charger robotics - team537.orgteam537.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2017-updated … · web...

Comprehensive Business Plan | 1

S e c ti on I: Exec u t i ve Sum ma r y The mission of Charger Robotics Team 537 is to create sustainable programs that energize and prepare today’s youth for the careers of tomorrow by teaching them STEM and business skills while enhancing self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.

For the past 17 years, Charger Robotics has been a distinctive team in the FIRST community. We have helped guide and supply resources for 14 FRC teams, each of them adopting various aspects of our team. Team members mentor students in four FIRST Lego League teams, teaching them the basics of the program. Team 537 will continue to be a prominent team in the Sussex and FIRST communities. This business plan will serve as a management tool for future years.

Who we are: Official team name: Charger Robotics Team 537 Team nickname’s: Charger Robotics, Team 537, or Chargers Hometown: Sussex, Wisconsin

70 studentso 41 returning memberso 29 new memberso Demographics

54 male members 26 female members

13 mentorso Technical based mentors: 10o Media based mentors: 2o Marketing based mentors: 1o Alumtors:

Parent Booster Club: 6 core members, with outreach efforts including other parents (page 21)


Sponsor Partnerships:

Hamilton School District (Est. in 2000) Rockwell Automation (Est. in 2003) General Electric (Est. in 2001) Reich Tool and Design (Est. in 2015) Red Arrow Labs (Est. in 2015) Various local companies in our community—more information about sponsors and their support can be

found on page 18.

Community Involvement:

Box Tops for Education (2015-Present)o Since October 2015 we have raised approximately $195

Lakeshore (2014-Present)o Two day FLL tournamento Provided full course for the previous FRC game challengeo Held at Lakeshore Technical Collegeo Over 600 students participate in the event

Bleed for Bots (2010-Present)o In 2015, 65 pints were collected to help approximately 195 patientso In 2016, 49 donors collected blood to help approximately 150 patients

Summerfest Demonstrations (2006-Present)o The world’s largest music festival, with roughly 900,000 people in attendance in 2015, in

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.o Held small daily demos with VEX robots and a competition roboto We hold a large mock competition with other local teams

SOS Sussex Food Pantry (2012-Present)o During the spring, we sorted and shelved over 10,000 lbs of foodo Monthly food drive (New in 2015)

Created monthly themes to promote diverse donations October-December we donated 434.7 lbs of donations

HAWS (Humane, Animal, Welfare, Society) Demo (2014-Present)o Brought our team and Aerial Assist robot to shoot Frisbees for the dogs to catch.

For more detailed list, see Community Outreach on Appendix B.


S e c ti on II: B a ckgro u n d I n f o r ma tion

T ea m His t o r y : Team 537 was founded in 2000 by GE Healthcare, now known as GE Volunteers, and was the first Wisconsin GE Volunteers team. When we were started, our team name was Domo Arigato (Applied Robotics, Innovation, Gameplay, And Technology Opportunity). In 2001, Team 537 competed for the first time, and qualified for the Championship Event in Orlando, Florida.

In 2002, we changed our team name to Charger Robotics in an effort to increase school support and community recognition. Our Mini-Regional was established to allow other interested teams to practice the game on a regulation size course, built by our Course CDT. When we established the Mini-Regional, we also started the WI-FIRST Raffle, which allows all Wisconsin teams, whether they participate at the Mini- Regional or not, to sell raffle tickets raise funds for their team. We also fostered three FIRST Lego League teams and mentored Team 930 from Mukwonago High School. During the competition season, we received the Judge’s Award at the Midwest Regional, which is given to a team based on its unique efforts, performance, dynamics and merit recognition, and competed at the Championship Event in Orlando, Florida.

In 2003, Charger Robotics competed at the Motorola Midwest Regional, and placed 13th out of 53 teams. We were also selected for an alliance with Team 101. Our team then traveled to the championship event in Houston, Texas.

In 2004, Charger Robotics sustained community efforts by starting a ten year partnership, with Moe’s Southwest Bar and Grill. At the Midwest Regional, our team advisor, John Budish, was awarded the Woodie Flowers Award. The Woodie Flowers Award is presented to an outstanding engineer, teacher, or mentor participating in the FIRST robotics competition, who best demonstrates excellence in teaching science, math, and creative design. Our team won the Autodesk Visualization Award for our 30 second animation, as well as the Judge’s Award for the second time in our team’s short history. Following the Midwest Regional, we traveled to the St. Louis Regional in Missouri, where we were extremely successful and qualified for the Championship Event by becoming the Regional Champion. We then competed at the Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia, and placed 27th out of 73 teams in the Galileo Division.

