[Beth Sweet]

Hi Dori,

Step 1: Get on your school board's good side. They will not help you if they don't like you. This can be accomplished by things like asking to bring your robot to a meeting, inviting them to practices/competitions, etc (you get the idea). Make sure that on your robot and at competitions you advertise loud and proud just which school you're with. Just like sponsors, schools like recognition.

Step 2: Find out the requirements for varsity sports to get letters. Do you have to be on the team one year, two? Do you have to make some specific accomplishment (5 home runs, etc)? It's only fair that the robotics team have these same requirements (obviously tweaked a bit if it's a specific requirement) if they intend to get the same reward.

Step 3: First, have 1-2 team individuals speak with a school board member in private and let them know that your team would be interested in presenting this possibility to the school board. (surprises of this nature are not typically well received) Ask if there would be any objections or problems with the idea and try to work out all issues before presenting to the board.

Step 4: Take it to the board! Bring your whole team to the meeting, decked out in 007 gear. Have one team representative speak but make sure it is obvious that the entire team's thoughts reflect this individual's.

Past that Dori, the one's who will probably give you a stink are the sports team leaders. I find that some of them don't like "other groups" getting letters, they think it should only be athletic. At my high school, robotics, varsity show choirs, drama, quiz bowl and other groups were able to attain letters. It's all in how you present yourself and present your case.

Good luck hun!