_{The Shawnee Mission South High School Band Booster Club, Inc. is a Kansas Nonprofit Corporation. The purpose of the Band Booster Club, as stated in the Bylaws, is "...to promote, organize and finance musical activities and performances, trips and social events in connection with the Shawnee Mission South High School bands." Our Board's business meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM in the Band Room. Occasionally there are exceptions, so check the Calendar Page. All Band Booster Club members are welcome to attend these monthly business meetings, although only board members have voting priveleges.}

_{Band Booster Club volunteers are vital to the band program. Getting to know the band members and other parents is a wonderful bonus to volunteering. The Boosters not only provide practical assistance to Mr. Adams, but we run various fundraisers (which are optional) and services throughout the year.}

_{In the past, fundraisers have been the Booster Club's only source of income. However, participation in our fundraisers has declined and we began to collecting membership dues in 2005-06, as the other SMS Booster Clubs do. Our dues in 2008-09 were $30 per family. The dues are not meant to replace, but to supplement our fundraising income. The greater part of the Boosters' income comes from our fundraisers. We need everyone to continue and even increase their level of participation in the various fundraisers! The money we raise is absolutely vital to the band program at South. Please join us in our activities as we support the band!}

_{Another note concerning the Band Booster Club Membership Dues: Our dues are in addition to Mr. Adams' Band Dues, which go to the Band Account at school, not the Booster Club. The Band Booster Club's Membership Dues, in addition to the income provided by our fundraisers, will help to enrich the SMS Band Program beyond what the school district provides. For more information, go to} Mr. Adams' Wish List.

_{Q: Why do the Band Boosters hold fundraisers?}

_{A: Because the school district does not cover all of the expenses of running the South Band Program.}

_{One of the things the Band Boosters do is to provide Mr. Adams with funds to hire additional staff. The Boosters also pay for insurance, instruments, and equipment, which are very costly, yet necessary for the caliber of band program that we have at South. These are not frills, folks! In fact, we would like to be able to provide even more funds. Visit "Mr. Adams' Wish List" to see what his top needs are at this time.}

_{The Band Booster Club is also the funder of the Overland Park portion of our longstanding exchange program with our sister city of Bietigheim-Bissingen. What we do not fund, our volunteers work to have donated. The German Exchange is the crown jewel of the program that Mr. Adams has built at South, and the Booster volunteers work very hard to make the Overland Park visit an experience of a lifetime for the German exchange students. They, in turn, do the same for our band students when they visit Germany. The next exchange will be in June 2011 - see the Calendar Page.}

_{We also:}

_{*Purchase instruments and special equipment}

_{*Publish the Online Band Aid}

_{*Maintain a website}

_{*Contribute to the Band Banquet and Beach Party}

_{*Honor our seniors in the Spring and Fall}

_{*Distribute and collect uniforms}

_{*Provide drinks to the band when they perform}

_{*Plan and administer the Germany and Florida trips}

_{*Sell Spirit Wear}

_{*Plan Band Family Events like the Potluck Dinner and Chili Supper}

_{*Run fundraisers like the Lawn Bags, the Auction, and Gift Cards}

_{*Generally volunteer our time to enrich the Band Program! In doing so, our own lives are enriched. When we work to benefit the band program, we are working to benefit all of the band students! Please volunteer and participate in the fundraisers and other activities.}

_{To find out more about the Band Booster Club, please attend a Board meeting!}

_{To volunteer, email Nancy Brandt or contact the chairmen directly.}