEW DOUBLE DISC which allows anyone to throw one flying disc that splits in two. Great fun and improves hand-eye coordination at the same time. THROW ONE AND CATCH TWO!
Want to hit a HOMERUN with your next fundraiser?

Sell AUTOMATIC CURVEBALLS AND SLIDERS which allow any player to throw and hit all types of curves, screwballs, sinkers and risers. No talent is required.

Endorsed by RED SOX star, JIM RICE and ORIOLE PITCHER and CY YOUNG Winner, MIKE FLANAGAN. Every year over 500,000 high school and college baseball players need to learn to hit "breaking balls" if they are going to make the MAJOR LEAGUES. Ted Williams said these amazing baseballs were the greatest hitters helpers he had ever seen!
And speaking of baseball....how would you like to take your son or daughter to the ballpark and not only get an autograph but a TALK-O-GRAPH? Yes, that's right! Now anyone can capture their favorite player's voice right inside the amazing NEW TALKING BASEBALL. There is also a place for your favorite player's photograph right inside the ball. Can you imagine if you had a baseball with BABE RUTH'S, MICKEY MANTLE'S, ALEX RODRIGUEZ'S, DAVID ORTIZ'S, or ALBERT PUJOLS'S voice in it?

In addition to the above products, your BOOSTER CLUB can also make money selling light sticks, necklaces and bracelets which are great for any nighttime sporting event, fair festival, concert, circus and rally. C.P.A. offers the lowest light stick prices in the U.S.A.

Hopefully you can now see why C.N. IS BELIEVING has a very exciting line up of unique fun products which will make money for your BOOSTER CLUB. You can check out all their products at www.cnisbelieving.com and
www.nitelitegolf.com. Or call for a FREE catalog and fundraising plan today at 800-282-1533.

Find out why C.N. IS BELIEVING says they put the FUN IN FUNDRASING!

SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH

A Gary's Treasures
~Specializing in school, company, and athletic uniforms~

A Gary's Treasures is celebrating 15 years in business. We have been serving satisfied customers years. We specialize in custom embroidery and monogramming, school uniforms, screen printing, and religious items. Our craftsmanship is second to none and we pride ourselves on attention to detail.

Precision craftsmanship / No set up fees

Apparel makes great school spirit gifts! We cater to all schools. We carry sizes Pre K through High School. We have a huge selection of pants, shirts, sweaters, jumpers, ties, skirts, skorts, and gym uniforms. We return 10% of all uniform sales to your school and we are also extending a 10% discount to customers who place their orders and pay in full between February and June.

A Gary’s Treasures does personalization for each player by individually packaging and labeling items with names and numbers on apparel - Even for parents!! Orders completed within 10 working days and delivered directly to your school!!! We do team fundraisers and special discounts. Items include: sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, and blankets.

Wear your school logo with pride...

Please visit us at www.garystreasures.com and view our online catalogs. Call (518) 383-1171 or email garystreasures3@aol.com or fax (518) 383-1197 orders at any time. It will be our pleasure to serve you and your organization in anyway we can.

HALFNOTEHOUSE

The NBCA would like to acknowledge a soon to be launched branch in our expansion of services and at this time we would like to share a glimpse of this program with our readership. Please watch for further information in the coming monthly BoosterTrends newsletters.

Who we are:
HalfNoteHouse.com, Instrument for Kids Program, has been developed to assist in making available to all children, instruments, for their use to experience the wonderful world of music. We are dedicated to assisting the parents’ organizations (booster clubs) in helping them maintain the existing extra-curricular activities for all children. With the severe budget cuts that continue to plague our school districts the first programs that are cut are any extra-curricular whether they are sports or music programs. Since research shows that children involved with music education have a tendency to be better students we want that trend as well to continue with our support.

HalfNoteHouse.com, Instrument for Kids Program will provide the following services for our children, schools and parents’ support organizations.
- Instruments for Kids
- Instruments for Schools
- Private Lessons for participating children and schools
- Music educational material (books and education.) for participating children
- Group Lessons for participating children and schools
- Annual Concert with our children performing together
- At least four arts programs for our children to attend and learn each year
- Annual Charity Dinner to honor our student teachers and delivery of scholarships. Announcements of growth and additional new programs that will be available through HalfNoteHouse.com

Our Parents’ Organizations can become members of HalfNoteHouse.com through the NBCA and receive the assistance required to maintain the existing programs and possibly develop new programs pertaining to music that we can help support with them. These will be determined once further discussions and additional needs from all the organizations have been earmarked.

HalfNoteHouse.com is currently looking for support in the following areas:

1. Donations of instruments;
From the community, schools, music stores, orchestras, bands, Universities, former musicians, present musicians, individuals with instruments in closets or in storage units.

2. Financial Donations and Community Support;
HalfNoteHouse.com is currently seeking donations to total $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) to initiate the programs outlined in the above “Who we are…” section. The following pertains to the use of funds that we require to support our programs.

- Legal underwriting
- Computer software development
- Grant writing
- Music education books for all instruments
- Instrument purchase
- Student Teacher selection process
- Instrument Repair
- Affiliation programs for sponsorship
- Further development of Parents’ Organizational support programs
- Additional personnel to support the entire Valley area and other cities in Arizona and around the country.

FAST FACT
Booster Factoid of the month- Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising.......fundraising. The increasing cutback in funding that supports extra-curricular programs is causing in excess of 97% of all booster clubs to make fundraising their #1 focus. Quote of the month- Life offers two great gifts --time, and the ability to choose how we spend it. Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us. - Richard I. Winword

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