Band Booster Woes

[TonyTuba]

When a family leaves the program, the money is put into the capital savings....typically. Most important, is that the Director chooses the policy and it is clear to everyone when they start. Some will like to transfer that money to a friends account, or something else, but they need to know it is not the policy to do that. This policy can keep people from putting too much money into the band. Booster organizations are not for profit, and should have a clear budget for everything.

Certainly, colleges do not train potential music educators enough in this area of the job. Administrating a high school band is 80 % of the job. Don't get into it for the teaching...you will not do nearly enough of it to satisfy you.

[EuphDad]

As a former TX HS band booster president, I can't recall ever having this issue. The booster club handled all band expenses and always kept a reserve fund going into the next year. If the fund grew too large the excess money was spent on instruments or equipment, scholarships or subsidies for the end of year band banquet. If extra money existed before a band trip, often the trip was upgraded - nicer meals etc.

Robin Hood funding in Texas has put lots of pressure to offload
expenses onto non-district funding, making the boosters responsible for funding of activities that once were school supported. Our HS band booster budget was huge - handling well over $100,000+ each year.

UIL has regulations on what can be given to the students
as "gifts". They may have regulations on fund raising and
disposition of funds as well.

Some points for discussion that your Booster Board may want to consider.

If the excess is because of overpayment in cash by the parents
then a refund is appropriate.

If the excess is due to the student over zealousness in fund raising activities - and did not come directly from the pocket of the student or family, I would recommend that a Board policy be set - the excess money gets turned over for band scholarships to subsidize those in the band who can't afford the cost of the activities, instruments or lessons. The money technically is not the student's as the student never receives money raised from fundraising.

Our booster board treasurer always sent out student account statements at least 2x's a year, so everyone knew where they stood and how much they owed.

Good Luck! and have a great marching season!

[pierso20]

Typically, all excess funding at my high school upon graduation, was to be transfered to a sibling or friend or donated to the bands.

When I graduated however, a band booster walked up to me and handed me $65 in cash

I was then told, "make sure you spend this on music related thing....."

ha ha....I bought dinner that night

[Eric B]

Giving the students cash upon graduation is a poor idea. When people support a band booster fundraiser, they do so with the confidence that the money will stay in the program. Whatever you decide, I would definately publish this in a standard operating procedure book for your band booster club and in your band handbook. Be clear and legal.

By the way, I think that there is a publication available somewhere for Texas band booster organizations. That would likely cover this issue already.

***EDIT****

yes. here it is

http://www.uil.utexas.edu/policy/pdf/05 ... _guide.pdf

[Alex C]

I'm a new band director in Texas and I had a question about the operation of other Booster Organizations.

How does your Booster Organization handle excess money in student trip accounts after the trip? Also, once a student graduates or leaves the band, what is done with their money?

Knowing Texas bands, I'd say that you need advice from a somebody local. They do things in Texas differently than other states and there are local issues too.

If you have a fine arts director, I'd go to him/her first. If not, go to a band director in your area and keep your principal informed. CYA!

Band Boosters can get you hung, burned at the stake and fired in that order. Be careful, especially with money.

[Eric B]

[quote="Alex C
Band Boosters can get you hung, burned at the stake and fired in that order. Be careful, especially with money.[/quote]

AMEN!

I taught with a master teacher and he warned me of two things that will get you fired faster than low ratings:

1. Messin' with the girls.
2. Messin' with the money.

[EuphDad]

I agree that Texas is a different animal when it comes to marching band. Following UIL guidelines, checking with the administration and putting policy in writing are all good advice.

I'm somewhat surprised at the contempt expressed towards band boosters. From my experience two or three band directors cannot handle 225-275 kids without booster assistance. A successful band program cannot exist without booster support and all the band directors that I've been associated with would be the first to acknowledge this point.

There has to be mutual respect on all sides - kids, parents and band directors. Everyone needs to check egos and work together. The booster organizations that I have led and have actively been involved with understand that the director is in charge, always. But like any successful volunteer organization, communication and understanding is paramount. The emphasis must be on the kids at all times.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I'm somewhat surprised at the contempt expressed towards band boosters.

I looked through the previous posts, and can't find anything even remotely resembling "contempt expressed towards band boosters."

Band Boosters can get you hung, burned at the stake and fired in that order.

If that's the comment you are talking about, it's a fact...ask any young high school band director in Texas. Sometimes it's appropriate action on the part of the band boosters, sometimes not, but it is true nevertheless.

[tofu]

Also, once a student graduates or leaves the Band, if they request it, they can get the remaining money in their pocket. One student last year (Booster President's child) received well over $1000.

I guess I'm a little unclear where the remaining monies in the students account came from originally. If they were from the students and/or parents own pockets or from their individual efforts selling candy/subscriptions/christmas trees etc. then it should go to them if that is the policy or the way it has always been handled.

If it was just a general allocation by the boosters club or a group effort like a car wash then I would think it reasonable to go back in to the general booster fund.

If there was a policy in place that even if a students surplus was from his or her individual sales the unused balance would go back to the booster club it would be ok since everyone was forwarned. But I would bet you would never again see anyone put in the effort that would leave a big unused balanace in their personal account and certainly not a $1000.

[tbn.al]

In 1962, in South Arkansas, my Father was selected to be the "Band Booster" canidate for the school board to attempt to get rid of a derelict HS band director. The band director and superintendent were fishing buddies and the only way to oust one was to oust both. They succeeded in organizing to the point that they removed both from office within the year even in the face of opposition from the business community. Band parents have held a lot of power, for a lot of years in a lot of places. Sometimes it is used wisely, sometimes not.

[Alex C]

... From my experience two or three band directors cannot handle 225-275 kids without booster assistance. A successful band program cannot exist without booster support and all the band directors that I've been associated with would be the first to acknowledge this point.

This is a good point and illustrates what I said about things being different in Texas. Most states don't have high school bands that get that big (or bigger), it is common in Texas and parental help is essential.

Still booster clubs and cause a director real problems, particularly a new director.

As the new director, I would be concerned that students can re-claim their excess funds. I would go directly to the principal and ask his opinion. Then I would email and get a written response and follow whatever course he suggests. I would save the written response in my private email (forward it), not the school email.

A friend was teaching in the Valley (a Texas term) and found the booster club was too loose with the money. He asked the principal about it and the response did not make him feel better so he went to an educational-specialist attorney who advised him to leave at the end of the year, which he did. It is a well known band program here.