RPVCCA_CC_SR_2011_09_06_03_Robotics_TeamCrTYOF
MEMORANDUM
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Staff Coordinator:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CAROLYNN PETRU,DEPUTY CITY MANAGER@)
SEPTEMBER 6,2011
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA ROBOTICS TEAM SPONSORSHIP
COVER LETTER
CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER3,)~r c:..\....
Matt Waters,Senior Administrative Analyst ~
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Mayor to sig n attached cover letter to potential sponsors of the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Robotics Team.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School student Daniel Kim wrote to Mayor Thomas Long on
August 28,2011,asking the City to support the Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team
(team),a Palos Verdes Peninsula High School club.Daniel Kim,who is the Team's
Treasurer and Public Relations Manager,explains in his letter that the purpose of the team
is to encourage students to explore engineering,mathematics and mechanics with an
overall goal of producing quality scientists and mathematicians who are also caring
citizens.The team also actively encourages the participation of minority and female
students.The team has been involved in many community-based activities including an
annual robot demonstration at a local community college.Team members gain valuable
real-world skills and experience by working with mentors currently employed in the
scientific field.
The Robotics team has been able to operate in recent years with the support of the Palos
Verdes Peninsula,the local community and businesses.Daniel Kim's letter points out that
the reality of continued budgetary reductions increases the need for business participation
and support to keep the Robotics team functioning and vital.The club intends to create a
sponsorship packet to distribute to potential sponsors.The team is requesting an official
letter of support from the City of Rancho Palos Verdes than can be addressed to potential
team sponsors as part of its outreach materials.
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team Sponsorship Cover Letter
September 6,2011
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of a letter of support for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team will not have
any discernible fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
City letter of support for Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team sponsorship effort
Letter from Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team to Mayor Thomas Long
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September 6,2011
To Potential Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team Supporters/Sponsors:
On behalf of the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,I am pleased to
offer our whole-hearted support for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics Team and
their fundraising/sponsorship efforts.This team is a Palos Verdes Unified School
District Club.
The rest of the City Council and I whole-heartedly endorse the team's continued
efforts to encourage Peninsula students to enter the important fields of engineering,
mathematics and mechanics.At a time of unprecedented global competition,
student involvement in these fields is of vital importance.Team members gain
invaluable real world experience by working cooperatively on science-related
projects and participating in community events such as an annual robot
demonstration at a local community college.Team members also work closely with
mentors who are currently employed in the sciences.
Current budget challenges necessitate additional fundraising and sponsorship so
groups such as the Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics team can not only survive but
thrive in these difficult times.The City of Rancho Palos Verdes encourages local
businesses and organizations like yours to consider supporting this worthy group.
Sincerely,
Tom Long
Mayor
cc:City Council Members
City Manager
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PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL
27118 Silver Spur Road·Rolling Hills Estates,CA 90274
(310)377-4888
August 28,2011
Ja Won (Daniel)Kim
5644 Ravenspur Dr.312
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Mayor Thomas Long
4830 Browndeer Lane
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Dear Mayor Long,
"Hello,my name is Daniel Kim,and I am the treasurer of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Robotics
Team.Today,I am writing this letter to ask for your support of our club.Based in Rolling Hills
Estates,California,our team serves to encourage more students to enter the fields of engineering,
mathematics,and mechanics.Our main goal is to produce not only better scientists and
mathematicians but al$ocaring citizens.Putting a heavy focus on gracious professionalism,our
team also strives for participation ofminority students and female students.
In the past years,this important program has been able to operate with the help of our school,
local community,and a few corporations.However,we will need the participation of businesses
this year more than ever due to the continuing budget cuts limiting us from higher education.All
ofthe members including myself are fully dedicated to this program,and we believe the robotics
program is a crucial part of building and maintaining an advanced nation;we would hate to see it
'discontinue because offunding issues.
Therefore,our club has decided to create a sponsorship packet to distribute to our potential
sponsors,and I strongly believe that a letter of support from the office of a well respected mayor
of RPV is sure to add more credibility to our grant requests,as well as restate our enthusiasm to
businesses.Please help us build an innovative society for the next generation by writing a letter
of support addressed to our potential sponsors.
FIRST,an organization which administers the competition,is more thanjust about engineering.
It urges students to get involved in the community and benefit each other.Our team,like many
others,has participated in local events,and one of the connections we have established with our '
community is our annual robot demonstration at a local community college.Also,FIRST
(over,please)
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supports its alumni in finding ajob in the field of science by exposing them to mentors currently
employed in the field.How FIRST affects the students will benefit both the businesses funding
us and the nation supporting us,for the businesses can gain brand loyalty as well as possible
talented future employees.At the same time,the nation can make itself into a .more sustainable
country.
I assure you that your letter of support will be an encouragement and an honor to our members,
and will underscore the importance of organizations such as ours to the economy.Please reply
back to me either at the address.above or at peninsula.daniel@gmail.com.Please do not hesitate
to contact me if you are in need of more resources or information.I look forward to hearing back
from your office.
.Thank you so much for your time and care!
Respectfully,
Daniel J.Kim
Team 2637 -The Panthers
Treasurer/Public Relations Manager
',."
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