OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARS BAND BOOSTERS AND BE INVOLVED IN YOUR STUDENTS BAND CAREER

This page provides general job descriptions for fund raisers and committee positions only.  A current schedule of events requiring volunteers, current Chairpersons, and specific requirements for those events and committees can be found on THIS PAGE

Adult volunteers are always needed for events, committees, activities and just about anything and everything that involves your child and the band.  Please help out whenever and wherever you can.  Below is a list of functions that need volunteers.  In some cases these functions are once-a-year events.  In other cases they are ongoing, continuous, or as-needed.  Please review the table below to see if there is an event or function where you can volunteer.
 
Contact the current chairperson or the Band Boosters President for details about a specific position or to volunteer.  Send email to bandinfo@marsband.com if you would like to be the head of a committee that currently does not have a chairperson.

We encourage any band parent that would like to become the chairperson of a committee or become an officer to get involved early in your students band career.  If you are the parent of a band student, you are automatically a Band Booster member.  Come to the monthly Booster meetings to see what is discussed and to learn what the Booster organization does for your student.  Volunteer for something----anything----as soon as you become a "Band Parent".  Any and all help is appreciated.  If you start early and get involved you will be in a better position later on to take over for parents that currently hold an Officer or Chairperson position.  Eventually, all of our kids become Seniors and graduate.  When our Seniors graduate and move on, so do the parents of those Seniors.  If you are involved early, you will be in a very good position to become a chairperson or officer and allow for a seamless transition from year to year as Band Parents graduate with their Seniors.

