Milford Band Boosters

08 Jun 2009

Fair Share Program

Principles: Total costs associated with each program (Marching Band, Winter Guard, Winter Drum Line) will be divided by the number of participants in that program to determine the amount to be charged to each student’s fair share account. The budget is prepared for each program prior to setting fees.

• The Boosters will not operate on a deficit budget.
• Fair Share Fund raising will be completely optional. Families can fundraise as much or as little as they choose. Once a Student no longer participates in the band program, any positive balance in a family’s account can be transferred to a sibling or another band member. If neither of these options is selected it will be transferred to the Boosters General Account. This must be done at the parent’s request; we will not contact you to determine your wishes. Please remember that amounts fundraised beyond future fees cannot be paid back in cash. As a non- profit organization it is against the law for the boosters to pay back money earned through fundraisers.
• Fair share fundraising must have a component to ensure the boosters do not lose money on the endeavor. A small portion of funds raised on fair share items with the exception of scrip and Kroger will go to the boosters. The amount advertised on any flyer as the “fair share amount earned” will always be the amount earned by the student. Costs associated with running the fundraiser will already be considered when assigning the fair share reward amount. The VP of Ways and Means and the person responsible for the fund raiser will determine this.
• Funds from concert gate proceeds and school sponsored programs will not be allocated through Fair Share.
• The Band Boosters will schedule as many fundraisers as members desire to give ample opportunity to earn the credit to pay all future fees. All of the current established fundraisers (fruit sale, mulch sale, etc.) are included and should provide opportunity to families to earn as much as they desire with which to pay future fees.
• We recognize that most students will have to pay their first year since the fundraising activities generally occur after the fees are due. However, this program gives the opportunity for a student to fundraise his/her entire fair share amount for future years. You can actually only pay for one year out of pocket and earn the remainder through fundraising since your student gets credit for the net profit coming from the fundraising.
• Credits already earned through the existing Kroger/Scrip fundraising program can be applied to first year payments. So if you start participating now you can even lower the first year fees.
• Funds earned through Fair Share, which have been credited to your account, can be applied to cover all Marching Band, Percussion and Guard Fees as well as private lesson expenses when you utilize an instructor listed on the director’s instructor list. Under IRS guidelines, these funds may not be used to purchase tangible items such as shoes, gloves, unitards, etc. Additionally, for the same reason it is not permissible to use money earned under the non-profit umbrella for expenses incurred by parents when traveling with the marching band as chaperone or pit crew member. These fund may not be used to pay for senior trip expenses.
• Communication regarding fundraisers will be sent home with your students, posted on the Band Booster website, and e-mailed through the band boosters email (join the email list by going to www.milfordbandboosters.org and clicking on ‘contact us’ on the left hand side, then choose ‘subscribe’ and enter your email address). It is your responsibility to watch the website for information on upcoming fundraisers. If you do not have internet and want to be informed of fundraising activities please request special arrangements by writing to the Band Booster president at the address on the attached fee remittance page.
• When Financial Hardship prevents payment of fees, alternative confidential arrangements can be made through the Booster Treasurer and President.
• To insure we maintain a break even budget, the directors reserve the right to have "special fundraisers", for any of the 3 programs (Marching, Winter Guard or Winter Drum- line) in order to earn money to pay for unexpected expenditures associated with that program.
• "Special Fundraisers" will be considered mandatory for all members of the designated program. If a member does not participate in the "special fundraiser", consistent with the principles of our fair share program, their account will be charged. The charge will be equal to the total amount of the deficit divided by the number of participants in that program. These funds will be designated to the general funds of the boosters and will be used to cover the deficit.
• Families with more than two students participating in the same program at the same time will pay for only two.