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Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Vox Populi ()
Date: October 23, 2014 04:40PM

Go here:

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1686377.html

and here:

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1136940.html

Boosterthon is a scam. It makes money by exploiting children and turning them against one another. It operates without transparency, and exposes the children to people with unknown qualifications and backgrounds!

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: 6wcJn ()
Date: October 23, 2014 04:42PM

And its the leaders in our school systems that are to blame for adopting it. Nobody HAD to bring Boosterthon into their school.

Go fight big tobacco for selling a product that kills. If what this guy is doing is truly fraudulent, no school system in their right mind would do business with him.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Bunnycult ()
Date: October 23, 2014 04:42PM

Go away, helicopter mom...the kids get burned a few times, it toughens 'em up...

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Lt. Worf ()
Date: October 23, 2014 05:04PM

Just emailed Stenhouse PTA with a cc to the principal asking for the contract for this year's Boosterthon.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Good luck ()
Date: October 23, 2014 05:16PM

^^^^R u a member of that PTA? They are supposed to share stuff with you under the virginia non-profit laws. I tried that with a group once and they refused. What is in your bylaws? Do you have a transparency clause? My old group took it out. Didn't want to be bothered. And we found out why! Nasty stuff. Your bylaws should be on the website or you can get them from your officers or you can foia the school system for them. They have been required to have THOSE for years and can get them one way or another.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: full steam ahead ()
Date: October 23, 2014 06:54PM

Let's get to the bottom of the Boosterthon scandal!

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Ryan McElweeny ()
Date: October 23, 2014 06:59PM

full steam ahead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let's get to the bottom of the Boosterthon
> scandal!


Harumph! Harumph! We've not talked enough about Boosterthon. I want to hear how Ms. Lemmon was running it. Was she hiring only young blonds from Boosterthon?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: GrEen ()
Date: October 23, 2014 07:17PM

Go fight big tobacco for selling a product that kills.

Do you believe that fighting "Big Tobacco" actually works?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Calm down, people ()
Date: October 23, 2014 08:17PM

I really think people need to calm down. If you just talk to the people involved I am sure you can work it out without making an ugly scene. Discuss the school system policies, bring in the PTA policies, point out how some of the kids felt and your concerns about the profit. The school policies are posted. Use them. Somebody call the Virginia PTA and check on their policies. I saw that White Oaks could not collect on $4000 of their pledges, yet voted on a 96% approval rating.

I still say when I am approached to buy a $25 container of popcorn I do the numbers and realize that I would be better off just donating some money. Boosterthon isn't different. Their tactics are, and I don't think they should be using school time for fundraisers (they are allotted one assembly) and if they are going to have something like this during their school day the school system should sponsor it and shoulder the insurance issues instead of dumping it on the PTA and then taking all the money. I honestly have quit donating to the school system after seeing how they whizzed away a huge chunk of money on hotels, etc. I never liked asking people for anything except girl scout cookies, which have a cult following.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: 'Bout sums it up. ()
Date: October 23, 2014 09:05PM

The irony of all this is that the principals have been taking the public money we have been giving them for things for schools, checking into luxury hotels, going to fine restaurants, buying catered lunches galore, outfitting their staff, golfing, going to the Rotary Club, etc. And then they let tiny children be put into this position. Crying because they don't have enough pledges, watching their friends get prizes when they don't, imposing on their parents' service providers to sponsor them so they won't feel left out, etc., so that the PTA can buy their schools stuff that could have been purchased from the public money we gave them.

Think about it. :--(.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Keep arts in our schools ()
Date: October 23, 2014 09:41PM

I have a big problem with my kid getting cheated out of 15-20 minutes of PE, art and music specials for 9 days sraight. The daily visits are not 5 minutes, try 15 minimum. Then there's the pep rally and the official run -- it's just taking too much time to pimp our kids when they should be learning.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: County Mom ()
Date: October 24, 2014 05:12AM

You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a great program and it should be in every school.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: TfYhEdTf ()
Date: October 24, 2014 06:49AM

Keep arts in our schools Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a big problem with my kid getting cheated
> out of 15-20 minutes of PE, art and music specials
> for 9 days sraight. The daily visits are not 5
> minutes, try 15 minimum. Then there's the pep
> rally and the official run -- it's just taking too
> much time to pimp our kids when they should be
> learning.


They aren't SUPPOSED to be taking time away from the instructional program for fundraising. PE, art, and music are part of the instructional program. You have a right to be upset. And recess is also their right. They need to rest and exercise outside, NOT listen to a pump it up sales pitch. This is yet another example of our over-the- top culture. The principals agreed to do this because they want the money and don't really care how it is obtained. It is called greed. They prey on the physical fitness aspect that appeals to many parents.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Operation Mindcrime ()
Date: October 24, 2014 12:08PM

County Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a great
> program and it should be in every school.

Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and monitoring this forum. Such dedication!

Presumably you've already had your daily lesson on manipulating kids?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: County Mom ()
Date: October 24, 2014 12:35PM

Operation Mindcrime Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> County Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a
> great
> > program and it should be in every school.
>
> Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and
> monitoring this forum. Such dedication!
>
> Presumably you've already had your daily lesson on
> manipulating kids?


No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real mom who cares enough about her kids to send them to a decent private school. We have had great results with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we care enough about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand a year to get them a decent education.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: tuition master ()
Date: October 24, 2014 01:29PM

County Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Operation Mindcrime Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > County Mom Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a
> > great
> > > program and it should be in every school.
> >
> > Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and
> > monitoring this forum. Such dedication!
> >
> > Presumably you've already had your daily lesson
> on
> > manipulating kids?
>
>
> No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real mom
> who cares enough about her kids to send them to a
> decent private school. We have had great results
> with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has
> something to do with the fact that we care enough
> about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand a
> year to get them a decent education.


