BOOSTER CLUB MINUTES
March 15, 2008
9:00-10:00

1. In attendance:
Col. Watson
1st Sgt. Landrum
Hazel Morningstar, Booster President
Kim Black, Booster Vice President
Shelia Andrews, Booster Treasurer
Lisa Bell, Booster Secretary
Jaimie Wells
Shauneen Murphy
Marilyn Fears
James Buxton
Crystal Mayfield
Marilyn Derricks

2. Treasurer Report
a. Currently have $1230.00 in the booster account.
b. Col. Watson requested $518.00 to purchase a new rug for entry with MCJROTC emblem; approved.
c. Incorporation as a 501c3 non-profit is complete; the booster club is now officially known at the Ribault High School Marine Corps JROTC, Inc. Donors are now eligible for a tax deduction for their donations. Annually, a payment of $65 is required by the state of Florida to maintain incorporation as well as an annual report (not complicated if less than $25,000 is raised.)
d. One debit card is available for the account; held by booster club president Hazel Morningstar.
e. Previous fundraising activities:
• Candy Sale – raised $6,000 but two-thirds went back to the candy company to pay for the candy. Suggestion made to hold another candy sale with booster club purchasing candy at Sam’s Club in order to avoid large payments to outside companies. Approved; Hazel Morningstar will purchase and deliver candy to school.
• Car Washes – Two held; one raised $230, one raised $800 (due to pre-selling tickets produced by Hazel Morningstar). Suggestion made to hold another car wash on 4/12 at Lem Turner and Ida (across from Rolling Sound). Hazel will secure location and generate tickets to be sold prior.
f. Other income: Springfield Lions donated $500.
g. Expenditures: $1600 for the Birthday Ball; none of the cadets had to pay to attend.
3. Upcoming Activities
a. Parris Island – April 22-25
b. Awards Banquet – May 16th and May 23rd were discussed; May 16th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. approved. Col. Watson discussed his desire for a semi-formal affair with cadets in civilian clothing (per cadet request); approved.
Discussion regarding location:
Officers Club for the Birthday Ball cost $1600.
Springfield Lions Club will provide their hall free including tables, chairs and serving dishes/utensils (per Hazel Morningstar). Beaver Fish Co. will provide food and chefs to prepare for reduced cost (per Shauneen Murphy). Motion made to utilize the Lions Club and food through Beaver Fish Co.; approved. Mrs. Murphy will meet with her chefs and present menu suggestions/costs at next meeting. Secretary Lisa Bell will price rentals for tablecloths, dinnerware, glassware, silverware. Disc Jockey discussed; price for the DJ at Birthday Ball was $750.

4. Parent Involvement
a. Transportation assistance needed, particularly for color guards. Recommendations made to Col. Watson to contact parents directly rather than ask the cadets to speak with their parents about transportation. Booster members also offered to help make phone calls.
b. Attendance at booster meetings; calls were made to all cadets’ parents per information on Col. Watson’s database; many numbers were incorrect. Col. Watson will take information and work on getting accurate numbers. Recommendation made to continuing calling to ensure attendance; splitting up the call list recommended.
5. Recruiting
a. Need 150 cadets to maintain program; currently at approximately 80. Need 30 cadets to commit to drill team practice/competition. To improve recruitment, Col. Watson recommends returning to a traditional schedule or a 4X4 block schedule (so cadets are in class daily rather than either A day or B day). Col. is working with the administration at Ribault to utilize MCROTC as an elective class for more students; we as parents need to reinforce to other parents the benefits of the program. Secretary Lisa Bell will work with Col. Watson to draft and appropriate recruiting letter that can be distributed to parents and will present drafts at the next meeting.
6. Developing Business Partners
Discussion re: identifying business partners to support the program and contacting them for donations of money, incentives, etc. Secretary Lisa Bell will work with Col. Watson to draft appropriate letters, donation receipts, etc. and will present drafts at the next meeting.
7. Communications – How to improve?
Discussed utilizing website more; announcements in neighborhood papers (including articles highlighting cadets’ and graduates’ achievements); utilizing the automated call system. Col. Watson would like to designate a cadet as webmaster to keep the website updated.
8. Next meeting: Saturday, April 19th from 9:00-10:00.