Frequently Asked Questions & Answers by category
Last updated 02/21/08
| 2008 FEES | QUIT REFUNDS | EQUIPMENT HANDOUT | ||
| PARTCIPATION REFUNDS | CHEER FITTING | BANQUET | ||
| COOKIE DOUGH | PICTURE DAY | MISCELLANEOUS | ||
Q My child wants to play football this year. How much does it cost?
A If you register your son no later than the March 1st registration, it will cost $200.00 plus a $100.00 Family Participation Fee for tackle player and $100.00 plus $100.00 for a flag player.
Q What if we can’t come to the March 1st registration?
A After March 1st the early bird discount no longer applies. It will cost $250.00 to register each tackle player or cheerleader and $100.00 for the family participation fee. It will cost $150 plus $100.00 for each flag player. We suggest you ask a friend, relative or neighbor to register and pay for your child.
Q What if I pay the $100.00 Family Participation Fee on March 1st and then mail in the remainder?
A Any child not paid in full by March 1st will cost $250.00 or $150.00, which ever applies plus the $100.00 Family Participation Fee.
Q Is there a fee cap?
A The fee cap for families paid in full by March 1st is $600.00 in registration fees plus the $100.00 Family Participation Fee. After March 1st the early bird discount no longer applies and the cap is $750.00 in registration fees plus $100.00 for the Family Participation Fee.
Q Why do you keep raising the fees?
A We are forced to raise our fees due to equipment theft and neglect, rising costs of replacement equipment, league fees, insurance and due to lack of family participation help, especially at our concessions stand which then has to be manned by paid workers.
Q What do we do if we want to quit?
A You must come to the general meeting to fill in a Quit Form. Starting on Equipment Handout Day you will be able to pick up the Quit Form at the field. NOTE: No other communication will result in any refund.
Q What if we want to quit after the July general meeting has passed?
A If you decide to quit and you do not attend the July general meeting you must come to the field on August 2nd during equipment handout in order to pick up a Quit Form to receive a full refund.
Q What if I can’t come to the equipment handout?
A After August 3rd you must come to the field to get a Quit Form.
Q How much will I get back?
A If you complete a Quit Form prior to August 3rd you will receive a full refund. If you quit after August 2nd but before August 14th your refund will be reduced by 25%. After August 14th no refunds will be given.
Q When will I receive my refund?
A You will receive your refund before December 31st.
Q Why does it take so long to refund my money?
A You may receive your refund sooner, but since this is a voluntary position and Board Members have real jobs and families of their own, no promises will be made regarding how long it takes to get a refund.
Q But <insert any Board Member name here> told me that I would get my refund in two weeks. It has been longer. Where is my refund?
A No Board Member would tell you that your refund will be issued any sooner than December 31st.
Q When do we get our equipment?
A Equipment handout for tackle football players is August 2nd at the field.
Q Can I get practice equipment there too?
A Yes. Practice equipment can be purchased for an additional cost.
Q Can I write a check for practice equipment?
A No. Only cash will be accepted.
Q What will I have to do to receive my son’s equipment?
A As long as you are paid in full you will receive the football equipment. Starting in 2008 you will be required to sign a form acknowledging your receipt of the equipment.
Q Does my son have to be present at equipment handout?
A Yes. Boys are sized for the equipment they receive.
Q What if I am not already registered on equipment handout day?
A You will still be allowed to register on equipment handout day, but if you do not pay in cash you will not receive the equipment until your check has cleared.
Q What if I cannot pick up my son’s equipment on equipment handout day?
A You can come to the shed any day after practice ends until approximately 8:30 PM for late equipment handout. You will be required to sign a receipt acknowledging that you have received Stallions equipment.
Q Why only until 8:30 each night?
A Since we are volunteers who have jobs, families and homes of our own, Board Members need to limit the time spent at the field for late equipment handout.
Q I have a daughter in the program. When will she get her uniform?
A Since cheerleaders do not need their uniforms until just before the first game (or picture day, whatever comes first), they will get their uniforms after the last Quit Date has passed.
Q Can we still register after practices have already begun?
A Yes. Monica and/or Donna will be available in the tower to accept late registrations until August 14th. If you pay in cash you can get your equipment that evening after practice up until 8:30 PM. If you pay with a check you will not receive your equipment until the check clears.
Q How do I get back the $100.00 Family Participation Fee?
A You must work 8 hours AND turn in ALL Stallion property prior to the November 19th General Meeting. You must sign the form at equipment hand in. This will be our official time stamp as to when you returned your equipment.
Q What if I can’t come to field that week?
A No Participation Refunds will be given if ALL Stallions property is not returned on time, regardless of the number of hours worked.
Q What if I turn in my son or daughter’s equipment and do not work 8 hours?
A No Participation Refund will be given.
Q Can someone other than me return my son’s equipment?
A Yes. As long as they sign the equipment back in and as long as it is within the allotted time, you will not forfeit your participation refund.
Q What if I give my equipment to my neighbor to return for me and they don’t make it to the field on time?
A You will forfeit your Participation Refund even if you worked 8 hours.
Q What if I give my equipment to my neighbor to return for me and they forget to sign in my equipment?
A You will forfeit your Participation Refund even if you worked 8 hours.
Q What’s the big deal if I don’t return the equipment on time?