You pay 10 or 12 grand a year AND do Boosterthon? Sounds like your school AND Boosterthon are scamming you!

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Highland Dad ()
Date: October 24, 2014 04:57PM

tuition master Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> County Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Operation Mindcrime Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > County Mom Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a
> > > great
> > > > program and it should be in every school.
> > >
> > > Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and
> > > monitoring this forum. Such dedication!
> > >
> > > Presumably you've already had your daily
> lesson
> > on
> > > manipulating kids?
> >
> >
> > No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real mom
> > who cares enough about her kids to send them to
> a
> > decent private school. We have had great
> results
> > with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has
> > something to do with the fact that we care
> enough
> > about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand a
> > year to get them a decent education.
>
>
> You pay 10 or 12 grand a year AND do Boosterthon?
> Sounds like your school AND Boosterthon are
> scamming you!


10 to 12 grand is cheap as hell. I pay over 23,000 a year for my kid but it's worth every cent. She must be sending her kids to Catholic school.

http://www.highlandschool.org/page.cfm?p=522

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: in favor of education ()
Date: October 24, 2014 07:02PM

Highland Dad Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tuition master Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > County Mom Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Operation Mindcrime Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > County Mom Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is
> a
> > > > great
> > > > > program and it should be in every school.
> > > >
> > > > Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and
> > > > monitoring this forum. Such dedication!
> > > >
> > > > Presumably you've already had your daily
> > lesson
> > > on
> > > > manipulating kids?
> > >
> > >
> > > No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real
> mom
> > > who cares enough about her kids to send them
> to
> > a
> > > decent private school. We have had great
> > results
> > > with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has
> > > something to do with the fact that we care
> > enough
> > > about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand
> a
> > > year to get them a decent education.
> >
> >
> > You pay 10 or 12 grand a year AND do
> Boosterthon?
> > Sounds like your school AND Boosterthon are
> > scamming you!
>
>
> 10 to 12 grand is cheap as hell. I pay over 23,000
> a year for my kid but it's worth every cent. She
> must be sending her kids to Catholic school.
>
> http://www.highlandschool.org/page.cfm?p=522

23,000 is reasonable for that school. I would pull the kid out, though, if they brought in Boosterthon.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: popcorn lover ()
Date: October 25, 2014 06:38AM

I love that boosterthon popcorn. Seriously though boosterthon is a great orginazation.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: I got your character lesson ()
Date: October 25, 2014 10:01AM

Everyone who loves Boosterthon needs to hang out in the school for one full day while they are there. Go to the huddles. Listen to the lessons. Now imagine doing that for nine days straight.

Someone really needs to get their hands on a contract or someone who has escaped the cult to tell us the reals scoop. Free lunches for admins & PTOs at nice restaurants, offers of free junket trips - am starting to see how they get their feet in the door.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: teacher 2 ()
Date: October 25, 2014 10:29AM

One of our kindergarteners was having some problems settling in to the structure of school. Behavior issues were commonly noted on reports sent home. Then one, two and three days passed with no issues. Mom asked about the change and was told, 'It was because of Jonathan (our Boosterthon Leader). I decided I CHOOSE Leadership and I CHOOSE Learning!' This is why our PTA has partnered with Boosterthon for three years.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: an accountant ()
Date: October 25, 2014 11:21AM

teacher 2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One of our kindergarteners was having some
> problems settling in to the structure of school.
> Behavior issues were commonly noted on reports
> sent home. Then one, two and three days passed
> with no issues. Mom asked about the change and was
> told, 'It was because of Jonathan (our Boosterthon
> Leader). I decided I CHOOSE Leadership and I
> CHOOSE Learning!' This is why our PTA has
> partnered with Boosterthon for three years.


So, was this worth the $2000 up front fee and 52% cut Boosterthon gets?

Not likely.

There's something decidedly odd about an organization without a listed phone number. There's something decidedly odd when PTAs act like you've asked for nuclear secrets when you ask for a Boosterthon contract.

When the truth comes out, it won't be pretty.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: No luck? ()
Date: October 25, 2014 01:04PM

Couldn't get the contract? Welcome to the parent non-profit world. It is pathetic that children are used to raise funds, and raise funds during their school day, and you as a citizen can't see the contract. Because the money is being funneled through a parent-run non-profit. Don't put up with this. The funds are supposed to run through a school account because students were used. It is right there in black and white with a fresh date on it.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NtY7Y ()
Date: October 25, 2014 01:19PM

Serve FOIAs on the school and the PTA for the Boosterthon related info, meetings, accounting, and of course the contract. If it seems fishy, file a suit and use discovery to get the information that will support your charges. Name the members of the school administration that were involved and the individuals on the PTA who were involved; you'll be looking for evidence of what was said at the meetings, their communications (phone records, physical meetings between individuals) outside of the recorded official meetings as well. Those would constitute conspiracy to defraud you.

However, in the end, you'll probably just discover that they are idiots.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Convoluted stuff ()
Date: October 25, 2014 01:31PM

This is totally mucked up. You can't foia a PTA directly unless they are 2/3 publicly funded. That means true public funds, NOT just money taken from the public. Now, because the revenue is supposed to be in the school activity records, if a nonprofit is holding it, they are supposed to produce records for the school system in the event of a foia request (this has been well-established). Everything associated with the money should be public record, including the contracts, right? Otherwise it is just money. You have no way to validate anything. However, the date on the new 5810 probably came after the date of the Boosterthon contract. You can get a copy of the old 5810 from the school system & it is different in this regard.

