BoosterTrends Newsletter

December, 2003

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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

Booster Club Foundation to be launched

State Association inquiries are now being accepted.

Online Coordinator Registration now active

We Want To Know

We want to hear what you think about this enewsletter.

Do you know of a booster worker who deserves to be recognized?

Club Fact

The average booster club executive plays an active part of a booster club for 1.5 years.

If you want to maximize the involvement of your executives it is important that you establish a transition plan that will include outgoing officers training and passing on vital club information to incoming officers.

Quick Online Links

Command Central

Online Chat

Fundraising Corner

Vendor Showcase

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Vendor Membership

Check out past issues of Booster Trends

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Dear Readers,
This past year has seen a tremendous explosion in the number of people receiving Booster Trends. We hope that in some small way it's providing the help you need with your clubs and teams.

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 • Club Coordinator Opportunity • My Sports Dreams • New NBCA Vendors • Expanding Parent Participation • Vendor of Month • Fundraising Tips of the Month • Vendor Spotlight • Dear Booster • Monthly Booster Club Survey

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS COLUMN

GIVE THANKS IN PLACES THAT COUNT

Another year has successfully passed and we are now preparing for what is staging to be the most exciting year to date. Over the past few years we have hit many milestones and many firsts. Each has provided us with the ability to grow one step closer to achieving a level of national support that has been our focus from day one. Our journey is far from completed, but it does continue to move one step closer with each passing year.

Like any successful business, a skilled and competent team of dedicated professionals is key. I want to take a minute to thank all of those who have helped the National Booster Club Association become the success it is today. From our office staff, directors, coordinators, and even our members - thank you for helping us move one step closer to the vision and mission.

As we pass through the holiday season I would like to encourage each of you to also take a moment to thank those who have helped make your booster club a success. Let the coach or program director know how much you appreciate all of the time they take away from family to help coach and lead. Be sure to thank your schools administration for the work they do in supporting our kids and make a point of thanking the parents, volunteers, booster club officers and directors for their commitment and their dedication to helping make a difference.

I wish each of you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Happy Boostering!

Steve M. Beden
Executive Director

BECOME A CLUB COORDINATOR

During this past year approximately 3,000,000 people assumed an active position within an extra-curricular program or booster club.

They assumed these roles not because of the pay or the fringe benefits, they did so simply because they wanted to help support a program that provided a number of young men and women with the opportunity to take part in a structured activity.

If you are one of these people and your booster club looks to you for ideas, leadership, direction or solutions we want to offer you the opportunity to become a registered Club Coordinator.

Why should you become a registered Club Coordinator?

Because registered Club Coordinators receive opportunities throughout the year to attend training clinics, gain direct support from industry experts, receive special program notices and have access to an unlimited amount of resources. Resources that will make your job of supporting your booster club or team much easier and much more enjoyable.

The best part about being a registered Club Coordinator is not only the wealth of support and resources you will receive it is the ability to gain personal recognition from your peers. Registered Club Coordinators become eligible to earn regional and national awards, attend conferences and to earn commissions for helping bring solutions to your group.

If you would like to become a registered Club Coordinator email us your name, position, club or group name, city, state and contact number today!

MY SPORTS DREAMS

Announcing My Sports Dreams, the ultimate fundraising solution designed specifically for Booster Clubs and athletic teams. If you want to raise $500 or even $1,000, cookies, candy and car washes work just fine. But if you want to raise $5,000, $10,000 or even more, there’s nothing that generates money like My Sports Dreams.

With My Sports Dreams, there’s nothing to buy, no fees to prepay, no food to store, and no catalogs to distribute. Over 1,000 teams, clubs and individual athletes at every level and sport have raised over $1.5 million this year with My Sports Dreams.

My Sports Dreams is really fast, really easy and really profitable. It’s easy because we do most of the work. We provide you with a complete and customized direct mail campaign. All you have to do is sign letters and address envelopes. It’s fast because the average My Sports Dreams fundraising campaign is executed in a couple of hours, and money is in the bank in three weeks or less. And, it’s really profitable because with My Sports Dreams, money is collected $10 and $20 at a time, with 80% -90% of collections staying in-house.

Donors have 156 chances to win fantastic sports collectible prizes from the top memorabilia companies in the US: Steiner Sports, Upper Deck Authentic and Grand Stand. Great incentive items for booster club members and guaranteed prizes for the community are also part of the program. My Sports Dreams is the new way to raise thousands of dollars easily, quickly and profitably.

My Sports Dreams
It's Easy ! It's Fast ! It Really Works !

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH

Our Spotlight of the Month is AROMALIGHT CANDLES.

AROMALIGHT CANDLES

When Tim and Kim Wooten starting making candles for Christmas gifts, little did they know they were going into the candle making business. Those Christmas gifts were so popular that friends started asking for more. That was very exciting for the Wooten’s. Soon one of their friends talked them into having a booth at a craft show nearby.