Function	Date	Description
Applebees Dining To Donate	Ongoing	This is an ongoing fund raiser with monthly dates established by the Band Boosters in conjunction with the restaurant.  Students are encouraged to hand out flyers for Applebees restaurant in Cranberry Twp on Route 228.  The flyers are dated. Restaurant-goers should plan on dining out on the date specified on the flyer and give the flyer to your waiter or waitress when you pay your bill.  Fifteen percent of your bill will be donated to the band boosters organization.  This is an easy fund raiser as there is no selling on the part of the students.  All you have to do is hand out flyers to your neighbors and co-workers.  All they need to do is eat. Flyers cannot be distributed during the event in the Applebees parking lot, outside the restaurant door or in the restaurant.  The current flyer can be found on th FORMS, SIGNUP SHEETS, and HANDOUT page on this web site.
Band Camp & Competition Lunch Committee	Seasonal and as-required	The Band Boosters provides pre-competition meals and snacks for the students.  The Chairperson plans, coordinates, solicits food donations from parents, and arranges for meals and snacks for August band camp, events, and competitions. Several volunteers are needed prior to every competition and during portions of Band Camp.  All food is donated by the parents.  Please donate when asked and volunteer whenever possible.  Competitions typically occur 6 to 8 Saturdays during the marching season. Duties of the chairperson primarily consist of calling parents to solicit food donations for specific events and to insure that enough volunteers are present on the day of the event to serve the students.  Volunteers are required to set up the dining area, help serve the students, and clean up after the meal is over.
Banquet Committee	Seasonal. Typically 2 events per school year	The chairperson will plan fall and winter band banquets.  Two banquets are held for the students at the conclusion of Marching Season and Winterguard / Winter Drumline Season.  Depending on funds availability, food for these banquets are typically either partially or fully donated, but may also be fully funded by the purchase of tickets and/or Booster funds.  If you can assist with coordinating and planning these 2 banquets, please volunteer.
Car Washes	Seasonal - warmer months	Car washes are planned periodically through the warmer months and are typically held at the 7-11 convenience store located at the corner of Route 228 and Mars-Valencia Road across from Good Old Uncle Bob's Restaurant.  The car washes are staffed/worked primarily by the students. Students receive a pro-rated share of the money collected. The money is deposited in their student accounts.
Chaperone Coordinator(s) and Chaperones	Seasonal	The chairperson for this position is a Band Booster Vice President.  When you become Vice President as a result of the May Band Booster elections, you become the chairperson for this position.  Additionally, chaperone coordinators are needed to assist the Vice President in soliciting help for events that require chaperones. Volunteers are needed to Chaperone all Marching Band and Winter Ensemble events and shows. Chaperones are required to have security clearance paperwork processed and on file with the band boosters before becoming a chaperone.  Contact the current chairperson for information on becoming a chaperone and for dates and events that require a chaperone. The chairperson/coordinator sets the schedule of adults to chaperone and assist with equipment and floors for the various band activities.  This starts in August runs through both the fall and winter programs.  Multiple individuals may split this position. The chaperone coordinator(s) will be provided with a list of parent and guardian phone numbers and e-mails so they can contact parents/guardians.  The coordinator does not need to attend every activity.
Concession Stands	Seasonal	The chairperson for this position is a Band Booster Vice President.  When you become Vice President as a result of the May Band Booster elections, you become the chairperson for this position. All Band Boosters are members of this committee as we all take our turn working the football game and track concession stands.  The band gets 20% of the annual concession stand profits for this activity which amounts to over $4,000.00 or approximately 33% of the Boosters annual income. Emails are typically sent periodically requesting help. Help-wanted lists are also maintained on this web site.  Sign up sheets are also available at the Booster meetings. .  Contact the current Chairperson to volunteer.  If you volunteer, please be sure you sign-in so that there is proof that we provided workers for the event. If you don't sign in, it will be the same as if we didn't provide a volunteer  (no money for the band) The chairperson(s) will be provided with a list of parent and guardian phone numbers and e-mails so they can contact parents/guardians to work the concession stand.
Equipment Maintenance Committee	Ongoing and seasonal	This position requires someone that is somewhat mechanically inclined and can make small general repairs on band equipment, especially during the Marching season.  The band uses many carts and dollies to carry equipment to and from shows. Typical repairs include fixing or replacing hand-cart tires, making or repairing wooden and metal carts and dollies. Welding may occasionally be necessary.  You don't necessarily need to be knowledgeable in all of these repair areas, but you will need to be responsible for making sure the repairs get done in a timely fashion (ie during a show or immediately after a show so that the equipment is ready for the next practice or show).
Fall Home Show	Marching Season, typically in October	The fall band home show is a strictly coordinated event that follows PIMBA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association) rules. The event requires many volunteers to make this event run smoothly. Many local bands that participate in PIMBA arrive at Mars to compete.  Depending on the number of bands that compete, the event can last all afternoon into the evening, concluding at approximately 10PM. This event can be a good fundrasier through the sale of tickets and advertising books, but also has a large expense component since the Boosters are required to pay the judges, which runs into the thousands of dollars. The chairperson coordinates the fall band show.  Responsibility starts in May and ends at the end of Show Day (normally early October).  All Boosters work the day of the show.  It takes over 50 people to fill all the positions necessary to make the show run smoothly.
Floor Crew Committee	Ongoing and Seasonal. Marching season and Winter Ensemble Season	Adult members who assist with the equipment and floors at fall and winter band competitions.  Schedule will be prepared by Chaperone coordinator.
Fundraising Committee	Ongoing and seasonal	The chairperson for this position is a Band Booster Vice President.  When you become Vice President as a result of the May Band Booster elections, you become the chairperson for this position. All fundraisers require a chairperson, working under the direction of the Vice President, to coordinate and manage each event.  Time requirements vary by fundraiser.  Please come to the band booster meetings to learn about current and future fundraisers.  Formal committee meetings are held as required by the complexity and resources required for each fund raiser.  Anyone can bring a fundraising idea to a Band Boosters meeting.  The chairpersons role is know how to obtain school approvals and set up a standardized way of accounting for monies collected. Click the "Fund Raisers" link located on the left side of this page for more information.
Hoagie Sales	Ongoing	These sales are typically held on a monthly basis.  Hoagies and subs are provided by Hammer's sub shop on Route 8.  Menu/sales order forms are available on this web site whenever a sale is planned.  The Boosters receive a protion of each sale. The chairperson is responsible for scheduling and coordinating each sale with the restaurant, including distribution day.
Mars Band on the Run 5K Run/Walk	Seasonal, typically one time in the Spring	This fundraiser is 1 day only. There are monthly planning meetings and/or "as-required" planning meetings up to race day.  Planning meetings will appear on this web site under the "Event Calendar" link located on the left side of this page.  There is a special web site just for the race to give participants, volunteers and the general public information about the event.  The chairperson is responsible for planning and coordinating this event including soliciting and contacting external groups and organizations such as local police, medical and ambulance staff, government agencies, home owner's associations, etc... Many volunteers are required throughout the planning process to solicit advertisers and sponsors. Many more volunteers are required on race day to make this event run smoothly.
Pie Festival	One-time event to open the Marching Season	The Pie Festival kicks off the school year and the beginning of the marching season.  A pep rally of sorts is held at the Middle School Football (Mars Stadium) and includes the band, cheerleaders, and the football team.  The band performs their show.
Publicity Committee	Ongoing	Solicits advertising for the fall, winter and 5K events.  Prepares and coordinates other advertising as needed (i.e. local signage and posters)
Scholarship Committee		Each year the band gives 2-3 scholarships to seniors who are members of the band.  The Scholarship Committee reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the Boosters.
Senior Night Facilitator	Senior Night during Football season	This is one person who works with the Football Boosters to organize Senior Night.  This person orders the band flowers and collates senior bios to be read that evening. Additional volunteers may be needed to perform some duties as required.
Truck Committee	Ongoing	The members drive the truck and perform basic vehicle maintenance.
Uniform/Property Committee	Ongoing	The chairperson for this position is a Band Booster Vice President.  When you become Vice President as a result of the May Band Booster elections, you become the chairperson for this position. This committee fits, distributes, and collects uniforms and equipment.  They maintain a uniform inventory.  The committee makes basic uniform alterations and repairs (i.e. hems and buttons).
Winter Program	Seasonal	The Winter Home Show is a major fund raiser for the boosters and involves the participation of many parents.  Groups from around the area come to Mars to compete (as many as two dozen in a well-attended show).  Please contact the Chairperson to volunteer.  There is a job for everyone! The chairperson coordinates the winter home show, including sending invitations to area groups, soliciting advertisers, organizing fund raising activities within the show, coordinating parking lot and indoor show staff, and coordinating the concession stand.  Responsibility starts in October and ends at the end of Show Day (normally middle of February).  All Boosters work the day of the show.  It takes approximately 40 persons to make the show run smoothly.