Running public money through a parent corporation is a really bad idea. The school system knows that all too well after dealing with the music boosters.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: FGjO ()
Date: October 25, 2014 03:43PM

Why are parents independently signing contracts that allow people to deal with the children during the school day?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Captain Corruption ()
Date: October 25, 2014 06:54PM

Boosterthon offers the PTA officers trips to Atlanta, lunches, who knows what else. School officers could not accept these things.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: They have been taken care of.... ()
Date: October 25, 2014 07:48PM

Captain Corruption Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon offers the PTA officers trips to
> Atlanta, lunches, who knows what else. School
> officers could not accept these things.>>>>>>>>>>>> Don't count on it.

But, no problem!!!! They just help themselves.

The irony of all this is that the principals have been taking the public money we have been giving them for things for schools, checking into luxury hotels, going to fine restaurants, buying catered lunches galore, outfitting their staff, golfing, going to the Rotary Club, etc. And then they let tiny children be put into this position. Crying because they don't have enough pledges, watching their friends get prizes when they don't, imposing on their parents' service providers to sponsor them so they won't feel left out, etc., so that the PTA can buy their schools stuff that could have been purchased from the public money we gave them.

Think about it. :--(.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Character building? ()
Date: October 26, 2014 01:06PM

Since when does a professional fundraising company do character building? It sounds like they are doing this to justify their product. Adults should not be allowed in the classrooms pitching character building when in all reality they are trying to portray themselves as authority figures in order to get more money for their company.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: no fan of the school board ()
Date: October 27, 2014 12:21PM

Those people on the school board are using it as entry level to higher political positions. That's how Delegate Kaye Kory got her start.

Boostertoon is just a part of the process. That's why it needs to be stopped,and stopped NOW, we don't want the likes of Tammy Koufax to have any more power in the future.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: HPehw ()
Date: October 27, 2014 12:44PM

Where can I get collateral for Boosterthon? I'm new to my PTA organization and think we need a reliable fundraising vehicle that teaches students accountability.

I feel like this is lost on the current generation of children and Boosterthon is the sort of program that would point our children back in the right direction.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Keep your money ()
Date: October 27, 2014 01:21PM

Students are not allowed to be taken out of classes for fundraisers except for one assembly per year at which SCHOOL-sponsored fundraisers may be presented. How about expecting some accountability from the principals?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: 1370.6 ()
Date: October 27, 2014 01:26PM

Keep your money Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Students are not allowed to be taken out of
> classes for fundraisers except for one assembly
> per year at which SCHOOL-sponsored fundraisers may
> be presented. How about expecting some
> accountability from the principals?



Page 2. VII. B. Each school year, principals will designate no more than one assembly program at which all school-sponsored fund-raising campaigns will be introduced. No student shall otherwise be excused from a scheduled class for the purpose of planning or participating in a fund-raising activity.
Attachments:
R1370.pdf

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: LMAO @ Chris Carneal ()
Date: October 27, 2014 01:33PM

HPehw Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Where can I get collateral for Boosterthon? I'm
> new to my PTA organization and think we need a
> reliable fundraising vehicle that teaches students
> accountability.
>
> I feel like this is lost on the current generation
> of children and Boosterthon is the sort of program
> that would point our children back in the right
> direction.


If you are seeking accountability, look elsewhere. This is not a concept that can be applied to Boosterthon.

Boosterthon seems to go out of its way to avoid transparency.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: get a contract yet? ()
Date: October 27, 2014 01:40PM

Boosterthon only has to be transparent with the person who signed the contract, which is probably NOT a school official. It is most probably a PTA/O president. So, no transparency. PTA/O's are not subject to FOIA. They don't have to show anybody anything. Even if somebody is a member of the non-profit, they can figure out a way to not show members the contract. So, NO TRANSPARENCY. Live and learn.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Pta member ()
Date: October 27, 2014 04:21PM

If they aren't supposed to be taking away from class time for fundraising, they why are they doing it?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: and the answer is.... ()
Date: October 27, 2014 04:32PM

Pta member Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If they aren't supposed to be taking away from
> class time for fundraising, they why are they
> doing it?

Because their greed gets in the way of their judgment.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: zGJKo ()
Date: October 28, 2014 09:47AM

HPehw Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Where can I get collateral for Boosterthon? I'm
> new to my PTA organization and think we need a
> reliable fundraising vehicle that teaches students
> accountability.
>
> I feel like this is lost on the current generation
> of children and Boosterthon is the sort of program
> that would point our children back in the right
> direction.


What is collateral?

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: zGJKo ()
Date: October 28, 2014 11:17AM

zGJKo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HPehw Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Where can I get collateral for Boosterthon? I'm
> > new to my PTA organization and think we need a
> > reliable fundraising vehicle that teaches
> students
> > accountability.
> >
> > I feel like this is lost on the current
> generation
> > of children and Boosterthon is the sort of
> program
> > that would point our children back in the right
> > direction.
>
>
> What is collateral?


Rephrased-why are you referring to collateral in this particular situation? I know what collateral is and it does not seem to apply to this type of situation.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Ban Boosterthon ()
Date: October 28, 2014 03:58PM

As a for profit corporation, Boosterthon is very opaque. The County should require a high level of transparency. In fact, there's no reason why the County should even allow a for profit like Booster LLC to operate here. All fundraisers should be non profits, whose financials can easily be examined.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Huh??? ()
Date: October 28, 2014 04:54PM

Ban Boosterthon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a for profit corporation, Boosterthon is very
> opaque. The County should require a high level of
> transparency. In fact, there's no reason why the
> County should even allow a for profit like Booster
> LLC to operate here. All fundraisers should be non
> profits, whose financials can easily be examined.

