Where are You Submitting for Chairmans? [Archive]

Akash Rastogi

02-10-2009, 00:43

Might be a bit early but I wanted to start a list of who's applying where. Its always fun to see your competition and gauge how much better of a job you need to do.

I have a feeling this year will be a competition between a lot of top contenders, many of whom are aiming straight for a Championship Chairman's Award.

Post away!:)

As of right now we're totally torn about where to apply. Boston or our home in NJ.

Phil Ross

02-10-2009, 01:38

Akash, I don't think it is ever too early to start thinking about Chairman's.

There certainly are different benefits of submitting your chairman's award at each of the places.

For one: submitting at your home regional makes you more comfortable, you have a longer lasting relationship with not only the teams and volunteers, but also the needs of the region (which makes it more applicable your peers and judges).

On the other hand, when we submitted Chairman's not at out home regional (philadelphia) but instead at Washington DC we had one of the most amazing experiences. Maybe it was just the regional we were at, but I felt that it was more of a rewarding experience.

As far as the teams that are competing for the championship chairmans award. Those teams don't need to worry about where they submit. The championship chairman's teams as you know are the best that we have to offer in our community and it shouldn't matter where they go to prove it.

Good luck with your decision and with the rest of your season.

Best regards,

Phil

delsaner

02-10-2009, 08:29

Since we won NJ Chairman's in 2008, we wont go for that one.

We are probably going to aim for wherever our other regional is. (Boston ;), NYC, Long Island, or Virginia)

Pjohn1959

02-10-2009, 12:50

We would like to present at our 1st regional - Dallas. Already gonna be some tough competiton there. Team 1108 (5 time RCA), and 1745 (last year's winner).

Akash Rastogi

09-10-2009, 00:02

Hope Boston is ready for our submission. ;) This will be the first time since 05 and 06 that we'll be applying to a different regional in hopes of a win. Other years we've submitted at NJ after winning in 05 at the request of the judges and our mentors. I'm hoping for the best :)

McGurky

09-10-2009, 07:07

Team 1716 will be submitting theirs for the Wisconsin regional!

J93Wagner

20-10-2009, 12:56

Good luck, between 1714 (probable) and team 93 (definately) you'll be hard pressed to win, and you will definately need it.

Chris is me

20-10-2009, 13:28

It's a pretty safe bet that 1714's submitting in Wisconsin; though I've confirmed this with no one on the team (read: you know as much as I do) I'd be pretty shocked if we submitted at 10,000 Lakes.

I'm hoping 2062 and 2826 submit at their non-Wisconsin event; they'd give 1714 a run for our money for sure. I'm already nervous about 93 :P

Ted Weisse

20-10-2009, 15:56

Good luck, between 1714 (probable) and team 93 (definately) you'll be hard pressed to win, and you will definately need it.

Still need to do this for the NASA "Sustaining" Grant requirement since we lost our sponsors this year. Thanks for the hope NASA:)

waialua359

20-10-2009, 16:53

Hawaiian Kids will be entering in Hawaii.
We plan on (and already started filming) putting a lot of emphasis on the video this year. Our actual 12-15 lb book and writeup is already in the making.

Jessica Boucher

21-10-2009, 10:11

Now that 236 has their well-deserved National Chairmans, who will be the first team to win CT in 6 years? The race is wide open!

Conor Ryan

21-10-2009, 17:28

J93Wagner

25-10-2009, 19:59

I'm hoping 2062 and 2826 submit at their non-Wisconsin event; they'd give 1714 a run for our money for sure. I'm already nervous about 93 :P

:p I wouldn't worry too much about the Wave since second year teams typically don't win Regional Chairman's.

P.S. I finally figured out where they got their logo/name :)

Akash Rastogi

25-10-2009, 20:04

:p I wouldn't worry too much about the Wave since second year teams typically don't win Regional Chairman's.

P.S. I finally figured out where they got their logo/name :)

Never, and I really mean this, underestimate a young team. ;)

J93Wagner

25-10-2009, 20:38

I do suppose you have a point there. They did win the Rookie Inspiration Award at 10k Lakes and the WI Regoinals, plus taking top seed in MN and then winning... Maybe they'll win but they will definately have tough competition.

Chris is me

25-10-2009, 20:48

Last year, in NYC I believe 2344 won Chairman's as a second year team (could be wrong about that, I barely remember). I know 1714 won EI as a second year team and I would not be at all surprised if 2826 did the same this year, honestly.

(2826 won RAS, not Rookie Inspiration twice)

EricLeifermann

25-10-2009, 21:15

:p I wouldn't worry too much about the Wave since second year teams typically don't win Regional Chairman's.

P.S. I finally figured out where they got their logo/name :)

I've seen 2nd year team win chairmans. Winning chairmans has nothing to do with how long you've been in FIRST. It has everything to do with what you have done while you have been in FIRST and the impact your team has made on its community and the FIRST community as a whole.

And their logo/name for those who don't know is from the city of Oshkosh's logo.
They just added circuitry to the logo of the city's. It is a very cool and clever name.

Justin Montois

25-10-2009, 21:28

340 will submit at Finger Lakes.

Tyler Olds

25-10-2009, 22:59

:p I wouldn't worry too much about the Wave since second year teams typically don't win Regional Chairman's.

P.S. I finally figured out where they got their logo/name :)

We will be submitting to our home regional which is WI. I agree that it is rare for a second year team to win, but I am disappointed that my old team has little confidence in us.............

I would look out for team 1306 the badger bots at the WI regional. They helped start several new FLL teams and will be hosting the FLL state competition in December of 2010. They also have some great information for rookie teams about how a competition works and how to do alliance selections.

N7UJJ

26-10-2009, 00:32

While a second year or rookie team does not secondarily have a three year track record, it is still possible for a new team to win a regional Chairman's Award.

Last year, team 2486, the Coconuts, won the AZ CA as a rookie team.

In previous years, they did have a FTC team so they were familiar with FIRST goals and philosophy and they had asked for advice from Falcon Robotics, 842. They have been very active in the northen Arizona community, forming Lego teams and mentoring new FrC teams as well as promoting STEM education in the flagstaff area. They were well prepared for their rookie year and had an awesome Chairman presentation.

I bet it has been a long time since a rookie team gave a Chairman presentation at the championship.

Phil Ross

26-10-2009, 00:45

Last year, team 2486, the Coconuts, won the AZ CA as a rookie team.

Team 2486's rookie year was 2008, they won CA as a second year team...which is still really impressive and they are clearly a team that really has it all together.

Akash Rastogi

26-10-2009, 01:07

Note that rookie teams (unless this has changed-i haven't looked at the rules yet) are ineligible for Regional Chairman's anyway. They are eligible for Engineering Inspiration, however.

N7UJJ

26-10-2009, 08:08

Phil and Akash,
You are both correct

Team Number 2486
Team Name The Boeing Company/Southwest Windpower/Arizona FIRST Committee/Northern Arizona University & Flagstaff Unified School District #1 & Coconino High School
Team Location Flagstaff, AZ USA
Rookie Season 2008
Team Nickname CocoNuts
Team Motto GO NUTS!
Team Website www.fusd1robotics.org/chs_robotics/
Team History
Season Year - Event Awards
2010 Arizona Regional
2009 Arizona Regional Regional Chairman's Award, Website Award
2009 FIRST Championship
2009 San Diego Regional
2008 Arizona Regional Judges' Award

Pjohn1959

26-10-2009, 08:50

I would look out for team 1306 the badger bots at the WI regional. They helped start several new FLL teams and will be hosting the FLL state competition in December of 2010. They also have some great information for rookie teams about how a competition works and how to do alliance selections.

This brings up a good point.

Since when has FLL become a ‘mandatory’ requirement for the Chairman’s Award. It seemed as though last year that the judges were given marching orders from FIRST that the winning team from each regional, had to have something to do with FLL, either by holding a competition or by starting ‘x’ number of FLL teams.

I understand that FLL is the future of FRC, but I also believe that the traditional values of the RCA have been diluted by this drive. I still believe that it is more important for teams to inspire their students to getting their engineering degree, becoming an engineer, and then coming back and mentoring FRC teams. I also see a decline in the influence from the amount of community service that a team puts in.

There is a segment in team 111’s Championship Chairman’s video that shows a student on the team, then later after graduating with her degree, has returned as a mentor to that team. When the announcer says “that team gets it”, that is what the RCA should be about, not how much money you have been able to put in FIRST’s bank account.

Sorry, I had to get that off my chest….

Sunshine

26-10-2009, 09:29

Chris (Moore Robotics)

Thanks for the compliment. Team 2062, C.O.R.E. Robotics will be submitting the Chairman's award in Milwaukee this year.

Our decision was based on the high caliber of teams submitting there. We feel that it would mean all that much more if we were to win. Your team is the team to watch, I could see a 3peat. Moore Robotics does it great and for the right reasons. It really is not about winning the award but doing the tasks for the right reasons.

Fe_Will

26-10-2009, 11:13

This brings up a good point.

Since when has FLL become a ‘mandatory’ requirement for the Chairman’s Award. It seemed as though last year that the judges were given marching orders from FIRST that the winning team from each regional, had to have something to do with FLL, either by holding a competition or by starting ‘x’ number of FLL teams.

I understand that FLL is the future of FRC, but I also believe that the traditional values of the RCA have been diluted by this drive. I still believe that it is more important for teams to inspire their students to getting their engineering degree, becoming an engineer, and then coming back and mentoring FRC teams. I also see a decline in the influence from the amount of community service that a team puts in.

There is a segment in team 111’s Championship Chairman’s video that shows a student on the team, then later after graduating with her degree, has returned as a mentor to that team. When the announcer says “that team gets it”, that is what the RCA should be about, not how much money you have been able to put in FIRST’s bank account.

Sorry, I had to get that off my chest….

Finally, I completely agree and thank you for posting. How about more credit to teams who add to the stability and sustainability of FIRST and not just the "I started X teams, how many did you start?".

J93Wagner

26-10-2009, 12:32

I guess I didn't realize how I sounded when I posted earlier on this thread. I'm sorry to whoever I might have offended with my earlier post.

Kims Robot

26-10-2009, 13:38

A team leader that got his team into the Hall of Fame once told me that winning Chairman's at your 'home' regional (one closest to your school) carries more weight than if you win it somewhere else at the Championship. However, I can't really speak for teams that have already won it.

1511 has won it both at home and away. Home was very sweet because it was our first win (third year), and last year we won at Chesapeake, and to be honest, it was just as amazing... but for different reasons. Home is FLR, and usually week 1/2, our away is generally week 3/4/5. Submitting away allowed us to have more fun at FLR and relax a bit, and it allowed us to compete with a whole new set of teams.

I think its amazing either way, and would encourage teams to try both (obviously different years) if they have the option, and it makes sense for their sponsor/school.

Im not certain 1511 has decided at all, as its up to the kids, and we usually wait until the new kids have settled in to really decide. But it will be fun either way :)

Akash Rastogi

26-10-2009, 23:19

Im not certain 1511 has decided at all, as its up to the kids, and we usually wait until the new kids have settled in to really decide. But it will be fun either way :)

1511? At Boston? Ooo this'll be tough. :cool:

DonRotolo

28-10-2009, 20:29

Since when has FLL become a ‘mandatory’ requirement for the Chairman’s Award. It seemed as though last year that the judges were given marching orders...
From the information provided, it seems that "since when" is last year.

Not being a judge, I can't say if this is true or not. I'd like some independent corroboration before I react. Rumors are never true.

rsisk

28-10-2009, 22:23

I don't think that is part of the marching orders given to the judges, however, the RCA is about inspiring students in the field of engineering, and FLL teams do inspire students in the field of engineering. So I am sure that starting FLL teams is one way to convince the judges that teams are RCA material.

R.C.

28-10-2009, 22:26

1323 will be submitting @ the Silicon Regional.

-RC

Akash Rastogi

28-10-2009, 22:30

JaneYoung

29-10-2009, 10:22

(yes I'm insanely pompous about our FLL success)...

How do arrogance and self-importance lend themselves towards inspiring others and obtaining the Chairman's Award?

I looked up the definition of pompous.
--
One of our lead mentors, Danny Diaz, is on the committee that organizes the FLL qualifiers and tournaments here in the central Texas area. He runs on exhaust fumes, balancing the demands of his job, his commitment to the team, and his family. He pushes through the tiredness to reach the goal of providing outstanding venues for students, mentors, supporters, and sponsors/VIPS to become inspired and to be impacted by the FLL program and its competitions.

His actions and that of the committee and the way that they involve our team and other teams in our community in pulling these events off, makes me feel proud, happy, and very humble to be a part of and to watch.

It is true that when working on aspects of the Chairman's, teams can be tempted to become peddlers, marketing the program on a level that gets the word out. It is also true that teams can go deeper and tap into the true value of inspiration and how that impacts others in a more profound manner than merely peddling. Finding that balance can be a balancing act in itself and is one that helps teams develop and grow, keeping themselves inspired and aware of the impact of FLL on the team as well as others.

Just a thought.

