Re: Team Funding
 

Sorry for the bad news, they're usually more lenient.

Re: Team Funding
 

Please keep in mind that if you do happen to not make the deadline, that doesn't mean your team will cease to exist forever. It would be totally reasonable to participate in a cheaper competition, such as VRC or FTC, for a season while you gather funds for 2015. These cheaper competitions still offer valuable engineering experience and a FRC-like game.

Another option to consider alongside an FTC / VRC team would be building a robot to compete in only off-season competitions. This could be done in the late spring after the regular season for much cheaper than FRC regionals, albeit without the value of the "full experience" of a build deadline, secret game, etc.

If you aren't in touch with your RD or FSM, definitely do that. Get out the phonebook and start soliciting sponsorship from local businesses. You need five $500 sponsors, or ten $250 sponsors, or 25 $100 sponsors... If you work really hard, you never know what's possible.

Re: Team Funding
 

What exactly did they say? You can also essentially take a loan from FIRST in Texas, I know this is possible in MAR in the event of an emergency. The main stipulation is that teams must pay back MAR otherwise it is unfair to other teams.

Other than what Chris said below, a risky way to go is to ask people to make temporary donations to pay registration, with a written agreement to be paid back by a certain date. These internal transactions must be very well documented and should be a last resort.

If you can't participate in FRC this year, it's really not the end of the world. :) plenty of other options as Chris stated.

Re: Team Funding
 

For the previous two years, 225 has relied on mentor credit/donations to fund ~$2500/year of robot components (i.e. we did not have money, so the mentors floated the debt for six months to a year or outright forgave it). I floated $1000 worth of Championship entry fee for several months until we found a second sponsor to help cover it after-the-fact. If the individuals on the team are passionate enough about it and willing to take the risk, the program WILL continue.

It wasn't until this year that we 'cracked the code' on fundraising, so we won't have to float expenses again next year. The way that works (for us, anyway) seems to be to a) start in May, b) Sell FIRST with a 'we want to get people involved' pitch as opposed to a 'we need money' pitch and c) Try to get into as many company meetings/festivals/events/etc as you can (we averaged about 1 every week and a half or so during the off-season this year). If you can inspire individuals in this way, the money WILL come.

Re: Team Funding
 

I will see whether or not we can get a loan from FIRST in Texas. Who will I need to contact in order to make that happen?

Re: Team Funding
 

Again, the first step is always to reach out to your FIRST Senior Mentor and your Regional Director.

Quoting Richard Sisk -
"Senior Mentor contacts
http://www.usfirst.org/community/vol...mentor-program

Regional Director contacts
http://www.usfirst.org/regional-contacts

And if all else fails contact:
frcteams@usfirst.org"

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FiTApp2013 - Texas Grant App - I suggest you call/email Benjamin Holquist immediately.

FIRST in Texas Grant Administrator
bholquist@skillpointalliance.org
(512)814-3255

Please make sure your mentors are the ones making communications with the people involved. Keep everyone in the loop.

Also, look back at Ben's advice. If a few folks can float the bill temporarily, this will be much easier on the team as a whole. However, you must be very diligent in raising funds to pay back the people floating the money.

Re: Team Funding
 

I have to agree with Chris. If you got a couple grand in money, you could run a very successful VRC or FTC robotics season. My team is still trying to implement another robotics competition to compliment FRC. we feel like we are missing a key component. Perhaps this way you can grow your team with a strong base with VRC/FTC. We noted that programs like these give you great benefits. I hope we can implement a program for next year. Right now we see a desire for students to work in a small team, likely made up of their friends. Typically its senior students who want to try different things that they normally would not have time for during the FRC season. Secondly, we need a system to transition younger students into the robotics team, and competitions like these would be great for that. Lastly, they look like fun.

I guess I am always relating stuff to high school sports. Often with a school adds a new sport, it will start at a JV level and once the program gain momentum, it will move to varsity level.

Its no fun not having enough money to build what you want, its worse if you can build what you need. I think being in VRC/FTC will be a much more positive experience with the monetary resources you currently have.

Re: Team Funding
 

What email did you send your extension request to?

Re: Team Funding
 

I sent the request to ar@usfirst.org

Re: Team Funding
 

I applied for the FIRST in Texas grant. What exactly should we tell the FIRST in Texas Grant Administrator?

Re: Team Funding
 

Your situation. Tell him you need a "loan" to pay your fee tomorrow and that your team will repay it by a certain date. Ask him what can be done.

If your team is having such a hard time dealing with this crisis situation, I think you are way better off doing VEX or FTC this season, as Chris said. In your time off, get your team's fundraising act together. Talk about building a robot to play in offseason events all over Texas. Discuss how to build the proper foundation needed to run a sustainable FRC team.

Re: Team Funding
 

Texas Robot Roundup - Austin
Houston Robot Remix - Houston
Red Stick Rumble - Baton Rouge, LA

I'm sure there are others but there are at least 3 in the general area

Re: Team Funding
 

Team 4063 would like to graciously offer FRC Team #4301 (New Tech Narcissists) a $2500 loan. Please let us know how we need to go about doing this. I would imagine we can call FIRST Finance and pay on your behalf, be we both might want to call them and check tomorrow. We can work on repayment details later, we just want to make sure you get registered for the Hub City Regional.


Sincerely,

Mr. B

Re: Team Funding
 

Wow this is true Gracious Professionalism!

Re: Team Funding
 

Now that's cool.