How do you examine the financials easily on a non-profit? Those tax returns don't show you too much. You might get a few salaries, a few carefully disguised figures, etc. They don't release records to people.

The best way to have transparency is to make donations and payments directly to the school and somebody pull the account every single week and ask lots and lots of questions. Don't make donations and payments to the PTA, etc. Make them directly to the school. Or, make a donation for something specific. To the school. And then ask to see the receipt. Seriously. If they know they are being watched HOPEFULLY they will be less likely to go out to dinner, check into hotels, embezzle, etc. HOPEFULLY. These non-profit officers monitor themselves and coordinate what they are doing. Or, they don't monitor anything, and there isn't anything you can do about it, and you can be fed a line of BS for years. And nobody knows that, because you CAN'T GET RECORDS.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Country Dad ()
Date: October 28, 2014 05:39PM

County Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real mom
> who cares enough about her kids to send them to a
> decent private school. We have had great results
> with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has
> something to do with the fact that we care enough
> about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand a
> year to get them a decent education.

A decent private school here costs at least 25K per year, starting at kindergarten. You should have married better.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Cryptonomicon ()
Date: October 29, 2014 12:50PM

Boostertoon is a secretive organization, seems to be like a cult or secret society.

Why? And, what's worse, they are allowed into our schools.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: mJcbn ()
Date: October 29, 2014 05:09PM

Maybe they're tied to Amway...

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Blind Justice ()
Date: October 30, 2014 04:35PM

If there is any justice in the world, Boosterthon will be banned nationwide, and you can then find Chris Carneal trying to lure Amway recruits in a mall over the holidays.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: mom x 3 ()
Date: October 30, 2014 07:59PM

County Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a great
> program and it should be in every school.


I agree. They bring in money for the kids and they set up and take care of the whole event. Money well spent!

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Mom to sarcasm ()
Date: October 30, 2014 08:27PM

Who cares what they do to our kids at school as long as they are out of our hair all day, right? I mean character is for suckers. Learning is boring. Make them feel like shit for not living up to their rich friends' parents who are too busy not caring and prefer to buy their love or pay the kids off to leave them alone. Seems fine. As long as they are at school all day so I can screw my husband and have more kids to ignore, I don't really care what's going on there.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: This is a product ()
Date: October 30, 2014 08:28PM

Mr. Carneal is doing nothing but offering services for people to purchase. He is entitled to make a vast amount of money so that he can pay his overhead, including himself. That is why people run businesses. If the parents and the school system don't like the way he does it, or find that the terms are not agreeable, then whoever signed these people up needs to quit signing these people up.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: all the facts, please! ()
Date: October 30, 2014 08:28PM

mom x 3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> County Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a
> great
> > program and it should be in every school.
>
>
> I agree. They bring in money for the kids and they
> set up and take care of the whole event. Money
> well spent!

"They" don't bring in a penny. The kids raise all of the money.

"They" do NOT take care of the whole event. Teachers and volunteers (i.e., parents) end up helping out.

Money well spent? You approve of paying to exploit and demean children? You need a visit from Social Services!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Yup!! ()
Date: October 30, 2014 08:42PM

People who look at nothing but the bottom line and don't pay attention to how things are being presented miss the whole point. I think there are a lot of people who need a visit from The Services over this.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Sidwell's Friend ()
Date: October 30, 2014 09:19PM

County Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Operation Mindcrime Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > County Mom Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > You people worry too much. Boosterthon is a
> > great
> > > program and it should be in every school.
> >
> > Ah, the Boosterthon people are in town and
> > monitoring this forum. Such dedication!
> >
> > Presumably you've already had your daily lesson
> on
> > manipulating kids?
>
>
> No, sorry to disappoint you but I am a real mom
> who cares enough about her kids to send them to a
> decent private school. We have had great results
> with the boosterthon programs. Maybe it has
> something to do with the fact that we care enough
> about our kids to cough up the 10 or 12 grand a
> year to get them a decent education.


Uh, hey hussy. Look. Just because you are paying below market rates for an inferior private daycare, I mean, school experience, doesn't mean you have the right to talk down to others.

Real private schools are in DC and they typically cost >$35k.

Now go fuck yourself.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Blinded by Science ()
Date: November 01, 2014 02:04PM

Once even partial truth comes out about Boosterthon, it is going to be all over.

It has come as far as it has because the facts on it are hard to come by. That is about to change. For example, the $2000 up front fee and the free trips to Atlanta for the PTA members. Who would want to go to Atlanta, anyway?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: residual earnings ()
Date: November 01, 2014 02:30PM

How would you find the truth about this? Some other boards say Boosterthon gets a cut of all money the schools take in even after Boosterthon is over. This means Boosterthon is making money off something they had no role in? How is that right?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: kjh ()
Date: November 01, 2014 02:40PM

I read that they reserve the right to audit your books for a year (in case any straggler payments come in, I am sure). Remember, the schools aren't getting anything if the PTA signs the contract. The PTA gets the money. Some people don't make good on their pledges, then later on, guilt or a parent catches up with them. Boosterthon is probably still entitled to the money. Did anybody ever get a contract? Post it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: ID please ()
Date: November 01, 2014 02:56PM

Who signed up all these kids to be pressured while they are in school?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: It's the law! ()
Date: November 02, 2014 10:13AM

Virginia Administrative Code
8VAC20-131-200

"Extracurricular activities shall not be permitted to interfere with the student's required instructional activities."