EricLeifermann

29-10-2009, 10:42

Nothing mandates any requirements for Chairman's. If FLL was held that high in regards for a Chairman's award then trust me, we'd have more than 1 (yes I'm insanely pompous about our FLL success)...

Its just a matter how many you inspire, how wide spread your message is, your impact on your local and non-local community, and your impact on education.

I don't think he is saying that they only do it to win the chairmans. Also he's saying that the FLL can't be that important that it is the #1 reason a team wins a charimans award, because if it was he feels 11 does SO much with FLL that they would have won more than just 1 chairmans award.

I have to say that alot of the time when the emcee is giving that little speech about the team that won the award 9 times out of 10 they talk about what an awesome team they are for all the FLL teams they started and the FLL comps they ran or sponsored. I can see where some people would see that i need to start 30 FLL teams this year and run 3 or 4 FLL comps to have any shot at a Chairmans award.

I feel that the chairmans award doesn't really mean what it did back when i first joined FIRST back in 2002. Yes its still an important award in most peoples eyes but i believe, now, that alot of teams are only doing most of the stuff they do to win the award.

Everything I do for FIRST I don't do for awards. If awards come from what I do and what my team does then that is awesome, but to only do something for recognition is by far the worst reason to do anything!

Andrew Schreiber

29-10-2009, 10:46

Nothing mandates any requirements for Chairman's. If FLL was held that high in regards for a Chairman's award then trust me, we'd have more than 1 (yes I'm insanely pompous about our FLL success)...

Its just a matter how many you inspire, how wide spread your message is, your impact on your local and non-local community, and your impact on education.

I have to comment on this, it is my personal opinion that it is not how WIDE you spread your message but how deep your message settles that is important. I would even venture to say that rather than start a half dozen teams with 10 students each I would prefer to start 1 team with 5 students and be sure those students get the attention they deserve and need.

Finally, I completely agree and thank you for posting. How about more credit to teams who add to the stability and sustainability of FIRST and not just the "I started X teams, how many did you start?".

:D (Do I need to say more? Sustainability is good)

I have to say that alot of the time when the emcee is giving that little speech about the team that won the award 9 times out of 10 they talk about what an awesome team they are for all the FLL teams they started and the FLL comps they ran or sponsored. I can see where some people would see that i need to start 30 FLL teams this year and run 3 or 4 FLL comps to have any shot at a Chairmans award.

I feel that the chairmans award doesn't really mean what it did back when i first joined FIRST back in 2002. Yes its still an important award in most peoples eyes but i believe, now, that alot of teams are only doing most of the stuff they do to win the award.

Everything I do for FIRST I don't do for awards. If awards come from what I do and what my team does then that is awesome, but to only do something for recognition is by far the worst reason to do anything!

I disagree that teams only do what they do to win the Chairman's I can think of a couple teams that work incredibly hard, and have for years and have never been awarded with a RCA. In other words, I agree with your sentiment but disagree with your generalization.

Akash Rastogi

29-10-2009, 14:44

I don't think he is saying that they only do it to win the chairmans. Also he's saying that the FLL can't be that important that it is the #1 reason a team wins a charimans award, because if it was he feels 11 does SO much with FLL that they would have won more than just 1 chairmans award.

Thanks for clearing up my point. :)

Jane- "characterized by pomp, stately splendor, or magnificence." - Dictionary.com

JaneYoung

29-10-2009, 16:17

Jane- "characterized by pomp, stately splendor, or magnificence." - Dictionary.com

Thank you for clearing that up, Akash.

It is good to know that you are insanely magnificent. :) You're starting to make me think of Johnny Depp characters.

rsisk

29-10-2009, 16:20

insanely magnificent

Sounds like something Charlotte would spin into her web :D

EricLeifermann

29-10-2009, 16:27

I disagree that teams only do what they do to win the Chairman's I can think of a couple teams that work incredibly hard, and have for years and have never been awarded with a RCA. In other words, I agree with your sentiment but disagree with your generalization.

I wasn't generalizing i didn't say all i said lots. i agree there are many teams who do what they do for the right reasons and not for recognition. Im just saying that FIRST has changed since i joined in 2002, and that I believe that the chairmans award doesn't mean the same as it used to.

Akash Rastogi

29-10-2009, 16:28

It is good to know that you are insanely magnificent. :)

Lol, well only in regards to FLL :p, anything else would be a little too bold, haha. We take our LEGOs very seriously here in Jersey ;)

Pjohn1959

30-10-2009, 10:26

Im just saying that FIRST has changed since i joined in 2002, and that I believe that the chairmans award doesn't mean the same as it used to.

