Starting up a new squad may seem daunting, but by following just a few guidelines you will be up and going before you know it!

If forming a new organization, share your goals with the league or school administrators. Discuss the regulations you need to follow and restrictions limiting your involvement and types of activities and service you do. Request the coaches input. In supporting them, you support your boys. They know what it takes to have a great season and might have ideas you wouldn’t think of!

Call a meeting to establish the organizational logistics. As per your state guidelines for nonprofit entities, adopt appropriate bylaws, elect officers, determine your mission and goals, set dues, and so on. Keep it as simple as possible, only what is necessary. Strict formality will squelch the intent of your organization before your huddle “breaks”!

Seek advice from an accountant when establishing guidelines for managing financial matters. File the appropriate paperwork with your state for a tax-exempt number, open a separate checking account, and elect TWO treasurers to work together for everyone’s sake.

Formulate a plan to maintain a positive balance in the bank. Dues alone will not provide enough funding for all that you want to do. You will need to rally businesses, sororities, and community service organizations to sponsor your endeavors with donations of food, supplies, and or cash.

Communicate with school administration and the coaches constantly. Find out what the policies are  regarding issues such as access to facilities, home-cooked food, supervision and so on. Authorize snacks, drinks, and meals with the coaches. You wouldn’t want to inadvertently sabotage the team’s performance with food that will send them crashing midway through first quarter! Coordinate your plans with those of the coaching staff, not the other way around.

Brainstorm ideas for helping the team and coaches. Make coaches’ requests priorities. Vote to decide the top priorities. (Just a hint: Coaches’ requests should go at the top of that list, if at all possible.) Assign volunteers to oversee each project and let the fun begin!