How to Start a Band Parents Organization

A strong band parents organization makes a strong band. Not only do band parents support their children, they also encourage monetary growth. Extra money can be used to take band trips, buy new instruments or repair old ones. If your student's school doesn't already have a band parents organization, you can set up your own group without remaining the president and leader forever.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Call the band director and discuss your idea for a band parents organization. More than likely, she will be on board. A lot of music programs are stretched thin in regard to monetary resources. Band directors have so much work on their hands, it becomes difficult to do any sort of fund-raising or support projects.

2. Collect names and addresses for each band member and their parents. The band director has all of this information. In fact, he might even have a program that allows you to print labels of all the addresses at once.

3. Set up a first meeting date and send out a letter to all parents asking for participation. This letter should clearly state the need for a band parents organization. List the band needs that aren't being met. Are there enough rental instruments? Do they have marching band uniforms?

4. Decide what your main focus will be in the beginning. There is only so much you can tackle at once. It is best to accomplish a significant task in the beginning to give your new band parents organization validity. For instance, if your goal is to raise enough money to take a band trip, then focus only on that task at first.

5. Ask other band parents in the organization for help coordinating events, fund-raisers, and other band organization items. The more involved other parents get, the better your organization will become. Soon you will have a large network of supporters.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to incorporate parents of younger students each year. This way, the organization continues even after your child graduates from high school.
• Don't try to interfere with the way the band teacher instructs his students. A band parents organization is meant to support the band, not dominate it.

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[Tchoe]

on 10/11/2008 I the organization!