Parent/Booster Experience
Experience special parent/booster opportunities during Grand Nationals this year!
Register for the Parent/Booster Roundtable, sign up for a One-on-One Chat with parent/booster expert David Vandewalker, and/or catch a Parent/Booster Session!
Attending One-on-One Chats and Parent/Booster Sessions is FREE with the purchase of a ticket to the Grand Nationals Event Session (Thursday Prelims, Friday Prelims) on the day of the event(s) you sign up for OR an event credential (field pass, director name badge, VIP badge, volunteer wristband).
Attending the Roundtable is FREE with the purchase of a Prelims ticket for either day OR an event credential. Select Event Details below and see the “How much does it cost?” drop down.
Parent/Booster Roundtable
Join us for an opportunity to connect with parent/boosters from other band programs, share ideas, and ask questions!
- Thursday, November 13, 2:00-3:30 PM
- Registration closes November 9
- Spots are limited!
Parent/Booster Sessions
Join us this year at Grand Nationals for different sessions geared toward parent/boosters.
- Sessions offered Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13
- Presented by David Vandewalker
- One-hour sessions
Parent/Booster Roundtable
The Parent/Booster Roundtable is designed to bring together parents and boosters from programs all around the country to share ideas, ask questions, and build connections with one another. Whether your program is seeking new strategies in one area, or your program has found success in another area and you are willing to share ideas and insight based on your experience, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to learn from the successes of other programs and spark fresh ideas to take back home.
Registration for this event is required. Registration will close on Monday, November 9. Additional event details will be shared the week of the event with those who have registered.
Spots for this event are limited. If you complete your registration and are no longer able to attend, please be sure to let us know at [email protected] so that we may keep the spot available.
Have discussions with other parent/boosters about
- Fundraising/Sponsorships
- Social Media Promotion
- Community Engagement
- Volunteer Recruitment/Training
- Parent Communication
- Alumni Relations
- Protocols and Procedures
- Record/Bookkeeping
- Website
- Student Health and Safety
- Booster Organization Leadership/Board Positions
- Equipment/Prop Transportation
- And more!
Do I have to have an official title within the program I support to attend?
No! Whether you’re a Booster President, First-year Volunteer, Treasurer, Prop Crew Member, or Band Director wanting to learn from other programs, all parent/boosters are welcome.
Does the program I support have to be participating in Grand Nationals to be able to attend?
No! Parent/boosters from any and all scholastic performing arts programs are welcome to attend.
How much does it cost?
Attending the Parent/Booster Roundtable at Grand Nationals is free with the purchase of a Prelims ticket or an Event Credential (field pass, director name badge, VIP badge, volunteer wristband).
If you are purchasing a Thursday Prelims ticket only and would like to attend the Parent/Booster Roundtable on Friday, you will be welcome to attend with proof of purchase of a Thursday Prelims ticket. Details about where to enter, provide proof of purchase, and pick up a special event wristband will be sent out the week of the event.
Can I arrive late/leave early?
Yes! Grand Nationals is a busy weekend for everyone! Feel free to pop in late or step out early and join us for as long as you are able to.
Are there other ways for me get ideas if I am unable to attend?
Won’t be in town for Grand Nationals this year? You can still check out innovative ideas from other programs. Head over to the Advocacy in Action Archive and get inspired!
Contact Information for Additional Questions
If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected].
One-on-One Chats with David Vandewalker
Former band director and arts administrator, David Vandewalker has spent over 15 years sharing his Strategic Boosters System with educators and booster programs around the country. This system was created and time-tested by real teachers and real parents/boosters just like you who desire to provide a thriving program for your students.
Come learn from David and ask how to…
– Encourage more parents to volunteer
– Create succession plans for booster roles
– Deal with drama
– Avoid last minute chaos when planning events
…and SO much more!
One-on-one chats will be scheduled for 30 minutes. You’re welcome to chat with David individually or come with a small group of boosters from your program.
Won’t be in town for Grand Nationals this year? Check out David’s website for additional resources: www.strategicboosters.com
Additional details will be sent the week of Grand Nationals to those who have signed up.
When will session times be offered?
Session times will be offered throughout the day on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13.
How many 30-minute chats can I sign up for?
