Dean's Homework

[pwilczynski]

Every year, Dean gives the FIRST teams some little piece of homework to do. At the BAE regional in New Hampshire, and today at the UTC regional in Connecticut, he has requested that every member of every team e-mail their congressmen and elected officials (with a cc to dkamen@dekaresearch.com) to try and raise the visibility of FIRST in government. I was wondering how you feel about this.

Personally, I agree with this. FIRST is beginning to reach a 'critical mass' (Similar thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44998&highlight=dean%27s+homework) ). Corporations, which have thus far provided that large majority of teams with money to participate in the competitions, are now finding themselves at the point where more sponsorship is starting to have an effect on their profits. Government, as Dean mentioned this morning at UTC, has enough money to sponsor all of the FIRST teams that it needs. At $5,000 per team times ten thousand high schools (just a guestimate), that is $50,000,000, about the amount that the government spends 2,472 BILLION dollars per year. To me, government seems to have nothing to lose by spending this money on FIRST instead of on a useless study on something.

Just my 2 cents.

[Uberbots]

and some trillion-odd amount on a war in Iraq.
if our government focused on what really mattered, they would be able to sponsor every team with $10,000. they would also be able to fix a sufficient education crisis that is going on in the country right now.
but either way, an extra 5,000 would be nice :)

so yes, i support what dean said fully. he is right, and people will finally be able to see us after our event is nationally broad casted. hopefully, though, the broadcast will be on an easily accessible channel :)
I dont only see the FIRST program at a critical mass, but at a point where popularity is about to arise.

[codeoftherobot]

and some trillion-odd amount on a war in Iraq.
if our government focused on what really mattered, they would be able to sponsor every team with $10,000. they would also be able to fix a sufficient education crisis that is going on in the country right now.
but either way, an extra 5,000 would be nice :)

so yes, i support what dean said fully. he is right, and people will finally be able to see us after our event is nationally broad casted. hopefully, though, the broadcast will be on an easily accessible channel :)
I dont only see the FIRST program at a critical mass, but at a point where popularity is about to arise.

Just to give a little evidence for the cost of war and give a little eye opener to people, go here to see the cost of war and where the money could have been spent.

Cost of War (http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182)

Just using 1% of the money spent on the war, you could easily fund every single team, give them everything and the kitchen sink in a KOP, plus support many more teams. While I am not using this as a political discussion, it is quite amazing where money should be spent and where it actually is spent.

[WEHickok]

At the Great Lakes Regional on Friday, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) made an appearance. For almost two hours she visited with teams and talked to students from both FRC and FLL. She spoke to everyone during a break in the action. At that time she stated that she had placed a $2,000,000 line item in the budget to match funds for new Michigan teams. She wants to have fifty new Michigan teams next year. Her stated goal is every high school in Michigan has access to FIRST.

On Saturday, State Senator Nancy Cassis (R) spoke to the teams. In conversations after her speech she told me that this would not be a political ball. Both side of the isle are in favor of this happening.

So it can happen. Don't be negative about getting money from government. Jobs are an issue for people trying to be re-elected, and education in science and technology is one of the answers to getting jobs...so they are willing to support this if they know about FIRST. Go talk to them. Write to them. Invite them to events. You must make it happen.

[tbush503]

Lets not look at what money is being misspent. What matters is that if we send E-mails to our congressmen, they can't ignore us and they will have to give us funding, then the money will be spent for a good purpose.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

Political? Yes. but...

This is a great unified front to reach out. If one team reaches one senator, change could happen.

If a few teams reach a few senators, change is very possible.

If every team tries to reach their senator, then change of some sort will happen, because I believe the people we elect usually do care about what we think. The reason they don't always act on what you might have in your mind is that you don't share it with them.

[pwilczynski]

I agree. I think that the more letters get sent, the better FIRST will do. The elected congressmen and others can't risk going against their constituants wishes. They need to be re-elected.

[mdoshi]

MO's Congressman, Russ Carnahan's son is on our team

He was at the St. Louis Regional and hes a big fan of FIRST.

I think we've done our homework....

[codeoftherobot]

I agree. I think that the more letters get sent, the better FIRST will do. The elected congressmen and others can't risk going against their constituants wishes. They need to be re-elected.

Well just speaking from a minor political science background, the letters need something to back it up. It's great to say we want this to happen but it also takes a group of people make it happen.

Don't just target the common list of political bodies (governor, senators, etc). Also look at the people who make the decisions in education (state superintendent, education lobbyists, teacher's unions, PTA, etc), target them and tell them how important it would be for FIRST to be in high schools and elementary/middle schools. FIRST has many programs available.

Have meetings with school officials or bring up the topics at council meetings. Lay out a formal presentation with cost-benefit analysis and polls from the community. Once people know how much it is going to cost and where the rest of the community stands, then they will start thinking about it. If no one but the governor knows about this, the rest of the constituency is not going to be supportive of it.

[Master Dictator]

On the off season I will most likely email or write a personal letter to one of my congressmen in the PA. I love this idea! :) :)

[aksimhal]

What exactly am I supposed to write about :confused: ?
Thanks

[ChaosParadeXi]

Well just speaking from a minor political science background, the letters need something to back it up. It's great to say we want this to happen but it also takes a group of people make it happen.

Don't just target the common list of political bodies (governor, senators, etc). Also look at the people who make the decisions in education (state superintendent, education lobbyists, teacher's unions, PTA, etc), target them and tell them how important it would be for FIRST to be in high schools and elementary/middle schools. FIRST has many programs available.

Have meetings with school officials or bring up the topics at council meetings. Lay out a formal presentation with cost-benefit analysis and polls from the community. Once people know how much it is going to cost and where the rest of the community stands, then they will start thinking about it. If no one but the governor knows about this, the rest of the constituency is not going to be supportive of it.


agreeably, you have to remember what is in these people's job descriptions. granted yes, going to senators and congressman is a great way to get widespread notice across entire states but you have to be aware how things really work. FIRST does have a lot of name value but think about the dollar figures being discussed here, this is a decent investment here, one which won't go without background research and some considerable thought. while FIRST is a great organization for the people in it, you have to remember that there are still students that are not on a FIRST team. this might make any large quantity of money look like your state is spending money on the elite or on a select group. key to making this work is to influence both the people in your areas who have yet to know about FIRST and to influence the people who help your senators decide what he should support. mass mailings are the hardest to blatantly ignore but think of the image of FIRST we're trying to convey. we're not an (only) an annoying group who won't be silence til we're appeased, we're a group of smart young people who think problems through and come up with the most logical course of action. going through your school's administration is an excellent way to get the same end to different means. if you have the direct backing of your school or are lead by someone of power like a superintendent, think how much more effective any argument you present will be

[Martinez]

It will definately raise public awareness of it. If our leaders know and support something, the people will know about it. What I'm a little shacky is the talk of tax dollors going to support all these teams. Its a complicated issue so I won't go into it though. What would be interesting is having military high school teams become a part of FIRST. Right now every base in the country has a Boy Scout Troop. Wouldn't it be awsome if the same were true for us? Department of Defense Schools have a very large budget, and I know they would want to get involved in this from personal experience.

Every AFE DoDS with a team..... Wow, what a concept.

[codeoftherobot]

It will definately raise public awareness of it. If our leaders know and support something, the people will know about it. What I'm a little shacky is the talk of tax dollors going to support all these teams. Its a complicated issue so I won't go into it though. What would be interesting is having military high school teams become a part of FIRST. Right now every base in the country has a Boy Scout Troop. Wouldn't it be awsome if the same were true for us? Department of Defense Schools have a very large budget, and I know they would want to get involved in this from personal experience.

Every AFE DoDS with a team..... Wow, what a concept.

