BoosterHub

Who Is Ultimately Responsible for a Booster Club?

Volunteering for a booster club is a great way to help your local schools, neighborhood kids, and the community. However, booster clubs must abide by certain rules, and when those rules are broken, someone has to be held accountable.

Booster club members generally are not responsible for mishaps that occur in the club. However, when you volunteer to be President or any officer in a club, your office comes with certain liabilities.

Booster Club President

A booster club president is like the CEO of the organization. They generally have to dedicate more time to the club than anyone else and are ultimately responsible for the success of the organization. The President sets the tone and ethical foundation for the club and is expected to attend every meeting and fundraiser.

Other responsibilities of the booster club President include:

Appointing other leadership positions
Enforcing the rules
Leading communication with the school
Dealing with membership issues
Organizing meetings

If something goes wrong with the club, the President is exposed to liability. The President can be sued personally if the club is accused of breaking booster club laws, if an accident that was the club’s fault happens, or if there is illegal financial activity.

Booster Club Officers

Booster clubs often have at least three officers under the president: Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each officer has distinct responsibilities that they are solely responsible for.

The Vice President steps in or supplements the work of the President. The secretary is responsible for documentation, recording, and other duties such as managing the club website. The treasurer is responsible for the finances of the organization.

Any officer of the booster club may be held personally liable in the event of a lawsuit.

A Few Things to Consider

Before you take on the role of an officer, you should be aware of the position’s booster club responsibilities. Familiarizing yourself with various requirements under the law can help ensure your club is operating appropriately and protected from lawsuits.

Tax Compliance

Every booster club has to file yearly taxes, just like any other organization. Even if you are tax-exempt under the 501(c)(3) laws, you must file a return every year. Whether you are the treasurer or not, you should be aware of your tax liabilities and requirements for filing.

Operating Systems

Before taking on the role of an officer, it is good practice to look into what sorts of operating systems the club has. If the club is operating with a booster club software with robust accounting features, it can greatly minimize your exposure. On the other hand, if the club is operating using little more than cash and paper records, your risk is higher.

Liability Insurance

No matter how well you think the booster club is run, you cannot predict the future. It is best practice to have a liability insurance policy in place so that you are prepared for unexpected circumstances.

On the surface, the responsibilities of booster clubs and their officers can seem intimidating. However, with the right organizational measures and checks and balances in place, you can rest easy knowing that you are protected.

You may also like this

No items found.

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:

No items found.

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: