thyme4change
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Aug 8, 2012 10:18:46 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 8, 2012 10:18:46 GMT -5
The team is starting a booster club with us parents. As with most of these organizations, it is being started by the person with the least amount of skill to start it, and the people he is trying to organize are people that don't care and don't really want to step up and take the bull by the horns. So, as with all groups, there is one obnoxious a-hole, who annoys the crap out of everyone, but gets a lot done. I've surveyed the group, and I'm pretty sure I'm the obnoxious a-hole. (Really, would any of you think any differently??)
So, I need to write up a communication plan and get started on it - otherwise this whole thing will fail. So, help me out here.
1) E-mail (of course) 2) Facebook group 3) Phone list 4) Texting groups 5) Photo directory of the parents and kids, so we can learn each other's names 6) Bulletin board at the gym 7) News letter / news flash / etc. (Monthly??)
Am I missing anything here? Do parents really use twitter? Is there a way to post a calendar or schedule on-line, or should we just stick with e-mail and text reminders of dates?
I'm also planning a couple of outings, and have started thinking of topics for the newsletter.
Help me make my obnoxious a-holerly successful.
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swamp
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Aug 8, 2012 10:21:55 GMT -5
Post by swamp on Aug 8, 2012 10:21:55 GMT -5
I believe you can attach a calendar to a facebook page, or start a website.
You need to purchase those big foam #1 hand thingies for the parents to wave at games. Those are the epitome of obnoxious asshole.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Aug 8, 2012 10:22:41 GMT -5
Post by Green Eyed Lady on Aug 8, 2012 10:22:41 GMT -5
All Booster Clubs need donations. Start compiling a list of business you can beg from. If you have a particular fund-raiser, send letters asking for donations of either money or merchandise. Silent auctions are a great way to raise money. And some businesses would much rather donate merchandise than money.
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thyme4change
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Aug 8, 2012 10:26:28 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 8, 2012 10:26:28 GMT -5
I'm really hoping someone else will take over the fundraising side of things. It is an odd group, because I don't think money is the primary issue. I think two or three families would love to spend a lot of time fundraising, but the rest of us would prefer to just write a check. I'm trying to think of things that would be a fun way to raise money - I like the silent auction idea. I have a couple of other ideas - but they seem like a lot of work for the amount of money that would be raised.
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Waffle
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Aug 8, 2012 10:33:56 GMT -5
Post by Waffle on Aug 8, 2012 10:33:56 GMT -5
I'm sorry, but I make it a policy to never help a-holes.
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thyme4change
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Aug 8, 2012 10:37:23 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 8, 2012 10:37:23 GMT -5
Would you help a dickwad?
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Green Eyed Lady
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Aug 8, 2012 10:39:57 GMT -5
Post by Green Eyed Lady on Aug 8, 2012 10:39:57 GMT -5
I'm really hoping someone else will take over the fundraising side of things. It is an odd group, because I don't think money is the primary issue. I think two or three families would love to spend a lot of time fundraising, but the rest of us would prefer to just write a check. I'm trying to think of things that would be a fun way to raise money - I like the silent auction idea. I have a couple of other ideas - but they seem like a lot of work for the amount of money that would be raised. There are lots of fun things you can do if you are willing to spend the time. Every organization I've belonged to have had about 100 members with ideas and 2 who are willing to do the work. Do you have a local golf course? Fund raising tourneys are fun and easy to organize. You can combine this with a silent auction. Also, find a retailer who will do printing/embroidery at a low cost and sell team apparel. You can set up a table and any event, including all sporting events. I've found the window sticker/logo things are popular. People can order their child's jersey number. You can get them printed at a fairly low cost. Most anything that says, "Look! My kid is in sports!" sells well. Organize a huge yard sale for the summer. Those are great fundraisers because the cost of doing it is zilch.
