Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

I try to take a break from first on most nights. For about 5 hours. That is, if I don't have nightmares about it. ;)

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

Sometimes my day-job gets in the way of what's really important. Then I'm forced to take a break from FIRST. :o

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

I went 6 months without attending a meeting for a FIRST team once... it was while I was moving, finishing my undergrad, and starting a new job.

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

I took a break from FIRST for 45 years. No more...

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

I've quit the team and FIRST twice in the past 10 years. The first time was in 2006 and the second time was, I forget.

As you can see, the quit didn't stick. Recently, I've considered cutting way back or quitting - again. I'm not sure how that will go although my intentions are sincere.

The first 2 times, it boiled down to the lack of communications in our team structure and the lack of transparency in FIRST. After a while, one does finally realize that it hurts to keep beating your head against the wall.

I'm thinking about it again because of different reasons. If I change anything, I will stay with my amazing and incredible team and ignore participating in the bigger picture. I'm all about growing the bigger picture as I have understood it over the last few years. I'm not interested in the politics or embracing the culture that I thought we were trying to change. The impact is subtle and it is also in your face. I'm not interested in that impact - I'm interested in the impact of seeing a student come into his or her own. I'm interested in seeing a student step up to the challenge and work through it. I'm interested in seeing what a difference our team makes in our region and how that difference is for the good. Beyond that, I've gotten burned out.

FIRST has a lot of work to do on a lot of levels. They hit their 20 year mark and I'm hoping the lessons learned from those 20 years will serve them well in the decisions they make for the next 20. I'll probably stick around to see how it goes but I will not be as active a participant.

Jane

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

It depends what counts as a break. I've been sort of involved remotely-ish as a mentor for 1124 over the past few years, and I've also been a regional volunteer over the past few years as well. That means the off-seasons feel like a break to me. Recently, I've been feeling really re-energized to increase my involvement with FIRST again, and I probably will once I graduate in a few months.

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

Break between seasons and events where FIRST is in the off season doesn't count so much as a break as down time.

A break is where you could say you wash your hands of it. You might talk to someone, keep tabs on the changing games, etc. A lot of people seem to suffer that burn out I'm learning. You overdose on the pure adrenaline of it all. Some sort of conflict or politics arises. School/work take precedent. There is not a team or avenue of FIRST in your area.

And Jane, I agree with pretty much all you said. When I got back into this year, I set limits that I soon ignored and beat my head against enough walls. I did all this cause I see the team that I was working with. There is enough time and potential with this group I'm willing to risk a burn out with them.

I love FIRST and what it does for students and for people. From here on out, the only break I'll be taking is the off season break.

Re: Breaks from FIRST
 

Ironically, I found that I had "plenty" of time in undergrad to work with a team for four years, but grad school has been a different story. I've had to step back and focus on school, but I've still watched a couple of webcasts and I'm really looking to volunteering at an event next week.