Crab Chronicle MD­TSA State Report

March Issue

President Shanley’s Message Hey MD­TSA!

We've got a lot going on within Maryland TSA, and we're excited to share it with you. The officer team is working on our new newsletter, the Crab Chronicle, specifically for Maryland TSA members. Share with us some stories and photos of what's going on in your chapter, and you could be featured in the next issue! We're excited about the great new state pins we ordered­ buy them at the state conference for $5, and use

them to trade at Nationals! We'd love to hear from you about anything and everything TSA, so make sure to stay in touch by signing up for emails on this brand new website, www.mdtsa.org, and feel free to email any of your State Officers with any questions/comments/concerns. Don't forget to check the right­hand side of our website often for important READ­READ­READ notes. Finally, now is the time to start thinking about whether you'd like to take your TSA experience to the next level by running for State Office! The office of reporter is still available for applications until Friday March 20th. We'd love to have you join the team!

Until next time,

Camilla Shanley

Treasurer Sandeep’s Message Hey MDTSA! As I am sure you are all aware, our state conference is fast approaching! Here are some quick tips (or reminders rather, for many of you) on preparing for the state conference. Do not, under any circumstances, barring an alien invasion, leave your projects till the last minute, whether it’s creating a finished project or doing research. Another super important detail: remember to check out the MDTSA website for this year’s dress

code – let’s not lose points for attire in our competitions. If you have any questions about the conference, get in touch with me at mdtsatreasurer@gmail.com ­ I’m here to help! Lastly, if you’re feelin’ like a great TSA member today, consider posting or tweeting a message soliciting members of your community to become a TSA judge; your tweet/post might sound something like this: “Anything on the calendar for 3/28? Consider becoming a MD Technology Student Association judge! Sign up at mdtsa.org/prospective­judges/” Until the next issue, I wish you all the very best of luck in your endeavors leading up to the conference ­ let’s get crackin’!

BRAIN TEASERS! Using only eight 8’s, how can you make 1000 using only addition?

March’s Hot Topic

To attend state or national conferences, many TSA chapters hold fundraising events to help pay for registration fees, travel costs, and other related expenses such as materials for events. Maryland TSA wants to help chapters meet their financial goals by offering a few different fundraising ideas, and by providing a list of web resources useful to fundraisers.

Boot Camp for the Technically Challenged – Have TSA members sponsor a “technical boot camp” or “Techie Advice workshop” for people in the community who are not familiar or comfortable with technology. Schools could open up a cafeteria or other suitable room, and for a flat rate (or hourly charge) students could provide one­on­one technical help in using computers, laptops, iPods, iPads, digital cameras, etc. Support could range from learning the basics to more advanced needs. Everyone would benefit and it would be a great way to extend the benefits of TSA to the community.

Approach local restaurants about sponsoring a fundraising night. Ask local restaurants to consider donating a percentage of their profits on a designated night and then encourage all your friends and family to dine there. Sell food, because, let’s face it, the demand will never go away. Selling these products may not give you 100% profit, but with some initiative they can be hugely successful. Examples include Otis Spunkmeyer, the Goodies Factory, and Krispy Kreme; selling candles from Yankee Candle is also surprisingly lucrative.

Web Resources for Fundraising: www.easyfundraisingideas.com – provides fundraising information for schools as well as

items that groups can sell. www.fundraising.com – provides product information, ideas for planning fundraisers,

unique fundraising ideas, and a fundraising “tools and tips” section. www.fundraisingweb.org/listings/recycle.htm ­ offers a list of “green,” eco, recycling and

other environmentally friendly fundraising ideas. www.goodthrift.com – describes clothing­drive fundraisers and offers tips to help

organize the clothing drives. www.mint.com/blog/how­to/alternatives­to­school­fundraisers­112011/ ­ offers some

creative alternatives to school fundraisers (in a blog format). www.ptotoday.com/ideabag/topic/69­fundraising ­ offers a list of creative fundraising

ideas shared by readers of PTO Today (online). www.rewarding­fundraising­ideas.com/online­donations.html ­ describes online

donations fundraisers (also known as “crowdfunding”) for your cause. www.shoparoo.com – describes an app that lets people raise funds for schools by parents

(other others) taking snapshots of their receipts and submitting them. www.schoolfundraisers.com – offers sponsored listings of fundraisers for schools, online

fundraising, and general fundraising ideas. *All fundraising events and/or activities are held at your own risk. Make sure any TSA related event and/or activity is properly insured and supervised.

Reporter Hudgins’ Closing Message: Hey Maryland TSA! Wow it is hard to believe that it is competition month. I have seen

some great work throughout our many chapters and I think we should all feel great anticipation for our State Conference Saturday March 28th. Applications for next year’s state reporter are still being accepted until March 20th. Speaking from experience, this is a unique office where students with a talent for writing and a presence in the community can thrive. Good luck to everyone, and I cannot wait to showcase your finished projects after the competition!

My email: mdtsareporter@gmail.com is open for your great TSA stories. Please send me anything that should be known far and wide. The more TSA stories I receive, the more MD­TSA can grow in success, and as a community. You are all what makes TSA in Maryland amazing and I look forward to speaking with many of you at our State Conference on the 28th. Until then, Good Luck MD­TSA! ­Reporter Kevin Hudgins