In 2005, we increased our presence in the community by painting local grocery store windows to promote our team, with countdowns to kickoff, ship date and regional competitions. That year we double qualified for the Championship event. At the St. Louis Regional, we received the Engineering Inspiration and the Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” Awards. The Engineering Inspiration Award celebrates a team’s outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers in their school as well as their community. In addition, we were successful at the Midwest Regional in Chicago, Illinois by winning our first Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers Entrepreneurship Award, which celebrates entrepreneurial spirit by recognizing a team that has developed the framework for a comprehensive


business plan to scope, manage and achieve team objectives. We were also Midwest Regional Champions. We then competed at the Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia. Our team placed 23rd out of 85 teams in the Newton Division and finished as a division finalist.

In 2006, we won two Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers Entrepreneurship Awards, one at the St. LouisRegional and one at the Wisconsin Regional. We were also St. Louis Regional Champions which qualifiedour team for the Championship event in Atlanta, where we placed 35th out of 86 teams in the Galileo Division. During the off-season, we strengthened our relationship with the FIRST community by acting as judges, referees, setup crew, and escorts at the Wisconsin State FIRST Lego League Championship Event.

In 2007, To add to our community efforts, FIRST Team 537 adopted a nearby 2.5 mile stretch of highway. Team members get together three times each summer and clean up it up. We continue this project to maintain a cleaner environment and promote FIRST. During the competition season, we attended the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee, where Charger Robotics won the Engineering Inspiration Award, and Regional Champion Award, double qualifying us for Championship event. We also won the Rockwell Automation Innovation in Control and Design Award, which celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components to provide unique machine functions. This was awarded to us for our “Heads-Up Display” (HUD). The HUD is a LED light system on the drivers safety glasses that allows the robot operators to detect game pieces. At the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, Ohio, our team won the Delphi “Driving Tomorrow’s Technology” Award, which celebrates an elegant and advantageous machine feature. At the Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia we placed 10th out of 85 teams in the Newton division.

In 2008, our team won our fifth Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byer Entrepreneurship Award at both the Wisconsin and West Michigan Regionals. Similar to our Mini Regional, Team 537 held a post-season event called the Charger Robotics Invitational (CRI). The CRI invited teams from the area to come to Hamilton High School and compete for various prizes. Additionally, the rules were not as strictly enforced to create a more fun atmosphere.

In 2009, our team was victorious at the Wisconsin Regional and won the Judge’s Award. Also at the Wisconsin Regional, one of our mentors, Chris Paulik, won the Woodie Flowers Award. We then won our sixth Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers Entrepreneurship Award at the Greater Kansas City Regional in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 2010, we attended the Wisconsin Regional and the North Star Regional in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At Wisconsin, our team competed in the semi-final rounds. The team was successful at North Star where we won our seventh Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers Entrepreneurship Award, and were Regional Finalists. Team member Matt Kline, was awarded the FIRST Dean’s List Award at this regional as well. Along with these accomplishments, we won the Regional Chairman’s Award, which is FIRST’s most prestigious award.It honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and embodies the purpose and


goals of FIRST. The award helps keep the central focus of the FIRST Robotics Competition on the goal of inspiring greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology. We competed at Championships in St. Louis, Missouri and finished 40th out of 86 teams in the Curie Division.

In 2011, Team 537 was successful at the Wisconsin Regional and won the Engineering Inspiration Award, which qualified us for Championships. We also competed in the semi-final rounds. At the Minnesota North Star Regional, Team 537 won the Gracious Professionalism Award. Team 537 competed all the way to the semi-final rounds and ranked 4th of 60 teams, the highest we have ranked in the history of our team. Our team started The Button Recycling Program, to recycle the metal from unwanted or broken buttons. We competed at Championships in St. Louis and finished 61st out of 88 teams in the Archimedes Division.

In 2012, we participated in FIRST Beta Testing and held an open house at our high school for teams to see the new controls system. At the Queen City Regional in Cincinnati, Ohio, Charger Robotics was part of the fourth seeded alliance, but did not compete further than the quarterfinals. Ultimately, we were ranked 33 out of 52 teams in that regional. At the Wisconsin Regional, Team 537 won the Regional Chairman’s Award which qualified us for the Championship Event in St. Louis, MO, in which we placed 28th out of 100 teams in the Curie Division.

In 2013, Team 537 hosted demonstrations of our FRC Robot at HAWS and the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. In addition to these events, Charger Robotics helped Boy Scouts earn their Robotics merit badge at Camp Tesomas. At the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth, Minnesota, we won our eighth Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers Entrepreneurship Award, a Green Hat Safety Award, and our third Regional Chairman’s Award, which qualified us to compete at Championships. At the Wisconsin Regional we were chosen to be on one of the top 8 alliances. At the FIRST Championship event in St. Louis, we placed 98th out of 100 teams.

In 2014, Team 537 implemented a food drive to give aid to our community through the Sussex Outreach Services. At the Crossroads Regional in Terre Haute, Indiana our team was ranked third, with a 12-6-0 record. We also won our ninth Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers Entrepreneurship Award. At the Wisconsin Regional, we were the number one seed with a 12-2-1 record. Additionally, team member, Aaron Sonnemann, won the FIRST Dean’s List Award. In the offseason, our team decided to create an External Communications Lead position in order to increase communication with the community. This position has led to more social media usage and a higher quality web page.

In 2015, Team 537 implemented monthly, themed food drives to increase support for our local food pantry and provide them with a more diverse list of products. In addition, the team has joined the Box Tops for Education program to generate funds for a future FLL tournament. During the fall, our team attended the Lakeshore FLL Tournament in Cleveland, WI, to provide our FRC Course and participate in a mock competition for the FLL children. In the competition season, a member of Team 537, Sarah Liedtke, won the FIRST Dean’s List Award at the Wisconsin Regional where we also placed 23 out of 60 teams. At the Queen


City Regional in Cincinnati, Ohio, we placed 29 out of 47 teams and won a fourth Regional Chairman’s Award that qualified us for Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. At the Championship event, we competedwith 55 other FRC Teams for the Championship Chairman’s Award. In addition, our robot finished 41 out of74 teams on the Newton Field and was picked for the third seeded alliance. In the fall of 2015, our team again attended the Lakeshore FLL Tournament to provide an FRC Course and participate in a mock competition for the FLL children.

In 2016, we continued our monthly, themed food drives to support our local food pantry. As a result of inviting state government officials to our 2015 Mini Regional, one of them, Rep. Adam Neylon authored a bill allowing for Robotics grants. Our team has helped Rep. Neylon by advocating support for it in the State Assembly and Senate. Additionally, several team members testified in front of the Senate Committee on Education in support for the bill. It passed through both houses and was signed by Governor Walker at the Wisconsin Regional. We attended the Rock City Regional in Little Rock, Arkansas. At this event, we placed45 out of 49 teams and received the Gracious Professionalism Award. At the Wisconsin Regional, our team placed 26 out of 53 teams. In alliance selections, we were chosen to be on the fifth seed alliance. Our alliance ended the competition as a Finalist. Although we did not win the Regional, our team received the Regional Chairman’s Award for the fifth time in team history. This year also lead to an entire team restructuring for the 2017 season.


Suc c e ss Mea s ur e s: Alumni:Charger Robotics has had a positive impact on its members and graduates. Currently, 98% of Team 537 graduates attend postsecondary education. Of those, 88% are studying careers in science or technology. These graduates have pursued educations at some of the countries best institutions such as Stanford University, Michigan Tech, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Pennsylvania, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin (Madison, Milwaukee, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, and Stout), Marquette University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Valparaiso University and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Some graduates have chosen to continue to give back to the FIRST community by mentoring and volunteering. Currently, one of our graduates serves on the Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee. Additionally, 16 of our alumni have carried their talent to our team and other teams including Teams 2506, 3194, 4786, and 5096. Team 537 is fortunate to have alumni return to become mentors and the “alumtors” have been indispensable. Furthermore, our team is actively involved in spreading the charisma of FIRST, by helping to achieve the overall goal of FIRST and influencing students to consider careers in science and technology.

At Competitions:During FRC competitions, Team 537 dedicates a group of technical members to be “Red Rovers” and roam the pits, offering assistance to other team’s. At the 2016 Rock City Regional, the Rovers helped 11 teams with bumper fabrication, mechanical work, and code functions. Additionally, at the 2016 Wisconsin Regional, they worked with four Turkish teams throughout the event ensuring they had legal bumpers, and worked on large parts of their robot with them. The Rovers assisted close to a dozen teams in 2015 and in2014 we assisted 20 team’s. In 2012, our team helped 22 teams at the Wisconsin Regional. During the 2011competition season, our Red Rover Program helped 36 teams. Our team has run the Wisconsin Regional machine shop for three consecutive years, providing 783 total work orders.

