Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure (Post 1562431)

It's quite amazing how far the document diverges from the one published by GuamFIRST. I compared the two documents so you can see for yourself-- it's almost eerie how the two letters have the same format but vastly different messages. Not half as destructive or offensive. Great job GuamFIRST!

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery (Post 1562462)

How was the letter published/distributed?

Originally Posted by rzoeller (Post 1562245)

I was a student at the presentation at which this document was distributed. ...

As a student who attended the presentation, I was surprised for several reasons. The meeting at which the presentation occurred was part of a regular sequence of meetings in which university faculty and outside corporate employees give talks about their work. That particular meeting had been advertised as a "an inside look into life as an engineer and success after college from *speaker name redacted* who works at *company name redacted*", and was something I had genuinely looked forward to based on the extensive industry experience the speaker seemed to have and my interest in the company they work at. Unfortunately, once the meeting began it quickly changed focus to discussing FIRST volunteer feedback.

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson (Post 1562457)

...The only substantial difference in style I see is that one is written in an active and instructional form, while the other is more passive and conversational. If I were just starting out as a possible volunteer, I know I would appreciate the specific guidance of the first one more.

Originally Posted by Dibit1010 (Post 1562465)

Sometimes districts are annoying. It's one more step to get to St. Louis

Originally Posted by PayneTrain (Post 1562466)

ok

Originally Posted by bkahl (Post 1562468)

I don't think this post positively contributes to the discussion in this thread.

Please try and bee a bit more productive next time!

Originally Posted by PayneTrain (Post 1562469)

sorry man this thread just isn't what i want it to bee about

Originally Posted by Dibit1010 (Post 1562465)

Sometimes districts are annoying. It's one more step to get to St. Louis

Originally Posted by PayneTrain (Post 1562469)

sorry man this thread just isn't what i want it to bee about

Originally Posted by Zebra_Fact_Man (Post 1562472)

That's kind of an immature way to think about it.

What is it exactly that you want this thread to be about?

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery (Post 1562462)

Considering the letter discussion has continued to dominate this thread (to my dismay), I do have a question. How was the letter published/distributed? Was it posted on a MN FIRST website for prospective volunteers? Was it e-mailed to all volunteers on the VC's list? Was it emailed to a specific group of volunteers? Was it released for public consumption at all?

Originally Posted by PayneTrain (Post 1562476)

why im right and everyone else is wrong, obviously...

that is why we have the internet right? to tell people they are wrong and we are right

Originally Posted by Collin Fultz (Post 1562473)

This is a real concern for some teams. In the regional system, you can qualify for the World Championship after 1 event. With districts, it takes 3. This is a turn off for some mentors.

We try to balance that by having some events on Saturday-Sunday, helping limit the time off from work required by mentors.

It's a balance. There are positives and negatives to districts. I think that the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. I don't think that means that those negatives should be ignored.