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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2015 22:29:05 GMT -5
From what I was told (and this budget info is probably public domain anyway), the budget was cut by 4%. The band is actually a little bigger this year by about 15-20 members, which is amazing considering that scholarships were likely cut. There are about another 15-20 veterans (including a young lady on Golden Delight) that could not march this year because they had to work in order to defray their school costs. As of now, the band will not be traveling to the Hampton, Elon, and FAMU games, due to budget restraints. With the practice field, word is that it sits atop a landfill, preventing the installation of an irrigation solution. As for the warehouse acoustics, since the school only rents the place out, they don't want to justify upgrading it. We gotta figure out a way to help pay for travel to Hampton and especially Elon. Also, this info should be proliferated throughout each Alumni Chapter so we can start passing the collection plates around. I suspect the budget shortfall has to be about $20,000 - $40,000 est.
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aggie2039
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Post by aggie2039 on Aug 10, 2015 0:03:02 GMT -5
It still amazes me that the band lacks for scholarships…how alumni participated in the band over the years? It is crazy.
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Post by The Professor on Aug 10, 2015 13:46:01 GMT -5
I don't understand not making the Elon game. We drove to the game in 99. Literally carpooled and went. Not saying its the most practical thing to do. But with the vans and other vehicles on campus , I don't see how the Elon game could be a problem.
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Post by The Professor on Aug 10, 2015 13:52:56 GMT -5
As far as this money thing, How many out of the box thoughts have been discussed
1.Why not sell the back of the loyalty tee shirt the band wears? 2.Or have halftime brought to you by xyz company and give several voice overs during the performance. 3.Maybe making a corporate logo on the field for a fee? 4.Selling of band merchandise
I think there are various creative avenues that can be looked into, just the right and most profitable idea needs to be found
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aggielaw
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Post by aggielaw on Aug 10, 2015 13:54:57 GMT -5
As we move/rush to another conference, our band is not something that needs upgrading in order for us to be admitted. I'm sure everyone wants the best for the band, but we have to become a little bit more competitive in a lot of other non-revenue areas(pitching coach).
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Post by ArrangerNCAT on Aug 10, 2015 15:18:31 GMT -5
As we move/rush to another conference, our band is not something that needs upgrading in order for us to be admitted. I'm sure everyone wants the best for the band, but we have to become a little bit more competitive in a lot of other non-revenue areas(pitching coach). What are the details of this move? What division and what's the projected timeline? I'm actually a little in the dark about it. As for the Loyalty shirt, that will probably not be sold, because it's exclusive to band members who have earned the right to wear it. Personally, I would also take caution in selling any sort of t shirt that the band routinely wears. We would hate for someone to get caught up in the news for doing something while wearing an "A&T Band" shirt. To put that into perspective, there's a pic currently floating around the Internets of a young man brandishing two assault rifles on either arm. While I won't post the pic due to its vulgarity, the caption calls for "young men" to pick up their guns and kill white policemen. This young man in the pic was wearing an "NC A&T Aggies" shirt, and even though it is not a band shirt, I--and presumably Dr. Ruff--have been contacted through various outlets and been asked if we know him or if he was associated with the band. Now, imagine if something were to happen like that with a person wearing an actual band t-shirt. I know it's extreme, but when you look at all these band director firings and increased scrutiny of programs after the Robert Champion tragedy, it's not worth the risk, especially when you look at how little we would expect to make off of t-shirt sales when looking at the bigger picture. The band's needs go far beyond selling raffle tickets and doing car washes, but this is where we are now, and we have to make the best of it. I could see us hopefully doing something for the Act-1 group or other big time players in the A&T community. For long-term goals, I think that corporate sponsorship is our best bet. The Act-1 group is a billion-dollar company, and its founder and CEO, Janice Bryant Howroyd, is not only the 7th richest black woman (net worth, $250 million), she is also an NC A&T alum. I think her cause can benefit from some of the publicity the band can provide, especially since we can easily draw up an "Act-1" logo field formation at, say, homecoming or Aggie-Eagle classic. There are hundreds of potential big donors out there, but we first have to bring attention to our cause in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible. The Media Team will be working hard this year to shed some light on our plight through social media, and from there, we can really get to market the band better than we have in past years--not just to big donors, but also toward alumni and friends who don't have a million bucks sitting around to throw at us. A&T's enrollment currently surpasses 10,000, with the alumni base several times that amount. I'd like to see what the numbers are on current band alumni, but I can only imagine the possibilities if we could get just 10,000 alums to donate $50 a year toward our cause. Of course, it's a lofty goal, but certainly not unattainable with the right marketing package... Anyway, back to practice...
