[Joe G.]

School financial systems can be difficult to work with for FRC, as they aren't used to the lightning speed at which purchases must be made after the team has decided what to buy. It's a large part of what lead 1687 to fold this year. It's well intended -- as a public agency they must protect themselves from misuse of funds, but it can be frustrating. I highly suggest trying to find a nonprofit partner to work with for financial management. My rookie team is set up with 4-H, and we've been very happy with the system they have. It's very much "make purchases now, and give us an audit to verify compliance later," rather than the other way around.

Short of that, become best friends with the people who are in charge of financial management at your school. Make sure they understand the constraints you operate under. Rather than forming an "us vs them" relationship where you're bugging them constantly to get work done, get them as excited about your program as you are, so they provide the support it needs.