Volume 2021 -02| February 2021
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter
We are looking forward to working with you again in 2021!
Remembering
Live Competition Excitement
each video ~1 minute
2011
Spirit Video
2019
 Student Video
2 New Robots on Mars
Who knows, perhaps one of our BEST students will be inspired and work on NASA's follow-on late 2020s Sample-Return Mission?
Perseverance, nicknamed Percy, car-sized Mars rover

Ingenuity, nicknamed Ginny, 4 x 1.5 foot robotic rotorcraft 
2021 Season Preparations
An early look at what is planned:
  • GAME: 2021 game in development with 3 competition options: Traditional, Classroom, or Online. Releasing more details in March and April. We hope to offer a Classroom competition option with teams building a physical robot.
  • TRAINING: BEST Robotics Inc establishing a BEST.edu training website. Summer hub and team webinar training planned. Summer Teacher / Mentor Institute Training - 13-15 July
  • BESTOLOGY: planned released in April
  • CHAMPIONSHIP: Arapahoe County Fairground reserved for Denver BEST Regional Championship 11-12 December
HAVE A FEW EXTRA HOURS?
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - FROM HOME - RIGHT NOW!
BOARD OF DIRECTIORS POSITIONS
  • We are looking for 2 enthusiastic RM BEST advocates to join 5 other board members to help us fulfill and advance our mission.
  • Fellow board members will help you find the best ways to use your talents and abilities towards our goals.
  • 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 2 two-year term positions, please contact Carolyn.Bauer@bestinc.org. 
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING
  • Love to post on Facebook and Twitter? We have the position for you! Using our accounts, we need help posting information a few times a month about all the great things happening with RM BEST.
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 1-6 June 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 Fundraiser

ONLINE Auction 1-6 June
Please Mark Your Calendar
with possible in person event on Sunday 6 June
You are invited to share with us the passion of introducing students to pursuits related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Your participation helps 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 Volunteer Newsletters including how to sponsor a student or a team.
Other Ways to Contribute
Colorado State Tax ReFUND Donation Option
If you get a Colorado state income tax refund in 2021, 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 to 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 check with your company about gift matching!
King Soopers/City Market
Thanks to the 15 households who are using their King Soopers / City Market savings card 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!
AmazonSmile
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rocky Mountain BEST whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile 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.
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Build a robot in six weeks;
inspire a youth for a lifetime
Don't miss out making it possible!