BOOSTER CLUBSBOOSTER CLUBS

KSHSAA rules and how they KSHSAA rules and how they apply apply

KSHSAA RulesKSHSAA Rules

Rules are based on the over-riding Rules are based on the over-riding principle that schools with access to principle that schools with access to “resources” should not have an inherent “resources” should not have an inherent “advantage” over the schools (students) “advantage” over the schools (students) that don’t have access to the same that don’t have access to the same resourcesresources

Rules are proposed by the schools and Rules are proposed by the schools and adopted by KSHSAA Board of Directorsadopted by KSHSAA Board of Directors

KSHSAA rules can’t anticipate all KSHSAA rules can’t anticipate all possible situations school administrators possible situations school administrators encounter.encounter.

Activities JournalActivities Journal

KSHSAA KSHSAA Activities JournalActivities Journal serves as primary serves as primary source of information/interpretations of how source of information/interpretations of how KSHSAA rules are applied to various situations.KSHSAA rules are applied to various situations.

School administrators are encouraged to contact School administrators are encouraged to contact KSHSAA staff if ?’s arise that aren’t readily found KSHSAA staff if ?’s arise that aren’t readily found in in JournalJournal articles. articles.

Journals sent 10 times a year (monthly) to Journals sent 10 times a year (monthly) to member schools, Superintendents and member schools, Superintendents and Presidents of local BOE.Presidents of local BOE.

Journals are posted on the KSHSAA website – Journals are posted on the KSHSAA website – requires admin or coach password & id to sign inrequires admin or coach password & id to sign in

Other sources of InformationOther sources of Information KSHSAA web site – KSHSAA web site – www.kshsaa.org KSHSAA HandbookKSHSAA Handbook Q & A on a variety of topicsQ & A on a variety of topics If ?’s arise that KSHSAA staff feels If ?’s arise that KSHSAA staff feels

broaches new “areas” – staff will visit broaches new “areas” – staff will visit internally as to current internally as to current rules/interpretations and how they rules/interpretations and how they apply to the situationapply to the situation

May take to the KSHSAA Executive May take to the KSHSAA Executive Board for their interpretation.Board for their interpretation.

Challenges for SchoolsChallenges for Schools School administrators – Principals – Activities and/or School administrators – Principals – Activities and/or

Athletic Directors have to monitor the activities of Athletic Directors have to monitor the activities of booster clubs, community groups, individuals & booster clubs, community groups, individuals & coaches and stay current with KSHSAA rules & coaches and stay current with KSHSAA rules & interpretationsinterpretations

Often informed “after-the-fact” of thingsOften informed “after-the-fact” of things Most administrators are former coaches who know Most administrators are former coaches who know

the value of participation in activities for students the value of participation in activities for students All are “educators” who want what is best for All are “educators” who want what is best for everyevery

childchild They are the “responsible” party should violations They are the “responsible” party should violations

of KSHSAA rules occurof KSHSAA rules occur Very difficult job of “balancing” a number of Very difficult job of “balancing” a number of

competing factorscompeting factors Truly in “no-win” situationsTruly in “no-win” situations

Booster ClubBooster Club

Defined – Body/group/organization that Defined – Body/group/organization that includes as one of their objectives to includes as one of their objectives to provide funding help for selected school provide funding help for selected school activities, organizations or teams.activities, organizations or teams.

They may engage in a variety of They may engage in a variety of activities but they are principally fund activities but they are principally fund raising groups. raising groups.

For any school there may be one or For any school there may be one or more more Booster Clubs but they all fall under the Booster Clubs but they all fall under the same KSHSAA rules.same KSHSAA rules.

