[Chris Fultz]

suggestions form someone who helps decide where to send the money for Rolls-Royce....

1. Explain the total program and focus on more than just building a robot. Talk about learning teamwork, learning to solve problems, learning to speak in front of a group, etc. Have a flyer that you can leave with them.

2. Don't dwell on travel and the great places you get to go. Many companies have restricted travel funds for their employees and would not get real excited about giving you a bunch of money just to go to Florida.

3. Find out what the company does and try to make a link to your program. Show them how their business or industry can benefit from being involved. Find a champion within the company and get them excited about the program. Someone on the inside can really help make things happen.

4. Be prepared and if the company cannot offer money, maybe they can offer some other support. Know what they do and how it could help your team. Maybe they have scrap materials that your team would love to have. Maybe they have a PR person who would be willing to edit your Chairman's entry. Sometimes, this low level support can grow into something big.

5. Follow-Up. Send thank-you notes. Send a team picture. Acknowledge their support and make them feel like without them, your team would not be successful.

6. Stay away from companies that are already sponsoring another local team, unless the local team tells you it is OK in advance. You do not want a reputation of stealing away sponsors.

7. Be winners. And I am not refering to competition winners. Be positive in your community. Try to get local press. Do car washes and demos at schools and get seen. Companies like to be associated with positive programs.

8. On the flip side - be sure your team stays out of trouble. The last thing a sponsor wants is to be linked to a team that makes negative headlines.

9. Ask if there is something the team can do to help them. Do they have a company picnic that you could help serve food? Can you do a demo at some event they are involved in? Make it a win / win.