:evil: I am so upset with our booster club, they don't follow rules, they are making things difficult for some members. Do any of you have problems with your booster club? They just sent out statements and give people 4 days to pay or their child will not compete. They have been sending out more than 1 statement a month. This never happened before, but is happening before State competition. The president doesn't even answer questions or reply back to you when you ask a question. What to do?

One thing that was really upsetting with our booster club in a previous club was that the gym owners were too involved in it and attending meetings regularly (which actually I think isn't allowed for non-profit booster clubs by law, as the club is for profit). It was hard to really discuss the issues of the gym, and parents' concerns. Are the statements for the meet fees? The booster club decides who competes, or the club coaches? Perhaps you could try bringing up the issue with the coaches and also the gym owners - the coaches most likely do give their input on their feelings on gymnasts, and who is important for them to compete (and stay in the gym / not switch gyms!), and it's good for them to know what is going on from your side - the gym owners most likely are the ones that really make those ultimate decisions, or can override / set the rules. What rules are the booster club breaking? If it's the gym and the owners breaking the rules, then that's an even harder issue. 4 days seems little time / notice for an ultimatum to pay or your child doesn't compete. The booster club is supposed to help with parents' concerns and help with competition costs.

The board doesn't announce board meetings, they are not answering questions that are valid questions and concerns. I have requested to view finances and they have not replied. They don't always follow guidelines for reimbursement. They also say you have 2 weeks to make good on account or discuss a payment plan, but then they say you need to be current today or in 4 days. Very inconsistent. Since we have been there for 3 years this has never gone on till now. The problem some of us have figured out comes from 1 mom who is the treasurer now and has been complaining and freaking out the board pres and coach that people might walk out and not pay up, which has ever rarely happened. She is extremely competitive, is a back stabber, and has dated 2 coaches at the gym already. Will do whatever it takes to have her daughter number 1. I can go on. Since she has taken over as treasuerer, it seems she uses her power as a weapon to want to make some families quit. The coach just goes along with what the pres says, as long as the board is writing the chekcs he needs.

Sounds like there are others in your gym that agree with you, so how about going together and asking the president/vice president for a board meeting when everyone is available, to address these problems. You can tell them it seems like the treasurer is not familiar with the rules. If that doesn't work, go to the gym owner. Which gym owner wants to reduce their team members?

:lol: I appreciate everyone's feedback. It is hard to know what to do. I listened to the advice given and have tonight asked for a general membership meeting to discuss issues. I emailed this out after receiving an email from another gym mom who was just told tonight since her account is negative and she could not pay right away (she has to wait to wait till next pay day, there family really, really make a lot of sacrifices) her daughter now can't compete in a meet in May. She emailed all to express her disappointment and got really slammed for it by the president. He gets so defensive. So I asked for a meeting and he emailed me back and said there are no issues to discuss. Now where do I go from here, I have voiced concerns to the Coach, unfortunately, I think he feels like he has to comply in order to get the check to pay for meets. Any more advice out there?

You could outline the issues for him, and ask him to please address them. He's the president of the booster club, not the gymnastics club right? So he's a parent too? If he won't set up a meeting for discussion why not go direct to the gym owners if he thinks there is no problem to discuss. Or you could also contact the other team parents and go to the gym owners regarding this together. Is the coach you are talking about also the gym owner? Your club doesn't have meetings with parents and the board to review and discuss gym issues, events, what's going on? Here the parents elect the board (pres, vp, sec/treas) who are also parents themselves, and the meetings are for team parents and the board.

You could email back the pres with what the issues are, but he might just email back and say that you and the other parent are the only ones with the problem and that it wouldn't make sense to have a meeting for 2 parents if he is already so defensive and unwilling to talk of the issues...so maybe you and the other parent could ask around the other team parents what they think, if they have issue with it, and then go to the president, the coach, and the gym owners as a group. Also, mention that the less number of gymnasts that compete the less number of people the coaches' costs and other related fees that are divivded among the team gets divided into, so then other parents have to pay more. Why can't extensions be given? The team classes most likely have the lowest cost per hour of instruction compared to the rec classes, so it would be in the interest of the gym not to lose team members, and also not to restrict them from competing because of them needing a payment schedule - how can they attract new members to their team program if they don't have a competing team.

:wink: Thank you for the advice again. Today was a better day, I took the advices given. I emailed the gym coach/owner and he sent out the best email that really caused the president to think about his decisions and actions. The president is now re-thinking his actions and hopefully going to be open to having a meeting that we can all sit down as adults to discuss the issues and come up with a win-win solution for everyone. It is sad when people forget the purpose of their roles as leaders, but sometimes we only get stronger when we go through trials. May you all be blessed! A gym mom

That's great! :D At the meeting, you might also want to mention that by punishing the kids by not being able to compete it just unmotivates and disheartens them, and for what - just for not working with the parents to work out a payment schedule that works for everyone. If the kids are interested, and the parents are interested, then it's just about working together.