[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

At the end of 2008, FIRST was holding more than $14 million in cash and cash equivalent quick assets. This was an increase of about $4.5 million from 2007. Perhaps they could spend down $5 million in each of the next two years to reduce costs to FRC, FTC and FLL teams. In 2008, FIRST collected more than $14.4 million in program registration fees. If they had spent down their cash by $5 million, they could cut registration fees by a third. That would help everyone, and not wipe out FIRST's cash reserves. This can't go on forever, however, since corporate giving to FIRST will inevitably decline at the same time giving drops to the teams.

This is very interesting.
However, I dont forsee FIRST dropping registration fees. If their goal is to continually expand reaching more teams in more countries, then those cash reserves might be essential.
I agree that maybe registration fees should come down somewhat, as teams are strapped to doing more with less resources. This is why I believe that entrepreneurship award should be celebrated much much more than it has in the past.
Everyone talks about sustainability, but are they actively trying to improve their situations? Or are they counting on others in an all or nothing sponsorship?