[JaneYoung]

Thanks, Andrew. I hadn't seen that e-mail.

I hope that teams step up. If not enough sign up, NI could very well pull the plug, again. It can be very costly to run an off-season and if they combine that with their NI Week (antennae raised because of your post that stated "August") then they have to add space to their already whopping event and that costs money. Applying lessons learned would be a good thing. I was devastated when not enough teams signed up last time and we had to pull the plug. It still makes me sad to think about. A good thing that happened: 1477 stepped up at the last minute and a few teams were able to travel to the Woodlands to have a little fun, including the ever awesome 148. 1477 pulled it together, quickly, and I've always appreciated that.

For the teams that have this potential opportunity: please do give input/feedback. When they say they are looking for it/want it - they mean it. Give feedback. I've spent 5-6 years traveling to off-season events in the U.S. to garner experience and talk with the organizers of the events to learn what it takes to pull one off. By doing so, I become a part of the volunteer crew that helps put on the event and I learn so much about the teams, the area, the host teams, the robots, the events. They are as much fun - or more - as the official FRC events and they help teams hone their skills in all areas. Seriously. Texas could become a much stronger region, competition-wise, by having an off-season or two each year. Destiny is calling.

All the best in the new venture; if I can be of any help, please let me know. Rock on, NI - let's do it!

Jane