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HOW TO CREATE A BOOSTER CLUB IN MISSISSIPPI
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row widthopt=”” fixedbg=”” footerrow=””][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1574052320697{margin-bottom: 40px !important;padding-top: 15px !important;}”]Want to start a new booster club in Mississippi? It can seem a little overwhelming, but we here at Booostr are here to help! We have created this guide to help you along the way. It is important to use all of the links and legal references below to ensure that your club is legally up to par. The resources cited will provide you with the most up to date and reliable step by step information in the process of establishing your Mississippi booster club.
Your Mississippi Booster Club Needs a Name
The first step in creating a Mississippi booster club is choosing the club name. In order to avoid choosing a name that is already in use by another organization, we suggest creating a list of 10-15 potential options. The name of your club should be unique and should communicate to your audience who your club is and what you do. Once you have compiled a list, you can now consult the Mississippi Secretary of State website to access a corporate search engine that has the names of organizations (including booster clubs) registered in the state of Mississippi. Once you have an available name, Mississippi then allows you to reserve that name. This prevents another nonprofit or business from registering under your chosen name while you continue to prepare the necessary legal documentation.
Create Your Mississippi Booster Club Mission Statement
Your club’s mission statement should be a quick summary of what your club is all about. The main focus of your Mississippi booster club mission statement is to define who the organization is, why it exists, and who benefits from the existence of the organization. This is a great opportunity to align your mission statement with that of your affiliated schools. Any supporter, volunteer or student should clearly understand the basics reasons the club exists after reading this short summary.
Prepare Your Mississippi Booster Club Bylaws
Your Mississippi booster club bylaws contain the rules and procedures your booster club corporation will follow. Your bylaws do not need to be filed with the state of Mississippi but are important as they are your internal organizational operating manual. Before you file your articles of incorporation, you’ll need to have bylaws that insure your club is operating correctly under Mississippi law.
Appoint Board Members To Your Mississippi Booster
It’s time to choose your club’s initial board members! In order to ensure the best outcome, we suggest you take a little time and follow at least these three guidelines:
- Pick someone with business experience – ideally different than your experience
- In some cases it might be helpful to have an expert in your activity serve on the board – but that depends on the activity and the person
- Choose someone that does NOT have a child involved in your activity
You can always have more selection criteria, but the above three points are key. By choosing board members with different business / life experiences you are adding different perspectives and insight into decision making which can help the club better navigate moving forward. When you choose candidates that do not have kids involved in your booster club’s activity you are ensuring longer serving board members as they will not leave when their child quits, graduates etc.
Keep in mind some states differ in the number of directors they require on the club’s board. We generally suggest to start with 3 board members. With a small board decision can be made much quicker, making the initial processes much smoother. Once you have established the board of directors, one of their first tasks will be to then vote to determine who will be the club officers.
Nominate Club Officers for Your Mississippi Booster Club
Because Mississippi booster club officers are in charge of overseeing the day to day of different departments of the booster club, it is important to select individuals with great communicating and management skills. You want to make sure that your club officers are appointed based on their expertise, interaction with parents and kids and their focus on the development and growth of the club. Creating a great group of leaders early will ensure the success or your Mississippi booster club.
Holding Your Mississippi Booster Club’s First Meeting
It’s time for your Mississippi booster club’s first meeting! There will be a lot of information to cover during this first meeting. The first task is to approve the bylaws that should contain information about the rules and procedures of your organization. After approval of the bylaws, the group needs to determine the best accounting period and tax year would be best for the club. Your club’s fiscal year should coincide with the club’s activity season and if possible, the school’s fiscal year. The next item to tackle is voting on club officers. Finally, if your organization is ready, your board can approve the opening of the booster club business bank account and approve any initial transactions.
Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) for Your Mississippi Booster Club
Once you have completed all of your state level paperwork for your Mississippi booster club, we suggest you file for an Employer Identification Number. An EIN will be necessary later on when you apply to open a bank account. All the information and forms related to obtaining your EIN is available on the IRS website. During this process, be sure to keep all of your documents organized as they will be submitted on both the state and federal levels.
Apply for Non-Profit Status for Your Club
While Non-profit status is not mandatory, it is highly suggested. It does require a few more hoops to jump through but the long term benefits outweigh the initial headache. Continuing to navigate through the IRS website, this is where all of the information your Mississippi booster club needs o become a nonprofit organization lives. The IRS website provides you with all of the information and forms necessary to be considered a non-profit on the federal level. Should you decide to make your booster club a tax exempt organization, the IRS also provides tax information for nonprofits.
File for Tax-Exempt for Your Mississippi Booster Club (Optional)
We highly suggest your Mississippi booster club files for tax-exemption, although it is not necessary. Becoming tax-exempt is a great way for both your Mississippi booster club and your club supporters save money. Tax-exemption means that your club is excluded from most sales tax and any donations or purchased made through a tax-exempt organization can be written off on personal and business taxes. It’s a win win for everyone involved! All of the information and forms regarding becoming tax-exempt can be found on the IRS website. The basic step-by-step process listed on the site is as follows:
- Apply for EIN (Employee Identification Number)
- Complete and submit the IRS Form 1023
- Once the IRS Form 1023 has been approved, you will be eligible for tax-exemption in Mississippi
Finally, Open Your Mississippi Booster Club Business Bank Account
The last step in this process is to open a bank account for your new Mississippi booster club! Trying to manage your club’s money without a bank account can become very disorganized and confusing very quickly. Not to mention, without a bank account it is much easier for potential theft within the club. Opening a bank account will decrease the potential for mismanagement of funds and maintain the trust of donors and supporters. An added bonus of a bank account is that it makes holding online fundraisers possible for your booster club. Having a bank account will make collecting donations much easier, as well as managing finances and future management take out.
You are the proud new owner of a Mississippi booster club! Now that your club is up and running, there are a few things to remember. It is important to keep up with current Mississippi law, regarding booster club management. To maintain good legal standing, stay on top of yearly fees and dues required by the state. As you move forward with your club, keep checking back on Booostr for further help managing, marketing or fundraising for your booster club![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”47px”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”field397038915194571000000″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row widthopt=”” fixedbg=”” footerrow=”” bg_type=”bg_color” bg_color_value=”#efefef” css=”.vc_custom_1521157333924{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”LEARN ABOUT BOOSTER CLUBS FROM THE BOOOSTR BLOG” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:26|text_align:center|color:%2300c0ff|line_height:28px” google_fonts=”font_family:Arvo%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1521157350278{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”3″ item=”18367″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1574052088285-c351ae0d-58e9-2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]