Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

I'd say some things to look for in a leader are:
-Dedication and extreme involvement. It helps them to be informed and make decisions.
-Some level of confidence is necessary
-Be able to know when to cut your losses if encountering a problem too great. Some designs you just have to know when to pull the plug and move on.
-open-minded to all sorts of designs, ideas, and suggestions.
-a good knowledge of physics, math, and general robotics knowledge also always helps.
-good people skills, you want someone that represents your team in a positive light.

These are just some of the things I thought of I'm sure there's plenty more.

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

Thanks a lot!

I'll try to see if I can get the robot's chains fixed so it is safe for anyone to drive it, right now, the chains are really loose and pop out of the sprocket every ten minutes. Probably my fault (I drove a little too aggressively as midfield at 10,00 Lakes. Oops :) )

We do a 'pepfest' about a week before school dances, so I could try to have the robot at one of those, even though they only last 15 minutes.

I could try to have the science teachers to tell people about FIRST, but they only seem to do announcements for school dances.

I am thinking of putting up a booth during lunch hour, with the "FIRST: The Sport of the Mind" video looping on a projector with fliers and occasional robot runs. Think that would help?

My school actually seems to respond to fliers, so does anyone have any ideas for posters and handouts?

Thanks



Thaine

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

Maybe for a poster show a picture of the robot and it say, "do you want to build this? join the school's robotics team - no experience required" Or make it seem like a help wanted ad?

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

Genius. That's why people are so scared of joining, they think they have to have experience. Thanks, I didn't think of that.

As for robot demonstrations, I think I can get the wheel mountings fixed pretty soon. Our chains were stretching like crazy, anyone else get that at 10,000 Lakes?

Oh, speaking of 10,00 Lakes, thanks a ton to the team that put half-links in our chain, I forgot the number.

Where is the best place for live demonstrations with audience participation? Preferably so that the administration wouldn't mind, and not forced, like a school assembly. I get the vibe like "Why the heck are we watching this?" whenever there is a demonstration for a team or other organization at assemblies. Like a booth outside the school after school?


Thaine

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

Our team's robot gets to show off in the foyer outside the school cafeteria. It's a big area with plenty of room to move around without endangering innocent bystanders...much.

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

That sounds promising. We have a foyer, but its usually so crammed with people that I can't fit myself through there, much less a 150-pound robot. I'll see if I can get clearance to show it outside.
Thanks!


Thaine

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

We are trying something new next year. I have Lego kids that started in 4th grade and they are now in 6th. I had promised them if they stayed with Legos until 8th grade we would allow them on the team in 8th grade. We have since revised that...very few kids actually make it to Legos in 8th grade. We are going to invite those kids and a few others to be "Jr members" of our team next year. They will be hand picked by us and the other middle schools and invited to participate. (My Lego kids will be 7th graders and the ones from the other middle schools will be 8th graders.) As a Jr. member they will participate when they can and go to our local regional (Palmetto). After a year they will become regular members.

If fund raising goes really really well we may let them travel with us to our 2nd regional.

Basically, we are recruiting for way in the future success. These kids have been going to the Palmetto Regional since they were in 4th grade and are hooked. I always bring my Lego kids to Palmetto and most can't wait to get on the team...but we have to wait a while for them!!

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

That's really smart...

My school also has FLL in the grade schools (I think) and they should be joining freshman year. Unfortunately, I'm going to be gone then.

Have any ideas for faster-acting recruitment ideas?


Thaine

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

how to recruit people?
that's a question our team faces every-year, and a hard question as well...
in my opinion, the best way is to just go to people that you think may be interested in joining the project, and talk to them, make them come to a meeting or two!
another way is to demonstrate the robot in the school (like people have posted before me)

the way I am going to recruit new members to the team is by telling them what was my position when i just started the project, let them know how clueless i was, and how it has changed, that you really don't need any prior knowledge to join a robotics team (unlike the stereotype that you have to be smart in order to build a robot) and let them them know that there is a lot more to do then just "building a robot" in a robotics team ( like applying to different awards, website design and etc'...)!
i am just planning on sharing my experience and ask them to come and try it...

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

on picking a leader (our team picks two because we are a combination of two schools) you should definitely choose someone who has the right organizational skills and has the right intentions/knows what's best for the team. they should be able to make rational decisions (even under pressure).

on recruiting members, look no further than school. ask to have a demonstration of the robot after school in the gym, mention in your morning announcements that you're looking for new members of any skill level, put up flyers about the team around school, make a Facebook group and invite your friends, the possibilities are endless. good luck! :)

Re: How do I get more recruits for next year?
 

Thanks guys! The advice is great.


Thaine