JHS Music and Arts Boosters (the association[1]) is established solely for the purposes of supporting the Henry M. Jackson High School, Heatherwood Middle School, Gateway Middle School, Evergreen Middle School and North Middle School music and arts programs and their financial needs as determined by their directors. The association has no decision making authority as to the direction, conduct, curricular or extra-curricular activities of the various programs[2].

The association consists of any and all parents and guardians of band, choir, dance and drama students (groups/departments) and other interested persons who wish to actively contribute to the enrichment of student education at Jackson High School or Heatherwood Middle School in music and the arts. Activities include: auctions, car washes, Jazz Festival / concessions, audition recordings, Swing Dance, cookie dough sales, CD / DVD sales, concession sales at dramatic performances, Mystery Dinner, golf tournament among others.

About the Organization

  • A regular non-profit corporation (as opposed to an unincorporated association)[3] incorporated in the State of Washington UBI 602 769 176 (RCW 24.03)
  • A registered charity with the State of Washington – Registration number 23176 (RCW 19.09)
  • A tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S. Code § 501(c)(3) – EIN 71-0926114
  • A licensed business —one organization with six divisions (aka group or department).  Each division operates quasi-independently but all are financially integrated and accountable to the corporation. The six divisions are known as: JHS Band Boosters, JHS Choir Boosters, JHS Drama Boosters, JHS Dance Boosters, Heatherwood Band Boosters, Heatherwood Choir Boosters

History

2002 –  Lesley Moffat (band director) identifies a need to create a booster organization. Choir and Drama express an interest in being involved.

2003 –  Held initial organizational meeting, draft organizational documents, form as a singular unincorporated non-profit association and file for 501(c)(3) status. Originally there was one bank account for entire association. Tax exempt status was granted in November, 2003.

2004 – Band, choir and drama begin operating as separate entities and open separate bank accounts; roll all financial data to association treasurer.

2006 – Dance joins association.

2007 – Heatherwood band and choir join the association. Change from unincorporated association to non-profit corporation. Business license issued to include all operating groups as DBAs.

2018 – JHS Orchestra joins the association.

2019 – Gateway music programs joins the association as a single associated group.

2023 – Evergreen and North music programs join the association.

Past Accomplishments

  • Enable musical groups to attend music festivals
  • Enable musical groups to perform at Carnegie Hall
  • Provide for dance costumes
  • Provide for dance camp
  • Enable dance team to attend competitions
  • Provide coaching experiences to musicians and dancers
  • Provide scholarships to students continuing musical studies post-high school

[1] Also referred as the corporation, MAB. The association comprises all affiliated groups.

[2] Standing rules, October 13, 2011

[3] A corporation is an independent legal entity, meaning that it may act as an artificial person separate from the owners and stockholders. A non-profit corporation has no stockholders and is owned by the public. Conversely, an unincorporated association is typically a gathering of persons, often volunteers, working toward a common purpose.

Current Executive Officers and Executive Board

  • Nicole McKnight, president (JHS Choir)
  • George Moffat, secretary/treasurer and registered agent
  • Executive board consists of officers above and at least one representative from each operating group

Responsibilities of Member Groups

  • Provide at least one representative to the executive committee meetings when convened.
  • Prepare an annual budget and calendar of events to the executive committee by October 1.
  • Maintain financial records of their activities in the form and manner prescribed by the association treasurer.
  • Provide a copy of meeting minutes within 30 days of each meeting to the association secretary
  • Pay the annual maintenance dues as determined by the executive committee.
  • Abide by the Articles of Incorporation, Standing Rules, and Policies of the corporation.
  • Avoiding activities that jeopardize exemption: inurement/private benefit, lobbying or political activity, and not filing annual return or notice.
  • The established procedures for accepting gifts (Policy 7260) must be followed in order for an individual District employee, school, program, or department to accept donations of funds, materials, supplies, or equipment from outside school support organizations. Gift forms to ESD are in the Documents page.

The IRS requires booster clubs to distribute funds equally to all students, regardless of their, or their parents’, individual participation in fundraising events

Boosters, PTAs and ASB

Everett School District policy and procedure (4210, 4210P) defines school support organizations as parent-staff-student associations including but not limited to Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Teacher Organization (PTOs), and/or Booster Groups. Such outside groups are not governed by the District; however, they must follow certain school district policies and procedures, especially when fund raising, renting District facilities, giving donations, or involving students.

According to district policy, employee participation, cooperation, and support are encouraged, where appropriate, in such organizations. Employees shall not hold an official position, have signature authority, or financial responsibilities within the school support organization. Employees must verify the appropriateness of such participation with their respective building principal or supervisor. Employees shall not receive compensation from school support organizations.

Parent booster groups are separate entities from the school and school district.

To qualify as a Booster organization fund-raising event or activity, it must be entirely conducted at the direction and supervision of the booster group including the creation and planning of the activity, the implementation, operation and management of the activity, handling of all financial aspects of the activity (including, but not limited to: cash handling, reconciling, product management, sales, and security of cash assets and inventory), and must meet the criteria defined in district procedure 4210P.

If the event does not meet any of the foregoing criteria, then it is an ASB event. When students are asked to participate in a Booster fundraiser, it must be clearly advertised that the activity is a Booster event. Students may not collect money for the booster groups. If students are asked to participate in outside organization fund-raising activities, their participation must be voluntary, infrequent, and not during instructional time. Student participation must comply with Student Fund-Raising Activities Procedure 3530, including having prior approval from the principal or their designee.