Re: From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals
 

If FIRST had enough cash to add $1MM to their spendable cash assets this year, I fail to see how they need to cut the medals out of the equation to keep from having to charge us more.

Re: From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals
 

Possibly all of this money they're building up will be for something great? Something huge? Expand the program to more international regions? Have one a really cool field/game like mentioned earlier? Some TV/Radio promotions?

We don't know what the reasoning behind this is, that much has been gathered. But think about what they may be planning with this money that is just sitting there, appearing to be idle.

Re: From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals
 

Just a thought - I work at a large university and at this time, I have been told that my job is not in any danger. That said, there will be none of the small perks that I've grown accustomed to, such as an annual small salary increase. In my office, I've had to review and go over this past year's budget 3 times so far and the projected budget for the next 3 years twice. I will have to look at those projections once again next week before I leave for IRI and will also have to generate a new report for the expenditures this year even though I will be doing that again before August is out. We are monitoring monies very carefully for this year and for the next 3 years. There is not room for expansion or development in my office. At the moment, there is just hoping to remain status quo. I can't speak for the university or other schools, businesses, corporations, programs, or non-profits around the nation, but I know that we are working very hard to be fiscally responsible and to find areas where there may be ways to save money.

Knowing how my job has been impacted this past year, it does not surprise me in any way, that FIRST is looking for ways to continue to provide quality and still continue to offer an exciting program while at the same time, making it very clear that they are looking for ways to save monies. I wouldn't assume anything in any way, shape, or form, about how monies are building up anywhere. I also wouldn't try to second guess them or their reasoning. Finally, I would not try to address anything more than if I like the participation medal, would prefer a participation pin, or like both, equally. That is what has been asked of us as FIRSTers who would like to express an opinion. I did just that in the email address to FIRST that has been provided, several days ago.

Re: From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals
 

That would be really nice but it seems like some of the supposedly better parts in the kit aren't really that. The gyro and accelerometer we get every year does not work anywhere as close to what we can buy off the shelf. I'd rather have the option to purchase a part I desire rather than have things given to me in the kit. The kit should be a basis and a good place to start - not where I can find everything. That seems like a waste of money.

That said, I prefer the medals being given to all teams. It is a very strong memory and provides us with a sense of accomplishment and achievement - even if the achievement is just building a robot. When I was a student on the team, I worked hard to ensure that our robot and team would win something but that did not always happen. I still save all the medals and the regional booklets FIRST gives us. The pin could also be an excellent memory, but it does not have the impact of a medal, in my opinion at least.

I think there are other ways to save money... if that's really what we are after.

Re: From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals
 

Personally I like the buttons/pins better because I feel like I could actually wear it to school. I always feel like that the medals are too big to actually wear to school.