Evolution of Booster ClubsEvolution of Booster Clubs Historically – schools had only a single booster club Historically – schools had only a single booster club

– purpose was to support all the school’s programs– purpose was to support all the school’s programs Traditional role – assist in providing funds ($$) and Traditional role – assist in providing funds ($$) and

resources (equipment) resources (equipment) Growing number of schools with a multitude of Growing number of schools with a multitude of

“special interest” Booster Clubs “special interest” Booster Clubs Change in the dynamics of student (family) interests - Change in the dynamics of student (family) interests -

Number of “single” sport/activity studentsNumber of “single” sport/activity students Increasing demands on limited school finances for a Increasing demands on limited school finances for a

growing number of different and diverse responsibilitiesgrowing number of different and diverse responsibilities Lack of increases in funding to keep up with inflation and Lack of increases in funding to keep up with inflation and

increased costs increased costs Increasing expectations of school activity programs – i.e. Increasing expectations of school activity programs – i.e.

traveltravel Role expanding to go beyond their “traditional” role in Role expanding to go beyond their “traditional” role in

support of the local schoolsupport of the local school

20-1-1 – AWARDS Rule20-1-1 – AWARDS Rule Basis for most of the answers to questions re: Basis for most of the answers to questions re:

Booster ClubsBooster Clubs Fundamental premise – “Booster Clubs are Fundamental premise – “Booster Clubs are

considered synonymous to schools.” considered synonymous to schools.” What schools “may” or “may not” do is the What schools “may” or “may not” do is the

same in regards to what BC’s “may” or “may same in regards to what BC’s “may” or “may not” do.not” do.

Difference between “athletics” and most of Difference between “athletics” and most of the “activities” related programsthe “activities” related programs

All KSHSAA rules can be found on the KSHSAA All KSHSAA rules can be found on the KSHSAA web site – look for the heading “Handbook”web site – look for the heading “Handbook”

20-1-1f

Key KSHSAA rule which Booster Club’s and schools need to be aware of:

20-1-1f states that: “Member schools shall not be

involved in fund-raising or in financing students to attend outside school-training session, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. Booster Clubs are considered synonymous to schools.”

““May” doMay” do Provide $$’s – to help purchase of supplies/equipmentProvide $$’s – to help purchase of supplies/equipment $$’s$$’s Donated to the school for use as they see fit - requests can Donated to the school for use as they see fit - requests can

be made as to the use of those $$’s but school (Principal) be made as to the use of those $$’s but school (Principal) may use the $$ as they deem appropriate (see next slide)may use the $$ as they deem appropriate (see next slide)

Growing item – school activity/sport contest/trip expensesGrowing item – school activity/sport contest/trip expenses EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT K.S.A. 72-8210 – Special piece of equipment – permitted if K.S.A. 72-8210 – Special piece of equipment – permitted if

could be used by any student in the school and donation is could be used by any student in the school and donation is approved by principal approved by principal

CONSUMABLES (FOOD) FOR STUDENTS ON SCHOOL CONSUMABLES (FOOD) FOR STUDENTS ON SCHOOL FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS

Yes – food and/or $ to help purchaseYes – food and/or $ to help purchase CLOTHING-UNIFORMSCLOTHING-UNIFORMS Yes – becomes the property of the schoolYes – becomes the property of the school Uniforms – must comply with NFHS rulesUniforms – must comply with NFHS rules May be purchased by the student at fair market value May be purchased by the student at fair market value MEMEMENTOSMEMEMENTOS Yes but there is a limit ($25.00/athlete/sport)Yes but there is a limit ($25.00/athlete/sport)

FOUNDATIONSFOUNDATIONS

Growing number of schools establishing “foundations”Growing number of schools establishing “foundations” Becomes a source of funds to help offset the cost of Becomes a source of funds to help offset the cost of

programs/sportsprograms/sports Has some tax advantages for contributors – will want Has some tax advantages for contributors – will want

to seek financial/legal advice if interested in to seek financial/legal advice if interested in establishingestablishing

Source of funds to assist students cover costs of Source of funds to assist students cover costs of participation in school activity participation in school activity Application process – Foundation Board – Application process – Foundation Board –

Needs based distribution of funds (do not Needs based distribution of funds (do not give $’s to student/family) – help in give $’s to student/family) – help in purchase of items that are required for purchase of items that are required for participation participation

““May Not” doMay Not” do

May not provide $ to students to attend May not provide $ to students to attend camps or clinics or to cover costs for camps or clinics or to cover costs for student to participate on a non-school team.student to participate on a non-school team.