We ask that you only sign up for one 30-minute chat to allow for all interested parent/booster to have the opportunity to chat with David.
How much does it cost?
Attending a session at Grand Nationals is free with the purchase of a Prelims ticket for the day of the chat time you sign up for, or an Event Credential (field pass, director name badge, VIP badge, volunteer wristband).
i.e. If you have a Thursday prelims ticket, you may sign up for any Thursday chat time.
How many individuals can come for small group sessions?
We recommend bringing no more than 3 or 4 individuals to a session.
Do I have to have an official title within the program I support to attend?
No! Whether you’re a Booster President, First-year Volunteer, Treasurer, Prop Crew Member, or Band Director wanting to learn from other programs, all parent/boosters are welcome.
Does the program I support have to be participating in Grand Nationals to be able to attend?
No! Parent/boosters from any and all scholastic performing arts programs are welcome to attend.
What if I can no longer attend at the time I signed up for or want to change my time after signing up?
After you sign up for a time slot, you will receive a confirmation email. There will be information in that email about how to cancel your sign up or switch it to another time if needed.
If you are unable to attend, please be sure to cancel your sign up as soon as possible so that someone else is able to sign up in that spot.
What questions could David help answer for me?
Here are some of David’s most frequently asked questions to help guide your time with him!
- How do we get more parents to volunteer so we are not always depending on the same five people for everything?
- How can we raise more money without always asking families to sell things
- How do we get parents to read our emails and reply when we need their help?
- How can we plan events without everything turning chaotic at the last minute?
- How do we build a booster leadership team that continues to run smoothly even when current officers step down?
- How do we figure out what our booster club should handle and what should be left to the band director or school?
- How do we get our parents and volunteers to work together instead of dealing with drama, disagreements, and competing agendas?
- How do we make a budget that truly supports the band program’s priorities?
- How do we organize our booster club so everything does not depend on just one person knowing how things work?
- How can we be a better partner to our band director rather than creating more work for them?
Parent/Booster Sessions
Former band director and arts administrator, David Vandewalker has spent over 15 years sharing his Strategic Boosters System with educators and booster programs around the country. This system was created and time-tested by real teachers and real parents/boosters just like you who desire to provide a thriving program for your students.
Building a Strategic Plan for a Thriving Booster Club
presented by David Vandewalker
Thursday, November 12 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday, November 13 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Is your booster club busy every week but still struggling to move the program forward? This session will help directors and booster leaders step back, identify what matters most, and turn good intentions into a clear plan for action. Using the Reflect, Imagine, and Strategize process, you’ll create a shared direction for your booster club, clarify how you will support students, and identify the next steps that matter most. Leave with greater focus, stronger teamwork, and a practical roadmap for turning your booster club’s potential into progress.
Less Chaos. More Volunteers. Better Fundraising.
presented by David Vandewalker
Thursday, November 12 – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday, November 13 – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Your booster club may not need more fundraisers. What you really need are better systems for the ones you already have. In this session, you’ll learn how to create practical event and fundraising plans that organize scattered tasks, show volunteers exactly where they fit in, provide information to equip volunteers for success, and help you avoid last-minute stress. You’ll find out how to make the most of your limited volunteer time and raise more money without adding extra work. You’ll leave with a blueprint you can use over and over.
Do I have to have an official title within the program I support to attend?
Not at all! Whether you’re a Booster President, First-year Volunteer, Treasurer, Prop Crew Member, or Band Director wanting to learn from other programs, all parent/boosters are welcome.
Does the program I support have to be participating in Grand Nationals to be able to attend?
No! Parent/boosters from any and all scholastic performing arts programs are welcome to attend.
How much does it cost?
Attending a session at Grand Nationals is free with the purchase of a ticket for the day of the session you wish to attend or an Event Credential (field pass, director name badge, VIP badge, volunteer wristband).
What if I fill out the registration form, but am no longer able to attend?
If you fill out the registration form and are no longer able to attend, that is okay! If possible, we would appreciate it if you are able to send a message to [email protected] to let us know.
Can I arrive late/leave early?
Yes! Grand Nationals is a busy weekend for everyone! Feel free to sneak in late or step out early and join us for as long as you can.
Additional Questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected].