How would the sophists convince a committee full of idiots to give them $3000?

A club at our college is going to be going on a trip soon by our college, it's budget is partially funded by our Club Budget and we'd request another $3000 from our Student Senate. It has to go through the Financial Committee which is composed of students. It's a community college, so we have a bunch of cheap misers attending. These are the same people that complained about the selective membership of Phi Theta Kappa being inane enough to ask "Why can't anyone join? It doesn't seem fair." Anyways, we need this extra money to support our somewhat steep lodging fees. These people take this committee so seriously making sure people keep costs flat staying in hostels and buying fast food. They disgust me given the Student Senate currently has a surplus of funds to spend. How would the sophists convince these fools to get their way? 10 points to best answer!!!