Page 24 - Bandmasters Review - 2017 June

Booster Clubs in an Accelerated Age

Dr. David W. Vandewalker

It’s interesting to investigate and progress, one of the right questions to each volunteer is that of director or
discover why solutions were created ask is, “What is the best organizational managing others toward a common
to solve problems. For instance, I structure of my booster club in order goal. A suggested list of roles and
recently read that window boxes to foster stronger connections and responsibilities, from Boosters to the
of geraniums were initiated for collaboration to compete effectively Rescue, is found below (Vandewalker,
something very practical. Long regarding provision of physical and 2016a).
ago, when air conditioning wasn’t fiscal support?” • Faculty Sponsor/Director of
available, windows were opened to An investigation into the structure Bands (Vision caster; typically an
keep air flowing through homes. With of booster clubs reveals that many ex officio officer)
open windows, bugs, in particular, are patterned after organizational • Co-Presidents (Implementers of
mosquitoes could be unwelcome structures in school parent the director’s vision)
guests. Geraniums were discovered to organizations or church committees • Co-Treasurers/Secretary (Protocols
repel mosquitoes; so, window boxes where “paid” personnel (faculty or and Documentation; Financial and
were constructed and geraniums were ministers) are the responsible party Procedural Manager)
planted in them allowing windows for the completion of an action thus, • Co-Vice Presidents of Project
to be opened so that a cool breeze not always requiring volunteers to Management (Senior project
could flow without these pests be personally engaged with active manager for all co-directors and
entering. Window boxes planted ownership for a task. This type of project coordinators and establish
with geraniums are still displayed organization serves a good purpose operations calendar of all events)
without practical function because of but may not be the best for your • Co-Director/Special Events (Direct
the advent of air conditioning yet they music team; it could be likened to a and provide supervision for: all
function offering beautiful decoration. beautiful flower box that has lost its planning and preparation, facility
Do we have some things in our practical and useful edge. scheduling and calendaring,
booster organizations that have been Consider a booster club structure technology requests, and
done a certain way for a long period that utilizes active participation and implementation of all special events
of time but haven’t been examined ownership. The format functions well hosted or provided by the booster
to determine if they are still the most because most volunteers work better club. These events may create revenue
effective way to accomplish a task, or in teams rather than as individuals. but are generally not significant
even needed at all? The framework begins with the fundraisers [i.e. banquets, concerts,
Friedman suggests, “more people teacher operating as the vision-caster performance venues, concert camp,
than ever now compete, connect, of the organization and the volunteers summer events].)
and collaborate on more things for serving in a generation of roles based • Co-Director/Operations (Direct
less money with greater ease and on a business model rather than and provide supervision for all
equality than ever before.” John E. a parent/school group model. The operational needs [i.e., chaperones,
Kelly offers the ideal that “in the 21st use of titles is a critical first step equipment truck, guard support,
century knowing all the answers won’t in establishing the we/us business percussion equipment repair, prop
distinguish someone’s intelligence; model of booster organizations. development, etc])
rather, the ability to ask all the right Consider roles and titles that include • Co-Director/Public Relations
questions will be the mark of true descriptions of manager, management, (Direct and provide supervision
genius.” As volunteer groups and director, and coordinator as those for all planning and preparation,
booster clubs move into an accelerated labels automatically imply active facility scheduling and calendar-
age of technological innovation and roles and ownership. And, the role of ing, technology requests, and

Bandmasters Review • June 2017 22 Texas Bandmasters Association