FUNDRAISING >
There are two main ways money for your Electric
Vehicle Education Program: Direct solicitation and Money Raising Events.Direct
Solicitation is easier and quicker, but often only a small amount is collected
from each organization..Implementing a Money Raising Event is more time
consuming and involves greater effort, but one event can raise a substantial
amount of funds. In addition, large money raising often generate a good deal of
publicity for the group.
DIRECT SOLICITATION >
Before you embark on a direct solicitation
campaign, develop an informational handout with pictures and details about your
group. Describe exactly how the money will be used: to buy a new electric
motor or help pay expenses of attending an EV Rally.Explain that your group is a
non-profit organization and provide them with school's non-profit tax number.
Let prospective donors know that you will accept money, in-kind donations or
help with specific projects..Ask your club members to list every business or
community organization to which they have any contact. For example, perhaps
someone's grandfather belongs to the Rotary Club or a club member's next door
neighbor works for a local bank. Ask the students to call the people on their
list and fin out whom to contact in the targeted organization. Then have
students call and make appointments with the appropriate individual: perhaps the
PR person at the business or the Program Chair of a community group. Set up an
appointment for a visit. Send a small group (three is a good number - teens do
better with support of peers!). Be sure to fully prepare your solicitation team
so they can answer all the questions asked. Give the business your informative
hand out even if they don't make a donation. Ask them if they know of anyone
else who might be willing to help. Be friendly and polite.
If a business does donate any money, send them a thank you card at once. An inexpensive Thank You card can be made on your computer.
Create a certificate with a picture of your group and change the name of the donating business as needed. Many community groups such as the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis are looking for different and interesting programs and are usually willing to support local school teams.
Pick your most appealing students and prepare a "Dog and Pony Show"' or Power Point presentation. Bring your E-MTV and let the club president drive it with appropriate safety gear. Check with your school to make sure your group is covered under the school's insurance.
List the names of your donors and supporters on your school's website, on handouts and posters and in newspaper articles. People like to know their contribution was appreciated.
MONEY RAISING EVENTS >
Teens are more apt to take ownership
of your EV program and invest their time and effort in its success if they feel
they are an integral part of the group. Ask your club members to brainstorm
ideas for fundraisers. - the more the better. Decide on which event will be best
for your group by assessing the skills and talents of your individual members.
For example, does someone in your club design beaded jewelry? Create an
electrifying bracelet and keychain in your school colors or shades of green you
can sell to school mates. Are several teens excellent cooks/ Set up a booth at a
a local festival and advertise your wares are "Shockingly Good!"
Here are some other ways that other schools have raised
money:
Hold a raffle for an item coveted by your classmates such
as a new gaming station. Ask Wal-Mart or a Gaming store to donate the prize.
Organize a school dance with an interesting theme and/or activities such as
dance contests, karaoke, digital photos of couples. Be sure to get your dance on
the school calendar early! Plan a "School (your school's name) Idol 'or "Our
School has Talent" show. Put teasers on the school's morning announcements and
have the local newspaper do a spread. Implement a dinner theater. Find and
collaborate with a restaurant to provide food or enlist the help of parents.
Write a script about spies trying to steal your physical lab's recipe for making
biofuel out of kudzu or the art class's accidental discovery of a paint that
absorbs solar energy and can be used to charge the batteries of your E-MTV! Have
a "Rent a Teen" weekend. Sell your club member's services to local people (know
the buyers!) to clean homes, do yard work or some community service.
Plan
carfully, advertise as much as you can, and double check the details. Have fun.
A money making project is as much about team spirit as it is about making
money!
GRANT INFO FOR TEACHERS >
Lowe's Foundation Grant - go to
www.lowes.com and click on "Commitment to Community"
Toshiba / America
Foundation - www.toshiba.com
National Science Foundation Grants (K-12 education)
- www.nsf.gov
GSTA grants - www.grorgiascienceteachers.org
RESA Learn and Serve
grants - check with your local RESA
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES>
Junior Solar Sprint is a national program
that is sponsored in this area by Jackson EMC. The event was held on April 30,
2010.Jackson EMC provided solar panels and kits with wheels, axles and electric
motors to students wh have to design and constructtheir own original chassis.
EVEP provided judges and technical support. Twelve middle schools competed and
trophies were awarded to the winners...congratulations all!!!
To find out about this and other educational programs sponsored by Jackson EMC go to www.jacksonemc.com and click on Youth and Education under Your Community.
TEAM BUILDING >
EV Clubs have different mission statements
and purposes. Some exist to solely build and maintain the E-MTV, electric
go-cart or Electrathon so it can be used in physical science classes and in
rally competitions. Others explore the environmental aspect of electric vehicles
and try to raise community awareness about air pollution and toxic tail pipe
emissions. Some clubs do service learning by giving presentations at elementary
schools and local community organizations. Whatever your club's goals, they can
be reached more easily if your members are enthusiastic and dedicated.
There are many ways to build team spirit and cohesion:
All team members must feel that they are an important
part of the club with an integral part to play in its' mission. Make sure all
team members have a real job to do: public relations; mechanics; administration;
inventory; fundraising; public speakers; graphic artists, etc. Brain storm with
your club members and create a name and slogun for your group. Brainstorm
"electric" words and see how they can be used with your school's mascot, i.e.
""Electric Eagles", "Chargin Cougars", "Power Panthers"
Here are some examples of sloguns teams have used in the
past:
"Plugging into New Ideas!"
"We're Shockingly Good!"
"Wizard's of Ohms"
"Charged Up!"
"More than nuts and volts"
"Energizing Education"
"SPEED' (students promoting electric energy development.)
"The future is here and we're driving it!"
"Racing into the Future!"
Use your slogun on posters, flyers, letterheads, websites and news articles. The
artistically inclined in your group can design a logo and a T-shirt to wear for
presentations, at fund raisers and competitions. Make a video and post it on
YouTube!
Your team members will feel they belong to a special and worthwhile
organization.
PEOPLE / TECH HELP >
TECH PEOPLE
Luis Romo,
EV Master
56 Buck Trail
Braselton, GA 30517
706-654-3397
lromo@evmaster.com
Alan Shedd
Touchstone Energy
4655 Lanier Blvd Oakwood, GA 30566
706-531-7860
acshedd@mindspring.com
VENDORS >
E-MTV’s: EV Master,
www.evmaster.com
ELECTRIC Go-Karts: Motor
Parts, www.motopartsmax.com
ELECTRATHONS: Electrathons America,
www.electrathonamerica.org
ELECTRIC
PARTS: Electric motors,
www.Lesson-Sales.com
Electric controllers,
www.curtisinst.com
Electric batteries,
www.energy.sourceguides.com