This is my first time as a team mom. What are my responsibilities?

• Each league is different but here is a list of the duties most often required of the team mom.
• Collecting money from parents and players and forms for a fundraiser. Attend the Team Mom meeting to turn in money collected from fundraiser.
• Collecting money from parents and players and forms for pictures.
• Collecting money from parents and players and buying gifts for the coaches at the end of the season.
• Decide where and what type of team party the team will have after the season. See the notes below concerning team parties.
• Copying and distributing practice and game schedules.

What duties would it be better for the coach to perform rather than the team mom?

• Start the phone tree in case of changes in practice time or location or cancellation of games or practices.

What will I get in return?

• You will get to be part of the team. I have always felt that the team mom should receive a team trophy just like the coaches.
• You will get the coaches' undying devotion.
• You may get a small gift at the end of the year.
• Your child will get to see a real role model in action. It is important that we show our children that you don't always do something in order to receive a reward.

Is there anything else I will have to do?

• As a general rule nothing else is really expected of you. In some cases the team mom will take up a collection of enough money to provide drinks or Popsicles after each practice. In the summer almost anything cold will work.
• You may become a lightning rod for comments about the coach or coaches but this is not part of the team mom job description so don't put yourself in the position of a go-between the parents and the coaches. You are a team mom not the team manager.

What kind of gift is the team expected to give to the the coaches after the season?

• That varies from league to league but most coaches do not expect anything of excessive value and would probably be embarrassed if an expensive gift was given them. A sentimental or unique gift which reminds them of the team is best. Some of the best gifts are: framed pictures of the team, a ball, plaque or picture autographed by all the team members, or a small trophy. If you ask the coach's wife or husband most would prefer a gift certificate for a meal at a nice restaurant. And who's to say that the feelings of the spouse of the coach shouldn't be considered since they sacrificed as much as the coach in most cases.

• There is no rule that the team mom must be a female. There have been plenty of team dads in recent years who have done a good job just as there have been plenty of female coaches who have excelled in what was primarily a male coach's role in the past.
• Do not let yourself become a babysitter at practices or games or a taxi service for parents who can not get their children to games or practices.
  In today's litigious society you should also be sure that you are not alone with any child that is not your own. Always have a second adult on hand.
• Stay organized. Be sure to have a calendar available for team dates as parents will often call and ask for time and dates of games or practices since they have lost their own schedule.
• If you are giving a hand-out to players at practice be sure to write the name of the player on the top of the page. By doing that you will be sure that everyone gets a copy and there are no questions when a parent later complains that you did not give a copy to their child. At younger ages it makes sense to place the hand-out or envelope directly in the parent's hands when possible.
• There is a website that allows you to order Team Mom Handbook and Software. Several excerpts are shown here at http://teammom.net/excerpt.htm