Although the first craft show was not too profitable, the lady in the booth beside theirs suggested that they give their candles another try. So they did. At the next craft show, people who had bought candles at the last one were coming back wanting more and telling all the people around them what wonderful candles these were. Needless to say, they sold out of candles and kept coming back to sell more.

This lead to the fact that they were making more money selling candles than they were at their full-time jobs. So Tim quit being an engineer and went full time candle making. Soon Kim followed. After a while, they were on the internet and selling candles all over the place. Before long they were hiring people to help them make the candles and ship them as quickly as possible.

One of the things about their candles is that they are very fragrant. The Wooten’s have developed a special formula for the fragrances. So when you are thinking candles, thinking Aromalight. Their website is www.aromalightcandles.com. Their telephone number is 877-542-3285.

You can check out these and other vendors on BoosterWorld or send me an email if you have any questions: jevans@boosterclubs.org.

NEW VENDORS

We would like to welcome the following companies to the National Booster Club Association:

NEW VENDORS

ATHLETIC BOOSTERS, LLC
Athletic Boosters.com raises money for booster clubs through internet sale of products such as nutritional supplements, beef jerky, skin care products, diet books and fitness manuals. The prices are lower than market prices and there is a 20% rebate back to the booster club for every sale that their members make.

MSB GIFTS
This unique boutique online specializes in African-American art work, stationery, angels, Christmas ornaments and many other items. There is a whole line of African-American art that is fabulous.

PROFIT QUESTS.COM
A fundraising company that provides free services of helping booster clubs with their fundraising plans. They also have an inkjet and laser cartridge recycling program.

SWEET CHOCOLATES & DELIGHTS, LLC
This company should be called “How To Gain 30 Pounds By Looking”. The chocolate pizza is so good that even non-chocoholics rave about it. There is a choice of 5 toppings or, if they can, they will try and put on whatever you want. Great idea for Christmas, New Year’s, or birthdays, etc.

RECYCLE FIRST
This company has a track record in recycling. They specialize in implementation of recycling programs for fundraising and the use of recycled products. They can help you start a recycling program and make it work for you.

NORTH VALLEY FUNDRAISING
North Valley has some of the finest standards for fundraising. Their cookie dough is top quality. Their pizza is yummy and the cheesecake…pure heaven. They give a 50% profit with no hidden costs for the booster clubs.

HAZER CORPORATION/SPORTS COOLER
Sportscooler.com has designed a sports cooler to hold soda, water, etc. These are in the shape of footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, hockey pucks and motor sports. Their fundraising program is especially geared toward booster clubs.

LASER LIGHT TECHNOLOGIES
Want to pave an area with bricks? Why not sell the bricks individually and make money at the same time? This company will put the name of the person or company on the brick with a laser so that it lasts a long time.

THE PINAHS
Tired of potato chips? Want something else to snack on? Try Pinahs cheese and bacon snacks. Or perhaps you like garlic rounds. This company has several type of snacks in small bags. Try them for flavor and freshness. Great idea for your concession stand.

IAB
A non-profit organization that specializes in medical and dental benefits. This is for both individuals and families.

We are excited to have each of them onboard and look forward to the opportunity of helping you become involved in the tremendous products and services each provides.

We encourage you to visit each of them on BoosterWorld and check out the opportunities they provide to support your organizations.

THE ONE MINUTE SHOPPER

“The One Minute Shopper” – a replacement product fundraiser – a product that nearly everyone uses. Let us tell you about “The One Minute Shopper”.

First, it’s gourmet meats, delivered to your home at affordable prices. It is one-half to two-thirds less in price than most gourmet meat catalogue companies – perfect for gift-giving. “The One Minute Shopper” is called T.O.M.S. and they are on-line at www.theoneminuteshopper.com. There are a variety of 20 packages all priced at $199.00. This includes delivery unlike all other mail order gourmet meats providers. Very simply put, “The One Minute Shopper” is designed for 2-3 people and most of the packages will last approximately 8-10 weeks. The average weekly cost of a package will vary between $20.00 - $30.00 per week. For seniors and singles, the cost per week will be less because of the food lasting longer. Larger families will find that the food lasts up to three weeks and the cost is offset by replacing some of their ordinary shopping.

“The One Minute Shopper” available to everyone in the community. T.O.M.S. gives you a sensible return for your donation. It is a replacement product fundraiser for meats that they are going to buy anyway. Just imagine, for every order, a $20.00 donation goes to a school.

To all of the National Booster Clubs - please look into getting involved. Click onto www.tomsnbca.com for more information. It could ease a lot of your financial problems.

HOW TO INCREASE PARENT PARTICIPATION

The effectiveness and efficiency of an enthusiastic booster club can provide an excellent vehicle for community involvement and a perfect way to offset the rising costs affecting extra-curricular programs across the country.

