Music Boosters

Staying in the Know

1. CHARMS

Charms is an online database managing service for music organizations.  All high school music students have an account in Charms.  Parents and students can update their account (address, phone, email, etc.), have access to their student points, financial statements, forms uniforms, instruments, etc.  

THIS IS ALSO WHERE YOU GO TO SIGN UP FOR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS!

www.charmsoffice.com

• Click on enter/login

• Enter school code (Case Sensitive). MarionHSMusic (From here you can access the calendar and handouts areas)

• Click on the calendar. The events that need volunteers are marked with a multi-colored hand.

• Click on the hand to learn more about the volunteers needed and to sign up.

• To visit other areas of the site you will need to enter your student's Password (MHS Student ID #).  If you encounter issues, let Mr. Dyrland or Mr. Vander Wiel know that you need them to reset your password student's password.

2. BAND WEBPAGE https://sites.google.com/a/marion-isd.org/marion-hs-band/

3. CHOIR WEBPAGE (you're on it)  

4. MHS WEBSITE https://www.marion-isd.org/o/mhs

5. MARION MUSIC BOOSTERS   

The Boosters have a page on both Facebook and Twitter to help you stay informed and in contact with our Music Programs.  Both pages will include schedules for all MHS Music activities, pictures of events/programs, as well as upcoming Fundraising events!

Facebook Marion Music Boosters

Twitter @MarionMusic

About the Marion Music Boosters

PURPOSE: The Marion Music Boosters provide assistance and support to the Marion High School Band and Choir Directors, their programs, and their students.  Through fundraising, concessions, and volunteer work, the Boosters raise money to support student trips, uniforms, equipment, and other program needs.  They also support the music staff with a variety of volunteer opportunities.  

MEMBERSHIP: All Marion High School music students and their parents/guardians are automatically members of the Boosters group, but anyone interested in supporting high school music is also welcome.  There are no membership dues.  

VOLUNTEERING: Volunteer sign-up is done online at www.charmsoffice.com.  You may also contact the volunteer coordinator to sign up for positions by emailing Meegan Dyrland at meegan.dyrland@gmail.com.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERY FAMILY TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST 10 VOLUNTEER HOURS PER YEAR.

CONCESSIONS: Volunteers are needed to work concessions for football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling duals, and for music events hosted at Marrion such as the Marching Band and Show Choir Invitationals.  

CHAPERONES: When the students travel away from Marion, chaperones are needed to assist the directors.  Duties include taking attendance on buses, monitoring student behavior, and providing assistance if a student should become ill or injured.  Chaperones DO NOT earn points but may receive other perks such as a free ride to the event and/or free admission to the event (if provided by the host school).

HELPERS: During events (Marching Band Invitational, Marion Masquerade, Large Group Contests, etc.) numerous volunteers are needed for various activities including recorders, timers, admissions, etc.  Helpers are also needed for Saturday morning football field cleanup, marching band pit crew, sewing/mending, and other tasks as they come up.

FUNDRAISERS: Students are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of fundraisers throughout the year.  During non-trip years, half of the profits from the items sold by each student will be credited to their trip.  

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS: Students are encouraged to sign-up to work concessions or event positions.  Students may not work in money-handling positions.  In the past, some students have used the fundraisers and points earned through volunteering to fund the entire cost of a trip.  

Top 4 Reasons to Volunteer!

• Earn points to offset the cost of major trips

• Support the activities of the MHS Music Programs

• Raise funds for the music programs

• Enjoy getting to know these excellent students and parents!

6. VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS

• Concessions: (First shift helps set-up, last shift helps with cleanup)

• In-Charge: Checks that all volunteers are present/signed in, keeps supplies stocked as needed, calls in pizza orders, collects pizza receipts for treasurer, fills in at any position as needed, and provides training.

• Window: Take orders, add up purchases, collect money, and make change.

• Grill: Cook meat on the grill.

• Sandwich: Prepare sandwich and nacho orders.

• Popcorn: Make and bag popcorn.

• Drinks/Ice Cream: Prepare and serve hot chocolate, coffee, or ice cream (seasonal).

• Pizza: Serve pizza and breadstick orders.

• Field Clean-Up: Clean bleachers and grounds on Saturday morning after a football game.

• Pit Crew: Help move the marching band pit percussion on and off the field for performances.

• Sewing: Help sewing chair with alterations on uniforms and costumes.