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Green Eyed Lady
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Aug 8, 2012 10:43:10 GMT -5
Post by Green Eyed Lady on Aug 8, 2012 10:43:10 GMT -5
Bake sales at sporting events are often well received also. Get your members to donate the goods. Again, everything you make is profit.
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thyme4change
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Aug 8, 2012 10:47:13 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 8, 2012 10:47:13 GMT -5
Actually - I like this one. I wonder if any of the parents golf. Our group is pretty small - about 20 parents, and our sport is expensive. So, I'm not overly excited about raising money from the parents in order to give back to the parents to lower the cost of the sport. We did have a garage sale, and raised $200. We only need to have 2 more before we can cover the cost of becoming a 501c3, and then we can really start fundraising. I think the best way to raise money would be to throw a meet. Even a small one could raise two or three thousand dollars - which would cover the cost of the team going to one or one and half other meets. I haven't really crunched the numbers - but it makes the most sense. It is the easiest way to get money from **other people** not just friends and family.
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thyme4change
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Aug 8, 2012 10:49:19 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 8, 2012 10:49:19 GMT -5
Besides fundraising - any other ideas on how you like to get information from sports teams / schools / clubs, etc? I know one group uses Shutterfly, while others just send e-mails, etc. What do your groups use?
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swamp
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Aug 8, 2012 10:52:07 GMT -5
Post by swamp on Aug 8, 2012 10:52:07 GMT -5
Besides fundraising - any other ideas on how you like to get information from sports teams / schools / clubs, etc? I know one group uses Shutterfly, while others just send e-mails, etc. What do your groups use? the Kiwanis little league baseball and peewee football and minor hockey all have websites. The city runs a rec program and they have both a website and facebook.
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Waffle
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Aug 8, 2012 11:05:23 GMT -5
Post by Waffle on Aug 8, 2012 11:05:23 GMT -5
I'm not involved in any kid related groups. But the groups I have been involved weren't terribly hi-tech. They used emails. Whatever a person was responsible for - they needed to email the information to everyone else - minutes, meeting reminders, etc.
Another group used phone lists - the group was broken up into smaller groups and if there was something everyone needed to know the "phone people" had to call everyone on their individual list to make sure that everyone in the smaller group was told.
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Great
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Aug 8, 2012 11:07:34 GMT -5
Post by Great on Aug 8, 2012 11:07:34 GMT -5
The school DS attended raised money mostly through the students for booster club. The parents were asked once a year to become supporting members of the booster club with an annual membership donation fee of $35. then the list of supporters would be listed on programs at special events. eta.. there was close to 100% participation of school families for this one in DS grade level every year. The kids would have bake sales after school, in the winter they would set up a hot chocalate stand by the front entry of the school, they would have after school movie day once a month and charge a buck for admission to get into the gym and would serve popcorn and drinks that were donated by parents or local businesses. On Valentine's Day, birthdays, just an acknowledgement to a fave teacher etc.. they would put together a candy gram and sell/take orders a few days before the holiday and then the kids would deliver to the recipients before school to first hour classes, these were priced anywhere from $1-3.00. At the begining of the year they would take orders for 'spirit logo wear' usually t-shirts, gym shorts. For Earth Day they would sell CFL's, t-shirts and other eco friendly stuff that I can't remember everything.
Every time Booster Club had a sale event they would have a contest for students to make posters that were put up in the hallways, by the entry doors etc.. (the poster contest was just a way of getting the students involved, no real prize other than their poster was given first place for design etc.)
eta... twice a year there was a casino night held for the kids with an entrance fee and open to all students at the school, donated items were auctioned off at the end of the night with their winnings ... this was huge fundraiser and the kids loved it. Parents were notified by mail requesting donations of popular items or a cash/check donation and one of the organizers would go buy prizes.
another thing that made it easy for parents to participate, there was a link in the emails to the website that was set up to take donations by credit card.