That was the jist of my original post. I have definately seen a change in the last 2 years.

The teams that had mirrored the original concepts of the RCA, are now being left behind by those that are creating and promoting FLL. Maybe this is the new wave of the future of RCA's.

Lil' Lavery

30-10-2009, 11:28

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I can remember most of the RCA winners that I've been exposed to having some involvement (typically fairly significant) with FLL for quite some time (at least dating back to 2004). I don't think the emphasis on FLL (and other FIRST programs in general) is really that new.

Josh Drake

30-10-2009, 12:26

We will most likely submit at Palmetto again this year. The emphasis on Chairman's has gone by the wayside in recent years, but we are making a push to bring it back into the forefront. One of our goals is a FLL team in all the elementary schools in the county (4th and 5th grade), but we are not solely concentrating on that alone. I think RCA winners have to be well rounded in different areas. Sort of like a college freshman:D

JaneYoung

30-10-2009, 12:38

I think RCA winners have to be well rounded in different areas. Sort of like a college freshman:D

Good thought, Josh.
--
I, personally, look forward to the day when we grumble and wonder if teams are being awarded the Chairman's Award because of their continual support of other FRC teams and establishing methods of stability and sustainability in their areas/regions.

There is ebb and flow to the years the teams compete in. 2009 has been big in many areas that are impacting and will continue to impact the 2010 FRC program and therefore, the teams that compete for the Chairman's.

If we try to pinpoint a specific area as to why CAs are awarded, we are narrowing our own perceptions and limiting our own possibilities. And all it is - is guessing, really. What we do know is that FLL has succeeded in making a huge impact and FRC has helped with that along the way.

JVN

30-10-2009, 14:51

148 will submit at our home regional -- Dallas.

Paul,
Don't worry about us, we don't have any FLL teams, just VEX at all levels of the school district. ;)

-John

chessking132

03-12-2009, 17:31

After two years of submitting chairmen’s at our second regional team 75 will be submitting our Chairmen’s submission at New Jersey this year. We look forward to competing with the vast variety of teams that attend New Jersey and we welcome the competition.

Matthew Simpson

Team 75 Vice President of Technical

Dargel1625

03-12-2009, 17:46

This brings up a good point.

Since when has FLL become a ‘mandatory’ requirement for the Chairman’s Award. It seemed as though last year that the judges were given marching orders from FIRST that the winning team from each regional, had to have something to do with FLL, either by holding a competition or by starting ‘x’ number of FLL teams.

I understand that FLL is the future of FRC, but I also believe that the traditional values of the RCA have been diluted by this drive. I still believe that it is more important for teams to inspire their students to getting their engineering degree, becoming an engineer, and then coming back and mentoring FRC teams. I also see a decline in the influence from the amount of community service that a team puts in.

There is a segment in team 111’s Championship Chairman’s video that shows a student on the team, then later after graduating with her degree, has returned as a mentor to that team. When the announcer says “that team gets it”, that is what the RCA should be about, not how much money you have been able to put in FIRST’s bank account.

Sorry, I had to get that off my chest….

Not to shoot down this completely because I have noticed this as an overall trend as well but we won RCA at Midwest last year without having any significant involvement in FLL.

Cynette

03-12-2009, 18:14

I think 1511 is still debating on which regional they will submit their Chairman's application. Every year we discuss the pros and cons of submitting at home or away. And there is a good chance that we won't tell you until you see the presentation team in their red camo ties on that Friday morning. So those of you who think we might be presenting in Boston; we may - or may not.

It is very important to me that all teams should be encouraged to go through the process of writing the essay, completing the executive overview and preparing the presentation (and video). I really don't like it when teams get hung up on looking at their competition and sometimes deciding they have no chance, so why bother. I think each team should look at its own goals and how they have accomplished those goals and use the Chairman’s opportunity as a time for some self evaluation and a chance to gain some great skills.

As far as FLL, FTC, or VEX involvement as a Chairman's "requirement," I'm not convinced. Yes we support FLL, hugely. And yes we won RCA. But the year before we kept hearing, "You do FLL, so does every team here. What else are you doing to innovatively spread the word of FIRST?" At that point we almost felt like our FLL involvement was a liability, not an asset.

... I think RCA winners have to be well rounded in different areas. I agree! This matches very much with our Team's philosophy. But it isn't the only way. I think that there may be teams out there who pick one message and one method and do it so well they will knock our socks off! And we will all say, now why didn't we think of that!