Boosters

The "Leon Band Boosters" is the support organization of the band. The primary purpose is to help the band.  They do this through fundraising, chaperoning trips, building and maintaining equipment, issuing and repairing uniforms, and anything else they can do to help the band.  All parents and guardians of band members can be members of the boosters.  Membership is also open to anyone who wants to help the Leon Band in any way they can. 

What are the Leon Band Boosters and what do they do?
"An Active Group of Parents" Working Collectively to Continue the Success of the Band!

The Leon Band Boosters are the support organization of the band. The primary purpose is to help the band. They do this through fundraising, chaperoning trips, and building and maintaining equipment, issuing and repairing uniforms, and anything else they can do to help support and maintain an enthusiastic interest in band-related activities to the school's music program. Remember, if you are a parent or guardian of a student participating in the Leon High School Band, you are a member of the 'band boosters'. Membership is also open to anyone who wants to help the Leon High School Band in any way they can. Getting involved with the booster organization will help the program continue be successful, and will show your child that you support and care about what he or she is doing.

Below are some standard activities that the band boosters provide assistance with:

Ways and Means -- One of the main purposes is to raise funds for the band program. The extra money helps to provide funds for special events and trips, instruments, additional uniform cleaning, and other band related expenses that are above and beyond what the band's budget can afford. Your son /daughter get to participate in an outstanding program with opportunities that could not be offered without the support of the Band Boosters. Some of the band's popular fund-raising activities include, but are not limited to - cookie dough sales; magazine subscription sales; the famous chicken dinner sales --band students dress in their marching uniforms and go door-to-door selling tickets and the food is provided by Sonny’s Restaurant. Beautiful poinsettias, and monthly Pizza Hut Leon Band Nights. Dinner Concerts with free musical entertainment provided by the band. A NEW one to be added - Albertson’s Community Partnership Program -Earn $$$$ for the band while using your Albertson's Preferred Savings Cards – Instructions for use will be provided as soon as details have been finalized.

Uniforms -- Participation in marching and concert events, require the students to be fitted for (and often have altered) uniforms each year. These have to be assigned, maintained and cleaned throughout the school year. Accommodating away events, the process also involves transportation and organization. "Uniform Moms" become the most beloved helpers to the band students.

Uniform Room -- Storage room for uniforms (marching and concert), shakos (hats), cross-belts, suspenders, additional towels, gloves, t-shirts, plumes, rain ponchos, percussion stands, equipment carts, and other band related items. Coordinators and volunteers keep it cleaned and stocked.

Furnishing Chaperones for Band Events -- Required by the school district, minimum of 1 adult per 10 students. Providing for the needs (water, first aid) of the band students during band events, i.e. home and away games—each trip has a coordinator and chaperones. Competitions, Marching Festivals, Parades - Trip Coordinators and several volunteers needed for all trips; some overnights, such as Tampa, Orlando, New York, Nashville, and Indianapolis. Transport equipment /water @ games – take huge water coolers filled with ice to field and distribute during games, a team of parents cover band seats in bleachers with ponchos (during rainy weather.) PLUME detail and Clean-up detail is also required before and after each band event.

Speaking of Equipment, throughout the marching season, there is equipment that needs to be moved on and off the busses, or on and off the field. Volunteer parents (i.e. dads) who can help haul and set up equipment get to work closely to the action and are much appreciated. Pushing, pulling, lifting, or holding equipment gives you a healthy workout! - Chaperoning events allow you to get to know some really great kids!
Not sure how you can "showcase" your expertise and/or special talents? There are numerous ways to be helpful! Whatever fits your schedule - whether large committee’s positions or a volunteer for special occasions, there is something worthy that you CAN do to lend some assistance? Take a look below:

Roles, Events, and Activities briefly defined and/or needed:

Booster President- monthly parent meetings, advertising, newsletters

Booster Co-President– (TBA) monthly parent meeting newsletters, corporate sponsor advertising

Booster Vice President– (TBA) monthly parent meetings, newsletters, advertising, serves in capacity as President in absence of President.

Recording Secretary-

Treasurer-

Accounts Treasurer-

Band Trip Coordinator-- oversees trip planning and spring trips.