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2kids10horses
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Aug 8, 2012 18:40:14 GMT -5
Post by 2kids10horses on Aug 8, 2012 18:40:14 GMT -5
You need to purchase those big foam #1 hand thingies for the parents to wave at games. Those are the epitome of obnoxious asshole. Oh, no, Swamp. Cowbells. Definately more cowbell.
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973beachbum
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Aug 8, 2012 18:46:33 GMT -5
Post by 973beachbum on Aug 8, 2012 18:46:33 GMT -5
I'm really hoping someone else will take over the fundraising side of things. It is an odd group, because I don't think money is the primary issue. I think two or three families would love to spend a lot of time fundraising, but the rest of us would prefer to just write a check. I'm trying to think of things that would be a fun way to raise money - I like the silent auction idea. I have a couple of other ideas - but they seem like a lot of work for the amount of money that would be raised. I highly reccomend the bakeless cake sale! No dirty dishes, cleanup, trips to the grocerystore to buy expensive baked good because you forgot to make them, and no extra calories in the kitchen tempting you. ;D "A bit of news we have today... A BAKELESS BAKE SALE is on the way. In these busy days, who wants to bake, A pie or cookies or even a cake.
You’d be surprised if you counted the cost, of ingredients, heat, and the time you’ve lost. Baking for sales is extra work. Yet nobody really wants to shirk.
So we’ve thought of a plan that’s really grand, and feel quite sure you’ll understand. In an envelope, if you like, please include the price... of a pie or cake or anything nice.
Without fuss or bother, you’ve done your part. We hope you’ll give with a willing heart. Wishing success for our BAKELESS BAKE SALE, This is the end of our little tale."
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Green Eyed Lady
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Aug 8, 2012 18:47:56 GMT -5
Post by Green Eyed Lady on Aug 8, 2012 18:47:56 GMT -5
Thyme? I gave you all kinds of suggestions you didn't ask for. My apologies. Your thread was about communication and not fund raising. I guess I wasn't concentrating much today.
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milee
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Aug 8, 2012 18:56:37 GMT -5
Post by milee on Aug 8, 2012 18:56:37 GMT -5
Thyme, one of the organization I'm involved with does an online calender, I think it's done through Google Calendar. It allows defined users to make updates but anyone from the group can access it to see it. The organization also links to it on their website.
See if you can find that function and if not, let me know and I'll ask the web guy what he does and how.
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Deleted
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Aug 8, 2012 19:00:28 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 19:00:28 GMT -5
Our homeschool group uses meet-up with great success... It does have a cost associated, i'm nnot sure if you would use it enough to make it worthwhile ? We love it...
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Deleted
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Aug 8, 2012 23:27:07 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 23:27:07 GMT -5
You need a participation contract for the boosters if the activity group does not already have one. It communicates the participation or financial expectations as well as a boosters code of conduct ;D
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Aug 9, 2012 10:05:55 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 9, 2012 10:05:55 GMT -5
We've been at the kids' sports thing for a long time. Here are some of my experiences:
1. I am an old fogey. I don't do Facebook, and even if I did, it's not something that I would check if my days were busy. So, for me, emails or even texts work best for practice/game reminders, etc.
2. If you create a website, it MUST be kept up-to-the-minute or you'll lose big-time credibility and face all kinds of whining.
3. Most of the teams my kids have been on have used 3rd party team management websites: TeamSnap, ActiveLeague, etc. That way, coaches or team parents can easily communicate to ALL parents at ONCE. The 3rd party sites also have team member only access to things such as rosters (to arrange carpooling, etc.), schedules, announcements, etc. Some have a small fee for use.
