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General Booster Club vs. Individual Booster Club

C cocdawg1,000+ posts
There's much discussion about this subject in the small town I live in. For as long as I can remember, our high school has had a very supportive Athletic Booster Club, that's fueled by the football team. The A.D. is also the head football coach. Having said that, the guy is a stand up guy that would never get above and beyond what's needed for his sport. Over the past year, several other sports have become successful, baseball being one of them, and some of the parents have wanted to raise their own money for their sports. The rule in our school sytem is each sport gets one fundraiser per year to go towards there sport and all other money comes out of the club fund as needed. The reason for this rule is the school system doesn't want local businesses hit up for money every time they turn around. I'm thankful for this b/c how in the world would we choose who to give and not give money to. There's complaints about the football team getting pre-game meals, while other sports don't. So, different people in the community have paid for the meals this football season. What are some of the pros and cons to separate booster clubs? What does your local high school's have?

Another question, how many high schools don't have their own facilities? Our school system doesn't have its own baseball fields. We use the rec. fields. The fields serve a purpose and the school system and rec. dept. work well together. Having said that, the baseball coach would like to build some indoor hitting/pitching facilities. He wants to use money he's raised with his one fundraiser a year. He has the money to do everything but close the facility in at this time BUT the high school and rec. dept. want let him but the cages on rec. dept. property and there's no room on the high school property. I understand, as a small school/town, we have to make sacrifices but you've got to give the coach something to work with...Right? What are you guys thoughts on this as well?
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C cocdawg1,000+ posts
dub-L-play, This is a small town/school system in Class A (lowest classification in GA). That's the reason I don't think individual booster clubs will work. However, we DO need to do something about baseball facilities....just not sure what. News on the streets this week is next year all athletes will be charged an "athletic fee" to play sports. I'd never heard of this in public schools until I got to checking around. I don't mind paying the fee for my child to play, nor do I mind paying the booster club fees but I would like to see something in return as far as baseball facilities are concerned.
D dub-L-play10+ posts
I think I would start with the rule of 1 Fundraiser per sport. There are several ways to raise money besides asking businesses for donations. Car Washes, Pizza sales, etc. I understand about badgering the businesses over and over (especially in a small town). But I see no reason why you could not try other ways to raise money.

Unfortunately, unless everyone else is on board with upgrading the facilities, you maybe fighting an uphill battle. Especially since your field is part of the city, and already being maintained by the city. As a taxpayer in this economy, you would have to justify 2 fields in the same city, and the maintenance they require. Do others feel the same way? Would the school board be receptive to the baseball team raising money for it?
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
I helped start our booster club three years ago. Prior to this there was not one. We started slow and are continuing to experiment with ways to generate funds. We have also set it up as a 501c(3) non profit organization.

Our key fundrasing comes from:

1. Baseball tournaments (2ea) - great way to tie fundrasing to the program.
2. Alum game and BBQ. Fun event and Alums are usually willing to contribute some.
3. Signage/sponsors.
4. Snack Shack.
4. Baseball program with tie into signage sponsors.
5. Carwashes/pie sales/misc stuff.

We raise around $20-25K per year.

Probably as important as the fundrasing, the club provides organizational assistance to the program and we end up doing a lot of the field mantanence.

Start slow and do what you can accomplish then expand.
C cocdawg1,000+ posts
dub-L-play, I agree with the one fundraiser idea but the AD says he doesn't want more than one per sport. I, and many others, would love to get away from having to depend on the city fields. The superintendant has ask for the baseball/softball coaches to get him some figures. Our school board brags about having the lowest school taxes of anywhere in our area BUT it shows!! We need to raise taxes...wow, can't believe I just said that.

BOF, with the facilities being owned by the city signage sponsors is up to the rec. dept. and they get the money, tourney not really feasible with existing facilities, carwashes, etc. (only 1 fundraiser per year so we have to make it count), Alum game...something that's being talked about (How has this worked for you guys? Alums are showing alot of interest.) Snack Shack, AD says this $$ goes into general athletic fund even though baseball parents work the snack shack.

RJM, Like I said, I didn't know this went on until I researched. And like I said, I don't mind paying whatever as long as the teams have something to show for it in return.

I understand the economy but with people needing work I think we could get the complex built NOW for a whole lot less than it would've cost 2 years ago or will cost 2 years from now. We are going to come in way under budget on our new high school b/c of the economy and cut-throat prices. Some of the extra is going towards a track (not one in the city) and new tennis courts. Maybe there'll be enough left for a baseball/softball complex.
Bulldog 19Bulldog 195,000+ posts
I went to a high school of about 950. At one time, we had separate booster clubs, but I would say for at least the last 10 years they have had one athletic booster club. I personally am a fan of having just one though I know my dad is not the most happy with it currently. Our school just built a brand new complex-- high school, football/s****r/track stadium, baseball field, softball field, tennis courts, etc. This has been a work in progress for quite awhile and the booster club nearly quit spending money 4 or 5 years ago to save up for purchases for the new school. It has been interesting because they dropped a bunch of money into our new school which is great. But the complaint I've heard is most of it "went to football." I have two issues with this statement in our specific instance and it may be true elsewhere as well. I believe our booster club spent ~$30,000 on the new weight room- It's amazing. But I've heard it being a "football" item when in all reality the weight room is there for EVERYONE to benefit if they would just do so. Second, it is still my belief that football should see a signficant chunk of money-- they are the bigger sport and are bringing in the money to a much greater degree.

Our booster club is responsible for the concessions at football, s****r, and basketball games. They've done concessions occasionally for volleyball, maybe wrestling, and baseball. Also, they do two major fundraisers a year; one in the late summer/early fall and one in the spring. Fall athletes do the sumer/fall fundraiser only while ALL athletes are expected to do the spring fundraiser.

I feel like our booster club does a pretty good job of providing resources for all of our sports. The first two years our school had an athletic trainer, the booster club paid for his salary.

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