Partnerships:We take pride in sustaining our partnerships. Rockwell Automation has sponsored our team for over 15 years by providing funds and mentor support. Red Arrow Labs and Reich Tool and Design began sponsoring our team in 2015 and have grown to become platinum sponsors. This year, Team 537 has monthly formed new partnerships with various other local businesses. We have also implemented newsletters as a method to better connect with our sponsors. These newsletters provide updates about our team’s progress and provide a team shoutout to highlight our dedicated members. In addition, our sponsors are invited to attend our Mini-Regional event as VIP’s to see firsthand how their donation is put to use. For more than five years, we have partnered with a local restaurant, Cousins Subs, to have monthly food fundraisers. Through this partnership, Cousins gains customers and we receive 10% of their profits for that day, which brings in approximately $250 each.

Mentoring and Assisting:In 2016, our team donated $537 to Team 5855 for financial support. FRC Team 4786, Nicolet F.E.A.R.


shadowed one of our team meetings to gain an idea of how our team operates. To help get them started, we gave them sample documents for a business plan and Chairman’s Award submission. Team 537 has also provided Team 3324, Metrobots with document support and ideas for improvement. Several team members mentor our four FLL Teams at our local middle school. In 2015, our team provided FRC Team5096 with mentor support, robot material, robot bumbers, and sample documents. In addition, they shadowed us during a meeting to observe operations. In 2013, our team donated $537 to Fondy Fire, Team2194, to assist them financially.

Spreading FIRSTIn 2014, our team implemented a new YouTube series entitled, “Robot Recap”. These videos are created to inform those new to FIRST about the build season process. We provide updates about our season and conduct interviews with team members to provide insight into different parts of the team. With these videos, viewers gain knowledge about FRC Teams. Team member, Nick Block, developed a web based program, At The Control (ATC), in 2012 as a way to give people the ability to view FRC competitions. Now an alumnus and mentor, Nick has officially brought ATC back to the team and labeled it a Team 537 product. ATC has attracted 2.5 million viewers from over 118 different countries. After officially establishing our External Communication CDT last year, we have increased our usage of social media.

Yo u T ub e : 122 subscribers and 14,716 total views T w i tt e r : 895 followers Face b oo k : 236 likes and 588 people Ins t agra m : 470 followers

Vi si on St a te me n t:

Today’s youth will be ready and motivated to pursue the careers of tomorrow.


Aw a r d Sum ma r y : Timeline

Year Awards Regionals attended

2001: Diabolical Dyanmics N/A2002: Zone Zeal Judge’s Award Midwest Regional

Championship Event2003: Stack Attack N/A Midwest Regional

Championship Event2004: FIRST Frenzy Woodie Flower’s Award: John Budish

Visualization AwardSt. Louis Regional ChampionJudge’s Award

St. Louis RegionalMidwest RegionalChampionship Event

2005: Triple Play Midwest Regional ChampionEngineering InspirationEntrepreneurship Award

St. Louis RegionalMidwest RegionalChampionship Event

2006: Aim High Two Entrepreneurship AwardsSt. Louis Regional Champion

St. Louis RegionalWisconsin RegionalChampionship Event

2007: Rack ‘N Roll Engineering Inspiration AwardInnovation In Control and Design Award Driving Tomorrow’s Technology Award Wisconsin Regional Champion

Wisconsin RegionalBuckeye RegionalChampionship Event

2008: Overdrive Two Entrepreneurship Awards Wisconsin RegionalWest Michigan Regional

2009: Lunacy Entrepreneurship AwardJudge’s AwardWoodie Flower’s Award: Chris Paulik

Greater Kansas City RegionalWisconsin Regional

2010: Breakaway Volunteer of the Year: Chris PaulikNorth Star Regional FinalistFIRST Dean’s List Award: Matt KlineEntrepreneurship AwardRegional Chairman’s Award

Wisconsin RegionalNorth Star RegionalChampionship Event

2011: Logo Motion Engineering Inspiration AwardGracious Professionalism Award

Wisconsin RegionalNorth Star RegionalChampionship Event

2012: Rebound Rumble Regional Chairman’s Award Wisconsin RegionalQueen City RegionalChampionship Event


Year Awards Regionals attended

2013: Ultimate Ascent Volunteer of the Year: Bruce Van EyckRegional Chairman’s Award Entrepreneurship Award Gracious Professionalism Award

Lake Superior RegionalWisconsin RegionalChampionship Event

2014: Aerial Assist Entrepreneurship AwardFIRST Dean’s List Award: Aaron Sonnemann