(Fundraising is an extracurricular activity. Fundraising is optional in public school.)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Anatomy of a SCAM ()
Date: November 02, 2014 01:33PM

kjh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I read that they reserve the right to audit your
> books for a year (in case any straggler payments
> come in, I am sure). Remember, the schools aren't
> getting anything if the PTA signs the contract.
> The PTA gets the money. Some people don't make
> good on their pledges, then later on, guilt or a
> parent catches up with them. Boosterthon is
> probably still entitled to the money. Did anybody
> ever get a contract? Post it.


The PTA gets the money. But, Boosterthon has to use school facilities to set up their track, their pavilion, and hold the pep rally. And, Boosterthon has access to the kids.

Boosterthon bullies and manipulates the kids. Boosterthon makes a lot of money. Boosterthon takes PTA members to Atlanta.

And people think this is all OK? Wake up, try again, this is NOT OK.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: the bottom line here.. ()
Date: November 02, 2014 01:49PM

This entire thread was created by one parent who has a hard-on for Boosterthon. Yes Boosterthon makes money off of their business just like any other well run responsible company hopes to do. Boosterthon is one of the greatest companies in the world, they make kids happy and proud and give them a little distraction once in a while to make their school experience more enjoyable. They raise money for all kinds of different things and they give back to less fortunate kids who are sick or challenged in some way. There are plenty of screwjob companies out there but Boosterthon is not one of them.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: && ()
Date: November 02, 2014 01:54PM

Who allowed the access to the children? FCPS.
Did FCPS ask for your permission for professional fundraisers to teach your children? Doesn't sound like it.
Did FCPS ask for your permission to put your child's name into the Boosterthon database? Doesn't sound like it.
Did FCPS have a contractual agreement with Boosterthon allowing FCPS to give them the list of the kids' names along with the privacy terms? Probably not.
Did FCPS have a contractual agreement to use Boosterthon as supplemental instructors? Doesn't sound like it.
Are fundraisers a legal use of instructional time in Virginia? Doesn't look like it!
Who signed the contract committing your children, the school staff, the school property, class time, etc. Probably a volunteer!
Who allowed all this to happen? FCPS.

If the principals had just said no, this would not have happened this way. They said yes!

So, you are looking at illegal activity, regulatory violations, privacy/FERPA violations, etc.

There you go!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Worst Companies in the World ()
Date: November 02, 2014 02:01PM

the bottom line here.. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This entire thread was created by one parent who
> has a hard-on for Boosterthon. Yes Boosterthon
> makes money off of their business just like any
> other well run responsible company hopes to do.
> Boosterthon is one of the greatest companies in
> the world, they make kids happy and proud and give
> them a little distraction once in a while to make
> their school experience more enjoyable. They raise
> money for all kinds of different things and they
> give back to less fortunate kids who are sick or
> challenged in some way. There are plenty of
> screwjob companies out there but Boosterthon is
> not one of them.

Who says Boosterthon is one of the greatest companies in the world, besides, that is, Boosterthon and the PTA members getting free trips to Atlanta?

Boosterthon gets a lot of negative publicity and not just here. It is probably safer to say that they are one of the WORST companies in the world, right up there with Blackwater, Halliburton, and Ocwen.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: So charitable ()
Date: November 02, 2014 04:46PM

They are *so* charitable. Every year they donate $25,000 to a charity of choice (many years an excuse for a christian mission trip - look up the 990s). $25,000 out of 14 million in revenue is SO generous.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: / ()
Date: November 02, 2014 06:45PM

They just want a check in the box.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Susan m. ()
Date: November 03, 2014 12:06PM

If having fundraisers during the school day is illegal, then why are so many principals allowing it?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: ahead of you ()
Date: November 03, 2014 12:34PM

Susan m. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If having fundraisers during the school day is
> illegal, then why are so many principals allowing
> it?


Principals ARE being asked this question. "We'll get back to you" is what they are saying. The matter WILL be escalated all the way to Dr. Garza, and soon, if responses are not forthcoming.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Nervous? ()
Date: November 03, 2014 01:25PM

^^They are probably busy on the phone with their lawyers trying to justify this or figure out a way to blame the PTA presidents.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: licensure trivia ()
Date: November 03, 2014 03:58PM

ahead of you Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Susan m. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If having fundraisers during the school day is
> > illegal, then why are so many principals
> allowing
> > it?
>
>
> Principals ARE being asked this question. "We'll
> get back to you" is what they are saying. The
> matter WILL be escalated all the way to Dr. Garza,
> and soon, if responses are not forthcoming.



You (anybody-that means parents) have a right to ask that their professional licenses be reviewed by Dr. Garza for suspension for refusing/failing to follow school regulations. If you are desperate, that is always an option. Page 75. Hopefully you can all work this out without that.

Revocation is on page 71.

All licenses are available for public viewing on the Virginia Dept. of Education website.
Attachments:
licensure_regs.pdf

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Capitalism in the usa ()
Date: November 03, 2014 05:56PM

This is a product Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mr. Carneal is doing nothing but offering services
> for people to purchase. He is entitled to make a
> vast amount of money so that he can pay his
> overhead, including himself. That is why people
> run businesses. If the parents and the school
> system don't like the way he does it, or find that
> the terms are not agreeable, then whoever signed
> these people up needs to quit signing these people
> up.


