BoosterHub

Three Common Mistakes Booster Clubs Make

Avoid common booster club mistakes with preparation and organization. Using booster club accounting software and an application that allows communication, fundraising, and financials to all be handled from one place can streamline your club’s operations.

Disorganized Accounting Practices

A lack of checks and balances for your club’s accounting can quickly leave you in a financial bind. Ideally, the treasurer will be able to tally the dues that come in, donations, fundraiser monies, and expenditures.However, you may not know how much you have to contribute to team events without a good accounting system. Worse, some school districts may require booster clubs to submit their budgets and accounting reports. If yours are a mess, your club could be in trouble.

Poor Communication

Well-run booster clubs rely on consistent communication between the executive board and the membership. Not sending out email updates for upcoming events or unorganized communication to volunteers can leave people in the dark, unsure of their responsibilities. If you lack communication about fundraisers, upcoming concession stands, or other events, you may not get the participation you need.

No Delegation

Some executive committee members may be unsure of how to delegate or unwilling to trust their volunteers to “get it right.” This lack of understanding results in them taking on the brunt of the work for the club and may leave members feeling left out. Reach out to your membership and ask who is willing to head a fundraising or event committee. Look for people with organizational or financial talents to help plan events and secure donations. This approach reduces stress for the executive committee and can encourage more participation from members.

Running a booster club can be a lot more work than some people expect. By delegating tasks, improving communication, and organizing your accounting, you can ensure that your club isn’t causing you (or your members) any undue stress.

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Ways to Fundraise for a Booster Club

Fundraising is perhaps one of the most important functions of your booster club. However, it can be tough to build momentum, especially if you are new to fundraising as a whole. You can also get stuck in a rut and feel like you are running the same two or three events on repeat. That’s when it’s important to mix things up to keep club members and donors engaged, ensuring a steady stream of support for your student-athletes. With that in mind, here are a few ways to raise more money for the student-athletes you support:

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Non-Profit Donation Receipt

Whenever someone donates to your club, you must ensure that you send them a clear receipt so they can take advantage of their tax deduction. These receipts are your club’s way of saying, “Thanks for being on the team,” and they’re essential for keeping records organized. Providing a timely and well-documented receipt also makes your club appear professional and organized. In turn, you’ll be able to more easily build trust with donors and encourage them to give again in the future. After all, donors need to be confident that you’re acknowledging and managing their contributions properly. On that note, here are a few tips to help you create compliant receipts:

Booster Club Best Practices

Booster Club Rules

You certainly wouldn’t sign up for a sports league without knowing the rules of the game, so why would you attempt to run a booster club without a clear set of guidelines? In a booster club, the rules take the form of bylaws, which are policies and procedures that are vital in keeping everyone on the same page, helping to avoid misunderstandings, and ensuring that each member understands their part in supporting the club’s mission. In some cases, these bylaws will spell out who can and can’t be members, as well as who is eligible to serve on the board. Some states even have standardized playbooks that you need to follow. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) in Texas, for instance, has a playbook of its own, covering specific bylaws for booster clubs that support school programs. In any case, here are some tips for ensuring everyone in your booster club plays by the rules so you can have a productive year: