Dedicated few...

[archiver]

Posted by nick237 at 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST


Engineer on team #237, sie h2o bots, from Watertown high school ct and sieman co.



Well the bots done and gone, its not finished but its gone. This year I thought we would be better off than last year as we seemed to have more skilled help. several new faces who claimed to be Engineers and Tool makers appeared at our kick off, they pledged their time and skill to our team because they herd so much about the program and how well the team did last year.
As the kit arrived and the design was cemented in stone the task of building began. Each night we ganged to gether and the work progressed but by the third week the design changed to include more complex ideas that of course took more time. By the fifth week it became evident that some of the new designs were more complex and would obstuct some of the more basic ideas.
With five days to go the dedicated few got fewer, and by the second day from the date of shipping it was down to two adults working around the clock. The two adults left on the team was a machine assembler and me, "im a Wedding Photographer". We did the best we could but im afraid it does not seem to be enough. Im sick and tired of broken promises where the dedication becomes a whim.
Last year and the year before it was the same, the same two people Nick and Steve left to do it all. we would love to use the students at three in the morning to mill some steel but thats when accidents happen when one is most tired, so to be safe we sent them home to get sleep. Im not complaining about student dedication as they were there for us but safety out weighed dedication.
What makes me so $@#$@#$@#$@# angry is you can bet your butt that the " Dedicated few " who were warm in their beds as Steve and I were working our selves to near exhaustion will want to be front and center on the stage for the fun and games. As far as im concerned they can all go to hell.
This will be my last year with FIRST fo several reasons. My oldest son will graduate this year, we had no support from the school and the school system but mostly FIRST has taken the fun from the game. This year I am mentaly and physicaly exhausted, the last six weeks have taken their toll on my old bones but more than that the expectations and excitement has gone from my heart and soul.
I will try for the team to put on a good show, and I know the team will bust a nut to do their best as they are the best bunch of kids it has been my pleasure to work with.
nick 2 3 7.

[archiver]

Posted by Matt Leese at 02/23/2001 8:04 PM EST


Other on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Edison Technical HS and Alstom & Fiber Technologies & RIT.


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:



The problem of having people dedicated to FIRST is one that I'm sure every team has gone through. It doens't matter how well sponsored a team is or how much support it has, it always comes down to a few people to get things done. I guess I'm not the best person to comment on this as I was a student last year and as a college student this year I mostly ended up being administration (someone's gotta do it) but even as a student on 7 we had problems with people consistently showing up. You note a lack of support from people, the school, the area, and just in general. I see that not as an insurmountable problem but instead a challenge that needs to be risen to. I don't think giving up is the answer here. Just remember why we do FIRST. It isn't about work or fun or our own enjoyment. FIRST is for the kids (now I feel old...sheesh). We're here to give them a chance. To excite them about engineering and science and math. To give them real rolemodels. Don't let little problems like you mentioned get in the way of this. If you need some time off, take it. But don't leave the whole problem because you feel a bit burned out.

Matt who's sick ramblings should be taken with a grain of salt

[archiver]

Posted by David Kelso at 02/23/2001 9:37 PM EST


Coach on team #131, C.H.A.O.S.-, from Central High School and OSRAM SYLVANIA/ Fleet .


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:




AHH Nick...you sound like a rookie...I have played this game for 8 years now. Every year at this time I say that it is my last year. This year I did not even listen to myself because I know the feeling so well. Those feelings are partly caused by the daily drain on the advisors, the lack of sleep, the decisions that we have to make and the realization that this is not a perfect world because everyone does not think the way I do.
You mention that Steve is your oldest, you know what FIRST has done for him (even if this is a lousy game this year.) So, you have the nerve to deprive your younger ones...Ask Little Kristen Kelso if she would have appreciated it if I quit when her older brother graduated 4 years ago.
You owe it to them and FIRST is in your heart...take it away and what do you have...a short guy with a funny accent. On the other hand, when you work with these kids, you become 7 feet tall! (but still have a funny accent)

[archiver]

Posted by Patrick Dingle at 02/23/2001 10:00 PM EST


Coach on team #639, Red B^2, from Ithaca High School and Cornell University.


In Reply to: Re: Dedicated few...
Posted by David Kelso on 02/23/2001 9:37 PM EST:



I think I once heard, I think from Dean or Woodie, that once involved in FIRST, your hooked for life...

This year I was one of the few people who worked on our team virtually all the time on our robot. I sacrificed time, energy, blood, grades, and sleep.

FIRST is an investment. True, you sacrifice during the 6 weeks, but it all starts to pay off once you get to the competitions, and see the effects of your sacrifices. These effects can permanantly change the mindsets and futures of students (it did for me), and this is why we make these sacrifices. It is easy to forget this during crunch time, especially tuesday morning after not sleeping for 24+ hours.

You got involved with FIRST, and as either Dean or Woodie said, you're involved for life -- whether you like it or not :P

Patrick

p.s. Looking at FIRST in this way reminds me of those crazy religious cults... I have no idea why.

:
: AHH Nick...you sound like a rookie...I have played this game for 8 years now. Every year at this time I say that it is my last year. This year I did not even listen to myself because I know the feeling so well. Those feelings are partly caused by the daily drain on the advisors, the lack of sleep, the decisions that we have to make and the realization that this is not a perfect world because everyone does not think the way I do.
: You mention that Steve is your oldest, you know what FIRST has done for him (even if this is a lousy game this year.) So, you have the nerve to deprive your younger ones...Ask Little Kristen Kelso if she would have appreciated it if I quit when her older brother graduated 4 years ago.
: You owe it to them and FIRST is in your heart...take it away and what do you have...a short guy with a funny accent. On the other hand, when you work with these kids, you become 7 feet tall! (but still have a funny accent)

[archiver]

Posted by Anton Abaya at 02/24/2001 2:54 AM EST


Coach on team #419, Rambots, from UMass Boston / BC High and NONE AT THE MOMENT! :(.


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:



I figured I might as well share my difficult moments as well....

Like you Nick, I was in charge of recruiting people to work with us on the bot. In the beginning, we had tons of people, commitments here, commitments there. There were commitments with money, there were commitments with time, there were commitments everywhere. Funny thing is, a lot of them just sorta disappear during crunch time and that's when I have to go out of my way to either find someone else to take over the job, or have to do it myself on top of all the other things already. This year I stressed with all the people making commitments that if they plan to break their commitment, i dont care as long as they tell me well in advance so that i can take over if need be and pick up the slack, but really, when does that ever happen.

To tell you the truth, although last year was a success for the team, I had to struggle and sacrifice to make it happen (money, grades, life, hair color?). I always tell myself that doing FIRST (starting a team straight out of high school, which meant finding support) was my greatest accomplishment (giving back to H.S. students what I got when I was one), and was also my biggest mistake (let my life suffer). Rambots is a love hate relationship to me. Sometimes I'm in love with it, sometimes I wish it would just disappear into nothiness as it burns me out like hell.

This year, I almost DID not do it. Luckily enough a FIRST veteran joined our team and that sorta brought my hopes up. I figured it would ease the stress a little as I would have more help. Apparently, it was a commitment that I also lost in the long run, which I regret but had to cope. Lost of losses, but in the end, I guess I have to finish the job.

I told myself this was my last year unless someone wanted to take some of my hats. I dont want to be "leader" any longer really unless I have more resources. It's hard to build an empire if you only have a village (somehow, i did it). But maintaining that empire of a village is just a bigger headache and I'd like a few governors to help me if you know what I mean. So unless I get more "active" members who arent independent and willing to take big responsibilities, I think I have contributed enough. I cant let Rambots die, I worked so hard to get this far with it. (which is why when some team members slack off and hint at not doing it anymore or something like that, it hurts inside).

Maybe this year is my last year......that is, as a team "leader." I miss just being the h.s. student. I miss being the one that learns and listens. I miss being the one who need not take full responsibility for everything. But most of all, I miss just being a 19 year old.

I know a lot of other FIRST team leaders who are burnt out and say this is their last year. Though somehow they are attracted to it after christmas.... (maybe it's the food). But either way, whatever happens, we have done our jobs and we have given to the community, to the high school students, and ultimately to ourselves.

Good Luck in the years to come, all you team leaders our there. We are what makes FIRST a success. We are at the core of our team's greatness. Let us be proud of the work we have all accomplished. Great job!

-anton abaya
Rambots, #419

ps. feel free to email me some replies.

[archiver]

Posted by Ken Leung at 02/24/2001 7:46 AM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:



Well Nick... it all comes down to what you want personally out of your time. Not because of how FIRST design their game, or how without you there will be no robot, or how much you are needed in the team.

