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Originally Posted by JosephM
Couldn't agree more, but be carefull about this RINOS thingie you are doing. Here in Virginia we had a huge team growth in 2000-2002. Now, our economy, especially our tech industries, have tanked. One of our two major sponsors tanked, atleast a few teams are having troubles here. Just a warning, what might seem like a great gracious idea to spread FIRST can turn around and start sucking money out of other teams, and even each of the new teams. Use caution grasshopper, for the one you feed might bite your hand latter.
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Joseph-
We know of the situation in the Va region and the problems with sponsors and the economy. Unlike some of the regions, the NJ region has never really had a single, big corporate benefactor to start new teams and each team has had to scramble to find a sponsor. There is generally enough industry in the Garden State to handle it and we work hard to recruit new sponsors as part of the initiatives. Ultimately we would like to have a set of ready money sources and tech sponsors to hook up with schools and form new teams. The RINOS group acts as big brothers to walk them through their first season. My team mentored last season and found it a lot of fun. We even have some very generous adult mentors from NJ teams who work as free lance consultants starting new teams.
Oddly, we have approached at least three schools in the last year who had the money and tech sponsor offered to them and who turned down the opportunity because they couldn't find a teacher willing to put in the time to make a team run. TEACHERS (of whom I am one) seem to be the limiting factor here in NJ. Sometimes they make me pretty mad.
So this year we sent out personal invitrations to the regional to 600 hand picked science and math teachers. They were researched by several sophomore students through hard work and internet hunting. If they see the competition they want to be a part of it. We'll see if the seeds planted will take root.
We'll make them see the light eventually but for now if we get 6-10 per year it is a good thing.
Remember, we see the fun and benefit of FIRST. Some folks need a little kick.
WC