Who Are the Boosters?
Let us take this opportunity to introduce ourselves. We are the Wilson Memorial Band Boosters. Like other booster programs in the Wilson community, we provide support to the entire band program (Marching, Concert, and Jazz) as they work towards reaching their goals in all competitions and performances. With over 50 kids across the three band programs, only about a dozen parents are active participants in the booster program. There is no membership fee to join the program, and each band parent is considered as a member of the booster program. The booster organization’s monthly meeting is every parent’s opportunity to attend and contribute to the decision making process. It’s your choice, however, to take the opportunity to participate and make a difference in not only your child’s band experience, but the growth of the entire band.
So what exactly do the boosters contribute to the band program? Here is just a brief snapshot of what a handful of parents do for your children:
· Support and subsidize the yearly band camp. It takes over $2000 to provide lodging, food and supplies at camp. At this point, you may say “My child did not attend camp, so they did not benefit from it.” If your child attended a parade or went on the spring trip to Disney or Boston, you child benefited from the leadership, marching skills, and teamwork that was developed and gained through band camp experience.
· Pay for Drum Majors to attend George Parks Band Camp. Rightly considered as one of nation’s best instructional band camps, we sponsor our drum majors each year to attend this program. Not only do they learn new skills, but they also bring back leadership, problem-solving, and communication capabilities to the entire team.
· Uniform maintenance. Those stains do not just magically disappear from the uniforms! Over $500 is spent each year to maintain, repair, and replace components of the Marching, Color Guard, Concert, and Jazz uniforms. In addition, we supply extra socks, gloves, and shoes for students who are apt to constantly “forget” or lose these items. If you happen to be a seamstress or own a dry cleaning business, we would be more than interested in your assistance with uniform maintenance.
· Fundraising for new uniforms. The boosters have started a fund to assist in the purchase of new uniforms, in addition to any state budgetary money we may receive. Did you know that the approximate cost of a marching uniform is $400? Multiply that by 50 kids, and there is a need for $20,000. We have a wonderful and easy fundraising program that includes the purchase of grocery cards that will provide a percentage donation from vendors such as Martin’s and Kroger’s. You have to do nothing more than to purchase the grocery cards and buy the same groceries you purchase every week. Even if your child is not in the marching band, we ask that you think about helping us out with one of the easiest fundraisers ever.
· Materials and supplies for Marching season. This includes the purchase of program music, instruction, flags, props, and costumes for the Marching band program. In 2009, the students were provided with a show shirt, socks, gloves, and hired outside instruction staff that is not provided by the school system. The boosters then provided funds for the band camp at Highland Retreat. The marching band fee is assessed whether or not the student attends camp. The student received the benefit of the camp’s training and effort through the increased skills developed by the students that did attend the camp.
· Refreshments/Food after band activities. After various events throughout the year, the boosters provide food and refreshments for the kids. This includes competitions, Tag Day, Polar Rally, and performances.
· Sponsor fundraising activities. Ever heard the saying “You have to spend money to make money”? We conduct many fundraising opportunities throughout the year and supplies are needed to get the ball rolling. For instance, to sponsor the Jazz Social and All District concessions, paper supplies were needed, as well as food items that were not graciously donated by wonderful corporate sponsors. These popular fundraiser opportunities, after expenses, rose over $2000 last year.
· Miscellaneous purchases/supplies throughout the year. This includes refreshments and poinsettias for the Christmas concert, repairs and maintenance of instruments, postage, gas for the band truck, and hosting of All-County band competition.
You might be asking yourself at this point, “Doesn’t the school/county provide for all of this?” and that is a great question. Yes, the county does provide a budget for Mr. Baraclough to use for some of these items. Those monies are used to purchase new marching, concert, and jazz music, enter marching and concert competitions and festival, awards, etc. But it does not cover the entire expenditure amount needed to offer these wonderful opportunities to our children. Just like the other booster organizations, the Band Boosters have to find ways to supplement the county money to make all of the above happen. We all know that budgets across the board are being cut, so it’s more important than ever to provide our own methods to sustain the band program.
In addition, this does not include the time and labor graciously donated by small a group of dedicated and talented parents throughout the year. Chaperones are needed beyond the spring trip, events need to be staffed, bills have to be paid, props need to be built, and errands need to be accomplished. For all of their hard work, we say “thank-you.”
We welcome your attendance at our monthly meeting to provide a voice for your ideas, concerns, and questions. We meet every 1st Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the band room. This is your opportunity to make a difference and create the change you want to see.
Sincerely,
Wilson Memorial Band Boosters
