Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

What claim? I simply asked a question, and even started out with "Maybe I'm missing something here". 27 (from the outside) looks like the definition of a healthy, functioning, FRC team. I mean, they won a friggen' Chairman's award at the State level this year. That's got to mean something. And yes, more 27 adults were wearing team shirts than my whole team.
Sooo... yes, I feel I can make those two claims.?

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Seems logical to me. You merely stated several facts.

I think almost ANY team can benefit from more mentors. Asking for more help certainly doesn't show any "signs of weakness" on 27's part. You can do well on and off the field without a large quantity of technically savvy mentors, but it certainly helps to have more. The more mentors you have, the stress and workload is better divided, students get more 1 on 1 guidance and everybody benefits. :)

Very well put, Navid.

Adding on to what you are saying, mentors should be on teams for inspiring the students. With more guidance, students are able to get more professional level experiences, and that truly allows for inspiration.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I think it's the third claim that he was annoyed at. A claim that wasn't stated--but a claim that seemed to be there. Whether it was intended to be or not, I do not attempt to answer.

This is what I read from the initial post--this may not actually be what was meant to be said, but it can be interpreted from what was said--particularly the part where "need" was in quotes.

He was claiming, though by implication rather than by outright saying it, that 27 didn't need mentors (claim 3, implied) because they a) had more adults than your whole team (claim 1), and b) they won the DCA, so they must be the definition of a healty, functioning FRC team (claim 2).

I will grant that claim 1 and claim 2 are observed facts--though, as pointed out, claim 1 is subject to the caveat that most of the adults probably are NOT mentors (I suspect that the parent/student ratio would be roughly at 2:1 at the event if it was their home event, or within reasonable range). Claim 2 has a few possible counter-examples, but I think the best is that it's possible to win a Chairman's with a less-than-optimal team for your situation as you see it. (NOTE: I did say it was possible, but I do not claim that any team has ever had that or done that, primarily because I can't see the way any other team does.)

However, I submit this for everybody's consideration: Neither of those two claims carries any validity to the underlying implied claim that 27 does not need mentors. This is because every team is different. Now, if it had been claimed that because of those two prior claims, his team could use a few mentors to help you compete at that level, I might actually agree... after suggesting that such a proposition does not necessarily follow logically from the prior claims in that case either.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

A lot of implications derived from a very small initial post. Don't read into it too much...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Two separate 27 mentors and alumni seem to have seen--and responded to--the "third claim" I referred to. The poster didn't understand what claim the second one was referring to (later post); I merely pointed out the claim, and that the observations (and their possible alternate explanations) don't logically support it.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

The claim I was referring to was indeed exactly what Eric mentioned. There are any number of reasons why observed facts (more adults than other teams/winning DCA) do not support the implication that more mentors are not needed to achieve team goals.

Continuing the train of thought from that claim is the problem.
"You guys are doing well, you have enough mentors" is a dangerous line of thought for a couple reasons.

How many students are on 27? What is the mentor/student ratio? Maybe there are students who have interests that the team is not currently "staffed" to support. Our job as mentors is to ensure our students have the opportunity to follow their passions.

The bigger issue, though, is that it reeks of "good enough". It implies they are doing well, they don't need more. And I admit, I have some pretty strongly held beliefs on the phrase "good enough"...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I really wish everyone would just calm down. It's a shame that CD can so quickly become a cesspool of negative energy in such a short period of time.

Yes, people make mistakes. Yes, people may intentionally or unintentionally offend others, but it makes me think about why I come here...

I come here to seek knowledge and to hopefully impart some in turn.

It's just unfortunate to see everyone resorting to these kinds of interactions.

Please take a moment to think about the ramifications of all posts, regardless of who you are, or what you are posting about.

It's even easier to comport one's self in a gracious and professional manner online. Take the time to review, edit and re-think.

I personally respect and value everyone's opinion here, and I merely suggest that we all endeavor to do the same.

Take time to perhaps teach, enlighten and inspire, rather than to attack, berate or rebuke.

I wish 27 the best of luck, and I think that everyone here hopes to see their continued success as well.

Thanks for your consideration
-N

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

If every team that needed mentors did that, it would probably comprise over 50% of the threads here.
I would love to post one for us too, but I think if every team did, it would become white noise.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

What we are asking for is a few technical mentors is because in the past couple years we have lost a few technical mentors. We are able to function good as a team and get a robot done with our students leading it up, but it would be great to have some more experience so our students are guided well when they need it.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

I highlighted "it would become". That means you think that it's not white noise currently. That implies that it's a great time to post a request for mentors before it becomes white noise.

Seriously, if you need help, why not ask? It couldn't hurt.

I don't know if you noticed, but my information shows that I live in Canton yet I'm on team 51 in Pontiac. I drive close to an hour each way to work with that team, yet I have no affiliation with GM, Delphi, Pontiac Schools, or any of their sponsors. At one point in time team 65 needed some mentor help in my area of expertise and they asked if I could help them out. I decided that year to help them out, and this year was my 9th year with the team.

Worst case, people ignore your request for help. If that happens, then so what? On the other hand, you might just find to help you need.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

TEAM 3641 in South Lyon, Mi is looking for mentors too! And Sponsors! And....

And we are located with in driving distance to some ski hills....and it gets cold too! (Had to scrape windows this morning).

theflyingtoasters.org

weberr@slcs.us

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

This won't encourage people to come with work Michigan teams. Heck, it discourages me from living in Michigan. :P

Seriously. It's the middle of May. I don't want frost on my car. Or the windchill making it 29 this morning. In May.

Just...no...

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Team 3175 would love mentors. We only have two non-coach mentors, and only one comes on a regular basis. We would love mentors for CAD, Programming, Mechanical, Fundraising, etc. We are located in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.

Re: Team RUSH FRC27 Looking for Mentors
 

Guess what..that tiny frost brought 2,500 m^3 of fresh water into our GREAT Lakes! This should be an incentive for good many!:D