[Chief Hedgehog]

I don't know who your coach is, but he/she definitely placed you on the best path for your team's rookie season by attending a regional before you begin.

As a team that has competed in the last two seasons - here is the advice I would slip you to help the process. (It definitely helped us)

1. Get a hold of your state's organizers and get them on board immediately with your team. We did this (here in MN we have a great FRC community) and rally them to your cause.

2. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce/Manufacturers association and ask if your team could present at their upcoming meetings or conferences. Contact your local paper and find a field reporter that would be willing to cover your endeavor. Invite your school's administration to the meeting(s). Polish the presentation, bring in state reps from FRC, and knock their socks off with stats and figures. And then ask them to help with mentoring, organization, and sponsorship.

3. Get your ducks in a row early. Starting as soon as possible get the funding in place. Apply for FRC first year sponsorships, organize a few fundraisers to get the cash in-flow moving.

4. Find a reseller/scrap yard/wholesaler that deals in all things industrial - it is a cheap way to gain structural material (like 8020 components).

5. Build a skateboard/drive deck/platform as soon as you can afford to and start planning your drive train asap. You most likely won't have access to 2015's new RoboRio - so having the CAD plans or a workable deck ready will be paramount. Just keep the FRC notes on pre-season build on hand.

6. Get the superfluous items off your list early (member sign up, logo, website, shirts, parent organization, etc.). Having this done will free up a lot of time during the build season.

7. Get in touch with well-established local teams (again, thank you 1816 and 3023) and ask for help.

8. Attend a pre-regional event.

9. Set the bar high and expect that your team will have a lot of failures during the build season - but strive for nothing short of the best.

10. If you need more help, please contact FRC 4607 if you need any other pointers... we are more than willing to help your team where we can - so many have done the same for us!

GOOD LUCK!