Volunteers Coordinator- maintains/updates databases of volunteers, recruits parent volunteers, sends lists to coordinators.

Uniform Committee Coordinator– organizes parent volunteers and schedules for uniform fittings, repairs, and distribution at all Marching Band events, including summer band camp; processes before and after events, coordinates with the Director, dry cleaning pick ups and deliveries, and keeps accurate inventory records / database of uniform pieces. Helps with plumes at football games. After the last use of the year, removes outgoing student uniforms and places them back into available uniforms. Provide additional accessories for sale to students (if items have been misplaced or forgotten), i.e., wave scarves, socks, hair accessories, shoe laces.

Concert Uniform Committee Coordinator- organizes parent volunteers and schedules for concert dresses and tuxedos fittings, repairs and distribution at all Concert Band events. Helps with cummerbunds, gloves, distribute programs at concert events. Advertises dinner concerts events.

Chaperone Coordinator– organizes, and coordinates volunteers for chaperone assignments, duties and responsibilities. (See Chaperone Guide for detailed instructions)

Fund Raising Committee Coordinator (TBA) - Generates fund raising ideas to be presented to the Board for approval. Responsible for obtaining workers, overseeing the completion of each project, presenting end of project summary, and submitting receipts and profits to treasurer or student account treasurer.

Public Affairs—Coordinator- Volunteers take photos, prepare news items and manage all PR activities for every band event.

Year Book Point of Contact -- Works with PR coordinator, arranges for photos and yearbook inserts on band.

Webmaster– E-mail distribution for all bands parents. Updates, collects information for band’s web site.

Annual Band Member Directory - Telephone trees or personal contact list - increases attendance at the booster meetings - coordinated through Band Director.

Recruiting or "Getting Acquainted" Events - Providing light refreshments for Annual New Members/Families Orientation Social – (usually occurs in May) - information provided to prospective band parents and students - builds camaraderie with families new to the band program.

Summer Marching Band Orientation Camp-- Parent volunteers needed on the field for morning and afternoon practice sessions, to assist the band director. Help with water, emergency care, if needed, for students.

Summer Marching Band Camp Social-- First band boosters meeting and team building event on a Friday culminating the end of band camp, band performs for their parents to ‘show-off’ their new marching routine on the field (if weather permits)!

Shirts/Polo’s/Jackets-- sales and ordering of Leon band logo items.

 Some Items Available for Purchase for "Spirit" sales during Summer Band Camp Social

Dinner Concerts -- Memorable evenings of great meals, camaraderie, family involvement, and musical entertainment provided by the symphonic and concert band students. (Approximately 6, during the school year)

Middle School Night - invites to 8th graders to march and play with the band during a football game.

FBA Marching Band MPA Festival - usually held in October, district rating of marching bands.
Senior Recognition Night -- recognition and/or refreshments for seniors and parents
Marching Band Performance -- The Veteran’s Day Parade

All District Activities – auditions, rehearsals, and performances

Winter Concert – (usually the second week of December) Parents coordinate and help with concert program, stage set up, etc.

Prism Concert – Volunteers needed to coordinate ticket orders and distribution; annual event---occurs the first week in December – Two hours of non-stop musical entertainment by FSU music students and faculty!

Solo/Ensemble MPA Festival -- usually the second week of February

CBDNA/NBA Convention – Nashville, TN Trip – February 22-26, 2006

Concert Festival – usually occurs the second week of March

Marching Band Performance – Spring-Time Tallahassee Parade

Annual Band Banquet - Banquet meal and decorations, preparing video presentations, special keepsake band books for banquet activities for students and parents.
Annual Oliver Hobbs Memorial Concert– symphonic band performs

Graduation – Symphonic band performing at graduation. Parents organize transportation, water and other related activities.

ON-CALL (call as needed volunteers) - Volunteers willing to be called to help as needed for planning, organizing, decorating, photography, and/or obtaining gifts and awards.

As you can see, there are many opportunities to be supportive and provide parental involvement in your child's life. Just imagine, along the way, you will meet a group of acquaintances, as well as develop, in many instances, lifelong friendships, that share common bonds and common purposes. Evolve through the 'symphony' and enjoy the challenge of the journey!