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DECKS
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Post by DECKS on Aug 11, 2015 8:29:44 GMT -5
What is the best way to donate to the band? Perhaps we can do a fundraiser on BDV?
Sent from my SM-N910P using proboards
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Post by marchingband1969 on Aug 11, 2015 10:15:12 GMT -5
What is the best way to donate to the band? Perhaps we can do a fundraiser on BDV? Sent from my SM-N910P using proboards You can go on the A&T website and make a contribution directly to the A&T Band. These funds go in the "band general fund" and are used to help fund band operations. If you would like to make a contribution to provide "emergency funding" and scholarships, the A&T Band Boosters are the best vehicle. What are "emergency funds?" This is additional money Dr. Ruff can use for small dollar student scholarships to help with student fees, tuition, meal plans, rental fees and books. Over the years the Band Boosters has held car washes and a raffle at Homecoming to raise funds to support the A&T Band. It's amazing what a difference a few hundred dollars of "emergency scholarship money" can do for a struggling band student. So any amount of funds would be appreciated. www.marchingmachine.com/boosters.html
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DECKS
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Post by DECKS on Aug 11, 2015 11:33:35 GMT -5
What is the best way to donate to the band? Perhaps we can do a fundraiser on BDV? Sent from my SM-N910P using proboards You can go on the A&T website and make a contribution directly to the A&T Band. These funds go in the "band general fund" and are used to help fund band operations. If you would like to make a contribution to provide "emergency funding" and scholarships, the A&T Band Boosters are the best vehicle. What are "emergency funds?" This is additional money Dr. Ruff can use for small dollar student scholarships to help with student fees, tuition, meal plans, rental fees and books. Over the years the Band Boosters has held car washes and a raffle at Homecoming to raise funds to support the A&T Band. It's amazing what a difference a few hundred dollars of "emergency scholarship money" can do for a struggling band student. So any amount of funds would be appreciated. www.marchingmachine.com/boosters.html So where is the "donate now" link on the booster website?
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Aug 11, 2015 14:20:39 GMT -5
As we move/rush to another conference, our band is not something that needs upgrading in order for us to be admitted. I'm sure everyone wants the best for the band, but we have to become a little bit more competitive in a lot of other non-revenue areas(pitching coach). What are the details of this move? What division and what's the projected timeline? I'm actually a little in the dark about it. As for the Loyalty shirt, that will probably not be sold, because it's exclusive to band members who have earned the right to wear it. Personally, I would also take caution in selling any sort of t shirt that the band routinely wears. We would hate for someone to get caught up in the news for doing something while wearing an "A&T Band" shirt. To put that into perspective, there's a pic currently floating around the Internets of a young man brandishing two assault rifles on either arm. While I won't post the pic due to its vulgarity, the caption calls for "young men" to pick up their guns and kill white policemen. This young man in the pic was wearing an "NC A&T Aggies" shirt, and even though it is not a band shirt, I--and presumably Dr. Ruff--have been contacted through various outlets and been asked if we know him or if he was associated with the band. Now, imagine if something were to happen like that with a person wearing an actual band t-shirt. I know it's extreme, but when you look at all these band director firings and increased scrutiny of programs after the Robert Champion tragedy, it's not worth the risk, especially when you look at how little we would expect to make off of t-shirt sales when looking at the bigger picture. The band's needs go far beyond selling raffle tickets and doing car washes, but this is where we are now, and we have to make the best of it. I could see us hopefully doing something for the Act-1 group or other big time players in the A&T community. For long-term goals, I think that corporate sponsorship is our best bet. The Act-1 group is a billion-dollar company, and its founder and CEO, Janice