4. I don't personally have much use for anything beyond the scheduling and roster info from groups like this. Some of my kids' teams have been hugely food centric and organized amazing buffet spreads for weekend-long tournaments, etc. But, I'm the parent with the kids with those PITA food allergies, so I didn't care too much about the food. Sure, we contributed water and sports drinks and brought our sun canopy and folding table, but from the outside, the buffets looked a little too extravagant for a bunch of teenage boys. So, just tell me where my kid needs to be and when and give me contact info for other team members and I'll get my kid there or arrange for a ride. Sure, I'll buy some team spirit stuff. But, then I'm done. Oh, and if instead of parents contributing food/snacks you are going to have it catered/bring in takeout, etc. before/after games on a regular basis, put the parent contribution toward the expense of that food into the darn team fee. Don't tell me it costs $XXX to play and then hit me up for $XXX for food for the season. I like to know all of the costs up-front.
5. Team fundraising just pisses me off to no end because we pay really high fees for our kids to play on both school and private club teams. If you want new uniforms/equipment or to travel to some distant tournament, build it into the fee and tell me upfront before tryouts how much this whole thing is going to cost me. I don't want/need raffle tickets, crappy cookie dough or candy bars, or such. And I DON"T want to have to sell any of that stuff either. Just build it into the darn team fee and then I can decide whether or not I can afford for my kid to play on the team or not.
As always, YMMV.
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giramomma
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Aug 9, 2012 11:37:21 GMT -5
Post by giramomma on Aug 9, 2012 11:37:21 GMT -5
Besides fundraising - any other ideas on how you like to get information from sports teams / schools / clubs, etc? I know one group uses Shutterfly, while others just send e-mails, etc. What do your groups use? We had to use shutterfly for my kid's school last year. It was OK. I was more annoyed that I had to sign up for yet another site (that I don't use). Is there anyway to send out an informal survey to the parents to see if most of them have google accounts? If I were you, I'd probably just keep everything in Google, just for the simplicity of having to log into one spot to get all the info you need. Is there a compelling reason why you need a photo directory of the kids and parents? Do you intend to get permission to use photos, especially if they are posted online somewhere?
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swamp
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Aug 9, 2012 11:40:04 GMT -5
Post by swamp on Aug 9, 2012 11:40:04 GMT -5
Amen, sister.
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saveinla
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Aug 9, 2012 11:41:42 GMT -5
Post by saveinla on Aug 9, 2012 11:41:42 GMT -5
email, facebook and website, but we have a person who does all 3 and is constantly updating everything with latest data.
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973beachbum
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Aug 9, 2012 11:49:32 GMT -5
Post by 973beachbum on Aug 9, 2012 11:49:32 GMT -5
Team fundraising just pisses me off to no end because we pay really high fees for our kids to play on both school and private club teams. If you want new uniforms/equipment or to travel to some distant tournament, build it into the fee and tell me upfront before tryouts how much this whole thing is going to cost me. I don't want/need raffle tickets, crappy cookie dough or candy bars, or such. And I DON"T want to have to sell any of that stuff either. Just build it into the darn team fee and then I can decide whether or not I can afford for my kid to play on the team or not.
The problem is that with some sports or activities it would end up pricing most people out. If my DD's marching band didn't fund raise it would cost about $5K a student, not including the instrument or it's upkeep. Maybe you could afford that but I sure couldn't and I bet the band would be reduced to a quartet.
