Summary

        This proposal is designed to give transparency with students, parents, and Brunswick County schools on the finance practices of the North Brunswick High School band  program in conjunction with the NBHS Band Boosters. This is a formal response and alternative to the  financial methods  related to “ Fair Share”. This proposal will demonstrate an equitable approach to managing funds, showing compliance with BCS policy, 501c3 regulation, and aligning activities with the North Carolina Music standard course of study.

Band Dues

Band dues will be collected from band members to provide services for the co-curricular activities.

An itemized fee schedule will be given to parents before the start of the band season.

These dues are for basic functions of the program, such as uniform cleaning , travel, entry fees, supplies, and  specialized instructors.

 Students that are not participating in both concert and marching band will have an itemized fee schedule according to their participation.

  Dues are non-refundable as they are directly paid to the services needed.

 We will financially support the basic needs of all students. In the event that a group or ensemble is invited to an event outside of our current budget, funds will be collected from that group only, to participate in the desired function.  (See yearly budget and price worksheet for details.)

Hardship

In the event that a student or family is unable to meet the financial requirement, a hardship agreement can be arranged to relieve the financial burden. See, Mr Cook for details

Non payment of band dues

Every effort will be made to guarantee that your child has a positive experience in band. Solutions and settlements are made at the discretion of the band director. We ask that you make all payments on time or communicate the difficulty of this commitment. When all efforts are exhausted to collect payment, statements will be forwarded to the book keeper’s office.

Student Ledgers: www.charmsoffice.com 

Charms office is a user friendly online based platform for students, parents, and educators

Each band member has a student record account that will keep information:

• Payments Receipts/Records
• Uniforms Loaned
• Instruments Loaned

Students will be given a username and password to access this account. Please keep your phone numbers, address, and email addresses updated as this system is the primary form of communication. Students may carry credits into the next school year or transfer to a sibling. All requests for expenses to be paid from student accounts toward band fees or other band related needs must be made in writing to the Treasurer and/or Band Director.

Fundraising

• Every band member is encouraged to participate in fundraising efforts.
• This is to help lower band fees, trip fees, supplies and more.
• Fundraising also contributes to the “TEAM WORK” aspect of the band.
• Fundraising is not required
• Fairshare accounts are prohibited
• In compliance with 501c3 regulations we will avoid Cooperative fundraising
• All funds earned from fundraisers will be distributed to all students equally to reduce band fees regardless of participation.
• Hours accumulated from participation in fundraising efforts will count as exemption from  community service projects in the class. See class syllabus for details  

Community Service project ( Taken from the band syllabus)

“Students will also have various community service projects throughout the semester. This is a great opportunity for performance in the community, gaining support for the band program, and exercising great citizenship. A rubric on each project will be passed out a week prior to the project  due date. Students that participate in non required fundraising activities can gain credit for their service project.

Activities include but are not limited to:

• Performances at churches
• Performances at fundraising events
• Volunteerism
• Participating in Non required fundraisers
• Representinting NBHS in honor band functions
• Research presentations to the public

Accounting methods

Revenue

• Any funds collected as donations or payments will be receipted.

• We will accept cash, check, or credit.

• Parents will be able to monitor all transactions via their child's Charms account .

• Funds are deposited into an organizational account with First Bank of Leland, NC.

• Only the booster treasurer and president have complete access to the account.

• All records of deposits are filed in the current year book of records.

Purchases

• All purchases require a check request approved by the treasurer and booster president.

• To avoid reimbursements a Debit  card is used for purchases $500 and under.

• Receipts of purchase must be attached and filed with the check request form.

• All records of transactions  are filed in the current year book of records.

Electronic records are held on the following platforms.

All records are public and available upon request.

Paypal.com

Charmsoffice.com

https://localfirstbank.com/

Relevant Essential standards

I.CR.1 Understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music.

I.CR.1.1 Use music to explore concepts of civics and economics (such as systems, functions, structures, democracy, economies, and interdependence).

I.CR.1.2 Understand the relationships between music and concepts from other areas.  

I.CR.1.4 Recognize effective strategies for recognizing, monitoring, and overcoming performance anxiety.

Relevant Board Policies

Policy Code: 1320/3560 Title I Parent and Family Engagement

Policy Code: 5000 Schools and the Community  

Policy Code: 3530 Citizenship and Character Education

Policy Code: 4600 Student Fees

Policy Code: 3120 Lesson Planning

Relevant Articles

PBUSA IFA Policy

https://parentbooster.org/resources/ifa-policy?fbclid=IwAR3wtGuwHV-hYmOg165A300tTGGOOn5cSwGvaBzZEY6PuvICW0w3KHiU--M

Cooperative Fundraising IFAs

https://parentbooster.org/resources/cooperative-fundraising-ifas?fbclid=IwAR2qY_hHX38vHMi3ebxB16-oPiBIN2zisppm8hoO6kAw_wGSakscySHaepM

Exemption Requirements 501 C3

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations

Key definitions

IFA -Individual fundraising accounts An individual fundraising account is any method by which a booster club credits an individual or family for all, or a portion, of the funds raised by the individual, family or organization.

Cooperative fundraising ‘Fair Share” is when a group's members join together (cooperatively) to raise money and then credit the funds raised (or the time spent volunteering) to the individuals who participated in raising the money (the accounts credited are known as "Individual fundraising accounts").