However, having an effective booster club is much more than monthly meetings and money drives. It is about teamwork, responsibility, accountability and awareness.

Building a strong booster club requires the involvement of parents and supporters working together for a common cause. Taking the rights steps to insure parent participation is key, taking the right steps to increase parent participation is vital.

All booster clubs face the challenge of increasing parent participation, so don't think your group is standing out in left field and all alone when it comes to gaining the support and involvement of parents.

Overcoming the problem will require an ongoing campaign and will need to be duplicatable. Every booster club is different - different needs, different classes of parents, different objectives. Because of this you need to understand that there isn't a solve all answer to the problem. Instead there are a set of proven pointers and ideas that, when put together will produce the desired results, every time.

Use the following ideas and pointers to help increase your parent participation:

• Open club activities and meetings to all parents - the general public
• If your booster club is high school related visit local middle schools and invite parents to attend your events and activities.
• Start each year with an activity where parents can come and find out about the
booster club. Don't make it an event where work is required - have fun.
• Build a clear mission statement. When people understand what you stand for and
what you do, you will dramatically increase your chances for gaining support.
• Build a strong management team.
• Develop "club friendly schedules" Example: making your monthly meetings on the
same day each month - ie. 2nd Wednesday.
• Limit the number of fundraisers and make sure everyone understands the need and
goal.

VENDOR OF THE MONTH

Our Vendor of the Month is LOREMAN'S.

LOREMAN’S
Your One Stop Promotional Shop, providing services in custom and contract screen printing, multi-head embroidery and engraving.

This is the slogan for a company that is now 24 years old and going strong. Don Loreman started the company in 1979 by delivering a quality product in record time from the back of his car. A burned out 100 year old farmhouse was their first home and still is part of the company today. Mr. Loreman strived to make a great product in a short amount of time and did it. Air Force One and the Olympics have used this company for various products. They also have worked for pro sports teams and many booster clubs.

Mr. Loreman has now turned the company over to his son Thom. Thom has worked in the company since he was a teen-ager and worked all the machines and areas of the company. He is striving to make the company bigger and better all the time. The name Loreman’s has become one that is associated with quick turn around times and someplace where you can go for specialty items. Thom says that he tries to accommodate everyone with their ideas. He has two shifts that work daily to get all the products, done well and they can have a 24 hour turn around if needed.

One of their slogans is that they have everything from awards to zippo lighters that can be engraved or embroidered. They have an extensive product list and keep adding to it all the time. Their pride in workmanship is seen in each article that they do.

For T-shirts, sweatshirts, nylon jackets or any other article of clothing that you wish to have your logo on, done in a quick manner at a good price, contact Thom Loreman at www.loremans.com or call him at (518) 834-9205. He will take care of your order quickly and make it look like a million.

You can check out these and other vendors on BoosterWorld or send me an email if you have any questions: jevans@boosterclubs.org.

DO-IT YOURSELF FUNDRAISER OF THE MONTH

Breakfast With Santa: Hold a Breakfast with Santa in December. Sell tickets for $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Serve pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, milk and juice. Servers dress as Santa's elves. Santa visits each table addressing the children by name (courtesy of name tags). Santa then retreats to his decorated throne where you sell pictures of the children with Santa.Use a Polaroid or a digital camera (with laptop computer and printer) on a tripod for consistently clear shots. Arrange a good backdrop and/or props such as a sleigh or reindeer.

Experiment ahead of time to determine the best lighting and distance for good photos. Get photo cards or envelopes to make sure the photos get home in good shape. Sing Christmas carols to help pass the time. Photos can be extra or included in the breakfast ticket charge, raise ticket prices accordingly. If included, tables for service could be assigned as participants arrive and photo sessions called by table number to avoid long waiting lines. You might also arrange a secret microphone on Santa, with the speaker in the parents designated waiting area to learn their child's secret wish for Christmas.

Option: Change the date and costumed characters, and you have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, St Patrick, the Great Pumpkin, Uncle Sam, the Pilgrims, you name it. For Easter, you could also include a sale of flowers and spring plants or decorated eggs. You can sell appropriately decorated cookies, pies or cakes at any event.

Source: Fundraising Ideas & Products Center

TURN FUNDRAISING INTO A SUCCESSFUL FUN-RAISING CAMPAIGN

Don't mess out on a phenomenal opportunity to kick a fundraising program into high gear.

The fundraising staff at the NBCA are highly knowledgeable and experienced in the area of helping to provide guidance in selecting and running a successful fundraiser.

Whether your goal is to raise $500 or $50,000 give our fundraising team a call and let them help make your next fundraising campaign a Fun Raising Success!

Logon to BoosterWorld or contact our fundraising department today to get help and support with your next campaign.

DEAR BOOSTER .....