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Chocolate Lover
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Aug 9, 2012 11:57:36 GMT -5
Post by Chocolate Lover on Aug 9, 2012 11:57:36 GMT -5
Team fundraising just pisses me off to no end because we pay really high fees for our kids to play on both school and private club teams. If you want new uniforms/equipment or to travel to some distant tournament, build it into the fee and tell me upfront before tryouts how much this whole thing is going to cost me. I don't want/need raffle tickets, crappy cookie dough or candy bars, or such. And I DON"T want to have to sell any of that stuff either. Just build it into the darn team fee and then I can decide whether or not I can afford for my kid to play on the team or not. The problem is that with some sports or activities it would end up pricing most people out. If my DD's marching band didn't fund raise it would cost about $5K a student, not including the instrument or it's upkeep. Maybe you could afford that but I sure couldn't and I bet the band would be reduced to a quartet. Really? What on earth are they doing, spackling themselves in gold? Marching band, even with a trip, cost me about $900 last year. Of course that was the 1st semester only and we did fundraise (it started before school did) but I could have begged and borrowed to get that much together and I'm fairly broke (by YM standards )
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thyme4change
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Aug 9, 2012 12:07:41 GMT -5
Post by thyme4change on Aug 9, 2012 12:07:41 GMT -5
I'm usually more like this - but the problem is that this group doesn't do any emailing on anything - so last year, we would get information Friday at 8 pm, saying we needed to be somewhere Saturday at 6:30 - and that somewhere was an hour away. Or, we would find out on Thursday that the Sunday activity was moved to Saturday night - oh shit - I'm throwing a party Saturday night - not I have 48 hours to find someone to drive my kid, but we don't have a phone list, and I haven't met all the parents. So, basically, I'm sick of their disorganized bullshit, and I'm going to take over, set up a system, do it right and show them that it isn't impossible. I'm doing this to prove my superiority, not because I'm into it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 12:14:01 GMT -5
Meetup does all those things... Schedule a deadline or event and the site sends out all the emails and reminders itself... Little updating
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973beachbum
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Aug 9, 2012 12:19:32 GMT -5
Post by 973beachbum on Aug 9, 2012 12:19:32 GMT -5
Team fundraising just pisses me off to no end because we pay really high fees for our kids to play on both school and private club teams. If you want new uniforms/equipment or to travel to some distant tournament, build it into the fee and tell me upfront before tryouts how much this whole thing is going to cost me. I don't want/need raffle tickets, crappy cookie dough or candy bars, or such. And I DON"T want to have to sell any of that stuff either. Just build it into the darn team fee and then I can decide whether or not I can afford for my kid to play on the team or not. The problem is that with some sports or activities it would end up pricing most people out. If my DD's marching band didn't fund raise it would cost about $5K a student, not including the instrument or it's upkeep. Maybe you could afford that but I sure couldn't and I bet the band would be reduced to a quartet. Really? What on earth are they doing, spackling themselves in gold? Marching band, even with a trip, cost me about $900 last year. Of course that was the 1st semester only and we did fundraise (it started before school did) but I could have begged and borrowed to get that much together and I'm fairly broke (by YM standards ) Well they travel to all the football games, they had to get new uniforms for the band plus the color guard. The band has some equipment like instraments, mich's and sound systems, bussing for all 200 of them plus equipment, upkeep on the equipment. Then they took a couple of trips. ETA if it was just $900 I would have just written the check also.
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Wizard of Id
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Aug 9, 2012 12:59:01 GMT -5
Post by Wizard of Id on Aug 9, 2012 12:59:01 GMT -5
Sorry but I hate all this rah rah kumbaya shit.... let me pay my money, get my kids to practices and games and keave me the fuck alone... Email me on what I need to know but don't expect me to respond and actively participate.... ETA: a website is awesome as long as it is up to date to the minute with important info For the amount of time I would spend doing this I can make a heck of a lot more money and avoid the aggravation.
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973beachbum
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Aug 9, 2012 13:39:45 GMT -5
Post by 973beachbum on Aug 9, 2012 13:39:45 GMT -5
Sorry but I hate all this rah rah kumbaya shit.... let me pay my money, get my kids to practices and games and keave me the fuck alone... Email me on what I need to know but don't expect me to respond and actively participate.... ETA: a website is awesome as long as it is up to date to the minute with important info For the amount of time I would spend doing this I can make a heck of a lot more money and avoid the aggravation. How? Don't you have a job that pays a salary like the rest of us? I don't do these things instead of working and I don't get paid more from work even if I work more hours. So I can't just bag the fundraising and make more money. My only choice is to pay the money out of my salary or fundraise to help pay for it. I do think people are underestimating how much these costs would go up if fundraising was eliminated. I agree that if it was a couple hundred I would agree. But after being in the bad boosters I now know it would be nowhere near that amount.
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