Crossroads RegionalWisconsin Regional

2015: Recycle Rush Volunteer of the Year: Kari WoodsFIRST Dean’s List Award: Sarah LiedtkeRegional Chairman’s Award

Wisconsin RegionalQueen City RegionalChampionship Event

2016: FIRST Stronghold Gracious Professionalism AwardRegional Chairman’s Award

Rock City RegionalWisconsin RegionalChampionship Event

Awards Summary:

Award Number

Regional Winner 3

Regional Chairman’s Award 5

Engineering Inspiration Award 3

Woodie Flower’s Award 2

FIRST Dean’s List Award 3

Entrepreneurship Award 9

Gracious Professionalism 3

Judge’s Award 3

Total: 31


Co mm un i ty O u t r ea c h : This in order to spread FIRST within our state, we invited our district representatives and senators to our annual Mini Regional event in February 2015, 2017. Representative Neylon and Senator Farrow were in attendance.Helping the Environment, Community & Teams

WI-FIRST Raffle (2002-present) Can-Do Program (2006-present) Adopt-A-Highway (2007-present) Relay for Life (2008-present) Bleed for Bots (2009-present) Box Tops for Education (2015-present) GE Women in Engineering Day (2014) HHS Juice Drive (2010 & 2011) Button Recycling Program (2011-2012) Cimco F/K/A/ Action Recyclers (2011-2013) Pumpkin Picking (2013) Monthly S.O.S Food drive (2015-Pesent)

Community Demonstrations: Lakeshore FLL (2014-present) Mini Regional (2002-present) 8th Grade Orientation (2002-present) Sussex Lion’s Daze Parade (2004-present) Summerfest (2006-present) Piston & Rod Show (2011-present) Brats and Bots (2012-present) Pauline Haass Ice Cream Social (2008-2014) Harvest Fest (2011-2014) Betty Brinn Children’s Museum (2013 & 2014) HAWS (2013-present) On-The-Waterfront (2005-2012) Rockwell Spaghetti Dinner (2006-2011) Rockwell Automation Fair (2009, 2011, & 2015) Marcus Movie Theater [Iron Man 2 (2010), Tron (2010), Real Steel (2011)] STEM Fest (2011) JCPenney (2011) Vacation Bible School Surprise Stop (2011) Battle of the Bands (2011) Woodside Elementary School PAWS (2012) Boy Scout Camp Tesomas (2012-2014) See Appendix C for detailed explanations on all community outreach functions.


F I R S T O v e r view: Founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international organization with a mission to promote science and technology in a highly competitive atmosphere for high school, middle school, and elementary students.

FIRST promotes “Gracious Professionalism,” a term coined by Woodie Flowers, the National Advisor of theorganization and professor at MIT. Gracious Professionalism is the act of treating the opposition withdignity and respect. The general summary of Gracious Professionalism is: “One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.”

The following FIRST graphs help show the programs impact on today’s youth:

Source: Brandeis University, 2005 Evaluation of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC*) Alumni

Source: Brandeis University, 2011 FIRST Tech Challenge – FIRST Robotics Competition Evaluation and 2013FIRST LEGO League Evaluation

Source: Brandeis University, 2011 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC*) – FIRST Robotics Competition Evaluation and2013 FIRST LEGO League (FLL*) Evaluation


S e c ti on II I : T ea m Or ga n i zat i o n a l St r uc t u r e :

Charger Robotics has formulated a successful team structure over the years. In 2007, we revised the structure to emphasize student ownership. Students are responsible for building the robot, securing funds, recruiting, and training new members to ensure the future success of Team 537. Through this structure, members gain valuable experience, not only in building a robot, but in responsibility, delegation, cooperation, accountability, and most of all, leadership.

In 2016, our team entirely re-structured to create better consistency on both the business and robot side of the team. The Robot Operations Manager will guide the robot side to work together in harmony to make robot fabrication smooth. The Business Operations Manager ensures all of our branding and other work is consistent with everything we do. *For a more detailed description of our team organizational structure and operational plan, see Appendix A

Student Team


O p e r a t i o n a l Pla n :

At the start of each school year, Charger Robotics holds an interest meeting for the students looking to join the team. During the pre-season meetings the different departments are explained, and students determine which area interests them most. When the students have chosen a department, they are given tasks to understand how the field they have chosen operates. All prospective members must complete our safety training program before they begin working with any of the equipment. This ensures that all students are informed of safety procedures.

