AUSTIN HIGH ORCHESTRA PARENTS

Created in 1987, the Austin High Orchestra Parents (AHOP) has become the driving force behind communication and cooperation between the orchestra director, orchestra students, and orchestra parents. AHOP meetings are scheduled on the first Wednesday evening of each month during the school year. The AHOP furnishes project materials, personnel for hosted events, organization and operation of fundraisers, music camp scholarships, stipends, and many other supportive projects and initiatives for the Austin High School Orchestra program.

AHOP BOARD

The President: (A) provides an agenda for all meetings of the Booster Club; (B) presides at all meetings of the Booster Club; (C) serves as the official liaison to the Orchestra Director; (D) provides a calendar of Booster Club activities for the school year to the Board by August 1; (E) coordinates activities of the Booster Club; (F) attends required school or district meetings; and (G) appoints two people to conduct an annual financial audit.


The Vice-President: (A) performs, when the President delegates or is unable to perform, the duties of the President; (B) serves as the official timekeeper for all meetings of the Booster Club: (C) serves as the official liaison for the Student Board; and (D) assists the Student Board with event planning.


The Treasurer: (A) receives and deposits all funds with the school bookkeeper; (B) requests payment and disbursement of funds when a vendor's invoice is received; (C) creates and maintains an accurate record of all deposits and disbursements; (D) manages the finances of the Booster Club, including the individual student sub-accounts; (E) prepares and maintains a budget that must be approved by the Board; (F) presents a financial summary at each Board meeting; (G) reconciles the Booster Club's account with the school bookkeeper once per month and at the end of the school year; (H) attends required school bookkeeper meetings; (I) provides to the succeeding Treasurer: (1) the balances of the individual student sub-accounts, (2) a financial summary of the Booster Club's sub-account, and (3) all other records necessary to carry out the Treasurer's duties; and (J) will cooperate with the two people appointed by the President to conduct an annual financial audit.


The Secretary: (A) is responsible for all correspondence of the Booster Club and the Board; (B) keeps accurate minutes of all Board meetings and general membership meetings and distributes those minutes to the Board in a timely manner for approval or amendments; (C) maintains a current copy of the By-Laws and amends them as decided by the Board; (D) notifies the Austin High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) of activities to include in weekly PTSA newsletters; (E) provides to the Orchestra Director a current copy of the By-Laws and provides a new copy of the By-Laws each time they are amended; (F) accepts nominations and complies and distributes ballots to each member at the general membership meeting in May; (G) maintains a complete list of e-mail addresses of the general membership; and (H) sends out e-mail reminders of activities and meetings to members.


The Publicity and Fundraiser Coordinators: (A) coordinate publicity for concerts and fundraisers; (B) coordinate program printing; (C) recognize Orchestra sponsors; (D) are responsible for reviewing possible fundraisers; and (E) organize fundraising events and coordinate with parents and students.


The Volunteer Coordinator: (A) recruits, communicates with, and organizes volunteers for Orchestra events.

AHOP BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
2011-2012

  • Wednesday, August 3, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, January 4, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, February 1, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, April 4, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, May 2, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, June 6, 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, July 11, 7:00 PM

PARENTAL SUPPORT TIPS

  • Show an interest in the music study of your child. There is nothing more important than parental support in a child's study of music.
  • Arrange for a regular time and a quiet place for practice.
  • Monitor practicing and be sure that it is happening.
  • Help the student to understand that the more the student practices, the more success and enjoyment will be gained.
  • Be generous with your praise and encouragement.
  • Keep the instrument in good repair and provide rosin, strings, and other accessories in the instrument case.
  • Teach your student to be on time for rehearsals and concerts.
  • Notify the Orchestra Director if the student is to be absent or tardy and explain why.
  • Demonstrate your support by attending all of your child's performances. Stay for the concert; do not simply drop your child off at the door. Invite your relatives, friends, and neighbors.
  • Encourage your child to be involved in music. Expose your child to high quality music. Take him/her to recitals and performances that are held in different cultural venues.
  • Donate CDs, cassette tapes, and books about music.

AHOP ONLINE NEWSLETTER

Sign up for the AHOP Online Newsletter and receive news of what’s happening with the Austin High School Orchestra!

The AHOP Online Newsletter is a free email newsletter sponsored by the AHOP Board. You may subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter at any time. The AHOP Board provides the content to the newsletter moderator. The distribution list is managed through Yahoo Groups.

How to subscribe:

  • Use the email account at which you want to receive the newsletter.
  • Create a new email and in the "Send to" box type: SFAHOP-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
  • Do not type anything in the "Subject" box or in the text box. Click "Send."
  • You will receive a confirmation email from Yahoo Groups. You must reply to this confirmation email in order to become a member.

How to unsubscribe:

  • Use the email account from which you no longer want to receive the newsletter.
  • Create a new email and in the "Send to" box type: SFAHOP-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
  • Do not type anything in the "Subject" box or in the text box. Click “Send.”

Patrick Couture, AHOP Secrcetary, will serve as the Online Newsletter Moderator for the 2010–2011 school year. Mr. Couture can be contacted via email at pm_couture@yahoo.com for additional information or assistance concerning the newsletter.