A The Homer Stallions have a large annual. Even though we are a not for profit organization we must file taxes and are audited by tax accountants. We will not be nonchalant with respect to fees paid and refunds given. In 2007, we were at the field for 3 weeks, for 3 or 4 days each week from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM. We spent more than 35 hours in the cold waiting for equipment and uniforms to be returned. As of this writing we still have not received all of our equipment.
Q In the past we always just dropped our equipment off at Larry Killmer’s house. Can we do that this year?
A Mr. Killmer has been very generous in the past about accepting equipment at his home. However, starting in 2008 we will issue invoices for all outstanding equipment. If the invoices are not paid we will send it to a collection agency. Annual losses of equipment due to theft and neglect force us to continue to raise our fees.
Q What can I do to earn my 8 hours for the participation fee refund?
A There are many things that need to be done during the season, including but not limited to, concessions at the games, garbage collection and split the pot on game day, field set-up and take down for all home games. In 2008 you will have additional opportunities to work since we will be hosting the 2008 cheer competition. For more information regarding participation hours contact any Board Member.
Q I am new to the program. What do I have to do when I volunteer?
A For every task that earns credit, there will be a sign in sheet. Be sure to sign in when you arrive and sign out when you are leaving. This year there will also be sign in sheets for field striping. NOTE: you must have a Board Member initial that you worked the time that you indicated on the sheet. If there is no Board Member initials by your name you WILL NOT receive credit for those hours.
Q What if I forget to sign out or to have a Board Member sign me out?
A You will not get credit for those hours.
Q What if I remember that I didn’t sign out or that I didn’t get a Board Member to initial my sign out after I leave? Can I call someone or email someone to get the credit?
A No. You will not get credit for those hours.
Q Last year chains did not count toward participation hours. Will they count in 2008?
A As in 2007, chains WILL NOT count toward participation hours. Also, the Board has eliminated attendance at a General Meeting as counting toward participation hours.
Q I helped my son’s team during weekday practices. Does that count toward my participation hours?
A Up to 4 coaches per Flag team, up to 4 coaches for Cheer squads and up to 5 coaches for tackle football teams will receive refund checks for coaching. Only adults designated by the head coach and approved as an assistant coach by the ADs will be entitled to receive a refund based on coaching.
Q Why not just give all parents that help out credit?
A While we appreciate all the help we get, we need volunteers for all facets of the program. We have determined that four or five coaches per team, whichever is relevant is the optimal number of adults giving direction to the children. We need volunteers for many, many other tasks. Contact any Board Member for more information.
Q When will I get my Participation Refund?
A If you have worked at least 8 hours and you have returned ALL Stallions property no later than the following your last game, you are entitled to a refund. Your refund check will be issued before December 31st.
Q Why does it take so long to get a refund?
A Participation hours and the date you returned ALL Stallions property must be verified before the checks are written. You may receive your refund sooner, but since this is a voluntary position and Board Members have real jobs and families of their own, no promises will be made regarding how long it takes to get a refund.
Q When is the cheerleading uniform fitting?
A May 13th at the Cross of Glory.
Q I couldn’t come to the try on day. When will my daughter be fitted for her uniform and shoes?
A Contact Kris Teerling or Christy Maurella.
Q When is the Banquet?
A The Banquet will be at DiNolfo’s again in 2008 on Sunday December 14th.
Q How much will it cost?
A The cost will remain at $19.00 per adult, $16.00 per child and children under 3 are free.
Q When are the forms due?
A The forms are due no later than October 18th.
Q Why so soon?
A We need to deposit all checks and make sure those checks clear before we issue wristbands. Wristbands will be handed out at equipment hand in.
Q What if I pay and then can’t come? Can I get my money back?
A No. We have to pay the hall based on our projected numbers and refunds will not be given.
Q We didn’t go to the banquet last year. Who has my child’s trophy?
A You should contact your child’s head coach. For future reference, if you do not attend the banquet, you should contact your child’s head coach immediately after the banquet to make arrangements for trophy pick-up.
Q When are the cookie dough forms due?
A Cookie dough forms are due September 2nd. Order forms must be turned in at the blue shed. Dough orders for forms turned in later than that date will be submitted in a second order if the amount of late orders warrants a reorder.
Q Why are you being so strict about the cookie dough orders?
A Unfortunately last year the Stallions had to absorb the cost of several cookie dough orders due to checks bouncing after the dough was picked up. Starting in 2008 we will not process any orders and no dough will be handed out until the checks have cleared.
Q When is cookie dough pick up?
A Cookie dough pick up will be September 22nd for the first order. If a second order is placed, you will be notified when to pick it up.
Q What if I can’t pick my dough up on September 22nd?
A We cannot store your cookie dough. You must arrange for someone to pick the dough up for you.
Q When is picture day?
A Picture day is not yet finalized. The exact time for your team pictures will be communicated at a later date. NOTE: Eighth graders have a separate graduation class picture that can be purchased for an additional fee.
Q I don’t have an email account. How can I get the information I need?
A Due to rising costs we will no longer mail newsletters. The newsletters that we email approximately every month are also posted on out internet site at homerstallions.com. If you do not have an email account, you should consult the website for the most current information during the preseason. After the season begins, the best way to get up-to-date information besides the website is to stay until the end of you child’s practice. The coaches hand out all printed information and answers questions after practice. Note that many companies have filters on company email systems that block our newsletter due to graphics and certain words in the newsletter.
Q My son left his water bottle at the field after practice last night. Who has it?
A There is no guarantee that anyone found your son’s water bottle, but we plan to create a Lost and Found bin which you should check.
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