So you volunteered to be Team Mom or Team Parent. Now What? The following information will get you on the right track so do not worry. You will find the time you put in for volunteering as Team Mom rewarding and fun. Generally speaking, the Team Mom’s duties and responsibilities are to do the administrative tasks for the team which will allow the coach to concentrate on coaching, the players and team development.

1. Team Mom meeting – Attend the Team Mom meeting and receive the information to pass on to the coach and parents. At this meeting you may have to pick up the fundraiser (if any) for those players electing to participate in the fundraiser. Some organizations offer a buyout. In other words, parents can pay additional money and skip selling candy, pop corn or other fundraising activity. You may also receive the team’s uniforms. Be sure to bring them to the practice and pass them out to the team after you have written down which jersey number will go to what teammate.
2.  List of players – Make a list of all players and include their name, parents’ name and telephone number. It is a good idea to put a parent as a contact in your cell phone as well. In case of an unexplained absence, you’ll quickly be able to call the parent. Always carry you cell phone with you. A player might miss a game because they have the wrong game time – Yikes!
3. Team roster – You’ll be responsible for making and updating a team roster.   Begin by listing the scheduled game date, location and time. . It’s easier to combine the roster, game and snack schedule on the same form. (See sample forms on our Newsletter). 
4. Organize Snacks or treats for the kids.   After games and competitions, kids like a reward.  Team moms should not take on this responsibility by them selves.  It can be very expensive.  Instead, Team moms should organize and get assistance from all players families and make sure all families are assisting.  Snacks kids of all ages enjoy are: crackers, cookies, grapes, oranges, fruit snacks, jerky, applesauce or fruit cup (don’t forget the spoon), juice box, water or Gatorade. Older kids love sun flower seeds, nuts (check for food allergies first) and potato chips. You can get a feel for what the parents like their kids to have after just a few games.
5. Email parents – Obtain each parent’s email address and send out a “Hey I’m Team Mom” email as soon as you can. You will want to always keep parents informed of what’s going on. If the coach hasn’t done so already, be sure to let them know when practices are expected, how early they need to show up before the game, etc. Always include a signature at the bottom of your emails and always put your cell phone number. This way, parents won’t have to search for a previous email with your number – they can it expect it to accompany your email signature every time.
6. Uniforms – You may have to coordinate uniform pickup and distribution. They should be passed out to all players and their name and uniform number recorded. The best place to put this information is on the Snack and Team Schedule roster sheet. (See sample forms)
7.  Be prepared to coach/referee/Spot/keep score – Sometimes the coach may have a coaching conflict either at the practice or game. You may have to step in
8. Create  the team banner– For homecoming you have the option of making a banner for your team, you typically know the team name already so think about the design for the banner right away and let the parents know what their share of the cost will be. If you are new to this, check with the coach for any preferences he or she may have. 

9. Try to get a sponsor – If you know someone  who has a business you can solicit a letter requesting a sponsorship for the team.  other Parents may work at places that provide donations and or will sponsor your team.   The Panthers Board will have the forms for you to give to businesses. If you do receive a sponsor, be sure to thank them with a plaque and by inviting them to the end of the season party.  We can also add their logo to our website.

10. Attend practices and games – Please make every effort to be at all practices and games. Usually the coach will provide team information such as any scheduling changes, time to meet prior to the game, etc. It’s easier for the Team Mom to hear this first hand and send an email reminder out to those parents who may have missed the practice. If you can’t make a practice or game, please let the coach know ahead of time and be sure to call him or her for any information that was given to parents so that you can send out an informational e-mail.