BoosterTrends Newsletter

February, 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

National Booster Club Sweepstakes fundraising program officially launched

State Association inquiries are now being accepted.

Booster U Seminars to kick off again in March.

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

Fundraising needs at an all time high.

Groups of all types including special interest, youth groups, church's and booster clubs are reporting a dramatic reduction in number of donations received this past year. Forecasters project this trend will continue well into the third quarter of 2003. This is causing an increased need for creative and effective fundraising solutions.

The NBCA can help to minimize this problem. If your group is seeking fundraising guidance contact one of our fundraising coaches today. fundraising@boosterclubs.org

Quick Online Links

Boot Camp "101" Fundraising for Booster Clubs - excerpt online

Command Central

Online Chat

Fundraising Corner

Vendor Showcase

Visit us at: boosterclubs.org

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dear Readers,
We welcome those of you who are just receiving Booster Trends for the first time. 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

• Booster Club Kickoff - in full swing

• Fundraising Programs that Pay!

• Team America - help make a difference in your community

• New vendors, fundraiser's and products!

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS COLUMN

Can a booster club make a difference?

Across the country our school districts are facing some pretty tough financial times. From Portland, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts I receive calls daily from parents, coaches and Athletic Directors all seeking our support and assistance in helping their booster clubs to make a difference.

We get asked to help booster clubs find the solutions for raising $5,000 to $50,000 for new equipment, field improvements, assistant coaches and a list as long as a role of paper towels. Asking for our guidance and support in helping their booster club with increasing the involvement of parents at the school or helping in developing working solutions so multiple clubs can work in harmony. The calls come in virtually every day of the week. And the common denominator between them all is the realization that the booster club, which is the parent organization dedicated to helping insure the continuation of an extra-curricular activity is and can become the solution to helping offset the terrible financial shortfall that our school districts are facing.

Like many of you across the country, I understand the value that a booster club can provide. I know that a booster club can make a difference in whether a team can purchase new uniforms, or whether the ball field can be re-sodded. I have seen the ability for booster clubs to provide the marching band with the purchase of trailers to carry equipment to competitions. I have seen booster clubs who have worked with community businesses to provide transportation so parents don't have to shuttle their kids to inner city games. I have seen booster clubs work tirelessly to provide funding so every kid could attend summer camp and I have seen the value of a booster club when a parent has lost their job and cannot afford to pay for their child to play.

So to those of you who dedicate your time to helping make your booster club the success it is, I applaud you and your efforts. To those of you who want to help make a difference, I encourage you to get involved with your booster club. You don't have to be a parent of a kid on the team or in the band, we welcome your support and your involvement and we encourage you to help us make a difference. Working together - we can make a difference!

I welcome your emails and look forward to assisting you in success.

BOOSTER CLUB KICKOFF IN FULL SWING

Now is the time to get your booster club registered with the NBCA. The NBCA is currently running a nationwide membership kickoff campaign.

This promotion will not last long and is open to all booster clubs nationwide. During the booster club kickoff promotion our membership fee is being waived. In addition, your club will receive $200 in sweepstakes tickets to help jump start your fundraising campaign. You will be assigned a personal fundraising coach and a club administrative coach to help guide your club to success.

To find out more about this special promotion visit BoosterWorld.

TEAM AMERICA - JOIN TODAY AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT COUNTS!

The NBCA is looking for individuals who would like to join the nationwide network of parents, supporters and individuals who are working together to help insure the continuation of extra-curricular activities for all kids.

Team America is a tremendous opportunity to turn a few hours each month into a source of additional income and goodwill. If you or someone you know would like to become your areas Team America representative click here and let us know.

VENDOR SHOWCASE

We are seeking businesses providing concession products, training aides, training camps and clinics, posters/signs and banners, uniforms and discontinued and discounted items if you know of a business that has served your booster club well, please let us know.

Searching for new concession equipment or uniforms check out the top notch suppliers in Vendor Showcase.

SWEEPSTAKES PROGRAM - PRODUCING BIG RESULTS!

Has your club signed up for the Sweepstakes Fundraiser?

If not, don't let this tremendous opportunity slip by. Clubs can generate sizable amounts of fundraising dollars with this program.

There is absolutely NO RISK, NO OUT OF POCKET INVESTMENT and BIG PROFITS.

