Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

A student member of the team has a link to a local brewery they also handle soda and energy drinks. I'm mixed on the idea and image of them as a sponsor. What's your opinions?

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Many teams are sponsored by defense contractors who make weapons and other items that aren't aren't just pretty wall decorations.

If a local brewery/beverage company would like to financially donate to your team and invest in your students go for it.

For me, I would raise questions if they are doing something that is illegal or their name/branding has language/symbols that would be offensive.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

I would check with your school board. They may not be happy with the sponsorship. Don't be surprised if some parents object.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

This would be my thought process:

STEP 1: Does your youth organization have something to say about it?
STEP 2: Is the brewery okay with a non-beer corporate name or one of the soda brands as the sponsor?
STEP 3: If the answers are no and yes respectively, accept it and send a thank you card.

A team about 20 minutes from where I lived in South Carolina got sponsored by FN Manufacturing--the company that makes military-issue assault rifles.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Great points to ponder. Thanks for the fast responses

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

One other addition: this kind of stuff shouldn't be new to an alcohol company. It's a settled issue in NASCAR, where there are drivers that are under 21. (Those drivers also run "21 Means 21" contingency sponsor stickers in lieu of the usual Coors Light pole sticker.)

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

One thing that could help (assuming your inclination is to take them as a sponsor) is to separate two elements, accepting money from a brewery and how the team advertises the sponsor, as is typical in FRC.

Yes, there are some folks that would be strongly opposed to any interaction due to personal beliefs surrounding alcohol. However, breweries and other food production facilities have increasingly large amount of process control, automation, etc... and they employ many STEM professionals.

However, as Billfred alluded to, I would not want to be seen as advertising alcohol at a high school robotics competition, whether directly or indirectly. You might be able to use this to your advantage to strike a middle ground. "We would love to have XYZ Brewery as a sponsor, but are unable to advertise alcohol or use the word brewery on our promotional material, would it be ok if we advertise an individual non-alcohol product as thanks for your sponsorship?"

If you strike that deal up front, it might help settle any concerns from folks that hear "brewery sponsorship" and jump to wild imagery of a pallet of beer showing up for Saturday lunches at build day and your team designing a still for SteamWorks. (which in a parallel universe, sounds pretty cool)

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Sounds like a good way to attract new mentors.

I think the brewery sponsorship can work great and be good for both your team and the brewery. But it is important that the Brewery understands what they can expect from you as a reciprocal relationship.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

It looks like most of this has been covered, but to wrap it all up in one list:

• Clear it through your parent organization(s) [school, 4-H, whatever] before going any farther.
• Work with the candidate sponsor to develop a message/plan which does not give the impression of promoting underage drinking. Put this agreement in writing.
• Be open with mentors and other stakeholders BEFORE signing the deal - this is one of those cases where, if a stakeholder has an issue, forgiveness is unlikely. Get permission/buy in.
• Review the materials as they come in and periodically. Have one of your stakeholders who was leery of the deal in on this. You may even want to start doing this with your other sponsors.
• Thank them!

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

In taking a look, I found (according to http://www.oai.org/firstbuckeye/teams.html), that team 870 is/was sponsored by a brewery (caveat, I have no relation to this team, and the brewery is not on their current sponsor list as shown on TBA).

Team 4293 lists Lone Tree Brewing Company as a $2500-$4999 sponsor.

So, there are a few teams which are sponsored by breweries.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

It looks like it was a charitable donation rather than a sponsorship and that it was a one off thing.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

As a school team, we cannot accept bars, alcohol, tobacco or gun dealers as sponsors.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Also casinos.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

What about defense contractors?

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Sounds like a slippery slope, a big defense company who build cruise missiles have built built weaponary that have caused the deaths of a lot more innocent people than your average gunshop.

Or what about sub-contractors who build parts like Rolls-Royce building engines for fighter jets.

Or what even about the USAF…

The gun dealers thing sounds a bit weird, but makes reasonable sense.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

A successful brewer will use science, technology and math to run efficiently and continue their success. I would see this as a means to inspire students on the team. Is that not what FIRST is all about?
I would listen to and do appreciate the input here, but for those who oppose this sponsor, put up or.... Fundraising is difficult, to have a connection to a sponsor who is willing and values the program, why find ways to discourage them.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Many companies that produce adult beverages fund their charitable donations through foundations. The Adolph Coors Foundation comes to mind immediately as one of the better known examples. I would inquire if the brewery in question has a foundation set up for donations.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Local micro-breweries won't have this. Some possible alternatives though:

-Drop "Brewery" or "Distillery" after the name and just provide the name of the company on shirts or whatever.
-Ask to put the name of the CEO or founder as the sponsor instead of the brewery... for smaller shops this is often good enough given where the money is coming from.
-Ask them if they don't mind putting "21 means 21" or "don't drink and drive" or "drink responsibly" or something like that along with their sponsorship... gives you something for outreach and safety while also netting a sponsor.

