Foothill FRC Team

[David Brinza]

There are plenty of great teams in the Bay Area (8, 100, 114, 115, 192, 254, ... and dozens more). You should plan to go to the CalGames event on Oct 10 at Woodside HS to meet directly with members of many teams. If you can, bring potential sponsors/mentors to CalGames, they'll "get it"! You can also meet with members of the Western Region Robotics Forum (WRRF) and maybe even Mark Leon from NASA (also know as the "MC with blue hair").

As far as fund-raising goes, in addition to approaching local businesses (with some literature from the FIRST Communications Resource Center) for sponsorships, NASA grants have been awarded to rookie teams. The application process typically starts in September, ends in October, with awards announced in November. I don't know whether grants will be made available this year (NASA budget issues), but if you are successful, your FRC registration is covered.

Good luck!

[RoboMom]

Have your advisor contact your Senior Mentor(s) http://www.usfirst.org/community/vol...t.aspx?id=3310 and your Regional Director: http://www.usfirst.org/regionalcontact.aspx They can help connect you to mentoring teams.

To get you started:

Calendar: http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...nt.aspx?id=454

President's Circle Sample Team Handbooks: http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc...t.aspx?id=7022

Fundraising 101: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=68044
Discussion & ideas contributed by hundreds of teams: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=63

Sponsorship 101 http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=68051

NEMO: 25 Ways Sponsors Can Help Your Team http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm

NEMO: Invoice to Give to Sponsors http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm

NEMO: Request to Sponsor Letter http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm


NEMO: Creating a Killer Team Packet http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm

2009 FRC NASA Grant Writing Tips http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2167
FIRST Grants: http://www.usFIRST.org/community/frc...t.aspx?id=7358
NASA grants: http://robots.nasa.gov/

[Joe Ross]

Is this the same foothill high school that was team 255 in 1999-2002? They won the championship in 2000.

[Wayne C.]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Is this the same foothill high school that was team 255 in 1999-2002? They won the championship in 2000.

I don't think so. I know they dissolved a few years ago. It would be nice to see them again.

Alan F.- can you clear this up?

WC

[EricH]

You're looking for mentors, which is a good start. I'll echo Dave Brinza's call to talk to the local veteran teams to find a mentor team. Matter of fact, make plans to compete in Cal Games. I'm fairly certain there are some practice robots in the Bay Area that just might be available, and pre-rookies often get big discounts to off-season events.

As for actually getting mentors, ask around. Parents may know some people who can help with the technical and non-technical stuff. Also note that parents can do a lot to help the team out, such as assist with fundraisers and bring in food on occasion.

As for sponsors, anything that you can get that will help you is fair game. Facilities, mentors, machine shops that can make key components, restaurants that can do a "robotics night" or provide discounts, contributors to drawings or fundraisers, matching donations, the list goes on. Make sure to thank them--have their names/logos displayed on your robot and/or your shirts.

Oh, and one more thing: Get your school on board if you can (and if you haven't already). The better the relationship with your school, the happier you'll be in the long run. What you're looking for from them is recognition as an official activity and the ability to be under their umbrella--funding from them isn't a realistic goal at this time.

[Dennis Jenks]

Team 668 can set you up with a robot and mentor support if you would like to participate in the Cal Games. We would also be more than happy to help out through the upcoming FRC season. Just click on my username to send me a pm or an email via this forum and we can work out the details.

[FIRSTgirl675]

With the way the economy is right now, I would not depend on just major sponsorships from businesses. Team 675 got their money from student fundraising and donations for their first 6 seasons. This last year they went from having 5 or so large sponsors to none, but they were still able to go to the Silicon Valley and UC Davis regionals by collecting smaller donations and doing a lot of fundraisers such as fall and spring pasta feeds and a large garage sale in a busy downtown park. Another idea is to have each student on the team go out and try to get at least a total of $100 in donation(s), which shouldn't be too hard. That's an easy way to get $2800! One mentor on the team went out and collected donations and raised almost $8,000 for the team.

For trying to get larger sponsorships you can't really ask for an amount, you just have to give a nice presentation about what FIRST is about, what goals you have this next season, etc. If they are impressed they should hopefully make a donation towards your team. You will have more or less luck with this depending on where you are located in the Bay Area. If you are Located in Silicon Valley and in the South or East Bay, you will probably have a better chance than you would if you are located in the North Bay.

[fhsfalcons1000]

Thanks for everyone's responses. We'll try to make the Cal Games, I think we have an old FRC robot from 6-7 years ago lying around that we found recently although I'm not sure it works. I'll try contacting some local companies that were interested in helping out our Vex team and see what we can do. Is there any way I can get more information on the Cal Games?

Also, is there a set rule for rookie status? We did have an FRC team 2 or 3 years ago as well but there is nothing left from then besides some metal and wheels.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by fhsfalcons1000

Thanks for everyone's responses. We'll try to make the Cal Games, I think we have an old FRC robot from 6-7 years ago lying around that we found recently although I'm not sure it works. I'll try contacting some local companies that were interested in helping out our Vex team and see what we can do. Is there any way I can get more information on the Cal Games?

Also, is there a set rule for rookie status? We did have an FRC team 2 or 3 years ago as well but there is nothing left from then besides some metal and wheels.

An old FRC robot won't work (a new control system was adopted in 2009). I'd take up Team 668's offer!

Here's a link to the WRRF CalGames webpage. Registration is in process with less than 10 slots open...

[fhsfalcons1000]

After some research, one of my teammates told me that its not the same Foothill, the one that won a few years back was from San Jose, CA while we are located in Pleasanton, CA (about 30 miles apart)

[EricH]

Ah, if you have that old robot...

Change out the drive if it has drill motors (the drill motors are now illegal), and build bumpers and a trailer hitch, then see about a control system. Now you not only have a robot for Cal Games, you have some experience building and competing at the upper level.

Rookie status: If you want the old number, you could get it, but I'd advise the rookie status for now.

Gonna have to hand it to Mark McLeod, that spreadsheet (found here) is handy (though 255 is included incorrectly...). Foothill (Pleasanton) has had no fewer than 2 FRC team numbers already. Team 298 (1999-2002; 255 is also listed for 1999-2000) and more recently, Team 2446 (2008). At this time, you could go with 2446 or as a rookie; you might get 298 if you ask nicely. Depends which way you want to go.

[R.C.]

Also MadTown Robotics is hosting there First offseason competition on August 7th-8th. If anyone would like more info, please email me. Rookies get half off!!!

-RC