Club encourages Outlaw spirit

There are some folks in town who think that what Sisters needs is a fresh infusion of Outlaw spirit. And they're doing something about it. The Outlaw Booster Club, a registered non-profit organization, is up and rolling as Sisters heads into the fall season of school activities.

The club is comprised of parents, alumni, coaches, teachers, administrators and community members dedicated to support of all co-curricular activities k-12.

President Brett Hudson told The Nugget that he loves the "romance" of a small town rallying around its school programs - and he and others have seen that romance fade a bit in recent years.

"Stands were half-full when they used to be standing-room-only," he said.

The booster club founders started meeting last fall to brainstorm ways to "bring back a culture we felt had diminished in Sisters," Hudson said.

In the spirit of getting folks together, the Outlaw Booster Club plans to "officially" kick off the school year with a pre-game barbecue at the Sisters High School Outlaws football game on Friday, September 13. Game-time is 7 p.m. and the club is encouraging fans to come out early (starting at about 5:30 p.m.), to enjoy some tri-tip sandwiches and socialize with friends.

The club emphasizes that it plans to build support for all co-curricular activities, not just sports. But while it gets its feet under itself, the club is going to concentrate its efforts on the bigger sporting activities.

"We'll focus on the major sports to start with and go from their," said board member Pam Mitchell.

Community members who don't have a direct connection to the schools are encouraged to get in the spirit. Communication is a key mission, Mitchell said, "so that folks who don't have kids actually know about the games."

The Outlaw Booster Club will engage in some fundraising activities. Hudson said they'd like to be able to purchase banners to hang on downtown light poles and ultimately to be able to offer scholarships. But Hudson said that the club is aware of efforts to consolidate fundraising from programs and isn't trying to compete. He said the club believes their most effective way to raise revenue for programs is to "create a spirited atmosphere to fill the stands."

Mitchell said the real focus is on "fun-raising" so that those who contribute to the Outlaws "actually feel they are part of something instead of just (being) the revenue source."

Business owners in particular are invited to participate in activities.

For more information on membership and activities, email [email protected]