Booster Clubs Dos and Donts Bill Mulvehill Athletic
Booster Clubs Do’s and Don’ts Bill Mulvehill Athletic Director Rancho Cucamonga High School 909 -989 -1600 ext. 2080 Bill. Mulvehill@CJUHSD. net RCHSsports. com
Bill Mulvehill Athletic Director Rancho Cucamonga High School 34 years in high school education & athletics 18 years public – 16 years private 17 th year at RCHS Assistant Coach, Head Coach, Associate A. D. , A. D.
CJUHSD & RCHS Profile CJUHSD – 8 comprehensive high schools – 24, 000 students Rancho Cucamonga High School – – – 25 th year 3, 430 students 20 varsity sports 51 teams 1, 100+ Student-Athletes
Participation & Potential 3, 430 students 20 varsity sports 51 teams 1, 100+ Student-Athletes What are your Demographics? What is your potential for Adult Participation?
Booster Club - Types School Wide serving all sports and groups on campus Sport Specific serving a single sport or entity Umbrella combination of School Wide & Sport Specific “Unofficial” team/group fundraising though ASB accounts of school
RCHS example 1 – School Wide Booster Club serving all sports and groups on campus 2 – Sport specific (Band & Football) Various “Unofficial” sport/activity specific groups
Why the “Hybrid”? Originally opened school with all teams/groups having their own official booster club Band & Football the only two who have been willing, or able, to maintain Groups & coaches have become comfortable with “Unofficial” type
RCHS is moving to…. . In process of going to School Wide only model Current Booster Leadership is motivated to do more for the entire school community Transition process is slow & tedious It is uncomfortable for established groups and coaches
Why have a Booster Club? Raise $$$$ - few, if any, Athletic programs are fully funded Provide a work force for events Provide Branding & Marketing paths to the community
What are the Benefits? Fundraising efforts distanced from coaching staff More of the community “buys in” to your program Much larger potential network of participants Access to a larger pool of support and $$
Sounds Easy – Is it ? ? Have a Booster Club …. Raise lots of money for my team Have lots of people available to work my events Make job easier for coaches
Not So Fast Booster Club Flaws Focused only on the present – no long term plans Lack of continuity - continual change of leadership from year to year Lack of organization & structure – no real “plan” on what to do or how to do it
Not So Fast Booster Club Flaws Overlapping events – community in a position of having to “choose” Saturation – too many similar events in and around the same time 5/95 Rule – 5% of the people do 95% of the work. Equals burnout – fast
Not So Fast Booster Club Flaws Poor communication – clubs operate outside the boundaries of the school/athletic department Lack direction – no identified purpose Parent driven only – no “buy in” from those that need them
Not So Fast Booster Club Flaws Financial Accountability – where did all the money go?
Flaw No Financial Accountability Making $$ is a key goal and $$ is almost the only place that can and will cause issues……
Financial Accountability Requires complete and total transparency……. Anything less is a proven plan for disaster
Financial Accountability Total Transparency Build a Budget Approve specific fundraising projects Approve specific support requests Use accepted accounting procedures
Financial Accountability Total Transparency Never use Cash to pay bills Keep a record of what groups receive what support Annual reporting to the district Be prepared for district audits
Flaw Parent Driven Only no “buy in” from those that need them
Parent Driven Only Coaches and Administration must be present at meetings Having the right booster leadership is just as important as hiring the right head coach Coaches and Administration must “steer” the booster membership in the direction the school/group needs
Flaw Lack direction The booster club is operating without an identified purpose
Lack Direction Booster Clubs should be helping sports/groups in 3 distinct ways: Friend Raising – build and maintain relationships with all members of the community Fund Raising - money needed by sports/groups to operate Recruitment – volunteers and participants needed to run all events
Flaw Poor communication The Booster club operates outside the boundaries of the school/athletic department
Poor communication Ensure that the clubs know and understand the policies and procedures of the Athletic Department, School, District, County, etc. Ensure that everyone working with the clubs abides by these policies and procedures Attention to detail eliminates frustration and problems
Flaw 5/95 Rule 5% of the people do 95% of the work. Equates to burnout – fast
5/95 Rule Have established projects – events Publish the events early and often Eliminate the “I didn't know” response Have an easy, accessible, method to “sign up” Make it worth while. Don’t waste peoples time and effort
Flaw Saturation & Overlapping Too many similar events in and around the same time Community placed in a position of having to “choose”
Saturation & Overlapping Establish procedures for fundraising event request and approval Maintain a “master” calendar Limit the quantity of any one type of event Generally occurs with the Sport Specific and “Unofficial” models
Flaw Lack of organization & structure No real “plan” on what to do or how to do it
Lack of Organization & Structure Publish and adhere to a defined meeting schedule Define exact events that will occur each year Establish activity/event leaders and committees to oversee each activity/fundraising event Provide progress report on each activity/event status – before and after event
Lack of Organization & Structure Have published agendas and minutes of all meetings; = transparency & communication Don’t “fire fight”; rather plan and work ahead Debrief after event to identify areas of improvement Gives everyone involved a “known” purpose and goal
Flaw Lack of continuity Continual change of leadership from year to year
Lack of continuity Have a plan for leadership succession Foster multiple year commitments for key members Look for the “lifers” Recruit by grade level Utilize and reinforce the “bring a friend” plan
Flaw Focused on the Present No long term plan for growth, retention, self sufficiency
Focused on the Present Foster short and long term goals & plans Work ahead just as much as in the moment Have a plan on paper and be prepared to present it. Those with $$ react positively to this. Thanking is just as, if not more important than, asking.
Where to go from here? Identify your current profile. Identify & Document the changes you want to make Learn & know your district/school policies Get approval Get help! Stay focused – change will take time
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