Volume 2022 -02| February 2022
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter
We are looking forward to working with you
to help us celebrate
BEST Robotics 30th Anniversary!
30th Anniversary BEST Logo
2022 Season Preparations
An early look at the season
Logo
WHAT IS PLANNED:
  1. BEST Robotics 30th Anniversary - activities all year long
  2. MADE 2 ORDER Game - Teaser Video with 30th Anniversary highlights in a few weeks. Hub leadership participating in Dallas late April Prototype Game Weekend evaluation.
  3. bESTology - 10 Weekly web postings for the MADE 2 ORDER game - STARTING 28 February (Game Theme related topics; Class/group or individual exercises; Research, writing, thinking, learning)
  4. NEW Spring Autonomous Programming Challenge (5 March - 30 April) - an additional school opportunity from BEST National - based on Demo Daze game
  5. Summer Teacher / Mentor Institute Training - FREE 3-day sessions in Denver Area
  6. Rocky Mountain BEST Robotics Program - 8-week in person with teams provided a robot kit to build a physical robot
  7. DENVER BEST Regional Championship - working with Colorado School of Mines to use their venues 2-3 December 2022.

STILL TO BE PROVIDED:
  1. BEST Robotics 30th Anniversary - BEST National activities including alumni videos, monthly hub interviews, and BESTography and more
  2. Summer Teacher / Mentor Institute Training Schedule and Venue
  3. Rocky Mountain BEST Robotics Program Schedule and Venues AND Teacher School Registration Instructions
  4. Spring and Summer Volunteer Opportunity Details including Game Field Builders.
  5. DENVER BEST Regional Championship Schedule and Venue
A list of all the 30 BEST Robotics annual games is available at this BEST Yearbook Page.
HAVE EXTRA HOURS TO VOLUNTEER?
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
AWARDS AND JUDGING LEADS
We are looking for 2 volunteers to share our Competition Awards and Judging Lead position that is in charge of the hub and championship judging activities.  
  • Awards & Judging Lead Tasking
  • Estimated effort per lead::
  • February - June: 4 hours/month
  • July: 10 hours/month
  • August: 20 hours/month 
  • September: 30 hours/month
  • October, November and December: 40 hours/month
  • Schedule: .
  • Available to volunteer as early as February and no later than September
  • Available to participate at a July teacher training session, September Kickoff Event; October Practice Day Event; October or November Game Day Event; and 2-day December Championship Event.  
  • Mentoring: Current RM BEST Awards and Judging Leads available during the season
  • Please contact Linda.King@bestinc.org to learn more.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS
  • We are looking for enthusiastic RM BEST advocates to join 7 other board members to help us fulfill and advance our mission.
  • Especially helpful if you have contacts to expand our community connections and fundraising opportunities.
  • You can support from home. Monthly meetings are currently held online. To learn more about these positions, please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org
FUNDRAISING
It takes a lot of funds to cover our costs to have a free competition at both the local level and the Regional Championship level. Here are MORE ways you can help from home.
  1. AUCTION: Willing to contact companies or your favorite store or restaurant to see if they might be willing to donate a gift card or product for our online auction? Downsizing or just cleaning out and have an item that might be perfect for our auction? Please contact Lois.Walton@bestinc.org to learn more.
  2. GRANTS: Know a company or foundation that might want to hear about how they can help provide our inspiring STEM program free to schools?  Enjoy writing or have experience writing proposals or grant requests? Please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org to learn more.
Boosting BEST
Silent Auction Fundraiser
ONLINE 31 May - 5 June
Please Save the Dates
You are invited to participate in our annual fundraiser to help us bring our yearly robotics competition to over 600 middle and high school students - at no cost to schools.   

Look for more information in future Newsletters including how to donate items for the auction and how to sponsor a student or a team.
2022 Outreach Plans
Other Ways to Contribute
Colorado State Tax ReFUND Donation Option
If you get a state income tax refund in 2022, you again have an opportunity to donate some or all of it to support our ongoing work with Colorado schools.
This continuing program puts you in charge of where your donation goes. It’s as simple as 1,2,3:
  1. Decide how much of your refund to donate.
  2. Enter Rocky Mountain BEST and our registration number 20123026982 in the Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit Fund line on your state income tax return or tax software – or just give this info to your tax preparer when you share your tax documents.
  3. Smile knowing you’ve helped a cause that matters to you!
You can learn more program details at this program FAQ link.
Other Ways to Participate by Donating
Colorado Gives Donations 
You can donate ANYTIME at Rocky Mountain BEST at ColoradoGives.org.
Benevity
If your company has gift matching through Benevity, Rocky Mountain BEST is one of the eligible non-profit organizations. Please ask your HR department about Benevity gift matching!
King Soopers/City Market
Thanks to the 15 households who are using their King Soopers / City Market savings cards to donate to Rocky Mountain BEST.
If you used to refill a King Soopers gift cards for us and now need help setting up your savings card, please email lois.walton@bestinc.org. Lois would be glad to talk you through the quick process!
Amazon Smile
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rocky Mountain BEST whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Wondering what to do with your used car or truck? 
Donating your old vehicle or boat to ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used car or truck will make a big difference in supporting ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST.
Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our SIMPLE ONLINE FORM or call 1-866-628-2277 and we'll take care of the rest. We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed, and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you.
Build a robot in eight weeks;
inspire a youth for a lifetime
Don't miss out making it possible!