May not provide “bonus” or “incentives” or May not provide “bonus” or “incentives” or “gifts” to coaches in excess of specified “gifts” to coaches in excess of specified $100 limit$100 limit

20-1-1f - May not be involved in fund-20-1-1f - May not be involved in fund-raising or in financing students to raising or in financing students to attend outside school training attend outside school training sessions, tryouts or camps in sessions, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. - competitive athletics and debate. - Source of most of the ?’s and violations Source of most of the ?’s and violations that occurthat occur

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

Secure a bus/vehicles to take students Secure a bus/vehicles to take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

Reimburse school for cost of renting Reimburse school for cost of renting school vehicle to take student to school vehicle to take student to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

Pay the entry fee for student to attend Pay the entry fee for student to attend camps/clinics (athletic or debate)camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

Reimburse coaches who take students Reimburse coaches who take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

Booster Club v. Non-school groups Booster Club v. Non-school groups (NSG)(NSG)

NSG Examples – Youth Soccer team, Kids NSG Examples – Youth Soccer team, Kids Wrestling program/team/club, etc.Wrestling program/team/club, etc.

EX - NSG raising money at school event to EX - NSG raising money at school event to be used to send club members to a camp or be used to send club members to a camp or clinic clinic

The $’s raised at such an event can not be The $’s raised at such an event can not be used to pay for camp or clinic expenses used to pay for camp or clinic expenses that students from that school would attendthat students from that school would attend

How is the amount of these $’s “tracked” so How is the amount of these $’s “tracked” so that there is no “co-mingling” of $’s?that there is no “co-mingling” of $’s?

That becomes the responsibility of the NSG. That becomes the responsibility of the NSG.

More ExamplesMore Examples NSG would like to provide funds for student(s) to NSG would like to provide funds for student(s) to

go to non-school camp/clinic/competition.go to non-school camp/clinic/competition. NSG could provide $’s that are not raised at any NSG could provide $’s that are not raised at any

school eventschool event School (BC) could not request/solicit the funds – School (BC) could not request/solicit the funds –

that is the responsibility of the student(s)that is the responsibility of the student(s) The school coach has some members of his The school coach has some members of his

wrestling team going to a camp/competition. Can wrestling team going to a camp/competition. Can he help raise funds for these kids?he help raise funds for these kids?

Coaches are by interpretation considered “agents” Coaches are by interpretation considered “agents” of the school. While the coach could provide of the school. While the coach could provide personal funds to the student(s), he/she could not personal funds to the student(s), he/she could not be involved in the solicitation/raising of funds to be involved in the solicitation/raising of funds to help cover costs of the camp/competition.help cover costs of the camp/competition.

Continuing with ExamplesContinuing with Examples

Students have been invited to play in a Students have been invited to play in a “bowl” game (on a traveling team, etc.) – “bowl” game (on a traveling team, etc.) – could school/booster club help raise $ for could school/booster club help raise $ for student(s) to do this?student(s) to do this?

No – the interpretation of the KSHSAA rule is No – the interpretation of the KSHSAA rule is that traveling teams, select teams, or that traveling teams, select teams, or organized teams which include any KSHSAA organized teams which include any KSHSAA member school student receive member school student receive instructions/coaching & would fall into the instructions/coaching & would fall into the category of “training sessions, tryouts or category of “training sessions, tryouts or camps”camps”

When questions arise…When questions arise… First and foremost - Contact the First and foremost - Contact the

administration of your school when ?’s administration of your school when ?’s arise or before starting something – arise or before starting something – seeking approval is much better than seeking approval is much better than forgiveness – or place students in forgiveness – or place students in situations in which violations occursituations in which violations occur

Communicate with the school Communicate with the school administration – KSHSAA staff will administration – KSHSAA staff will direct you to contact and work direct you to contact and work through them if through them if interpretations/clarifications of rules is interpretations/clarifications of rules is needed. needed.