The Boosted Volunteer

Restore the Pride: Mastering Peer-to-Peer Fundraising l Marsha Sray

What if the secret to raising $14,000 in three weeks was already sitting in your pocket?  Most booster clubs settle for the "standard" chocolate or mulch sales that require endless physical labor for a small fraction of the profit.  This week on The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler welcomes Marsha Sray, a fundraising powerhouse and former band booster president who turned a dilapidated equipment trailer into a rallying cry for an entire community. Marsha shares the exact strategies she used to "restore the pride" and explains why peer-to-peer fundraising is the ultimate engine for modern booster clubs. Whether you are trying to fund new uniforms, a championship trip, or just want to stop selling mattresses in the band hall, Marsha’s hands-on experience will show you how to turn a daunting financial goal into an exciting, high-energy event. Key Takeaways: * 01:33 The "Eyesore" Inspiration: How an aging, disintegrating band trailer wrap became the catalyst for Marsha’s first major fundraising success. * 03:00 Storytelling that Sells: Why one student’s quote about a truck "carrying our pride" was more effective than any professional marketing campaign. * 04:16 The Power of the Ask: Why sitting around and talking about a problem for a year won't solve it, but simply asking the community will. * 05:30 Peer-to-Peer vs. Static Pages: Understanding the "Ask-a-thon" model—using urgency, time limits, and exponential community growth to drive donations. * 07:51 The "Magic" Number of Asks: Why most donations happen between the fifth and seventh time a person is asked. * 09:25 Raising $15,000 in One Hour: The crucial role of the "kickoff" event and why being prepared with a contact list is the difference between success and a slow start. * 11:13 Incentives & Humiliation Rituals: From duct-taping directors to the wall to eating ranch-flavored crickets—how non-monetary "hustle awards" drive student participation. * 15:35 The Personal Touch: Why a phone call to Grandma or a personal text to an uncle outperforms automated messages every time. * 17:55 Aspirational Budgeting: Why you should always push your goal just a little bit beyond what you think is attainable. * 20:07 Celebrating the Fruits of Labor: The importance of a "reveal party" to show donors exactly what their money provided. Is your booster club running like a champ or just getting by? Visit BoosterHub.com [http://www.boosterhub.com] to find the tools you need to manage your nonprofit responsibly, raise more money, and get back to the activities that matter most.

The State of Booster Clubs in 2026

What does it really take for Booster Clubs to survive—and thrive—in 2026?  As funding shifts, expectations rise, and responsibilities grow, many clubs are being pushed to operate more like full-scale nonprofits than volunteer groups. In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, the roles are flipped as Evan Eissler interviews co-host Robin Eissler, CEO and founder of Booster Hub. Drawing from her experience working with thousands of Booster Clubs nationwide, Robin shares a candid look at the biggest challenges clubs face today—and the strategies that separate those that are thriving from those barely getting by. If your Booster Club feels stretched or unsure what to focus on next, this episode gets straight into the real issues. Key Takeaways * 1:40 Funding is shifting—Booster Clubs are carrying more of the load * 3:04 Booster Clubs vs PTO/PTA—what makes them different * 4:32 Why some clubs thrive (and others burn out) * 5:35 Strong clubs plan ahead—not just for the season * 7:03 Communication gaps cause most problems * 8:13 Compliance basics many clubs get wrong * 11:20 “Mandatory fees” and where it gets tricky * 12:54 Payment methods that can create risk * 15:17 How to prevent fraud and money issues * 17:06 Why credit cards can actually increase revenue * 18:00 SMS works better than email for engagement * 19:20 Planning for leadership and financial stability * 22:30 Creating excitement around volunteering * 23:24 One simple habit: reconcile your bank account To learn how Booster Hub can help you improve communication, increase engagement, and manage your Booster Club more effectively, visit www.boosterhub.com [http://www.boosterhub.com]. Be sure to subscribe to The Boosted Volunteer so you never miss an episode packed with insights for today’s Booster Club leaders.

NIL Is Reaching High School Sports — Is Your Booster Club Ready?

As Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities continue to reshape athletics, their impact is no longer limited to college programs. In this insightful episode, former professional football player and NIL education advocate Dr. John DeWitt joins host Robin Eissler to explore what this evolving landscape means for high school athletes, families — and most importantly — Booster Clubs. A former 12-year professional football player turned chiropractor, author, and keynote speaker, Dr. DeWitt is the founder of JD Football Training, where he provides NIL and recruiting education to student-athletes, parents, and school communities. In this conversation, Dr. DeWitt shares practical, real-world perspectives on navigating state-specific NIL rules, managing changing team dynamics, and turning potential disruption into meaningful opportunities for athletic programs. He also unpacks sponsorship complexities and leadership challenges, equipping volunteers with clear, actionable insights to stay prepared in a rapidly shifting environment.. Key Takeaways: * 1:52 - NIL opportunities are expanding into high school athletics, creating confusion due to varying rules across states, districts, and schools. * 3:33 - Booster Clubs must distinguish between team sponsorships and individual NIL deals to avoid compliance risks and locker-room tension. * 5:40 - Families should avoid rushing into NIL agreements and carefully review expectations, exclusivity clauses, and long-term eligibility implications. * 6:54 - Athletes with strong social media followings are increasingly attracting NIL opportunities, blending performance recognition with influencer marketing. * 9:59 - NIL arrangements may influence Booster Club fundraising if donors feel contributions are benefiting individual athletes instead of the entire program. * 11:25 - Coaches can turn NIL disparities into leadership opportunities that strengthen discipline, teamwork, and motivation. * 12:15 - Education and proactive communication help Booster Clubs confidently navigate evolving NIL rules and responsibilities. * 16:01 - Student-athletes should stay focused on long-term development rather than becoming distracted by short-term NIL incentives. * 18:46 - Setting new goals after achieving milestones is essential for sustaining growth both in sports and in life. Resources: LinkedIn: Dr. John DeWitt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-john-dewitt-93ab3a248/]Free NIL Resource: https://jdfootballtraining.com/NIL