Personally, I think this is a brilliant idea and I think we may have some new sponsors soon. :)

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Ignoring the affects of alcohol for a minute, there is so much that you can use with a brewer to "sell" it to your school, parents, and other stakeholders. Bulk manufacturing technology, some seriously cool chemistry and biology, the affects of different transportation and distribution systems. If it were me, I would start by describing the company in those terms - "There's a company that wants to sponsor the team. They're involved with bulk manufacturing, chemistry, distribution, transportation." Then at the end, once people are saying "wow, sounds like a great fit!", "oh yeah, it's such-and-such brewery".

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Kind of bugs me that in this society, parents and schools will object to sponsorship by a brewery but not by weapons manufacturers. Personally, I believe the more sponsorship, the merrier. Just like weapons manufacturers don't encourage FIRST students to commit violence, brewery sponsors shouldn't encourage FIRST students to drink, etc.

I would ask relevant authorities, parents, etc. and then if you do get the sponsorship, try and downplay the brewery side of things. Just list them as a beverage company, partial company name, their side charity name, etc.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

While I perfectly understand the moral objections to defense contractors in a vacuum, I think there's a pretty obvious difference in terms of practical differences between a defense contractor and a brewery. A high school student isn't going to go over to his friends' house and launch a tomahawk missile, but they may go to a party and drink a beer. Alcohol consumption is related to every-day, concrete parenting issues, and it's understandable that educational institutions would have pretty serious reservations about suggesting the appearance of promoting alcohol consumption around minors.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Can they sponsor you in non-monetary ways? I'm not suggesting they donate their products (although I'm sure the mentors would appreciate it), but rather have one of their employees teach a workshop on one of the more STEM-focused topics involved in the brewing process. If one of the brewers who is familiar with setting up their equipment is familiar with P&ID's, they could hold a one-night workshop on that, which translates to design of pneumatic systems nicely. Heck, even a talk on the challenges of reliably producing a product that maintains a high standard fits into the requirements of a FIRST team.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

no they only ban things that can kill people

wait

crap

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

One other item to note is that some states have laws / regulations governing companies such as alcohol-producing companies, tobacco companies, etc., in terms of restrictions as to advertising directed towards youth or support / sponsorship of youth organizations.

The brewery is probably actually more aware of these laws / regulations than you are, but it would be a good thing to remind them of. You don't want to be in a situation where you encourage / ask a prospective sponsor to break a low in order to support your team.

These laws vary from state to state, so take the guidance you receive here with a grain of salt, as most of the rest of us aren't in your state.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Regardless of what you decide, you should totally get the brewery to give the mentors a free pint every now and then :)

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Depending on your youth organization's tolerance for it, you may be able to organize a tasting night fundraiser or something like that for the 21+ crowd. I forget who did that (MOE?), but I know there was a team that did this with a local establishment.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

I'll add one more bit to this discussion. Will your current sponsors object to a brewery being listed beside them as a team sponsor? Hopefully not, but I can understand if you have a sponsor with a religious affiliation, why they might object.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Yes, MOE (FRC 365)--but check your state laws.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

Your "average" gunshop?

I don't know any gunshops that have "caused" the number of deaths of any defense contractor that makes weapons.

this is a slippery slope discussion

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

So what would be the difference of a grocery store like Publix or Kroger sponsoring teams? They sell beer and wine. I think there are some restaurants that may sponsor teams that sell drinks. Walmart, Costco and Sams all sell beer and wine.

I see no issue as long as the school or sponsor of the teams charter says it is ok.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

I agree with your point; however, I can see a school board having a problem with it. It's all about the associations people make upon hearing the name of the sponsor. Alcohol isn't the first thing that pops into my mind when I hear Kroger (especially since grocery stores weren't allowed to sell alcohol in my state until recently), but alcohol is going to be the first thing that comes to the mind when someone mentions a brewery.

Re: Sponsor can we morally seek sponsorship from a brewery
 

We have a local brewing company that also bottles soda. I would love to solicit their support. But our team shirts would not be allowed to be worn in the schools if they had their logo on the back. Dress code violation to advertise alcoholic beverages.

I have a team member who has a family member who owns a liquor store. He offered to help the team but I politely declined because I imagine it would fall into the same category and could possibly upset other parents to see their child advertising the consumption of alcohol.

When I was in HS many years ago, my bus driver coached a dressage team. Anheuser Busch offered them a trailer, uniforms, and a full compliment of tack. The parents (of all people) complained that their underage kids were advertising for a beer company.

Defense contractors might be OK as long as their logo doesn't contain the image of a firearm. That is the language of the school dress code - 'image of a weapon'.

So, good luck to you.

G