Bryant Howroyd, is not only the 7th richest black woman (net worth, $250 million), she is also an NC A&T alum. I think her cause can benefit from some of the publicity the band can provide, especially since we can easily draw up an "Act-1" logo field formation at, say, homecoming or Aggie-Eagle classic. There are hundreds of potential big donors out there, but we first have to bring attention to our cause in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible. The Media Team will be working hard this year to shed some light on our plight through social media, and from there, we can really get to market the band better than we have in past years--not just to big donors, but also toward alumni and friends who don't have a million bucks sitting around to throw at us. A&T's enrollment currently surpasses 10,000, with the alumni base several times that amount. I'd like to see what the numbers are on current band alumni, but I can only imagine the possibilities if we could get just 10,000 alums to donate $50 a year toward our cause. Of course, it's a lofty goal, but certainly not unattainable with the right marketing package... Anyway, back to practice... Arranger, That Auburn Band Center was "sizzling". Has Chancellor Martin seen that? Wow! If I knew something like that was in the planning stages or a capital campaign had begun for that, I'd find a few more dollars from somewhere.
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Post by marchingband1969 on Aug 11, 2015 15:07:14 GMT -5
You can go on the A&T website and make a contribution directly to the A&T Band. These funds go in the "band general fund" and are used to help fund band operations. If you would like to make a contribution to provide "emergency funding" and scholarships, the A&T Band Boosters are the best vehicle. What are "emergency funds?" This is additional money Dr. Ruff can use for small dollar student scholarships to help with student fees, tuition, meal plans, rental fees and books. Over the years the Band Boosters has held car washes and a raffle at Homecoming to raise funds to support the A&T Band. It's amazing what a difference a few hundred dollars of "emergency scholarship money" can do for a struggling band student. So any amount of funds would be appreciated. www.marchingmachine.com/boosters.html So where is the "donate now" link on the booster website? I'm sorry but as of today, you cannot make an online donation to the Band Boosters. I know that's crazy...don't know why. I'll ask at the next Band Booster meeting. In the meantime, how about stroking a check and sending it by snail mail. It's a little more work but the band kids and Boosters will appreciate it.
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Post by Aggie Monster on Aug 11, 2015 15:20:44 GMT -5
So where is the "donate now" link on the booster website? I'm sorry but as of today, you cannot make an online donation to the Band Boosters. I know that's crazy...don't know why. I'll ask at the next Band Booster meeting. In the meantime, how about stroking a check and sending it by snail mail. It's a little more work but the band kids and Boosters will appreciate it. Are you kidding me? Its 2015! But we complain about donations. SMH
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Post by scaggie09 on Aug 11, 2015 18:52:05 GMT -5
Have the powers that be considered doing something similar to what Southern has been doing all summer in reaching out to the masses in order to cover budget cuts and work towards other band needs etc. humanjukebox5thquarter.comThey've outline the needs, have specific goals set, and have truly utilized social media to their advantage to get people on board and donating. Not trying to bring another band into the picture BUT their situation from a financial standpoint seems similar to what A&T is dealing with
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Post by ohsixrain on Aug 11, 2015 19:20:10 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree they are using social to help their cause. Excellent idea...and to that point, successful initiatives are ones that are often imitated. No need to be prideful. ..if you see something that works, do it.
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KidHeartless
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Post by KidHeartless on Aug 11, 2015 19:26:03 GMT -5
I believe our band's media team is just as good as Southern's and they're gonna show us this year. We've already seen what happened with young Tarik Cohen.....
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