Band Dads, Booster Culture, and the Truth About Running a Marching Band Program

Ever wondered why marching band parents are some of the most intense, dedicated, and—dare we say—"cult-like" volunteers on the planet?  This week on The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down with the hilarious and insightful duo behind The Band Dads Podcast: Chris Flynn and Scott Lang. Scott, a former band director and leadership expert, and Chris, a data analyst and "super-volunteer," share their journey from confused bleacher parents to becoming the voice of band parents globally and talk about the unique world of band boosters, volunteer culture, fundraising, leadership, and why marching band may be one of the most demanding—and rewarding—activities for students and parents alike. Chris and Scott share how their own podcast, The Band Dads Podcast, was born out of a need to help parents better understand the marching band world—from scoring and competition culture to parent dynamics and volunteer engagement. Along the way, they bring plenty of humor, sharp insight, and real-world advice for booster leaders in any program. Whether you are a "Band Dad" trying to figure out a scoring sheet, a "Sports Mom" struggling to fill volunteer slots, or a Booster President dealing with a "territorial" cameraman, this episode is packed with wit, wisdom, and real-world strategies for running a successful nonprofit organization (because that’s exactly what a booster club is!).   Key Takeaways: * 00:50 The "Batman" Moment: How a simple document explaining band scoring turned into a global podcast reaching 35+ countries. * 07:23 The Oscar & Felix Dynamic: Why the "Odd Couple" pairing of a data analyst and an emotive band director makes for a successful partnership. * 15:25 The Political Power of Band Parents: Why superintendents prioritize band needs during bond elections—hint: it’s about the 300 unified votes! * 21:09 Is it a Cult? Scott defends his hilarious take on why the best booster clubs operate like a "cult" with shared values and beliefs. * 22:11 The Power of FOMO: Stop shaming parents into volunteering. Learn why "Fear of Missing Out" is the most effective tool for filling your signup sheets. * 26:47 Inclusion vs. Athletics: A deep dive into why band is "better" than sports for many kids—there are no benchwarmers in a marching band. * 33:42 The "Band Director Whisperer": The secret to a perfect board-director relationship and how to set healthy boundaries. * 38:18 The "Speed Round" Solutions: Scott and Chris debate everything from mattress fundraisers and mulch sales to why the Booster President should never speak at the concert. * 52:15 Recruiting Dads: How to engage fathers by tapping into their existing passions (like tech, photography, or construction) rather than twisting their arms. * 01:00:24 The Standard of Excellence: Why marching band is "as hard" as varsity football and why the older students teaching the younger ones creates a unique community.   References: * Website/Podcast: www.banddadspodcast.com [http://www.banddadspodcast.com] * TikTok: @thebanddadspod * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-lang-382ba82/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-lang-382ba82/] * Social Media: Find them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube by searching The Band Dads Podcast. * Must-Listen Episode: Season 1, Episode 1: "Why Music and Why Does It Matter?"

How Booster Clubs Can Elevate Social Media & Attract More Sponsors

If your booster club’s graphics look inconsistent, outdated, or thrown together at the last minute… sponsors notice. And so do parents, athletes, and recruiters. In this episode of the Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down with Becki Jacobs, founder of Team Mom Boutique, to share how booster clubs can create a professional, consistent, and sponsor-ready social media presence—without hiring a designer. Becki, a former corporate digital product designer turned youth sports entrepreneur, built Teen Mom Boutique after seeing teams struggle to create polished graphics from scratch each season. What started as cheer templates for her daughters’ teams has grown into full-season Canva bundles designed specifically for booster clubs, sports teams, and marching bands. In this conversation, you’ll learn how to stop “winging it” on social media and start building a simple, repeatable system that elevates your program. Key Takeaways * 1:53 — Booster clubs often struggle with inconsistent graphics; reusable Canva templates eliminate the need to start from scratch each season. * 5:24 — Canva is ideal for volunteer-run programs because it’s simple, collaborative, and easy to transition between leaders. * 7:16 — A full-season bundle includes 78 templates covering registration, game days, player spotlights, and sponsor recognition. * 9:52 — Focus on three weekly posts: upcoming events, recognition, and game results. * 11:07 — Strong, well-planned photos are just as important as the templates themselves. * 13:12 — Professional, consistent graphics increase sponsor visibility and renewal potential. * 14:30 — A polished social presence helps athletes and programs stand out. * 16:00 — Canva simplifies leadership handoffs and protects brand consistency. * 17:47 — Start simple: post schedules, game days, and final scores—then build from there. Resources: * Special Offer:  Use Code Boost26 for 10% off * Website:  https://www.teammomboutique.com/ [https://www.teammomboutique.com/] * Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckijacobs/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckijacobs/] * Facebook & Instagram: @teamomboutique * TikTok: Team Mom Boutique