What is an Invitational?
An invitational is a marching band field show in which high school marching bands are judged in a number of categories (such as music and marching & maneuvering) and then ranked within their class. Bands are grouped in classes (A, AA, AAA, AAAA) based on their size and/or their ability.
The Godwin Band Boosters sponsor the Godwin Invitational as an important means of fundraising. We earn money to buy instruments and equipment, subsidize the cost of parents chaperoning spring trip, as well as other necessary expenses required by the band.
Our major fundraiser is less than a month away and we have an urgent need for parent volunteers. This show requires MANY volunteers (adults and students) for both leadership and non-leadership positions to be a success!! Regardless of which area you choose, working at the Field Show benefits our students directly and you’ll have fun working with our great students and parents in the process!
The following leadership positions need to be filled as soon as possible:
Master Coordinators—these 2 or 3 individuals will oversee the planning and execution of the Field Show. Extensive records and information is available from previous years and Jeff Jones is willing to work closely to train the new coordinators.
Sales Area Coordinators—one or two individuals to oversee the money-making components of the Field Show (admission tickets, Air-Grams, advertising, programs, food tickets, etc.) We already have volunteers to help in each of these areas, we just need someone to coordinate and oversee the operation.
Team Leaders for People Movement—one or two individuals to oversee guides (students who are responsible for moving bands from station to station), building monitors, Volunteer Check-In workers, competition staging area monitors, and timers.
Team Leaders for Set-up, Maintenance, and Clean-up of Facilities—one or two individuals to oversee the following sub-committees: Set-up, Maintenance, and Clean-up.
Volunteer Coordinators—four or five people to oversee the adult and student volunteers (the “worker bees”). Coordinators recruit volunteers; create and maintain schedules showing all volunteers, their locations and assignment times, train volunteers as necessary; and man the Volunteer Check-In table.
Most of these volunteer positions do not require any prior knowledge or specific skills—just a willingness to support this event and our students. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call or email Jeff Jones at 270-3213 or jeffjones@cavtel.net for more information.
We have lots of volunteer opportunities and shifts available for the following positions: Gate Monitors, Stand Monitors, Parking, Registration, Guides, Building Monitors, First Aid, Competition Staging Area Monitors, Food Ticket Sales, Concession Stand, Equipment Movement, Set-up, Maintenance, Clean-up, and Floaters.
Volunteer coordinators will be calling parents over the next few weeks to fill the vacant positions above. In order to request the shift and position you’d like best, it is crucial for you to contact the coordinators as soon as possible before they are filled.
Planning Meeting
A planning meeting will be held (date and time to be announced) in the Band Room. Parents are encouraged to attend. More parents = less work for all.
Sub-Committee Descriptions
Set-Up Committee—coordinates the physical set-up of tables, chairs, canopies, water stations and other needs throughout the campus and school building, and ropes off restricted areas.
Maintenance Committee—orders Porta-Potties, serves as contact with school custodian on hand, ensures trash cans are serviced and venues are kept clean throughout the event.
Clean-Up Committee—organize all adult and student volunteers who help clean premises after the show is over; oversees removal of trash; oversees break down of tables, chairs, canopies, etc., and removal of signage.
Concession Needs—Sodas and Baked Goods
All students are asked to bring in a 12-pack of either Coke/Pepsi products, Gatorade (last year’s hot seller), or water. These items will be sold at the Field Show, so please don’t send in generic brands as they have not sold very well in the past. We also need baked goods. The best sellers from our past shows have been brownies (all types), bar cookies, Rice Krispy treats, and chocolate chip cookies. Treats need to be individually wrapped in Saran Wrap or enclosed in plastic baggies. (Packaging tips: 2-3 cookies in a bag, 1 large brownie or 2 smaller brownies in a bag, etc.)
Equipment
We are always looking for donations to minimize our expenses for this fundraiser. As the host school, we are expected to provide the necessary equipment to transport the visiting bands’ equipment from the Driver Ed parking lot to the performance area on the field and back again. Because of the schedule and the quantity of equipment some of the larger bands need transported, we like to have at least three sets of trailers and pulling vehicles. The three trailers/pulling vehicles will be in constant motion throughout the event: one will be used to transport equipment to the field, while a second one is being loaded on-deck to transport equipment from the field back to the parking lot, and the third one will be in the parking lot being loaded for the next transport.
Trailers—We like to use 10 ft. or 12 ft. single-axle utility trailers with drop-down gates like the type used by lawn maintenance companies.
Pulling Vehicles—We need small vehicles with a ball hitch. Ideally, golf carts work best since they are quiet and have smooth tires which will not damage the rubberized surface of the track. Other types include small diesel tractors, riding lawn mowers, and ATVs. If you have such equipment or know of a friend or company willing to donate them for the event, please contact call or email Jeff Jones at 270- 3213 or jeffjones@cavtel.net. We can pick up the equipment.
Trophy Sponsorships Available
Details coming soon.
Other Needed Items
Extension cords, AAA batteries, and battery-powered lamps.
Godwin Band Boosters © 2009
