How to Start a Music Booster Club

School bands are costly to run. Instruments, uniforms and transportation to parades and events must be provided. The school district and parents often cannot afford the cost, which can be in the thousands of dollars. A music booster club can be formed with caring, dedicated parents, bandleaders and friends to subsidize a band's activities.

Instructions

Fundraising

1. Send notices home with all band members announcing a public meeting.

2. Prepare questionnaires for potential members. Inquire about the areas with which boosters would like to assist. Ask if they have experience with fundraising.

3. Choose a moderator for the meeting to keep discussion on target and under control. Time is valuable, so use it wisely.

4. Appoint one person to take notes for this preliminary meeting.

5. Discuss the feasibility of certain projects the group could undertake for the first fundraiser.

6. Announce a date for the second meeting, and request nominations for officers: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. You can vote to decide if you need an official fundraiser.

7. Second meeting: Vote on music booster club officers. After the vot, the president will preside over the current meeting.

8. Open discussion and end with a vote for the first fundraising project you will undertake as a group. You must decide what the first financial need is for the band and what is the best way to raise funds for this first project.

9. Before the third meeting, meet with a bank or credit union officer, and open an account for the group. Two people, generally the president and treasurer, will have their names on the account, and will be responsible for making deposits and paying the club bills.

10. Move forward with your first fundraiser. Maintain precise records of funds and projects that have been paid for.

Function

1. Discuss and draw up a plan for the music booster club. Make a list of the activities you want to focus on as a new group. For example: concert schedule, marching band, battle of the bands and statewide competitions.

2. Discuss if the group wants to undertake hosting a professional musician who will hold a day of demonstrations and a nighttime performance for the community.

3. Form an outreach committee to recruit more club members, including local musicians and bands.

4. Vote on needs of the music program that the fundraisers can address. Decide which needs must be met first.
   List band uniforms, music tutors, sheet music, books and instruments. Discuss if there is a need to cover the cost of drivers along with gas for buses to go to parades and music events.

5. Invite all music teachers and bandleaders in the school system to join the music boosters.

Tips & Warnings

• Fundraisers can include a community auction with donated times, a craft fair, concerts, dances, holiday sales and dinners.

• Do not go ahead with any fundraising or club purchases without the knowledge and support of the entire membership and a public vote.