Hey guys,
I’m planning on starting a team at my high school here in Southern Idaho 
. I was wondering if any of you had some helpful pointers in funding and getting interest, etc. I was also wondering, as we will be one of the only (actually I think we will be the only FRC team registered for the upcoming season if everything goes according to plan) within like a hundred and fifty miles of my area, if any other teams would be interested in a long-distance mentorship program?
http://www.team781.com/frc/robotics-4-rookies
http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8oF1GHzyAwHU0p4eXZ3bl9ZVlE/edit?usp=sharing
Great. Welcome to FIRST. There is a wealth of information to be found here on Chief Delphi and at the NEMO site. http://www.firstnemo.org/
NEMO will guide you through all the non-technical stuff you have to do.
I would also contact FIRST at [email protected] to find out who is in charge in your area. Get in touch with them. They love new teams.
Good Luck!!
Where in southern Idaho are you talking about? I know that the Micron Foundation has been a very good sponsor to at least the 4 teams from the Treasure Valley area. Feel free to PM me if you need any help with anything
Where in ID are you at. There are 11 teams in S. ID, if you PM me your E-mail address I can pass it on to the coach of the nearest team who would most likely be glad to be your (sort of) local mentor team. I can also pass it along to the ID VISTA though she is located in N ID, but I’m certain she will be willing to help.
A couple of grants to apply for are NASA which gives priority to rookie teams. The info can be found here: http://robotics.nasa.gov/ If you are going to use Lab View then NI has a grant and you can find the info here: https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-30321 but the funding will be too late to apply to this year’s registration fee, but it can give you a start on next season or go to paying for this year’s CMP, if you qualify. Being a rookie you will stand a very good chance if you are going to the Salt Lake regional, so far there is only one rookie team registered in UT and none in ID.
As far as gaining interest, one of the best ways to generate interest is to get someone to bring a robot to be demoed at lunch time (to get students) and at your open house (to get mentors). Of course it sounds like there may not be a team close enough to make that happen, so the best I could suggest is to find some videos and show them. Last years game animation and some video of matches being played would be good to gain student and mentor interest. To make a plea for mentors at an open house this video is hard to beat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1QyM9WTF18
Hello and welcome to FIRST! There is a lady in Idaho whom you may want to get in contact with her name is Loridee Wetzel. She is a new VISTA up in the Idaho Region and would be glad to help you and your school get started on this wonderful adventure.
Also, listen to the people above and fill out those grants! Those will give you the foundations to get started especially the NASA grant(which will also help you be come sustained team).
Check out the fundraising toolkit when that is released also if anymore questions pleas PM me or really anyone else I am sure they they would be glad to help!
Good Luck and we will see you at the competition.
Thank you guys so much for your help! Its been great to have some support from the community. I’m working on applying for those grants now, and I’ll let you know how it goes. 