BOOSTER CLUBS

1. BOOSTER CLUBS KSHSAA rules and how they apply

2. KSHSAA Rules • Rules are based on the over-riding principle that schools with access to “resources” should not have an inherent “advantage” over the schools (students) that don’t have access to the same resources • Rules are proposed by the schools and adopted by KSHSAA Board of Directors • KSHSAA rules can’t anticipate all possible situations school administrators encounter.

3. Activities Journal • KSHSAA Activities Journal serves as primary source of information/interpretations of how KSHSAA rules are applied to various situations. • School administrators are encouraged to contact KSHSAA staff if ?’s arise that aren’t readily found in Journal articles. • Journals sent 10 times a year (monthly) to member schools, Superintendents and Presidents of local BOE. • Journals are posted on the KSHSAA website – requires admin or coach password & id to sign in

4. Other sources of Information • KSHSAA web site – www.kshsaa.org • KSHSAA Handbook • Q & A on a variety of topics • If ?’s arise that KSHSAA staff feels broaches new “areas” – staff will visit internally as to current rules/interpretations and how they apply to the situation • May take to the KSHSAA Executive Board for their interpretation.

5. Challenges for Schools • School administrators – Principals – Activities and/or Athletic Directors have to monitor the activities of booster clubs, community groups, individuals & coaches and stay current with KSHSAA rules & interpretations • Often informed “after-the-fact” of things • Most administrators are former coaches who know the value of participation in activities for students • All are “educators” who want what is best for every child • They are the “responsible” party should violations of KSHSAA rules occur • Very difficult job of “balancing” a number of competing factors • Truly in “no-win” situations

6. Booster Club • Defined – Body/group/organization that includes as one of their objectives to provide funding help for selected school activities, organizations or teams. • They may engage in a variety of activities but they are principally fund raising groups. • For any school there may be one or more Booster Clubs but they all fall under the same KSHSAA rules.

7. Evolution of Booster Clubs • Historically – schools had only a single booster club – purpose was to support all the school’s programs • Traditional role – assist in providing funds ($$) and resources (equipment) • Growing number of schools with a multitude of “special interest” Booster Clubs • Change in the dynamics of student (family) interests - Number of “single” sport/activity students • Increasing demands on limited school finances for a growing number of different and diverse responsibilities • Lack of increases in funding to keep up with inflation and increased costs • Increasing expectations of school activity programs – i.e. travel • Role expanding to go beyond their “traditional” role in support of the local school

8. 20-1-1 – AWARDS Rule • Basis for most of the answers to questions re: Booster Clubs • Fundamental premise – “Booster Clubs are considered synonymous to schools.” • What schools “may” or “may not” do is the same in regards to what BC’s “may” or “may not” do. • Difference between “athletics” and most of the “activities” related programs • All KSHSAA rules can be found on the KSHSAA web site – look for the heading “Handbook”

9. 20-1-1f • Key KSHSAA rule which Booster Club’s and schools need to be aware of: • 20-1-1f states that: • “Member schools shall not be involved in fund-raising or in financing students to attend outside school-training session, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. Booster Clubs are considered synonymous to schools.”

10. “May” do • Provide $$’s – to help purchase of supplies/equipment • $$’s • Donated to the school for use as they see fit - requests can be made as to the use of those $$’s but school (Principal) may use the $$ as they deem appropriate (see next slide) • Growing item – school activity/sport contest/trip expenses • EQUIPMENT • K.S.A. 72-8210 – Special piece of equipment – permitted if could be used by any student in the school and donation is approved by principal • CONSUMABLES (FOOD) FOR STUDENTS ON SCHOOL FUNCTIONS • Yes – food and/or $ to help purchase • CLOTHING-UNIFORMS • Yes – becomes the property of the school • Uniforms – must comply with NFHS rules • May be purchased by the student at fair market value • MEMEMENTOS • Yes but there is a limit ($25.00/athlete/sport)

11. FOUNDATIONS • Growing number of schools establishing “foundations” • Becomes a source of funds to help offset the cost of programs/sports • Has some tax advantages for contributors – will want to seek financial/legal advice if interested in establishing • Source of funds to assist students cover costs of participation in school activity • Application process – Foundation Board – Needs based distribution of funds (do not give $’s to student/family) – help in purchase of items that are required for participation

12. “May Not” do • May not provide $ to students to attend camps or clinics or to cover costs for student to participate on a non-school team. • May not provide “bonus” or “incentives” or “gifts” to coaches in excess of specified $100 limit • 20-1-1f - May not be involved in fund-raising or in financing students to attend outside school training sessions, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. - Source of most of the ?’s and violations that occur

13. EXAMPLES • Secure a bus/vehicles to take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate) • Reimburse school for cost of renting school vehicle to take student to camps/clinics (athletic or debate) • Pay the entry fee for student to attend camps/clinics (athletic or debate) • Reimburse coaches who take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

14. Booster Club v. Non-school groups (NSG) • NSG Examples – Youth Soccer team, Kids Wrestling program/team/club, etc. • EX - NSG raising money at school event to be used to send club members to a camp or clinic • The $’s raised at such an event can not be used to pay for camp or clinic expenses that students from that school would attend • How is the amount of these $’s “tracked” so that there is no “co-mingling” of $’s? • That becomes the responsibility of the NSG.

15. More Examples • NSG would like to provide funds for student(s) to go to non-school camp/clinic/competition. • NSG could provide $’s that are not raised at any school event • School (BC) could not request/solicit the funds – that is the responsibility of the student(s) • The school coach has some members of his wrestling team going to a camp/competition. Can he help raise funds for these kids? • Coaches are by interpretation considered “agents” of the school. While the coach could provide personal funds to the student(s), he/she could not be involved in the solicitation/raising of funds to help cover costs of the camp/competition.

16. Continuing with Examples • Students have been invited to play in a “bowl” game (on a traveling team, etc.) – could school/booster club help raise $ for student(s) to do this? • No – the interpretation of the KSHSAA rule is that traveling teams, select teams, or organized teams which include any KSHSAA member school student receive instructions/coaching & would fall into the category of “training sessions, tryouts or camps”

17. When questions arise… • First and foremost - Contact the administration of your school when ?’s arise or before starting something – seeking approval is much better than forgiveness – or place students in situations in which violations occur • Communicate with the school administration – KSHSAA staff will direct you to contact and work through them if interpretations/clarifications of rules is needed.