[Vivelation]

1) We usually have some sort of demonstration on the main quad at lunch, either a test of the products of a design challenge, or driving a previous robot around and showing what it can do. We also rely on word of mouth (members telling friends to join) and we put up flyers around school urging people to apply.

1a) To get everyone's creative brain fluids flowing, we have occasional design challenges, where the team is split up into several small groups, so people have more chances to spit out ideas. For brainstorming and robot ideas during build, we do the small group thing again, and ask each group to come up with a certain number of designs or strategies. When we're actually building, if there are any jobs to do (chances are, there are), and there's someone who has nothing to do, they have something to do! Yay! We also encourage people to sign up in the area they want to concentrate on, like programming.

2) Um... see #1. Also, on our applications, we get people to use their imagination in a seemingly impossible situation. Word of mouth is also really good in this case.

3) Not too sure about this one... We have a couple mentors, one of whom is our team advisor, but they're usually involved with mechanical stuff.

4) Giving presentations is always nice. Especially if you have a robot with you. One that doesn't attack any of your potential sponsors. Parents can help in this area as well, as they might know some more companies that you'll have missed. Plus, they can help you with what to say when tantalizing the businesses with your shiny 'bot.

5) You can always use post-season time for offseason competitions (test out new drivers and pit crew, maybe?) and if a large chunk of your team happens to be graduating, try to get some more shop (or programming, animation, etc.) experience into the rest of the members.

6) Advertise. A lot. Get your team out there. One way to get more students at your school to notice you is designate a day where you all wear your team uniform. Of course, having everyone on your team dye their hair your color doesn't hurt either, as people will wonder what's going on. If you hold a demonstration, definitely point out that it's more than techy stuff; an example could be Chairman's, since it's more based on outreach than technological things.

Good luck!