Departments:Robot Operations Team: Departments with the primary purpose of creating and maintaining official team robots

Robot Operations Manager – Lead: Caitlin Bolz o Preseason: Manages robot side of the team o Buildseason: Directs production and assembly of the robot o Offseason: Selects robot department leads for next seasonStrategy – Lead: Hunter Dow

o Preseason: Selects drivers for the season o Buildseason: Decides game strategy and trains drivers Engineering – Lead: Chris Lawrence o Preseason: Teach new members how to use Solidworks and the design process o Buildseason: Uses Solidworks to design components for our robot o Offseason: Learning Solidworks and helping maintain team robotsProduction – Lead: Ethan Steinmetz o Buildseason: Manages the manufacturing and assembly of the robot o Year round: Practice skills to improve machining and fabrication abilitiesProduction – Mechanical – Lead: Colin Mittlestaedt o Preseason: Train new members on various machines, and improve skill sets o Buildseason: Fabricate and assemble the robot o Offseason: Maintain team robotsProduction – Electrical – Lead: Ryan Wall o Preseason: Train new members on wiring, soldering, and electrical components o Buildseason: Design and create robot electrical board o Offseason: Maintain team robotsProduction – Code – Lead: Matt Albrecht o Preseason: Teach new members coding skills o Buildseason: Develop robot code and manage our field management system o Offseason: Maintain team robots for demos


Business Operations Team: Departments with the primary purpose of promoting our team and FIRST in the community

Business Operations Manager – Lead: Izzy Buchanan o Preseason: Manage acquisition of sponsorship o Buildseason: Manage award submissions and sponsor relations o Offseason: Select business leads for next seasonMarketing – Lead: James Lang o Preseason: Secure funds from sponsors and fundraising events o Buildseason: Write award submissions, plan for Mini-Regional event o Offseason: Help organize demos and promote our team

Media – Lead: Ellie Washbush o Preseason: Manage social media platforms and update website content o Buildseason: Create our media award submission, produce robo-recap videos, and develop a FIRST game challenge themed video game o Offseason: Continue to Shoot and edit videos, manage social media platforms, and study tutorials to learn more on modeling and Python codingApplications Development – Lead: Austin Rovge o Year round: Maintain team website o Buildseason: Maintain At The Control and scouting systemCourse – Lead: Matt Kolesari o Preseason: Bring last year’s course to the Lakeshore event o Buildseason: Building the mock course used at our Mini-Regional event o Offseason: Maintain previous years course

Competition Team: Departments tasked with different roles for competitions*Only operates during competition season*

Drive Team: Hunter Dow o Operate our team robot at competitionsPit Crew – Pit Boss: Caitlin Bolz o Repair and maintain our robot in the pits o Market our teamRed Rovers – Lead: Ethan Steinmentz and Chase Smiltneek o “Rove” the pits offering assistance to other teamsChairman’s Presentors: James Lang, Ty Kozic, and Abby Dowse o Present our Chairman’s speech to judgesMedia – Lead: Ellie Washbush o Document our team at competitions through pictures and video footageSpirit – Lead: To Be Determined o Show team spirit in the stands through the use of chants and spirit wear


At the end of each season, team members vote for one student to be Team Lead for the following season. To apply for the Student Team Lead position, a written application must be completed. Since our team works year round, we use our size to host and participate in various demonstrations, community outreach, and sponsor events. To see additional team structure information, see Appendix A.


S e c ti on IV: F i n a n c i a l Pl a n: Charger Robotics’ main source of funding comes from local companies. Donations can vary from equipment to monetary and mentor resources. Currently, Team 537 utilizes funding from a few major corporations; GE Volunteers, Rockwell Automation, Red Arrow Labs, and Reich Tool and Design. Team 537 organizes sponsors according to donation levels.

Spo n so r’s S u pp o rt:

Platinum Sponsors ($5000+)

GE Vol u n t e e rs:

Mentor Support Course Materials

Roc k w ell A ut om a t ion:

Monetary Support Mentor Support Product/Supplies

S u ssex H amil t o n H igh School:

Monetary Support Use of facilities Team Advisor/Co-Advisor

Red Arrow L a b s:

Monetary Support

Reich Tool and Design:

Monetary Support Mentor Support Machining

Gold Sponsors ($2500-$4999)

Silver Sponsor ($1000-$2499)

Power Test, Inc.

