Recruiting a Polytechnic

[lemiant]

Hi Guys,

I have been looking around for machine shop sponsors and have set my sights on SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) Polytechnic. They have some really nice shops, and are close enough to our school that we could use them during the hardcore machining period (final fix ups would probably be done at the school). I don't intend to station the team there, but I do would like to send a number of kids trained in CNC over to fabricate many of the CADed parts.

So now to my question, how do you approach an organization like SAIT? What kind of things do I need to highlight for them?

Thanks,

- Alex

[EricH]

I'm not entirely certain that's a machine shop sponsor--that sounds like a university sponsor. Because of that, you need a different approach than you'd use for a machine shop.

For a machine shop, you'd go with the advertising and skill display line of persuasion; you'd also discuss possibly having students come in if they were interested in learning machining. Your best bet for a contact would be the shop owner.

For a college/university, even if you're only after shop access, you'd want to start with an introduction to what FIRST is trying to do, and then explain that you'd like to utilize their shop technology for making parts, and would be willing to supply labor. Your best bet for a contact would be instructors in the department that runs the shop you're interested in, as well as university officials.

[RyanCahoon]

I'm not entirely certain that's a machine shop sponsor--that sounds like a university sponsor. Because of that, you need a different approach than you'd use for a machine shop.

For a college/university, even if you're only after shop access, ...

Expanding on this, also sell the fact that you're growing interest in science and technology in the students, and encouraging post-secondary education, and so you're generating potential students for them. When selling something (you're effectively selling your program), it's good to focus on potential benefits for the buyer. This will probably change depending on the person you're talking to; top-level officials will often times be more interested in the numbers, the instructors may be sold on simply supporting a STEM program (selling the "feel good" aspect).

[DonRotolo]

you're generating potential students for them.
That will sell well to the dean of the (engineering?) department (whoever controls the machine shop)