Well a lot of the tax dollars out there that are set aside for science/mathematics based education actually aren't being utilized effectively. Depending on the state, there typically is a portion of the budget devoted to science and mathematics based education. The determination of where this money goes depends on who gets to it first (my guess). I know in California that we have a rather large budget for mathematics and science based education so if FIRST was able to make itself known, there would be a good chance that FIRST would be a recommended part of elementary and high school education in California.

For the military bases, doesn't the money used to support Boy Scout troops come out of the military budget for that base or is it a state/national policy? Pretty much it would just take someone with connections inside to ask if FIRST can be established. If you know people at those bases, I would say go ahead and arrange meetings to get the process going.

[Validius]

I dont like it at all. Goverment does not belong in suck matters. We are not fashist, we are capitalists living under a constitutional republic. No goverment entity (ESPECIALLY federal) should may any mind to FIRST. If the goverment wishes to help FIRST it would lower taxes so more companies can afford to sponsor.

In case you havent noticed, i'm a libritarian. FIRST and politics are dynamically opposed organizations. Do not succum to the flowery language or the mushy feely talk of politicians. They do not do it out of love for FIRST (unless they are engineers or have been in FIRST) but out of selfish political gain. Any money given to FIRST is not theirs to give.

*gets off soapbox*

[Billfred]

I dont like it at all. Goverment does not belong in suck matters. We are not fashist, we are capitalists living under a constitutional republic. No goverment agency (ESPECIALLY federal) should may any mind to FIRST. If the goverment wishes to help FIRST it would lower taxes so more companies can afford to sponsor.

In case you havent noticed, i'm a libritarian. FIRST and politics are dynamically opposed organizations. Do not succum to the flowery language or the mushy feely talk of politicians. They do not do it out of love for FIRST (unless they are engineers or have been in FIRST) but out of selfish political gain. Any money given to FIRST is not theirs to give.

*gets off soapbox*

I'll note in passing that if the government (particularly in the form of NASA) were to pull all money that goes to FIRST or its teams, you're going to slow the growth of FIRST from respectable to glacial. Perhaps even contraction.

The way I was raised, politicians are elected to their offices to represent the best interests of their constituents. If a politician's constituents are not satisfied with the way they are being represented, they will vote in someone else. That said, if a politician believes the resources of the government are best spent on FIRST, they'll do it. Of course, this is idealistic and oversimplified--Washington is far more complex--but it's how things are supposed to work.

(By the way, it's Libertarian.)

[JoeXIII'007]

Thoughts on tapping the government for money to fund FIRST:

-Though I have a general problem with Bush (mostly on his horrible mismanagement of $$$), he has always touted small businesses and how they could really provide jobs for the 21st century economy. FIRST is made up of what mostly are thousands of small businesses, each with their own products. I assure you that there is at least one person per team that has considered, every so often, starting a small business for the engineering and technology world, myself included. If he wants to support small businesses, he better support FIRST.

-However, if we were to get money from the government to start teams, I would not like this to turn out like an NPR radio station type deal where the government pays for a considerable chunk of money, and then could consider withdrawing some if not all. Dependence on the government means certain things that can go wrong will, and if ANY funding comes from the government, the government better have a strategy for finding private funding for every single team to loosen and eventually rid of the bonds of the government to FIRST.

-Finally, even if we cannot get money, we can always get recognition from the government, and get politicians to speak up about FIRST to the general public.

Putting 2 more cents in the jar.

-Joe

PS: Think FIRST might equal job creation??? :rolleyes:

[jarowe]

My grandfather is full of stories, most of which begin with , "In my day..." One that is relevant here ends with, "... people would write letters to their congressmen and they'd get answers AND results." If they get enough letters, hopefully we'll get the results we need.

