[MikeDubreuil]

I agree that it would be unprofessional to ask for recognition if you donated money. However, it creates an even weirder situation if the sponsor is not recognized because there is an assumption that some advertisement will come from the donation.

When I was younger I played town league hockey. My team was called Pumpernickel Pub. A local bar sponsored us. Their sponsorship bought us ice time, some equipment and team jerseys. The team jerseys were green and did say Pumpernickel Pub on them. We were known as “Pumpernickel Pub” and we would have thought it absurd to not have it any other way.

From as long as I can remember if I was involved in a group or club that was not for profit we would acknowledge those who donated generously. FIRST is no different.

The FIRST robotics competition has sponsors too. In fact we see their advertisement every time we go to a competition on the black wall next to the video screen. Why doesn’t Woodie Flowers the man who pioneered gracious professionalism, not allow sponsor banners? It’s simple, he knows those sponsors expect some form of advertisement or come next year their pockets could become shallower.

The donations Chief Delphi could receive will significantly reduce the cost to the team. This is important because CD.com has become a tool to every FIRST team, not just a Chief Delphi forum. In acknowledging it’s sponsors, ChiefDelphi.com can very easily recognize their donators with a special button or donations points with virtually zero cost.

The question boils down to, should CD.com recognize donators. Woodie has shown us that it is not ungracious to recognize sponsors. I say, if it doesn’t cost much and is fairly simple to implement, why not?