Boosterthon is not the problem. They are just a business that wants to make a profit, which is normal. If people don't like this, then quit letting them lurk around the school during the school day. They aren't supposed to be there anyway.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: mene mene tekel upharsin! ()
Date: November 04, 2014 10:54PM

Let the Republican victory tonight send a message to the liberal fools on the Board of Supervisors and School Board. Good bye to Bulova, McElveen and the rest of them…they can take their trolley car and Boosterthon with them!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: weather underground ()
Date: November 17, 2014 02:37PM

My one complaint with this spell of cold weather is that it is not disrupting a Boosterthon Fun Run somewhere.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Testing 123 ()
Date: November 19, 2014 02:12PM

Fun fact - I set up a fake account because I wanted to actually view the terms and conditions before I agreed to let my kid participate. I happened to log in to that email account and found they have been billing me for $60 for a kid that doesn't exist. They also indicate that since my kid wasn't able to run, they have billed me on an estimated 30 laps. Gee, thanks! I'll be paying zero of that, thanks.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: November 21, 2014 02:33PM

So charitable Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
...
> excuse for a christian mission trip


I'm trying to find some info, please.
Couldn't find the 990s. (Booster is for-profit, so I'm confused.)
So lemme ask...

I get that Mr. Carneal and Mr. Brett Trapp (VP of Client Experience) appear to be evangelists, but what makes these mission trips "Christian"?

Having said that, I see that the Derenne Avenue PTA (Savannha, GA) described "BoosterThon" as a "Christian-based organization."...
http://savcps.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/PTF_LS_DA_1402.pdf

... but I'm still trying to find something which shows that these child-generated funds are supporting a religious activity....??

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Missionary Position ()
Date: November 21, 2014 05:11PM

Google missionary trips. Controversial even among evangelicals. Many of these trips seem to be quick visits to impoverished regions-the "missionaries" paint a wall, do some skits, sing some songs, and that's that. Hardly change the world stuff.

Some go to Eastern Europe, and talk about how the Holy Spirit serves as their interpreter. Sure.

A better word for Carneal and Trapp is conman.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: December 03, 2014 10:37AM

"Some go to Eastern Europe, and talk about how the Holy Spirit serves as their interpreter."

Help me out - source?

Meanwhile, my local school signed a new Booster contract.
Booster's take isn't a flat 48% any more. It's a sliding scale based on gross revenue:

35% for revenue above $160K, ** 70% ** for revenue of $15K or lower.

Potential contributors, of course, are not made aware.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Fox News ()
Date: December 03, 2014 10:58AM

updated 1:32 PM EST 12.02.14
School changes fund-raising practices
By David Fitzpatrick and Drew Griffin, CNN Investigations
SHARE THIS

Letters help school get millions
A A A (resize font)
(CNN) - A South Dakota boarding school that sends out more than 30 million pieces of mail every year pleading for money to help its Native American students now says it is changing the way it raises money after a CNN investigation.

CNN reported that seemingly handwritten letters from a student called "Josh Little Bear" were signed by a student who was fictitious.

U.S. Indian school's fund-raising letters sent to millions signed by fictitious kids

The marketing director for St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota told CNN that the stories were broadly true but not specific to any single student.

Those letters, in part, read:

"Like other kids here, my home on the reservation isn't a safe place for me to be. My dad sometimes drinks and hits me. My mom ... didn't want me anymore. She chose drugs over me."

A black-and-white photograph at the top of the letter was said to be "Josh Little Bear," even though the school said his name was "changed" to "protect his privacy."

The school's president, Mike Tyrell, wrote CNN that the school has "revisited" the use of the "letters attributed to our students."

"While the stories in the letters were based on actual situations that some of our students have experienced," he wrote, "using such letters may not be the best way to convey our students' challenges to our benefactors."

St. Joseph's publicly reported raising more than $51 million last year, nearly all of that money generated by the direct-mail appeals, which include "DreamCatchers" (made in China), stickers, notepads, address labels and calendars.

This year, the school said it had more than $122 million in "assets" on hand.

Native American leaders who live near St. Joseph's scoffed at the letters.

"I knew this was going on for a long time," said Leonard Pease, vice chairman of the Crow Creek Lakota Sioux reservation, which is a half-hour drive away from St. Joseph's. "That's how they get their money. To me, it makes the Indians look bad."

In his email to CNN, the school's president said: "Even the best of intentions can be misrepresented; we want to make sure that we do not misrepresent the people we serve, the Lakota Sioux of South Dakota."

School officials did not elaborate on whether they would discontinue the letters or would change the language.

CNN Home Next Article
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Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: shillwatch ()
Date: December 03, 2014 12:09PM

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Some go to Eastern Europe, and talk about how the
> Holy Spirit serves as their interpreter."
>
> Help me out - source?

If you have the time to read this, you have the time to do research. Clue: google "Gainusa mission trips" and see what you find.

>
> Meanwhile, my local school signed a new Booster
> contract.
> Booster's take isn't a flat 48% any more. It's a
> sliding scale based on gross revenue:
>
> 35% for revenue above $160K, ** 70% ** for revenue
> of $15K or lower.
>
> Potential contributors, of course, are not made
> aware.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: New Arlington Resident ()
Date: December 03, 2014 10:43PM

mene mene tekel upharsin! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let the Republican victory tonight send a message
> to the liberal fools on the Board of Supervisors
> and School Board. Good bye to Bulova, McElveen and
> the rest of them…they can take their trolley car
> and Boosterthon with them!


What happened to the streetcar?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: good bye streetcar ()
Date: December 04, 2014 12:44PM

The will of the people prevailed, and the idiotic streetcar project is now nothing but an unpleasant memory.