I was very intrigued by Governor Granholm's promise at Great Lakes. I'm not sure if her promise that 100 percent of Michigan high schools having FIRST teams is plausible (though I want it to be), but I was very glad to hear that she was committing $2 million to new FIRST teams, setting a more realistic goal of 50 new teams in the state. I was even more glad to hear that she was going to help get businesses and corporations involved in the creation of new teams. This seems like it will have a greater impact on the creation and success of future teams. If the the governor commits money this year, there is nothing guaranteeing that her predecessor will continue to fund the program. However, getting the corporations to establish an interest in teams will ensure their survival. Another important element to consider is that even if these teams receive funding, they will need support from mentors- something the government can't directly provide, and is only available from the industries themselves.

Last year I was given an assignment to write to my area representative about an issue that mattered to me. Naturally, I chose to write about FIRST. I sent this letter, but never got a response. I don't have a copy of the original letter, but I will write another and send it to other officials in the area. I'm also going to bring it up at our next team meeting, and encourage the other members of our team to write and send letters of their own. In the next weeks we might actually make it a meeting activity for everyone to sit down and think about what they would want to say if given the opportunity to speak with government officials. I can't imagine that any of the members of our team wouldn't be more than happy to tell anyone about how important FIRST has been to them-- hopefully our voices will be heard and FIRST and other students will benefit!

[Validius]

I'll note in passing that if the government (particularly in the form of NASA) were to pull all money that goes to FIRST or its teams, you're going to slow the growth of FIRST from respectable to glacial. Perhaps even contraction.

The way I was raised, politicians are elected to their offices to represent the best interests of their constituents. If a politician's constituents are not satisfied with the way they are being represented, they will vote in someone else. That said, if a politician believes the resources of the government are best spent on FIRST, they'll do it. Of course, this is idealistic and oversimplified--Washington is far more complex--but it's how things are supposed to work.

erm, well its they way it is thought to work. In practice it rarely happens. Politicians are supposto represent the best interests of the constituents. There are limits though. I openly admit that if implamented to their fullest extent my views would not be ideal by any means. I sorta see myself as the small vice of opposition to those who see goverment as holding the answers. There is a happy place somewhere in the leftish direction of what i think, NASA giving money is part of that i believe. My aim, however it to make people think back to how the founders originally intended the goverment to work. The way they always had the idea of 'less goverment because goverment is inherantly currupt and will take away rights'.


(By the way, it's Libertarian.)

That it is. My spelling in PHP is far better I assure you.

[Validius]

My grandfather is full of stories, most of which begin with , "In my day..." One that is relevant here ends with, "... people would write letters to their congressmen and they'd get answers AND results." If they get enough letters, hopefully we'll get the results we need.

I was very intrigued by Governor Granholm's promise at Great Lakes. I'm not sure if her promise that 100 percent of Michigan high schools having FIRST teams is plausible (though I want it to be), but I was very glad to hear that she was committing $2 million to new FIRST teams, setting a more realistic goal of 50 new teams in the state. I was even more glad to hear that she was going to help get businesses and corporations involved in the creation of new teams. This seems like it will have a greater impact on the creation and success of future teams. If the the governor commits money this year, there is nothing guaranteeing that her predecessor will continue to fund the program. However, getting the corporations to establish an interest in teams will ensure their survival. Another important element to consider is that even if these teams receive funding, they will need support from mentors- something the government can't directly provide, and is only available from the industries themselves.

Last year I was given an assignment to write to my area representative about an issue that mattered to me. Naturally, I chose to write about FIRST. I sent this letter, but never got a response. I don't have a copy of the original letter, but I will write another and send it to other officials in the area. I'm also going to bring it up at our next team meeting, and encourage the other members of our team to write and send letters of their own. In the next weeks we might actually make it a meeting activity for everyone to sit down and think about what they would want to say if given the opportunity to speak with government officials. I can't imagine that any of the members of our team wouldn't be more than happy to tell anyone about how important FIRST has been to them-- hopefully our voices will be heard and FIRST and other students will benefit!


Think on this: Is that 2 million hers to give? Does she really have the right to redistribute wealth like that? If you read what I said above it could be argued (and I would almost agree) that what she is doing is within that 'happy place' that i mentioned. All the same, think about what it really means when she pledges money like that.

