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Originally Posted by JB987
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Regarding the largess of casinos and hotels...of course we approach them constantly but have never been able to get them to contribute a dime because every one of them channel their charity dollars into causes that help the down trodden and less fortunate residents of our area (more social good- will bang for the buck than helping to finance an event that serves well fed and educated students).
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All of the local FIRST students cannot be from well-fed, perfect homes with household incomes above the poverty line. A first-hand story or two on how FIRST has personally changed their outcome in life would be great if the teams can get a meeting with the right person/people.
I'm wondering what the sales pitch is that is turning them off from listening/seeing how FIRST positively impacts the disadvantaged youth in the community and lifts them out of the endless cycle. How and what are the teams/planning committee doing when you approach the hotels/casinos?
Have the LVR Teams/planning committee sent disadvantaged current students and FIRST alumni from various teams set up meetings to give the sales pitch(s) to the casino/hotel donation decision makers on how FIRST has helped them break the cycle of homelessness/poverty/abuse/etc. or are there just flyers that are handed out to the business office soliciting for money? Are there FIRST Teams from the most economically disadvantaged areas represented in statistics/data on a one-sheet double-sided color flyer that the business office can keep and is it making it to the right person? How many alumni/parents are employed by the casinos/hotels? Is that included on the flyer? Is it stated that LV is about to lose this great Regional and its teams due to lack of sponsors? Loss of the event also impacts hotel room sales and spending in the local area.
BTW, We have lost around 72 teams since 2003 and currently have 68. Some are due to lack of funding, others are due to lack of mentors. Sustainability vs. growth.