[AZDevilRobot]

Hey Everyone! AZDevilRobot here from team 4111 Peace Love Robots.

My team is only 3 years old and while we may not be technically rookies, our team just received a new advisor (our old one left our school) and thus are making several changes based off experience.

Here are the changes we are making and ones we (and most teams) should have been doing since our inagural year:

1. Inventory!
We could not find anything in a crowded closet and even if we did find something, we couldn't find it again. We also bought several items multiple times because we thought we did not have it. Teams need to keep track of what they have and use.

2. Sponsors!
Our first year we had lots of money from a NASA rookie grant which covered us for our first two years. However, that and JCPenney were are only sponsors for the first two years. This year, we barely covered registration with remaining money. Luckily, we are still looking for sponsors. Teams need money or can't compete.

3. Structure!
Teams can't function with everyone doing whatever they want. Our past two years we had no agenda, deadlines or game plan. Everyone came in and either did too much work or not enough. This year, we have teams assigned to sections of the robot and leaders of the teams that meet to make sure the various parts connect. Everybody will be doing something at all times.

In closing, if you do these three things and the other tips in this forum from day one, you will be successful. Good luck and to anybody from Arizona in this forum, we'll see you at the regionals!