I see the quote in your sig. Ayn Rand is considered to me one of the founders of modern libertarianism (thanks billfred) and a great author.

[codeoftherobot]

I dont like it at all. Goverment does not belong in suck matters. We are not fashist, we are capitalists living under a constitutional republic. No goverment entity (ESPECIALLY federal) should may any mind to FIRST. If the goverment wishes to help FIRST it would lower taxes so more companies can afford to sponsor.

In case you havent noticed, i'm a libritarian. FIRST and politics are dynamically opposed organizations. Do not succum to the flowery language or the mushy feely talk of politicians. They do not do it out of love for FIRST (unless they are engineers or have been in FIRST) but out of selfish political gain. Any money given to FIRST is not theirs to give.

*gets off soapbox*

Just running into some argumentative issues/concerns here but 1) Government is not an entity that just exists spontaneously. The citizens of the US run and are a part of this government of which you speak. Therefore, the citizens have the right to determine what goes on in their country. If FIRST is wanted in the US, then citizens need to push for it. Citizens can vote and have the ability to push forward legislation that would put FIRST center stage. The majority of legislation out there is pushed by...businesses and the benefits go to them, not citizens. 2) Lowering taxes would benefit companies, not citizens. Why not lower taxes for citizens so that they could contribute personally to teams rather than single organizations which are fewer and less widespread in donations? The combined donations of millions of citizens would exceed that amount of tax break given to businesses, of which many aren't on board with FIRST at all.

I will repeat again, getting FIRST into schools and into the public light will not be an easy task. It takes time and commitment. It starts out, as any lobbying group does, by writing letters. Then it takes action in the community to get the community to support FIRST. It will require teams being active in promoting it on media (radio, TV, newspaper, email, websites) and for FIRST to let go on some levels to let the regionals grow they way they need to, rather than having to go back to FIRST for every decision. There are many teams out there in all parts of the country that are doing this already. I congratulate them for their hard work and encourage them to keeping going.

Individually, changing taxes, writing letters alone or getting promotions from your governor or state legislator will not enhance FIRST. If you want to take it to the top, you have to start running it like professional organization. FIRST is getting there with colleges and universities but now it is time to really step up.

[Rick TYler]

Might I suggest that it is time to take the political philosophy off to Chit-Chat?

[chinckley]

It would be nice if there were $$$ to help teams that are struggling to get financing to stay afloat too. There are many rural areas where there is little industry, but agricultural, that could use some support. These towns may not have the GM's, Fords, Chrysler's, Delphi's, etc., but the students still want to compete. I hope Michigan's Governor will look at helping keep current struggling teams at least coming to one event. That is what it is going to take to reach the numbers of teams she wants. Her offer is a start in the right direction, especially for a state that is losing industry.

On a side note, we were thrilled that the Governor took time to come to the GLR. It was great for the students to meet her.

[sw293]

It would be nice if there were $$$ to help teams that are struggling to get financing to stay afloat too. There are many rural areas where there is little industry, but agricultural, that could use some support. These towns may not have the GM's, Fords, Chrysler's, Delphi's, etc., but the students still want to compete. I hope Michigan's Governor will look at helping keep current struggling teams at least coming to one event. That is what it is going to take to reach the numbers of teams she wants. Her offer is a start in the right direction, especially for a state that is losing industry.

On a side note, we were thrilled that the Governor took time to come to the GLR. It was great for the students to meet her.

Re-elect Governor Granholm! :D

[artdutra04]

20% of all Americans think the sun revolves around the earth.

One-half of the American public does not know the earth goes around the sun once a year and believes that the earliest humans lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.

A 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress survey found that 43 percent of high school seniors did not meet basic standards for science knowledge.No nation can long endure in the twenty first century without the strong backing of science, technology, and well educated citizens. It has been a most unfortunate trend lately for the sciences to be demoted in our education system. When one in five Americans does not know that the earth revolves around the sun, something is seriously wrong.