When the heinous nature of Boosterthon is revealed, it will suffer the same fate. Chris Carneal and Brett Trapp will be selling Amway out in front of Chick-Fil-A.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: New Arlington Resident ()
Date: December 04, 2014 05:02PM

Love Chick-Fil-A, wish there was one by me.

Amway is just retarded.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: December 12, 2014 01:44PM

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> ... but I'm still trying to find something which
> shows that these child-generated funds are
> supporting a religious activity....??


Found the info I was looking for:

For Kenya, Booster teamed up with Kenya Medical Outreach.

For Guatemala, Booster teamed with Helping Hands Ministries.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Focus, people! ()
Date: December 12, 2014 02:19PM

This company can do whatever they want the money they make off of their business. Every other company that schools and parent groups use do the same thing.

The big problem here is that they aren't supposed to be using instructional hours to fundraise. Kids are supposed to be in class. And the pressure tactics that make kids feel bad who don't participate are out of line.
Those two things alone should be enough to end their involvement in FCPS. If somebody wants to do this after school hours, they can do whatever they want. The principal takes kids out of class, allows outside staff to come into the schools and deal with children during the school day, you take their pictures and use them for promotional stuff, you give these people the class lists (protected information) when the school system doesn't even hold the contract...........

Somebody didn't think this through very well.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Angry Mob ()
Date: December 14, 2014 05:00PM

Something must be going on, they send out a form letter (?) saying the Boosterthon matter is closed. Somehow I doubt that.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Ha ha ha ()
Date: December 14, 2014 05:03PM

Angry Mob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Something must be going on, they send out a form
> letter (?) saying the Boosterthon matter is
> closed. Somehow I doubt that.

Post it.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: subtle hint ()
Date: December 15, 2014 10:51AM

Email Angela Atwater and see what you get back. Interesting to see if she says the same thing to everyone!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Ha ha ha ()
Date: December 15, 2014 12:06PM

subtle hint Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Email Angela Atwater and see what you get back.
> Interesting to see if she says the same thing to
> everyone!


Post or it didn't happen. You can take your names off.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 08, 2015 09:14AM

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Booster's take isn't a flat 48% any more. It's a
> sliding scale based on gross revenue:
>
> 35% for revenue above $160K, ** 70% ** for revenue
> of $15K or lower.


There's interest in a detailed breakdown, so (not including the initial $2,000)...

Columns are: Min. Gross proceeds / Max Gross / Client % / Booster %

$160,001 + 65% 35%
$150,001 $160,000 64% 36%
$140,001 $150,000 63% 37%
$130,001 $140,000 62% 38%
$120,001 $130,000 61% 39%
$110,001 $120,000 60% 40%
$100,001 $110,000 59% 41%
$90,001 $100,000 58% 42%
$80,001 $90,000 57% 43%
$70,001 $80,000 56% 44%
$60,001 $70,000 55% 45%
$50,001 $60,000 54% 46%
$40,001 $50,000 53% 47%
$30,001 $40,000 52% 48%
$25,001 $30,000 51% 49%
$24,001 $25,000 50% 50%
$23,001 $24,000 48% 52%
$22,001 $23,000 46% 54%
$21,001 $22,000 44% 56%
$20,001 $21,000 42% 58%
$19,001 $20,000 40% 60%
$18,001 $19,000 38% 62%
$17,001 $18,000 36% 64%
$16,001 $17,000 34% 66%
$15,001 $16,000 32% 68%
$0 $15,000 30% 70%

Lap Marking Pricing (in addition to Booster %) Choose one of the following options:
1. Student Stickers: Free
2. Boosterthon Bag: $1 per student
3. Boosterthon Fun Run Logo Shirt: $2 per student
4. School Logo on Fun Run Shirt: $3.00 a shirt*
(*May be subsidized by business sponsorships for logos printed on shirt)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: fact freak ()
Date: January 08, 2015 09:51AM

Excellent information, thanks very much.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 23, 2015 05:12PM

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For Kenya, Booster teamed up with Kenya Medical
> Outreach.
>
> For Guatemala, Booster teamed with Helping Hands
> Ministries.

First one: "KMO takes short term medical/dental, evangelica/teaching [sic], building and water project teams, to Africa and other places in need to spread the gospel to the people and meet physical as well as spiritual needs. We are a NGO in Kenya as well, and support two full time missionaries there."
http://www.christianvolunteering.org/org/kenya-medical-outreach.jsp#fq=content_type:opportunity&fq=org_nid:78810

Second one: "Helping Hands Ministries, Inc., has been organized exclusively for religious, charitable, educational, literary, and scientific purposes ... including the making of distributions to or for, but not limited to: individuals, churches, schools, colleges, universities and seminars, and those spreading the Gospel according to Jesus Christ."
https://www.hhmin.org/faq.php

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Jhfscgtes ()
Date: January 23, 2015 06:02PM

Who allowed the access to the children? FCPS.
Did FCPS ask for your permission for professional fundraisers to teach your children? Doesn't sound like it.
Did FCPS ask for your permission to put your child's name into the Boosterthon database? Doesn't sound like it.
Did FCPS have a contractual agreement with Boosterthon allowing FCPS to give them the list of the kids' names along with the privacy terms? Probably not.
Did FCPS have a contractual agreement to use Boosterthon as supplemental instructors? Doesn't sound like it.
Are fundraisers a legal use of instructional time in Virginia? Doesn't look like it!
Who signed the contract committing your children, the school staff, the school property, class time, etc. Probably a volunteer!
Who allowed all this to happen? FCPS.

If the principals had just said no, this would not have happened this way. They said yes!

So, you are looking at illegal activity, regulatory violations, privacy/FERPA violations, etc.

