I want to talk to you about the formation of “the booster club”. This phrase is part of the group of words and phrases that strike fear in the hearts of students and parents, but mostly with the staff. Terrorizing words and phrases such as newsletters, fundraisers, and focus group meetings. But as we teach in the martial arts world, one must face one’s fears. So after many hours of counseling, I have decided to face this fear.

The reason why I am facing this horrific fear is the fact that this school needs it. In the past I have tried to work around this fear instead of facing it straight on. And of course, I failed. Things did not get accomplished that were vital to the school. So what is the purpose of this booster club? The purpose is to help with the financial support for those student athletes that want to take their competition to a national or international level, to help get our black belts and students nationally certified in judging and coaching to help level the playing field for those students that are competing, and to help those students that may need some financial assistance with tuition or other related costs. Though we don’t have a lot of students that need this support, we still have that occasional single mom or family that needs help.

The booster club will be set up with a separate bank account to handle these funds. I have appointed two adult students that are extremely professional and ethical to be the signees on this account. Tyler or I will not be signees. All funds will be separate from the school and will be used strictly for the above purposes.

We will generate funds several different ways. First, we will have several events throughout the year strictly for the purpose to raise funds for the club. Second, I am going to start charging a spectator fee of $3.00 per spectator for our in-house karate tournaments. Third, we will start having random social events at local restaurants that will give a percentage back to the booster club. I figure we may as well have fun raising funds. In addition, I occasionally get offers from people that want to help students that need financial help. In the past I have not taken these funds because I did not have the structure or system to utilize them correctly. Now I can. So if you have money lying around with no particular purpose, now you know what you can use those funds for.

So as we kick this off, if anyone would like to help with the booster club organization or the events please get back to Tyler or me. If you have a suggestion for fundraising ideas let us know. One thing I will not do is burden our student base with fundraising events for the sake of raising money. I hate when I feel like I am getting hammered with charity or fundraising events, so I will not do that.

The blog drama will continue. Signing off

Ray Hughes

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