The Boosted Volunteer

What if the secret to raising $14,000 in three weeks was already sitting in your pocket?  Most booster clubs settle for the "standard" chocolate or much sales that require endless physical labor for a small fraction of the profit.  This week on The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler welcomes Marsha Sray, a fundraising powerhouse and former band booster president who turned a dilapidated equipme...

What does it really take for Booster Clubs to survive—and thrive—in 2026?  As funding shifts, expectations rise, and responsibilities grow, many clubs are being pushed to operate more like full-scale nonprofits than volunteer groups. In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, the roles are flipped as Evan Eissler interviews co-host Robin Eissler, CEO and founder of Booster Hub. Drawing from her exp...

As Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities continue to reshape athletics, their impact is no longer limited to college programs. In this insightful episode, former professional football player and NIL education advocate Dr. John DeWitt joins host Robin Eissler to explore what this evolving landscape means for high school athletes, families — and most importantly — Booster Clubs. A former 12-...

Ever wondered why marching band parents are some of the most intense, dedicated, and—dare we say—"cult-like" volunteers on the planet?  This week on The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down with the hilarious and insightful duo behind The Band Dads Podcast: Chris Flynn and Scott Lang. Scott, a former band director and leadership expert, and Chris, a data analyst and "super-volunteer," s...

If your booster club’s graphics look inconsistent, outdated, or thrown together at the last minute… sponsors notice. And so do parents, athletes, and recruiters. In this episode of the Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down with Becki Jacobs, founder of Team Mom Boutique, to share how booster clubs can create a professional, consistent, and sponsor-ready social media presence—without hiri...

When a “game” becomes a full-blown event, booster clubs and athletic directors feel the pressure—more volunteers, more fundraising, more compliance, and higher expectations from fans and families.   In this Boosted Volunteer Podcast episode, Robin Eissler welcomes Scott Garvis, a Certified Master Athletic Administrator and Activities Director at Newton High School (Iowa), to break down what athlet...

What if your Booster Club didn’t rely on the same five people every single week? In this episode of the Boosted Volunteer Podcast, host Robin Eissler sits down with Sharon—better known online as "The Band Mom”—and her husband Jeremy, who ran concession stand operations for the Waxahachie High School band to unpack how they transformed concessions from a stressful scramble into a fun, well-run oper...

What do athletic directors really need from booster clubs—and where do things most often go wrong? With more than 40 years in education and athletics, Jake von Scherrer pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes realities athletic directors face and explains why strong, well-aligned booster clubs are essential to successful school programs.   Jake von Scherrer is a veteran educator, coach, an...

What happens when a “simple” school volunteer role reveals a world of legal risk, tax responsibilities, and structural gaps that no one warned you about? For attorney, author, and nonprofit advocate Sandy Pfau Englund, that moment didn’t send her running—it launched a national organization that now supports 7,000+ Booster Clubs across the country. In this week’s episode of The Boosted Volunteer, h...

Have you ever wondered how to transition out of a leadership role while ensuring your Booster Club not only survives but thrives?  Leadership transitions don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this solo episode, Robin Eissler opens up for the first time about her own Booster Club journey—how she was unexpectedly recruited as a freshman parent, the challenges she faced stepping into leadership, and th...

What if hitting your fundraising goal meant dumping a cooler of ice water on your band director? That's exactly the fun, high-stakes gamble the Polar Bear Band Boosters in West Virginia used to raise over $10,000 in a single week! Join host Robin Eissler as she talks with this week's guest, Chris Sharps, the social media coordinator for the Fairmont Senior High School Polar Bear Band Boosters. Chr...

How safe are your student athletes and band members in the heat?   In this episode of the Boosted Volunteer podcast, host Robin Eissler sits down with Melissa Fortenberry, founder and CEO of HeatSense, to talk about the critical issue of heat safety in youth athletics and marching bands. From her personal experience as a parent to developing cutting-edge wearable technology, Melissa shares how Hea...