This wonderful program founded by Dean is not about getting the sole attention of the private sector. There is only so much that the private sector can do, when it comes to FIRST. There is a point where, as we are at now, that getting our government involved is necessary for continuing the expansion of FIRST. It is not private industry that controls our educational system, but our government, which is but an agent of the citizens.

In order for our democracy to survive, let along thrive, we need educated citizens. In order for industry and commerce to thrive, they need educated citizens. One of the great things about FIRST is that it is a non-profit organization seeking greater recognition for the sciences and technology. Wouldn't it be counter-productive for our government to not support FIRST, seeing how both of the previous mentioned goals can be achieved from FIRST?

Nowadays, there is never a shortage of people who whine and complain about the government. But surprisingly, not many of these people actually vote in elections. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain. If you are unhappy with the government, get out of your chair, stop blogging ad nausum about how you hate Politican X or X Law. Go vote in the next election. Write to your politicians. Organize rallies in the public. Start a grass roots campaign. Get local initiatives or referendums on the local ballot.

This is your government. If you don't like, then get out and do something. And this is what Dean is trying to get us all to do - to stop being lazy, and actually do something. So get off ChiefDelphi, and go start writing your letters to your politicians. NOW! ;)

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Think on this: Is that 2 million hers to give? Does she really have the right to redistribute wealth like that? If you read what I said above it could be argued (and I would almost agree) that what she is doing is within that 'happy place' that i mentioned. All the same, think about what it really means when she pledges money like that.

I see the quote in your sig. Ayn Rand is considered to me one of the founders of modern libertarianism (thanks billfred) and a great author.

She was voted in by the citizens of Michigan. She has been charged with distributing that money for the benefit of Michigan citizens. So, in fact, it is her 2 million dollars to distribute as she sees fit. If the citizens of Michigan disagree with her doing this then they have 2 recourses. 1> take it to the house in Michigan and get it vetoed or 2> vote her out of office. It is the democratic way.

When we vote someone into office, we in essence, are asking them to make the communities decisions for us. Therefore, we need to look for like minded individuals to be our elected leaders. Personally, I believe that we should be asking the politicians during election season how they plan on addressing the fact that the USA is falling behind in science and technology. By asking hard questions in public forums you will better define whom you (and others) would want to vote for.

Letter writing campaigns only work if the person in that position is open minded about the subject matter. While I am concerned about FIRST getting involved in politics, If they want to change the way we teach our children, they will have to get into the political areana.

[pwilczynski]

OK-
Here's what I see. I think that despite corruption, despite deals made in dark places, funding from Washington is still the biggest hope FIRST has. Right now, the first FIRST graduates are starting to populate the workspace. Corporations are fully aware of all of the opportunities that FIRST gives. They are also fully aware of their bottom line, and of their continuing struggle to end up in the black. Business, especially large business, is basically fighting a losing battle against faster, cheaper, and bigger companies from overseas. To expect companies like GM and Ford to continue to sponsor more teams at a time when their profits are falling like a rock is unfair and unreasonable.
Universities are the next logical choice. I think that to a degree, they are helping FIRST. However, the best way for them to help is by giving scholarships out to deserving seniors. FIRST is, and should remain, a high-school event. Though there are teams that have full sponsorship from universities, these are few and far between.
So finally we come to government. The US government is HUGE. GIGANTIC. Their budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs was increased by $1,225,000,000 this year. Can you imagine if it was decreased by 5 million dollars and that was given to FIRST. Basically, as I see it, the government of a democracy is like a trustee. We give it our money, in taxes, and expect it to put it to use in ways that will benefit our lives. Personally, I see many, many places that this gigantic budget could be cut and the excess shaved off given to FIRST. If enough people contact enough senators, reps, local officials, etc. this will happen. I think that the biggest thing that needs to happen is that people need to contact the officials.

[N7UJJ]

Are high school football teams in Michigan funded by taxpayer money? If it is OK to support a sports program, why whould there be an objection to a robotics team? After all, it seems the robotics team in more in line with the goals of an educational public institution.