Monetary Donation

Sharp Packaging Systems:

Monetary Donation


Pferd:

Monetary Donation

Midland Plastic:

In Kind

Looking Glass Research:

Monetary Donation

Sussex Lion’s Club:

Monetary Donation

Bronze Sponsors ($500-$999)

Waukesha Metal Products:

Monetary Donation

North Shore Bank:

Monetary Donation

Copper Sponsors ($200-$499)

Kesslers Diamonds:

Monetary Donation

Bubba and Ellen Hinytz:

Monetary Donation

Del City:

Monetary Donation

Landworks:

Monetary Donation


F i n a nc i a l Re c or d s Income:Our team raises funds through various methods. Primarily, our sponsorship donations and Mini-Regional raffle combine to make up two-thirds of our seasonal income. The other third is the result of our various team activities. The following is our previous two season’s income.


Budget:In order to keep a more accurate account of our finances, we created a tracking system that includes our income as well as our expenditures. Using Excel, we are able to break down funds received and dispensed based on which aspect of the team it is for. As a result, each area of the team has a specific amount of money they are budgeted per year, which will help keep our overall expenses down. As members of the team dispel funds, all of the receipts are turned into the team finance manager who records the amount in the Excel document and then turns them in to the school’s accounting department for disbursement of team funds.

Team 537 Budget 2017One Robot, Two Travelng Regionals

(Champs)Overall Team

Regionals $14,000.00Travel $30,000.00Raffel Tickets $1,600.00Unspecified $7,500.00

Business OperationsMarketing $1,000.00Media $1,000.00Apps Dev $700.00Course $4,000.00

Robot OperationsWorking Capital $2,000.00Engineering $1,000.00Production

Electrical $2,000.00Mechanical $2,500.00

Code $1,000.00Strategy $500.00TOTAL: $68,800.00


Expenses:Our annual budget is about $63,000.00 and we have worked to structure our expenses so that we do not lose money during the year. We categorize our expenses into similar groups that allow us to observe which team functions require greater funds than others. The following data displays our previous two seasons expenses.


F u n d r a i sers Charger Robotics participates in team fundraisers to help alleviate the costs of the season. Fundraisers ensure that the team is not entirely dependent upon corporate sponsorship. The largest and most successful team fundraiser is the WI-FIRST Raffle. The raffle was started by FIRST Team 537 in 2000 to create a statewide fundraiser in which any Wisconsin team could participate and raise money for their team. Since its inception, the raffle has raised over $336,000 for teams across Wisconsin.

Boos t e r C l u b In 2008, the parents of team members banded together to organize the Charger Robotics Booster Club. The parents were looking for a way to support the team and started the Booster Club to help FIRST Team 537 meet its goals. Within the last 5 years, they have initiated fundraising opportunities with new businesses in the area including: Tazinos, Lasertag Adventure, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Blaze Pizza, Marcus Theaters, Tony Maroni’s and Piggly Wiggly. All proceeds of the event are donated by the Booster Club to the team. They have used these proceeds to purchase a team tent, scouting tablets, and additional garage space for our team, to name a few.

For several years, Team 537 has partnered with our local Cousins Subs restaurant for monthly fundraisers. Since 2012, our team receives 10% of the total profit made by Cousins for the chosen day. We have also partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to host a Charger Robotics Night. The event yields about $150-$200 per event.

From 2004-2014, FIRST Team 537 partnered with Moe’s Southwest Bar and Grill to host a Charger Robotics Night. During this event, 15% of the nights total proceeds were donated to the team. The event raised a total of about $2,040


S e c ti on V : R i sk A n a l y s i s

Co m p e t i t i ve A n a l y s i s : Since 1995, there have been over 46 FIRST robotics teams started in Wisconsin, the first being Team 171, Cheese Curd Herd. Team 171, founded in 1995, has won over 10 awards; three of them being Regional Champions. Charger Robotics, Team 537, has made a name for itself by winning 32 awards including the Judges Award, Engineering Inspiration Award, Delphi Driving Tomorrow’s Technology Award, and many other prestigious awards. We have been Regional Champion four times, won five Regional Chairman’s Awards, and nine Kleiner, Perkins, Beyer, and Caufield Entrepreneurship Awards.

Since the 2014 Wisconsin Regional, our team has implemented several new programs including collecting Box Tops for Education to raise funds for a future FLL tournament. We also have monthly food drives that center around a different theme each month. The theme is our attempt to diversify the food pantry stock and provide personal care items. Our new efforts to assist the community and promote FIRST helped lead to us earning a Regional Chairman’s Award at the 2015 Queen City Regional. Looking into the offseason, a main goal of our team will be to continue initiating community outreach programs, attending sponsorship events, and participating in community demonstrations.

