THE SOUTHAVEN BAND BOOSTER ORGANIZATION

The Southaven Band Booster Organization is dedicated to supporting the students and directors of all of the Southaven Band programs. The purpose of the booster organization is to arouse and maintain enthusiastic public interest in all phases of the Southaven Band Program. The booster organization also contributes moral, physical, and financial support to the Southaven Band program. Its’ goal is to assist the students, directors, and administration in creating a Superior climate for instrumental music education.

We would like to invite and challenge all parents to become as active and involved in the band program as possible. All parents are members of the booster organization by virtue of having a child who participates in the band program. There are many facets of the booster organization that require time, talent, and commitment on the part of our parents.

The Southaven Band Booster organization meets on the last Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm in the SHS Band Hall. Some meetings may be moved due to conflicts such as holidays and competition travel. If so, you will be notified well in advance of these changes.

The policies and procedures of the Southaven Band Booster Organization may be found at our website: www.prideofsouthaven.com

"FAIR SHARE" STUDENT BAND ACCOUNTS

During the first meeting of the Southaven Band Booster Club for the 2002 - 2003 school year, the Booster Club unanimously voted to adopt the "Fair Share Student Band Account Program". This is a fundraising program used throughout the United States by high school band programs in order to procure the funds necessary to compete and travel at the regional and national levels.

We believe all the necessary resources are available in Southaven to be competitive at the regional and national levels. We have talented children, supportive parents, a great band staff, and a great school administration. The one thing we lack, on a guaranteed basis, is funding.

The goal of excellence neither comes easily nor inexpensively. Sacrifices and commitments must not only be set, they must be maintained and fulfilled. The hard work and dedication of our students are the cornerstones of our success; however, the success of our student organization depends upon the tools with which we are provided. Unfortunately, the district does not possess enough of the funds necessary to purchase all of these tools.

I believe Superintendent Kuykendall and our local administration are doing everything they can to provide us with funding. However, in a school district this large (and growing at a phenomenal rate) funding for the Arts is extremely limited. The only way to be able to provide the best for our students is through fund raising.

Here is how the Fair Share Band Account Program works:

Prior to the beginning of the school year, the Southaven High School Booster Club, Band Staff, and Southaven High School Administration will determine those things we want for our organization in regard to travel, outside expert instruction, materials, etc. The estimated cost for these events, travel, outside instruction, and materials will be totaled and divided by the number of participating students. This total will then be divided into fundraising installments. Therefore, each student is fundraising and contributing equal amounts – hence, the name "Fair Share".

Fundraising opportunities will be provided for the members of The Southaven High Band and Boosters. We ask each student to fundraise the amount needed for his/her Fair Share installment. Some parents may prefer their children not fundraise. In this event, the installment may be paid by cash or check. A student may also choose to fundraise a portion of his/her account and pay the balance in cash. This is also acceptable. At the conclusion of the fundraiser, the student will then turn in fundraised monies for his installment. It is imperative this schedule be maintained. We will not be able to operate if these installments get behind schedule.

If a student raises monies beyond his/her account expectations it may be used in several ways:

  1. Forwarded toward the next year.

  2. To help pay for parent travel and lodging if that parent is serving as a chaperone on a competition trip.

  3. To assist a fellow Band member meet his/her Fair Share Band Account Quota.

The Fair Share Amount for each student for 2008-09 is approximately $500 - $550, (dependent upon travel expectations and costs). First installment of $200 is due Friday, August 1; the second installment of $150, (or $200), is due by Friday, September 5; and the final installment of $150 is due by Friday, October 3. Of course, you may pay the full amount at any time, and that would be helpful to the Booster Organization as they pay bills associated with our marching season.

*Please note! Full payment of a student’s Fair Share Account is critical to the integrity of our Band Booster organization and the success of our band program in general. Your support and understanding of timely payments is greatly appreciated.