7. RULES FOR VOLUNTEERS / CONCESSION WORK

• When signing up for a volunteer position, be sure to include a valid email and phone number.

• Please be ON TIME for your assigned shift.  At the end of your shift, please wait for your replacement to arrive or notify the In-Charge person if you need to leave.

• Try to find a replacement if you have to back out of an assigned shift.  If that's not possible, please call the volunteer coordinator (Meegan Dyrland - 319-550-1130) as soon as possible.

• Be sure to sign in and sign out on the sheet provided to receive credit for your points.

• Students are NOT ALLOWED to work positions that handle money.  Students in 8th through 12th Grades are eligible to volunteer.

• ALL PURCHASES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE WINDOWS.  Please do not serve friends and family at the back door. 

• Please do not eat or drink while working concessions.  Food handlers should always wear gloves.  Please tie back long hair or wear a hat.  PLEASE DO NOT BRING OUTSIDE FOOD INTO THE CONCESSIONS!

• YOUNG CHILDREN/SIBLINGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CONCESSIONS ARE DURING YOUR SHIFT!

• After completing a shift, each concession worker is welcome to a free drink and popcorn.  (Any other items should be purchased).  Please place your order with another worker so there are no misunderstandings.  

• Field clean-up volunteers - Only high school and adult workers earn points for field clean-up.  Younger children can help, but do not earn points.

8. EARNING POINTS FOR TRIPS AND OTHER MUSIC EXPENSES

Points are used to help defray the cost of a student's school music trip or for other music expenses (e.g. Marching Band or Show Choir costs).  The Executive Board determines which activities will earn points and the rate at which they are earned.  Point structure may be amended as needed to balance supporting the music programs and providing opportunities for students to pay for trips.  

Generally, points may be earned by:

• Serving on the executive board and board approved committees (Generally 10 points per month, September through May.  Some committee chairs earn points only for months served.)

• Working Concessions: (1 point per hour / In-Charge 2 points per hour)

• Pit Crew for Marching Band: (1/2 point per event)

• Driving Van and Trailer: Large rig & towing experience highly recommended (1 point per hour for driving and loading/unloading time).

• Approved Fundraisers: (Such as Pig Man Race helpers; 1 point per hour)

• Sewing: (Sewing Chair will allocate points in regard to the projects.)

     Points are NOT earned for the following activities:

• Chaperones (for overnight trips, Boosters will usually cover the chaperone hotel fee.)

• Attending Meetings

• For large events, such as the Marching Band Invitational, Marion Masquerade, and All-American Concert, no points will be awarded for ANY activities.  These will be used as major fundraisers for the respective programs.

1. Points are only given to students currently enrolled in band or choir or those who will be enrolled before the trip is taken.  Students not enrolled in band or choir when the trip is taken will forfeit their points back to the program, receiving no value for points earned. 

2. The monetary value of a point will be determined in the fall of trip years by a vote of the board and will depend upon funds available, as voted on by the Board, divided only by the total points earned.  

3. Points may not be transferred between students once recorded.  Points may be credited to any band/choir student by designating that student's name on the sign-in sheet.  Points can be transferred between family members.  Points earned by a senior can transfer to a sibling who is an incoming Freshmen.  Points may only be used by students and adult chaperones.  They may not be used by other family members.  Points will be distributed first to students and then to adult chaperones if needed.

4. Incoming students can begin earning points in May prior to the start of their Freshmen year.  Families of 8th Graders will be invited to the May Music Booster Meeting for orientation to the organization's activities.  

5. If Elected Officers or Standing Committee Chairs do not complete their term, they will only receive points for each full month of service.  

6. Fundraising monies and points earned will be used towards the payment of a trip.  Any excess money earned through fundraising or points, exceeding the cost of the trip, will stay in the Music Booster operating account.  Cash is never given for points earned or fundraising. 

7. Points CAN be used to pay for music expenses.  A request must be made to the Booster Treasurer and Points Chair.  They will then cut a check to Marion High School in the amount requested and the Activities Secretary will apply that amount towards the student's account.   

8. Near the date of the trip, the Executive Board will set a cutoff date for points.  At that time, all students' current points will be applied to their trip.  All points accounts will be reset to zero to begin accumulating for the next trip.  

9. A summary of point totals will be updated monthly and posted on the bulletin board in the band/choir hallway.