ASA Teams who DO NOT give families a BUDGET

[lombardisoftball]

ASA RULE STATES: The manager shall provide player/parent/guardian a pre-season budget and a final itemized and accurate financial accounting at the end of ASA Championship play.

How many of you parents have actually seen a budget from your teams? The most frequent complaint this time of year is; where did all that fundraising money and the dues I paid go?

Interestingly, parents keep making those monthly payment, cooking and selling those burgers, and obligating every friend and familiy member to buy tickets to your teams golf tournament - every year! Yet very few of these families actually see a team budget or feel comfortable even asking to see a team budget! Why?

Maybe these families have an unshakable "FAITH", or maybe its being Scared to "Rock the Boat", because the coach may "kick little suzy off the team" if you ask to see where your hard earned money and the fruits of your labor are going or maybe they just like cooking burgers and driving their friends and family members to the poor house, with tickets to the next big team fundraiser - let us know!

Respond and let us know, which teams out there are "Playing by the Rules" by showing where the money goes. Wouldn't it be nice if they all did?

[hotwheels]

It depends I guess if they are actually an ASA team or not???...I know on our team we did financial updates every 2 to 3 months and we were actually running on low on funds towards the end of the season and some of our parents stepped up and fronted the $$ so we would not have to do another fundraiser...First time in 5 years that I ever had parents do that...Normally I would just do it myself so it was quite flattering to have a group of parents step up and do it...

To directly answer your question you have the right to know...Period!...Any team that tries and keep it a secret is really just asking for a headache or much worse...A POST ON HEYBUCKET!

[lombardisoftball]

Hotwheels - that is exactly why full disclosure of financials works! Everyone knows what shape the teams in, and what they will have to do (fundraise or donate) in order to accomplish their goal, whether it be attending certain tournaments or traveling to other states.

Unfortunatley, I feel that teams that do not disclose this is because they are uncomfortable showing that they take money for themselves (which is not a bad thing in my opinion, unless they are taking too much money).

My assumption is that you will not see too many people responding to this post, not because they have seen financials from their teams, but because thay are scared about possible retaliation if someone finds out they "blew the whistle" on their manager, founder or coach, not showing financials.

[hotwheels]

True...There have been some posts on this topic in the past way back when as well...Not sure how long ago but within the past 12 months or so...

[dodgerblue]

A long time ago we as parents asked that question and that was the worst thing we could've asked for, the only one that got hurt in the whole scenario was my DD. Never again will I question where the money went you just need to do your homework on a team and believe me you will know if something crooked is going on. Funny thing in our case all the parents were asking where the money was going but not one of them stepped up when we asked they all kept their mouth shut. Take my advice and just sit back and don't cause any waves and look for another team that will give you financial statements before you have to ask. Me personally all the fundraising is great but I would rather just buy out and save myself a headache of parents complaining who's doing more and who ain't doing anything that's why I stay clear of those organizations that fund raise with their snack bar all year. Gets old really fast.

[Mike Lednovich]

This subject comes up from time to time and I always respond with the following advice.

If you do not receive a preseason budget and then a post season accounting of how your money was spent from whomever is running the team, run for the hills.

Our parents always know our budget and then get an accounting of exactly how the money was spent for each season. I'll be issuing our post season report following Western Nationals.

A hidden accounting system is a red flag and you shouldn't have to ask how your team stand financially. You should be getting periodic reports.

[dodgerblue]

This subject comes up from time to time and I always respond with the following advice.

If you do not receive a preseason budget and then a post season accounting of how your money was spent from whomever is running the team, run for the hills.

Our parents always know our budget and then get an accounting of exactly how the money was spent for each season. I'll be issuing our post season report following Western Nationals.

A hidden accounting system is a red flag and you shouldn't have to ask how your team stand financially. You should be getting periodic reports.

Although I agree with you here most top tier teams do not give financial statements, they tell you beat it, we will find another girl to fill your spot tomorrow. These are the same orginazations that have 75+ girls trying out every year.

[dirtlover]

You guys are correct. We have had it both ways. Been on a high profile team for 4 years running now and have seen maybe 2 statements. We don't do much fundraising and my family does a lot of sponsoring while the other families do most of the bitching. My tolorence for the complaining and not paying of the other families is running thin and I guess detailed financial statements would take care of this but that seems to be a pipe dream. I guess my point is if you don't like your situation then split, if you can tolerate it then do so and enjoy watching your kid do her thing.

[dodgerblue]

We're currently on a team that does about (2) fundraisers a year that they ask all the parents and girls to help out on then throughout the year there will be 1-2 fundraiser if you want type of deal but like I said if it's reasonable to buy out that's what I prefer.

[Scoop n K]

As Hot Wheels say, it depends on IF they are ASA or not. Really, it should make no difference whether they are ASA or not...The right, and ethical, thing to do is provide the families with, at minimum, a season opening budget, and a final financial report. Mine goes out right after Western Nats this year, and to note....we TALK about it with the parents throughout the season,. Interestingly enough, No one has asked to see it in writing. I wish they would look at it, they'd see a few negatives that were filled in by my personal checks. Small price to pay for such a great experience!