There you go!

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 23, 2015 06:43PM

Jhfscgtes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Did FCPS ask for your permission to put your
> child's name into the Boosterthon database?
> Doesn't sound like it.
> Did FCPS have a contractual agreement with
> Boosterthon allowing FCPS to give them the list of
> the kids' names along with the privacy terms?
> Probably not.

My memory is fuzzy, but I think parental permission is requested when the parent initially registers along with their child at funrun.com where you will indeed find a privacy policy.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Tf hut ()
Date: January 23, 2015 07:22PM

Weren't the kids' names already in the Boosterthon data base when you went to register? Who gave them the names?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Richard v. ()
Date: January 23, 2015 08:49PM

We had to register to opt-out because the kids were already in the system if I recall correctly.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 23, 2015 10:39PM

Well I'm not saying it's truthful, but fwiw the privacy policy reads, "Any personal information of students (name, gender, picture, or personal message) can only be entered by a registered Parent/Guardian."

https://funrun.com/privacy.html

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 23, 2015 10:58PM

Angry Mob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Something must be going on, they send out a form
> letter (?) saying the Boosterthon matter is
> closed. Somehow I doubt that.


Maybe they're referring to their internal audit of Fundraising Processes? It started in 2013 and results published last Oct. R1370 is mentioned a lot.

But it doesn't mention Boosterthon, so I dunno...

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: R1370 ()
Date: January 24, 2015 10:27AM

R1370 is being completely revised. This will be very interesting. Any fundraisers involving students are supposedly supposed to be school sponsored. That means the money has to run through a school account, NOT a non-profit account. This is going to be a bitter battle if it is implemented.

This is because students shouldn't be used to raise money for a situation that is off the public record. Makes sense when you think about it. You have no control and there is no oversight. Non-profits can use it for whatever they want. Money students raise is supposed to be used support their education and the school. Some of these non-profits are giving money away to colleges for specific kids, handing out gift cards to certain people, etc. Many of them buy pricey trips for staff. "Staff development." Nice idea, but students and the school should directly and clearly benefit.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: fraternity leadership (fail) ()
Date: January 25, 2015 01:35PM

If this shifts away from the PTA/PTO Boosterthon is going to have problems. First, the whole process will have to be transparent, which it is NOT right now.

Second, it will not be possible to offer trips to Atlanta to the PTA/PTO; doing so to school officials would not be appropriate.

When Boosterthon gets into trouble, they send Brett Trapp. It took him five years to get a degree in English. His resume makes a big deal out of his involvement with the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which is hardly a positive recommendation.

Trapp is very much in the Meade Skelton "southern evangelism is cool" mode.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: spflkwaetrjh ()
Date: January 25, 2015 02:02PM

Trust me. You can't have a non-profit parent volunteer group contracting for a fundraiser during the school day, using staff and instructional hours paid by the taxpayers, use children for a fundraiser during the school day and not have the contract and other financials open public record, have staff allowing access to the schools and children without a contract between the school and the fundraiser, maybe allowing the names of the children to be released to the fundraiser without a privacy contract between the school system and the fundraising company (it sounds like the names were released to them, and then the parents had to log in to get the kids out of the fundraiser if that is what they wanted to do), etc. The PTA is NOT authorized to release class lists to outside parties. Did they?

If the parent group is the sponsor, they are liable for all problems. The school system is in charge of the school day and everything that happens falls on them. So, huh?????

This whole situation is ludicrous from a liability and public records standpoint.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 26, 2015 09:47AM

FWIW, it looks like opt-IN:

"Every student participates in the Fun Run, regardless of pledges raised. Plus, they receive 6 daily character stickers and have access to Boosterthon’s world-class character resources. Parents, you must register your student on funrun.com in order for them to run. Just click the 'Parent Permission Box.' Your student will receive a FREE gift just for registering."

http://www.fcps.edu/WashingtonMillES/docs/parents/WMES%20pta%20doc%20fundraiser.pdf

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 26, 2015 09:51AM

Just adding this to the mix...

I gather the VA PTA Local Unit Resource guide (LURG) isn't much of a binding document(?), but section 4.18 says that for fundraising activities, "The regular school day schedule should not be disrupted, nor should the children be expected to give up their free time."

(Click on "Section 04..." at http://www.vapta.org/members-only/local-unit-leaders/local-unit-toolkit.html )

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: January 26, 2015 10:05AM

spflkwaetrjh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> it sounds like the names were released to
> them, and then the parents had to log in to get
> the kids out of the fundraiser if that is what
> they wanted to do), etc. The PTA is NOT authorized
> to release class lists to outside parties. Did
> they?

I can't recall my own personal experience any more. :( But I understand that each kid got a code - one code number for each class. The parent enters this number at funrun.com and supplies their kids' info at that time. As mentioned, a privacy policy is published at funrun.com.

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Re: Fairfax Says "NO WAY" To Boosterthon Scam!
Posted by: Endlösung ()
Date: February 19, 2015 02:12PM

Wonderful. A database of children.

BAN BOOSTERTHON NOW


NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> spflkwaetrjh Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > it sounds like the names were released to
> > them, and then the parents had to log in to get
> > the kids out of the fundraiser if that is what
> > they wanted to do), etc. The PTA is NOT
> authorized
> > to release class lists to outside parties. Did
> > they?
>
> I can't recall my own personal experience any
> more. :( But I understand that each kid got a
> code - one code number for each class. The parent
> enters this number at funrun.com and supplies
> their kids' info at that time. As mentioned, a
> privacy policy is published at funrun.com.

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