Achieving the Chairman’s Award while Finding Sponsorship Opportunities Tips & Tricks Chairman’s & Fundraising Steve Hyer Team RUSH – Clarkston, MI

Agenda Introductions Why do you want to win the award? Coming up with a Game Plan The Written Submission The Presentation Q & A Practice Chairman’s Award Rubric Sustainability Regatta

Why do you want to win? Highest Award – why not? What can you learn while working on it? Eventually, you will see results You’ll win, when you get to the point that your team isn’t doing things for the award anymore Note: Winning World Chairman’s is “IMPOSSIBLE”

Coming up with a Game Plan Make a Giant List of Everything Your Team Does Categorize it Into 3 Main Points – i.e. Creating Leaders, Global Community Engagement System, and Making all teams Sustainable Develop a 1 to 2 min Tell Me About Your Team Spiel

Written Submission Tell Your Team’s Story in Large Essay Be sure to Include Data Points but not JUST Data – You will need an ongoing data management system – Change over time is more powerful than 1 number Use Your 3 Main Points Include different things in each Mini Essay Pictures can include Graphs of Data

The Presentation 5 to 6 minutes, limit setup time Avoid complex metaphors, but make it fun Practice Hundreds of Times Should be Most Prestigious Position on Team Picking a Time Slot Presentation is Icing on Cake Summary, doesn’t need to include EVERYTHING Make it Personal when possible Name Tags

Q & A Includes Chairman’s and Judges To win, you must win ALL Awards List of Practice Questions and Resources at: Write Down Questions in Pit and After Interview Clarify in Future Based on Questions Asked Develop Practiced Answers Be Ready and Practice for Curveball

Chairman’s Award Rubric (1/2) Impact on Team Members Role Model Characteristics Increased interest in STEM Careers Innovative ways to Spread FIRST's Message Continuous Improvement Demonstrated Strong Community Partnerships with School, Sponsors, Community

Chairman’s Award Rubric (2/2) Community Participation and Volunteerism Strong Mentor Relationships Enhances Diversity in STEM Careers/Field Examples of GP Written Submission Effectively Communicates team’s message Interview was effective and informative

Advice Don’t Copy Other Teams, Be Yourself Judges will get to know your team Don’t assume they know anything Focus on Improving over Time Everyone who does more will win and eventually it will be your turn! START with MASTER LIST OF EVERTYTHING! Come up with 3 Main Points, Practice!

Sustainability Financial Support Mentors & Volunteers Students

Financials Budget Student Contribution Corporate Sponsorships – Proposal Packets – Diversify sponsors Community sponsors – Multiple, smaller sponsors Fund-raisers – Magic Stu – Parents Night Out (PNO) – PIG competition – Flower bulbs – Pizza kits

Community Partners Chamber of Commerce Parks and Rec Community events – Taste of Clarkston – Concerts in the Park – Parades Camps – Boy scouts/girl scouts – FLL – Girls in Engineering Relationships = longevity

Regatta Unique event – Engineering Challenge – Leadership and Mentoring – Entrepreneurial Exercise – FIRST Networking

‘RUSH’ To-Do List Make Contact with Local Chamber of Commerce Develop Event to Host at Your Build Site – List Potential Partners in Community – Get 10 Local Organizations and Businesses to Attend Plan for Feeder System (Camp, Elementary School Presentations, School Event, etc.)

Questions? Steve –