Parent's Clubs: How to Cope
by Joyce E. Pennington

An organized parent group can either be your best asset or biggest worry. How you plant your seeds with your drill team parents will determine how successful your year will progress.

As directors, a few of you have "hands on" experience of being a parent of a teenager, but few of you have not.  One key to a successful parent/ director relationship is an open line of communication.  Most parent related problems stem from poor communications from either their daughter or another parent.

First, make sure that you plan to be present at all Booster Club meetings.  Plan to present either orally, or printed, a brief report on past, present and future drill team events.  Make the meetings a positive atmosphere, and encourage the president to stick to a specified agenda so the one hour meetings will not turn into three hours.

Second, never assume that important information will ever accurately make it home to parents either verbally or written when sent via your students. If you have information that is important, either mail it or call a brief parents meeting.

Thirdly, never avoid or ignore parent request or conference, even though you know in advance it may be negative.  This will only compound the problems at the inevitable confrontation.  Accurate record keeping and a communications log or diary will prove most supportive at the first sign of a problem.  Also, keeping your principal constantly informed of all activities as well as any potential problems will assist him or her in being supportive of you.

Fourth, there are always parents who want to get involved.  In order to keep them in a positive direction, keep a "things to do" list for parents that are anxious to help.  Suggestions: 

1. Call a list of businesses looking for a certain prop or costume.

2. Write post cards to all drill team related businesses requesting catalogs.

3. Come one day a week to help collect or count money.

4. Build or paint props.

5. Ride the bus to games or contest. 

6. Do typing or booking.

In conclusion, it is important to work hand in hand with your parent organization and keep them on your parent organization and keep them on your side.  Never shut them out or they will come up with ideas or solutions on their own.  A successful Booster Club can be the strongest asset of a successful Drill Team program.

BOOSTER CLUBS

The majority of Booster of Parent Clubs are all organized to help finance the dance/drill team activities as well as support their activities.  However, they can also be useful in assisting the officers and director with other drill team needs.  The following list some of the other activities that parents can assist:

• Fund-raising Projects

• Awards for seniors and other special awards

• Senior scholarships

• Prop construction

• Costume construction and design

• Uniform fitting and alterations

• Ordering equipment

• Transportation

• Organizing parties, banquets, or special events

• Video taping and photographing performances

• Chaperoning events

Try some of  these fund-raising ideas:

• Bake Sale/Casserole Sale

• Car Wash

• Sell items--candy, cookies, donuts, cheese/sausage, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, key chains, stadium cushions etc.

• Giant Garage Sale

• Silent Auction

• Halloween Spook House

• Holiday Bazaar

• Calendars

• Selling ads for program

• Powder Puff Football Game

• Spaghetti or pancake suppers

• Inventory for department stores

• Odd jobs for local businesses

• Tournament (Golf, Bowling, Softball, Basketball) with corporate sponsors and participants

• Pee Wee dance clinic