Logon to BoosterWorld or contact our fundraising department today to find out more.

VENDOR PRODUCT & SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH

I’m happy to say that starting this month we have a new Product of the Month and Spotlight of the Month for Vendor Showcase. Our first Product of the Month is Rapids Wholesale. This company sells popcorn machines, hot chocolate dispensers, nacho warmers and various other pieces of equipment needed for a concession stand. The customer service department is very cordial and willing to help you with your decisions. We welcome them onboard and hope that we have a long and fruitful association.

The Spotlight for the Month is Fieldhouse apparel. Fieldhouse has their apparel online and will print logos on T-shirts and sweatshirts, etc., for free. They have a discount for large quantities, but will also do one shirt at a time.

Both of these companies can be found in Vendor Showcase along with several other companies. We are very happy to report that Vendor Showcase is growing very quickly.

FUNDRAISING CORNER PRODUCT & SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH

In Fundraising Corner our Product of the Month is an all leather sports bag sold by Booster Store. Booster Store has been a vendor of the National Booster Club Association for some time and we are happy to be able to spotlight one of their items. This sports bag has a vented compartment for those “smelly” after workout clothes. It also has a place for a water bottle and a cell phone. The team logo can be put on the bag for a small additional charge.

The Spotlight of the Month in Fundraising Corner is Mad Will’s Food Products. Mad Will’s has a line of sauces such as “Smooth & Spicy Barbecue Sauce” and “Toasted Hazelnut Chocolate Sauce”. They also have salad dressings. These can come with the name of your club on the label. They can be sold separately or in box sets.

Both of these companies can be found in Fundraising Corner along with an abundance of other tremendous fundraising programs. Check them out today!

NEW VENDORS

Our list of new vendors is growing by leaps and bounds and we are so happy about that. Our new vendors have a wide variety of products and it makes it easier for Booster Clubs to find what they want on the BoosterWorld website and earn money for themselves as well. We welcome all the new vendors and I hope that all of you go into Fundraising Corner and Vendor Showcase to see the interesting and varied products that are now available.

Our new vendors include Rapid Wholesale who can be found in Vendor Showcase under equipment; World Tree Technologies who has a marvelous tree that grows quickly and can make booster clubs money now and in the future; Richard Crew & Associates, this interesting company can help you save money on gas and other products; Book Unique, has children’s books which can be personalized with the child’s name; Just For Wicks Candles, obviously has candles and products that go with candles; Beacon Cash Flow Services, check it out in Fundraising Corner; Go! Fundraising has a variety of products for fundraising: Glamour Magic Fundraising who has glamour photography available at a great price with money coming back to the booster club quickly and The Promise Seekers Fundraising Team.

Each of these vendors has something unique and a little different from everyone else. Please take a moment and look at each one’s page either in Fundraising Corner or Vendor Showcase.

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

DEAR BOOSTER .....

Dear Booster,
I recently approached a close friend who has been active in the booster club at her son's school to see if she could help our soccer team. There are 14 boys on the team and each is responsible for raising in excess of $400 to participate. For many of us this is a huge obstacle.

My friend said that your organization has been a constant source of support and guidance for them but she didn't know if you helped groups like us who weren't associated with a school. Help please!
Virginia D. "premier soccer mom"
Kansas City, MO.

Dear Virginia,
The NBCA supports all booster clubs who work to insure the continuation of extra-curricular activities regardless of whether or not they are affiliated with a school. The need for support and guidance is just as strong for non-school groups as it is for those associated with schools. The NBCA is committed to helping provide all groups with education, training, guidance, support and solutions - including fundraising. I have forwarded your email to our fundraising department and asked that they assign a fundraising coach to help your group achieve its goals.

We want you to know that we are committed to helping your group succeed.

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.

FAST FACT

Fact of the month-
Never run a fundraiser for more than "3 weeks". The results will decrease by as much as 30% and your group will get burned out quicker making it less likely your next fundraiser will succeed.

Quote of the month-
"A small trouble is like a pebble. Hold it too close to your eye and it fills the whole world and puts everything out of focus. Hold it at a proper distance and it can be examined and properly classified. Throw it at your feet and it can be seen in its true setting, just one more tiny bump on the pathway to life".

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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.