One thing I learn this year is that no one is irreplaceable. I do not mean any disrespect or anything, it¡¦s just that the team will survive with or without a person like me, no matter what happen. That¡¦s the way things are. And because of that, you do not need to feel obligated to stay in the team just for other people. They can still handle the problems without a person like you. Although it will be extremely hard for them to do it without your help, they will still be able to ¡§handle¡¨ the problems.

So, sometimes when it is really tough and hard for you personally, then you can always cut yourselves loose without feeling bad, because you really don't have any reason to. You've been giving your energy and time into teaching the students about the competition and engineering, so why can't you trust that you are a good enough teacher who taught them to stand up by themselves.

I can tell that you've been giving a lot to the team without asking much back, therefore you don't have to feel like you are taking something away from the team when you leave. Feel free to do whatever you want to do. Pursue something that excites you. Go take your time and relax. If it just so happens that doing another year of FIRST doesn't fit the above description, then don't do it. No one should be stopping you from what you want to do.

Maybe this is a great opportunity for your team to revaluate how important you are. It's time to show the other "dedicated" how much they have to commit to be front and center on stage for the fun and games. Show them how much work it take to get a team organized and function well.

With all of those said... I am sure your team really needs you badly, just by listening the students on your team talking about you. You are one of the truly committed people in FIRST, and I really admire you for sticking with you team and this year's game despite all the hardship and suffering.

With all the production behind us¡K Let¡¦s just try to have fun the rest of the year.

Some people see the glass half filled; some people see the glass half empty¡K
Me¡K I see the glass too big.

[archiver]

Posted by Rich at 02/24/2001 4:18 PM EST


Engineer on team #334, BTHS Knights, from Brooklyn Tech. HS and Con Ed, SIAC Keyspan.


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:



Now that you've written it down and
shared it with us, I hope you feel better.
It made me feel better just reading about
your situation since I had similar events
with the other mentors.

The high school will survive without you.
Take a year or two off from FIRST. See how
regular people live between Jan. and March.
(try a boring life!)
Or join a different school; rookie teams are
a lot more energized.
Be a gun for hire!
I'm trying to imagine it... kind of silly)

I've being an engineer for 20 years and I seen
the same things happening in company projects
so I'm use to these disappoints.
Everyone said yes, yes, yes but no one wants
to work when it's crunch time.
They're like roaches, when the light go on
to all disappear. (it's a NYC thing.)

Best wishes at the game! Watch those smiling kids.

Rich
Team 334

"Choose a road, you must come to the end before
starting a new road."

[archiver]

Posted by ChrisH at 02/26/2001 12:27 AM EST


Engineer on team #330, Beach 'Bots, from Hope Chapel Academy and NASA JPL, J & F Machine, Raytheon, et al.


In Reply to: Dedicated few...
Posted by nick237 on 02/23/2001 6:59 PM EST:



Nick,

First of all I think you need to go home and sleep, for a week or so. It's amazing how much better things look when you're not exhausted.

Two years ago I was ready to quit. We'd had a rough year and things didn't go well. I had finally learnd to size an electric motor (WAY too late) and I realized how badly I screwed up.

But then around about September I was talking to our fearless leader and somehow I signed up again. I'm still not sure how that happened. Especially since I had been avoiding him so it wouldn't.

Two things changed that year. First we aquired a brilliant and inventive fellow mechanical named Matt Briggs. Second we did really well in competition. That turned me around.

Last Monday night that engineer and I, our fearless leader Roger Harmon and several others were there when we finished at 3:00am. By that time we had sent all the kids home as most had an exam the next day and there are a few things more important than robots.

More help is good but you need to find the right people to help. You need people who work harder as time gets shorter. I can't help you do that and the only way to find out if they qualify is in the fire of competition. Hold on to those who pass the test as hard as you can. Remember to show them (and their spouses) appreciation.

One thing I try to do both on the robot and professionally is ask myself as I am accomplishing a task "Is this something that only I can do?". If yes I finish it, if not I find somebody else, even though it means I must take time to explain what needs doing. On our team as often as possible it's a student that's drafted. This means students running mills and power saws sometimes.

This way I focus on what's important for me to do and the students and other advisors stay involved. It also raises commitment levels and helps people feel they are a part of things.

It also spreads the load so I don't have to feel like I or Roger or Matt have to do everything. Will it always be this way? I hope so but probably not afterall nothing is perfect in this world.

My $0.02
Chris Husmann, PE
Team 330 the Beach'Bots