C h a ll e n ge s w e f a ced d u r i ng 2 0 1 6-2017 S ea son: Challenge: Communication to the Team 537 communityConsequences:

Disorganization Less efficiency in build season Frustration

Solution: Implement new lead roles to deal with internal and external communicationsResult: Better organization, more efficiency, more knowledgeable members and community, better communicationChallenge: Lack of proficiency in SolidworksConsequences:

Lack of detail with part designs Increased amount of time needed to produce approved designs

Solution: Train members more thoroughly during the offseason about Solidworks and the design processResults: More competent designers who understand the designing process


R i sk A n a l y s i s : Tracking and following risks allows our team to respond efficiently and effectively to potential threats. Team 537 utilizes a SWOT analysis, a risk matrix, and risk identification plan to form our risk analysis.

SWOT Analysis:

Our SWOT analysis helps to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of our team. By organizing and creating a SWOT we are able to reflect on our strengths and improve upon our weaknesses. Our team continues to look for opportunities to grow. We have identified several weaknesses that ourteam must improve upon. In addition, we are planning to assess the primary threat of sponsorship in our offseason. This SWOT will help serve as a useful tool for improving our team.

Strengths Weaknesses Community demonstrations Running events Assisting FRC teams Maintaining a good relationship with

sponsors Implementing technology

Communication Organization Adhering to deadlines Efficiency

Opportunities SWOT Threats

Government support ofRobotics

Improved economy helps our sponsors School board recognition

Worse economy can impact sponsors willingness to donate

Formation of more FRC teams results in increased competition

Continued team growth


Risk AnalysisThis section comprehends major risks to our team, the likelihood and impact of these risks and the action our team plans to take to avoid these possible risks.

Risk MatrixThe following matrix categorizes potential risks into levels of impact and likelihood. By having this we are able to determine potential threats and the planned solutions and responses to them.

Levels of Risk:High:These risks are considered significant. If a high risk event would occur, action must be taken immediately to keep our team operating correctly.

Medium:These risks are less significant but have the potential to have a great impact on our team. These risks will require action and must be monitored to ensure growth and performance.

Low:These risks, regardless of their likelihood, will have little to no impact on our team and will require little to no action.


Economic Risks:

Risk Identification MatrixNumber

Impact Mitigation Plan

Loss of LowerLevel Sponsors

9 Minor monetary lossRe-adjustment of budget

Increase number of fundraisersSeek out more sponsors

Loss of UpperLevel Sponsors

30 Increase in member costReduction in materials purchasedPotential reduction in availability

Seek smaller donations from morecompanies to compensate

Loss of BoosterClub

24 Lose flexibility for monetary needs Team will organize the boosterfundraisers

Organizational Risks:



Change in TeamLeadership

8 Train new leadersLoss of experience

Have prospective leads apply at theend of the year and train them over the summer

Decrease inIncomingMembers

2 Less experienced members tocontribute to the team in future years

Talk to 8th grade classes in additionto 8th grade open houseEncourage FLL students to join

Loss of Mentors 17 Loss of adult support andknowledge

Ask sponsor employees to joinAsk member parents to join

Loss of FacultyAdvisor

28 Possible reduction in schoolsupportLimited accessibility and work time

Find another faculty advisorEncourage a mentor to take on a more involved role

Loss of LeadMentor

22 Possible loss of GE connectionLoss of lead mechanical mentor

Establish new GE contactAsk a mechanical mentor to take on a more involved role

Loss of Co-Advisor 22 Lose co-advisorLose marketing mentorLose travel coordinator

Ask another mentor to take on co-advisor role

Loss of LeadCourse Mentor

22 Lose immense knowledge aboutour courseReduction in quality of Mini- Regional

Ask another mentor to take on thisrole and learn about FRC course and the programming behind it


School Support Risks:



Loss of SchoolSupport

30 Reduced usage of facilities Invite the school board to teachthem about the merit of FIRST Work with sponsors to potentially use their facilities

Loss of SchoolFacilities

30 Loss of team work spaceLoss of needed machinery

Work to use sponsor facilities for machining

Loss of GraphicsUsage

22 Unable to make team graphics Talk with local graphic businessesabout sponsorship in order to send them graphics to print

Loss of Publications Usage

23 Unable to print team documents Find a local business to print our team documents

Loss of TeamGarage

18 Less places to workLoss of storage space

Work out an agreement to storematerials in the schoolPotentially work with mentors to keep materials at homes Purchase a storage container

charger robotics - team537.orgteam537.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2017-updated … · web...

Documents