What happens when a passion for music, family, and community blends with strong leadership and smart fundraising? This week’s episode of the Boosted Volunteer Podcast, hosted by Robin Eissler, shines a spotlight on Jessica Enneking, Co-President of the Lakeville South Band Boosters. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience and a deep commitment to giving back, Jessica shares her journey from par...

When disaster struck his community, Justin McKenzie and the Comfort Area Foundation quickly realized that running a relief effort takes more than just good intentions. Managing donations, ensuring compliance, and coordinating volunteers brought challenges they hadn’t expected. In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, Justin shares how Booster Hub helped his team fundraise responsibly, stay organi...

  What does it take to build long-term infrastructure for a Booster Club that supports athletes, coaches, and parents?   This week, Robin Eissler sits down with Jason Stover, Vice President of the Eagle Touchdown Club in Prosper, Texas, and former officer of the Reynolds Athletics Booster Club. With experience leading clubs at both the middle school and high school levels, Jason brings a wealth of...

Struggling to get enough hands to help out with your booster club?  You’re not alone. In this solo episode, host Robin Eissler tackles one of the biggest challenges Booster Clubs face: volunteer recruitment. Discover a practical, tested system that goes beyond just sending sign-up emails—because getting people to help isn't just about asking; it's about connecting. Robin introduces the I-CHAT fram...

Tired of asking your community for another donation? What if your Booster Club could raise money every time someone shops online—without spending anything extra?  This week, Robin Eissler welcomes Eric Peck, founder of FanFundU, a platform that turns everyday shopping into a sustainable fundraising tool for Booster Clubs. With 15 years of experience in loyalty programs and affiliate marketing, Eri...

What do you get when you combine military discipline, musical passion, and multigenerational spirit? You get the Troopers Legacy Corps—an all-age drum and bugle ensemble committed to legacy, community, and lasting impact. In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down with Mark Kincaid, fundraising chair and advisory board member of Troopers Legacy Corps, a proud extension...

What happens when a high school band program says yes to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—with just weeks to prepare? You get a story of passion, partnership, and pushing past expectations. In this week’s Boosted Volunteer Podcast, hosts Robin and Evan Eissler welcome James Rees, Director of Bands at Grapevine High School, and Diane Pintar, Vice President of the Grapevine Band Boosters. Together,...

Is your Booster Club working with your coach or against them without even realizing it?    In this solo episode, Robin dives into one of the most common—and confusing—topics Booster Club leaders face: defining the relationship with coaches, marching band directors, and program heads. She explains how Booster Clubs, as independent nonprofits, can collaborate effectively while maintaining clear role...

Is Your Booster Club Ready for What's Coming? In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer Podcast, hosts Robin Eissler and Evan Eissler discuss the evolving role of booster clubs amid upcoming federal and state educational regulations. They highlight the increasing importance of booster clubs to bridge funding gaps caused by potential budget cuts in schools. The conversation covers the history of boo...

Managing your booster club’s finances just got easier!  In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler talks with Kyle Ruschman, VP of Sales and Business Development at USIO, to explore how prepaid debit card solutions—like Akimbo cards—are transforming nonprofit financial management. Kyle shares his expertise on how these cards provide real-time control, reduce reimbursement hassles...

Running a successful Booster Club isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about avoiding costly mistakes! In this episode of Boosted Volunteer, hosts Evan and Robin Eisler dive into the Top 10 Booster Club Blunders that can hold your organization back. From failing to invest in the right tools to common fundraising missteps (like the T-shirt trap!), Evan and Robin share real-life examples and practica...

Many fundraising platforms advertise themselves as "free," but are they truly cost-free?  In this episode of Booster Volunteer Podcast, hosts Evan and Robin Eissler uncover the hidden costs behind these so-called free fundraising tools. They explore the structural differences between simple donation websites and peer-to-peer fundraising systems, highlighting common pitfalls such as high transactio...

Did you know that running a booster club board meeting is a lot like managing a business? Clear rules, defined roles, and structured discussions lead to real results. One key to success is Robert’s Rules of Order, a time-tested framework that helps meetings stay on track, make informed decisions, and avoid unnecessary chaos.  In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, host Robin Eissler sits down w...