[FTC]: Creating An FTC Team

[rbmagic]

So I am a life scout in boy scouts right now and I was looking to do an eagle project. My eagle coach told me to think of a project that I would like to do. I though of it and I really don't want to be that kid that just builds a bench and I am done. I want to do something that lasts long in our community and really sticks out. After about a month of people asking me questions like "What are you going to do for an eagle project?" I finally though up of an idea...

In our community we have many FLL teams and a FRC team. I really though of this idea about making an FTC team for my eagle project. I am asking you guys if you think creating and fundraising to create an FTC is an option that follows the criteria for the eagle project. Just comment if you think it might be an option for an eagle project and tell me what you think. There are currently no FTC teams in our city.

[ERCFLL2739]

I was 250 words into writing how great an idea this was when I got to the coaching part. Then I had to switch gears and temper my response.

I think you have a wonderful idea here that is full of heart and spirit. However, I do not think you should try this alone.

A student should not be in charge of coaches, or finding coaches, or vetting coaches. Coaches are going to be the key to if a team works or not. I would only suggest your involvement after coaches have formed a team.

[Michael Kaurich]

Originally Posted by ERCFLL2739

I think you have a wonderful idea here that is full of heart and spirit. However, I do not think you should try this alone.

A student should not be in charge of coaches, or finding coaches, or vetting coaches. Coaches are going to be the key to if a team works or not. I would only suggest your involvement after coaches have formed a team.

However, it might be worthwhile to have a conversation with the FRC/FLL teams to see if there is a level of interest to start a team and sustain it in the future. Sometimes folks need just a little help to get things started.

[rbmagic]

Originally Posted by ERCFLL2739

A student should not be in charge of coaches, or finding coaches, or vetting coaches. Coaches are going to be the key to if a team works or not. I would only suggest your involvement after coaches have formed a team.

My idea was to start the team for my eagle project. I would for sure have other people doing things for me like finding mentors and such but my eagle project would be to get money to start the team and get people to help me set it up

[Foster]

Having started a number of robotics teams the hard part is making them sustainable. Showing up with a box of parts and a mentor is pretty easy.

Showing up with sponsors that are in for 2 or 3 years is a much harder, but more rewarding task. So you are in the right direction.

Michael had the right idea, is there FLL team members that are interested in the next level? Yes, then work with them, get funding, a place to build and identify / find mentors.

[rbmagic]

Originally Posted by Foster

Showing up with sponsors that are in for 2 or 3 years is a much harder, but more rewarding task. So you are in the right direction.

Michael had the right idea, is there FLL team members that are interested in the next level? Yes, then work with them, get funding, a place to build and identify / find mentors.

Yes I agree with you. Creating this team is just a thought and still have meet with mentors and other people to make sure this is ok and if they think it would be good. Thanks for the awesome feedback though. If you have any other things I should know before starting let me know!

[ERCFLL2739]

I’m finding it very hard to post on this subject. My experiences obviously greatly differ from the others who posted. Rather than disagree or disregard their posts, I am trying to learn from theirs.

When I help coaches set up teams, outside of our organization, this is what some of what I suggest: I thought it may help you understand the process. I didn’t go into a ton of detail, but anyone can PM me if they have a specific question. I skipped a lot of things not related to this post.

1) Once the coaches are in place the first thing I would suggest to them is to get a 501(c)3- In fact I wouldn’t suggest a FTC being formed without one. Especially now with the EZ Form.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Form-1023EZ

2) The coaches start with those instructions. Everything has been streamlined by the IRS including forming the governing body and bylaws.

3) Once the application has been approved the new team is now a legal nonprofit.

4) !!!!! Just because the IRS/US recognizes a team as legal doesn’t mean your state has. So be sure to have someone qualified check state laws before going forward.

Now the possibilities for raising money have expanded exponentially. Here are some of the things you can consider (in addition to what you already suggested):

Coaches and (likely) parents can check with their employers about:

• Matching donations
• $/hour donations for every hour worked for the team
• Reimbursement for receipts
• Donations to the team because the employee works there
• Companies that sponsor FIRST often have slush funds for divisions and if their employees donate hours or have children on the team you can apply for

Also, take a look at:
• Amazon Smiles
• ****** there may also be rookie grants done by your state. Likely those will be done by xxFIRST (where xx = your state) at the beginning of the FTC season each year as funds become available.
• Don’t forget to look at the names of sponsors as the team goes to events. If, for example, your team is going to be going to W Event and QWERTY is a big sponsor and they are just down the road from your team – go to their website and look and see if they donate to local team.
• There are more grants out there too
• Companies may sponsor scholarships
• Companies may sponsor scholarships for underprivileged students
• Business may give you discounts on parts and/or services
(this one is not necessarily related to the nonprofit)

That is just the tip of the provably icberg… Companies will be much more likely to donate, and donate more, when they can receive a tax write off (which they can if the team is 501(c)3.) So the team, or you, can direct mail, or canvass, etc to raise money. Have bake sales, car washes, things to raise awareness for your team name – so when you ask for donations they know who you are. This also means getting publicly, if you can, about forming the team, what the team does, community outreach, etc.

It is possible to fundraise without a 501(c)3, but companies will donate much less and shy away from donations when they cannot receive a tax write off.

There are other ways of a team being financially secure besides raising money. One of which is to not spend the money in the first place. To that end, consider:

• Would your FRC team share space? Rent space to them?
• Can they find a community college (or something similar) to use as a meeting place that will give them free, or greatly discounted rent. The cc gets community service out of the deal. Which, by the way, most are required to have x many hours of.
• I noted asking local businesses that you regularly do business with for discounts
• Apply for a state sales tax exemption (don’t pay state sales tax)

I guess I should note that the field is a major problem for our FTC teams - way more than our FRC (who can practice inside, in the hall, in the parking lot). Especially this year with those massive things in the corners! What was FIRST Thinking! Storage space is an issue for our teams - might be for yours, and should be taken into account when finding a place.

I think all of this is too big for an Eagle Project. But, any single part would likely work and develop your leadership skills. Ask you troop leader / committee if your idea (or one of these parts) of fundraising would work for your project after the coaches are done with the nonprofit part.

As I understand Eagle Scout projects you have two goals that must be met: help another community organization, develop you leadership skills. Meanwhile you should be the admin of the project and most of the work should be done by others. So I would think that any part you picked, or group of parts, that met those requirements would work. Helping form a team sounds like it makes the community stronger.