Team 433 (The Firebirds) really need your GP

[.:Brianna:.]

Dear All,

The Firebirds competed this weekend at the Philly Regional, and although we didnt place well at the end, we tried our best and had tons of fun (congrats to the winning alliance).

The Firebirds won the Engineering Inspiration Award (awesomeeeeeee!) which means we get to go to the Championship Event in Atlanta (even better!!!!).

now here comes the big BUT in the situation...

we lost our corporate sponsor...for the 2nd year in a row...and need $5000 in order to register to compete in Atlanta. apparently we have really really bad luck with sponsors.

here's where your GP comes in. we know how hard it is to finance a team...we've fundraised our way through FIRST life for a while now, so we're not expecting teams to throw money our way (although that would be super awesome)...we're asking for ideas...please share anything your team does that raises money quickly so that we can go to the Championship Event.

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brianna Devenny (2007-2008 President)

[OScubed]

Brianna,

Great job on the IE award. Our team 1511 won the same award at the FLR, and it's both a lot of work and a great honor. It shows how dedicated your team is!

I'm going to be working with our team (1511) next year on fundraising, but I have a general background in fundraising for Not-For-Profit (NFP) organizations that may be of some assistance. I participate on the boards of a number of NFPs.

I have a presentation that I've done for a couple NFPs that talks about how to solicit corporate sponsors for groups or events that applies to just about any NFP - including a FIRST team. I'd be happy to forward that presentation to you. I typed it up in such a way that it's a terrible powerpoint (too much information on each slide) but the slides themselves make great notes for the presentation (I've been handing out the slide/notes rather than giving the presentation using an overhead). Feel free to contact me directly to get info on how to get the presentation and/or do a quick conference call with your fundraising team on how best to go about accomplishing your challenge. I'd hate to see you lose a chance to attend Atlanta because of money.

This thread has my presentation, and additional funding source site tips.

Please feel free to drop me a private message and I'll be happy to set up a time to chat with your team about fundraising ideas.

Cheers,
Lee Drake, Parent, 1511

[OScubed]

One thing you should do RIGHT AWAY is to strike while the iron is hot on your newly minted award. You should create a Press Release that indicates your triumph and explains the importance of the IE award, and that it would let your team travel to the Nationals. It should also explain that the team needs major sponsors right away or you won't be able to go. If you need help with how to write a press release - ask here, I bet there's tons of teams that have done so. Once the press release is written - send it to every media outlet in your city or town. Be sure to include pictures. Offer to schedule a press day to demo the robot. Press releases are FREE PUBLICITY but the news MUST be fresh - something a week old is OLD NEWS. Preferably you should do this on Monday.

When writing your press release keep the following in mind:
ONE PAGE - no more. You can provide more background about FIRST and your team in a separate document.
WHO - who are you, why would a reader find it interesting or important.
WHAT - what was accomplished and HOW did you accomplish it.
WHEN - when did it happen
WHERE - where did it happen
WHY is this important to your community, and/or your school and individuals
HOW can people contact you to get more information and/or to donate funds

Hope this helps,
Lee

[Chris Fultz]

Check a local newspaper and see who some of the reporters / editors are for the local events / education / human interest stories. Then, try to contact them directly with your story and ask if they can help you.

Check with a local news-station or radio station with the same approach. Anything you can do to get the word out about what you have done, what the award means and what your needs are will help generate interest.

Send me a PM if you want help with a press release -

[OZ_341]

Firebirds:

You guys are awesome and we would love to help. I think we have some things we can donate, but I also have a contact for a very fast and effective fundraiser.

You can do this!

Just PM me or have Mr. Foell contact me.

Mr. O.

[Freddy Schurr]

Go Firebirds! You girls can do this. Send me a PM if you need any additional help.

[.:Brianna:.]

not going is not happening for the firebirds.

we are determined to go to atlanta and kick bot!

[Danny McC]

Go 433. Get the money and go to Atlanta. Always good to have more teams there and you guys seem pretty cool. If there was anyway I can help just let me know.

[sebas2mil]

in 06 we made shirts and sold them before nationals and that is how we paid for part of the trip

we came up with catchy phrases as in

Got Gear?
I got spirit yes I do
I told you duct tape would of worked better
and also the alliance chant from the winning alliance of Palmetto that year
Mort Tigers and Bears Oh My

so think about that and also as mentioned before put out a press release and hit up the businesses maybe even your school board

good luck and hope to see you guys at nationals

[Ed Sparks]

OK, not that I'm saying you shouldn't work to take the whole team and your robot, but do you need to enter a robot to compete for the Championship EI award?

We are faced with a similar situation regarding our winning the Chairman's Award at Peachtree. We were not planning on attending the championship this year and have no funds to go. We contacted FIRST and found out that we don't have to officially enter a robot to compete for the Championship Chairman's award saving us the $5K entry fee. We're going to send a smaller group to present and represent but we will not be competing in the robotics competition. Our mini team plans on volunteering when they are not busy with the presentation.

Contact FIRST, you might be able to do something like this as a plan "B" (I hope plan "A" works out for you).