No doubt about it, schools this year are facing their hugest challenge yet – how to connect teachers and kids so that learning takes place without harm or interruption. To the credit of thousands of superintendents, their staff, and communities nationwide, this new school year may be different, but it will also be successful.
But other challenges remain.
Mariah Wakeling, vice president and creative director for iClick, explains that as a result of COVID-19, consumer UV-C items are making their way into the market as safety from bacteria and viruses will be a constant concern. She explained that iClick’s promotional UVClean Qi and UVClean P4000 5x Flip can help recipients “solve multiple problems end-users face daily. From sanitizing your phone (and other devices and accessories) to providing a quick battery boost, these UVClean products present the perfect opportunity” for booster clubs to show they have safety as a priority.
Booster Club counselor Michael A. Walsh, author of “How to Built a Better Boosters Club” (2012; www.betterboosterclubs.com), observed something that remains true today: “More limited funding and, as a result, budget constraints have forced many schools and school districts to cut or curtail funding for extracurricular activities in schools today. To combat this, more and more schools are turning to boosters’ organizations to fund the financial gap that exists between program income and available funding and program expense. The problem is that most of these groups are ill-educated and equipped and don’t do what is really necessary to help the program(s) they seek to serve to achieve their potential. Most booster groups and activities are limited in scope and primarily raise funds through a multitude of labor-intensive and not all that effective special events.”
Booster clubs can benefit from your guidance, marketing/branding expertise, and of course, the best sourcing strategies! As Walsh writes, you can help them to “stop thinking about raising a few thousand dollars and start thinking about raising tens of thousands each year. As one of the tactics he advises to employ, is to develop a list of special gift opportunities or a wish list (both large, expensive and small, inexpensive).
And according to technology marketing firm Deluxe, which works with 4.8 million small business customers, “traditional fundraising techniques like bake sales can certainly generate results. However, custom-printed promotional products are especially useful for raising money and promoting school spirit.”
Booster clubs are organizations typically run by parents of schoolchildren and their goal is to raise funds for a variety of student groups and teams. They run the gamut of supporting extracurricular activities as: sports, debate team, chess club, competitive math team, drama club/chorus, and marching band; school newspaper, yearbook, prom committee, and more. When viewing the gamut of clubs, this can help narrow down the promotional products. With the money raised by the booster clubs, student groups and clubs can receive paid-for supplies (musical instruments, uniforms, costumes, decorations), transportation to off-campus events, sports equipment, as well as events and activities such as awards ceremonies.
Items can run the gamut from fall/winter apparel (from flannel lounge pants to headwear, to hoodies, Ts, golf shirts, windbreakers); drinkware (tumblers, sports bottles, travel mugs), to outdoor items such as blankets, and other useful items such as tote bags and backpacks.
There are numerous suppliers with thousands of items that would work for booster clubs. Just some examples: Gimmees offers full-color unisex tube socks that can feature the school mascot; they are heel-less and ankle height, (#9961), small sports pack (#1109) made of 210 denier nylon with contrasting simulated leather, in 18 colors (including two camos), and colored felt pennant (#1683), an always-traditional way to show school spirit and also act as a keepsake. And Americanna Inc. offers a Schoolhouse Compressed Sponge (#CS-5SH), which expands from flat to ready for cleanup (1/2”) when wet. It is biodegradable and dishwasher safe – and available in pink, buff, and blue with numerous imprint colors to match any school hue.
Sarah Pryor of Signupgenius.com, an online signup program facilitator, has several ideas for booster club activities that can inspire related promotional items.
“Plan a school-spirited campaign that incorporates several fundraisers, such as selling gear in your school’s colors, offering the community discounted tickets to school events [how they may be during COVID], and more. Get local businesses involved with a promotion like “Paint the Town (what the school color is).”
Coordinate with local restaurants and coffee bars to donate a portion of the day’s sales to the booster club, and to have them give away logoed products like keychains or drinkware. Other ideas would be a bingo day/night, a team spirit calendar, trivia contests, car washes, and a school carnival (when allowed).
By suggesting fundraisers for booster clubs, you will be helping to cement an enthusiastic school spirit where the community, schools, and children can enjoy positive experiences now and in the future.