Band fees...

Good morning,
2 days ago I had a very candid conversation with the students about band fees and I wanted to make sure I took a moment to share the same information with you.

WE NEED YOUR BAND FEES ASAP!

The bulk of the funding that the Clover Band program receives comes from the payment of fees.  Approximately 70% of our budget comes from the band fee Based on the monthly payment plan we are currently $27,000 behind in band fee payments.  This does not include any other items... just Fall 2017 band fees through the September 15th payment date. 

Our current checking account balance is $13,500 and in the next 2 months we will need to pay approximately $35,000 in bills. 

WE NEED YOUR BAND FEES ASAP! 

I told the students the other day that if we didn't see a pretty decent "catch-up" of fees over the next week that we were going to most likely cancel the WCU overnight and plan to drive back.  We may also need to look at canceling our overnight to Winston Salem which would necessitate at 4am call-time to get to Winston Salem in time to warm-up. 

Please remember that we had to absorb a $25,000 budget cut this year that we didn't know about until late July.  We're having to spend money to make the show happen from booster funds vs school funds and that is having a very negative effect on our cash flow position. 

It is understood that some fee $$ is being paid via fundraising (Panthers, BBQ, etc.) and we anticipate FINALLY getting our BoA stadium checks in soon, but that would not put a serious dent into the $27k that it currently past due.  We need fee payments to be turned in.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
-Pay something, anything on your past due band fee balance.  $25, $50, $100... anything will help our situation and will help "right the ship".  
-Pay your fees with a credit card.  (I've attached the information to do that via CHARMS)  That would be a great way to catch up quickly!

We are having a GREAT start to our competitive season and the students are working so hard.  It would be a shame to have to make drastic cuts in our plans this late in the game, but if we don't have the resources then we won't have a choice.

WE NEED YOUR BAND FEES ASAP!