Need Help Creating a Binghamton Robotics Team

[Martinez]

So far the quest continues and all goes well. Right now I'm and trying to gain Corporate Sponsorship from Lockheed Martin Owego and have receieved a positive email from the Community Relations Rep. I have also found a Tech teacher at Owego High School who sounded intereted. Further more, I'm also started networking a small group of volunteers to build a strong foundation from. So far so good and I strongly feel we will have a team ready for the 07 season.

Two questions for the fokes here:

Is anyone one aware of a team at Waverly High School? The Community Rep mentioned that school by name, had been to a demo, and was "truly impressed."

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of the IRS letter stating that the organization is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code for FIRST? It is one of the items require to gain a contribution from Lockheed Martin Owego. I may or may not need it since the Rep hasn't requested it, but it would be a good thing to have.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by Martinez

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of the IRS letter stating that the organization is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code for FIRST?

You have several potential sources.
1) If you are still going through the Explorer Post, they are a division of Boy Scouts of America and will have access to a 501(c)(3) letter through their local Council from the National organization. The Post can request a copy from their local Council.

2) If with teacher involvement you end up as a school club, then of course the school will have a similar IRS designation that will satisfy Lockheed Martin reporting requirements.

3) If the grant is processed through FIRST then you can call 1-800-871-8326 and ask for the Financial dept.

[Martinez]

I would like to hold a Robotics Demo in the Owego area to get the locals excited about FIRST. Most I am sure have not even heard FIRST let alone seen one these machines or a competition, so I feel this would be a great way to "spread the word" as it were. The goal really isn't to help promote my specific team that I am trying to create, but rather FIRST as a whole letting people know hey, we exist.

Jan 12th: Architecture Awareness Day
This year, Tioga Middle School is holding some activites to promote Engineering. I'm not exactly sure on the details but I believe last year they built Spaghetti Bridges. Lockheed Martin will be involved and some Execs may even be present. To my knowledge, Tioga Middle School does not have a Lego League team. While I realise this is during a Thursday in the middle of build season, I would apreachate if someone could attend. Personally, I plan on taking the day off and at the least pass out some flyers.

Feb 22nd: National Engineers Week
Every year Lockheed Martin Owego invites local Eight Graders from a variety of schools to come to the site. At this time I'm not sure of the exact details but I beleive there will be many activities and I feel this would be an excellent time to Demo a Robot. Since these are Eight Graders, there is the potential for them to get really excited and want to create a team at their schools for the 07 season. Again, my thinking is this would be a Get to Know FIRST kind of thing. Since it is at Lockheed Martin, then the employees also would get to see what we are up too!

The first date is about a month out, and I realise people are getting excited both about the holidays and the upcoming season. However if any fokes here would be willing and able to hold a demo in Owego, I'd enjoy the conversation ether here, by PM or on AIM. I also plan to email the five "local teams" listed in Mark McLeod's post to see what they think in the next few days. Have a happy Thanksgiving and I hope to hear back from someone.

Regards, Jeff Martinez

[DarkJedi613]

Did you contact Binghamton University at all? (Just as a way to even get engineering students to help out). I talked to the chairman of mechanical engineering (James Pitarresi I think) while I was there for an open house, he seemed like a very proactive person in technology. You should try dropping him an email (probably available on the binghamton website). If contacting him turns into a dead end you could try contacting one of the engineering clubs on campus (ASME perhaps?) - see if they have an interest.

I know from just walking around that they have a pretty good machine shop there (which is at least always a problem for our team in particular - getting parts made).

Good luck!