Dear Booster,
I read an article, titled “Booster clubs have significant role in supporting high school athletics”, on your website about the NBCA and it really struck a chord with me.

At my son’s high school, there is no overall booster club or even an athletics booster club. All groups are left to fend for themselves. The two groups I work with, baseball and football, are loosely organized and I think they could benefit from “being run like a business” with a formal structure, roles and responsibilities, committees, a mission statement, etc. Both groups have highly motivated and involved parents but lack a common vision. What are your thoughts on this?

Patrick C.
Colorado Spings, CO

Dear Patrick,
Your comments on how a booster club should be organized are dead on. A booster club, just like any effective business must have structure, it must have a mission and it must have a plan of action. The fact that your groups have highly motivated and involved parents is a tremendous reason to get them organized now before they lose interest and you have to start back over from square one.

The process of setting up and organizing a booster club is basically the same regardless of the activity it supports. It includes developing a mission statement, articles and bylaws, registering with your state and the federal government, electing officers and board members and then moving onto planning and conducting formal business. A great number of booster clubs feel that formally establishing themselves is too much work and something they would prefer to put off until the next years group gets involved, but for any group that wants to really support its program, these steps are a must to getting started on the right foot, and will also help to keep the group on track for years to come. I recommend you visit the BoosterWorld website where you can find helpful resources on how to structure your booster club so that it is bring run like a business.

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.

SEEKING NATIONWIDE HELPERS

We still have a few openings left for the following positions:

Club Coordinators - The NBCA is seeking individuals who are currently working with or involved with booster clubs. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone currently working with a club or team who would like to turn the time you are spending into an opportunity to receive prizes, awards, recognition and compensation. Club Coordinators do not have to do anything more than you are currently doing. If you would like to be considered for the position of Club Coordinator, please email your name, club affiliation, city and state. No telephone calls, please. Email us today @ marketing@boosterclubs.org

Area & Regional Coordinators - The NBCA is now seeking individuals who would like to assist local clubs, teams and businesses. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone currently working with a club or team, 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 be considered for this position, please email your resume and cover letter. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. No telephone calls, please. Email us today @ marketing@boosterclubs.org

PROFIT QUEST

A New Fundraising Source

Now booster clubs can tap into an incredible new source of free fundraising ideas, products, tips and resources. ProfitQuests.com Fundraising provides a valuable website that assists the small to medium sized booster club, nonprofit organization, association, or group to begin generating funds with little or no money.

ProfitQuests.com has provided many unique fundraising ideas to literally thousands of nonprofit groups all across the globe. This proven fundraising resource offers dozens of successful and easy fundraising ideas and they’ve done it for free with you the fundraiser in mind.

The Fundraising Ideas section www.profitquests.com/FundraisingIdeas.html is designed to offer you dynamic fundraising ideas with results that you will love.

As visitors venture through ProfitQuests.com, they find the fundraising product section of particular value http://www.profitquests.com/FundraisingProductCenter.html. The products highlighted are typically free to start and most will generate incredibly high profit margins.

If you haven’t visited this website, then take a few minutes to look it over or call them toll free 888-272-4540. Point your browser to www.ProfitQuests.com and get started.

In our opinion, your nonprofit will definitely gain from the expert fundraising knowledge available. It could prove to be one of the best decisions your booster club could make. It certainly has the potential to make your next fundraiser easy, exciting and much more profitable.

CLUB SURVEY RESULTS

In last month's issue we asked the following question:

Why are you involved with your Booster Club?

The following responses were received:

73%

Responded that they are involved because they support their kids.

11%

Stated that they enjoy the opportunity to work with other parents.

Stated that they become involved because a friend/relative was involved.

Responded that they feel it is important to be involved with the booster club because of the support it provides to their school or program.

To all of you that took the time to respond - thank you! Your responses help us to better understand how we can provide you support, guidance and assistance.

This month we would like to get your response to the following question:

WHAT IS YOUR CLUBS #1 GOAL FOR 2004?

Submit your answers now
We will report the results in next months Booster Trends e-newsletter.

FAST FACT

Fact of the month-
Fundraising is the #1 activity of booster clubs, yet it is also the most unplanned and researched. The majority of all booster clubs conduct fundraisers that are unrealistic for their group or require a greater deal of involvement than their groups historical involvement creates. Spend the time to get all the facts about a fundraiser before you decide to jump in head first. Making sure the fundraiser fits the profile, interest and goals of your group is key to fundraising success.

Quote of the month-
"Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

Unknown Author

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Booster Trends is an online e newsletter provided by The National Booster Club Association. NBCA, BoosterWorld and Booster Trends are trademarks of The National Booster Club Association. All rights reserved. Copyright© 2003.

National Booster Club Association
100 N. Morain St., #208
Kennewick, WA 99336
info@boosterclubs.org
509-735-2878
Fax: 509-735-4917