[EricH]

Originally Posted by FRC4ME

I'm a little concerned that the best you can say about FIRST is that they "aren't totally diabolical." I honestly believe FIRST's goals are pure and not corrupt. Are you implying that this isn't the case?

Whether on purpose or by accident, FIRST has created something pretty amazing. I've always thought that what makes it so amazing is that the politics don't matter all that much. It's not so much what FIRST does, but what FIRST allows others to do. Inspiration and Recognition; that's what FIRST is about, right?

The goals have not changed.

The people have, and that has brought some undercurrents into the situation. Some tensions, if you will, or politics. The strongest company can be severely damaged by allowing those tensions and distrusts to continue without resolution.

I've been in and around FRC for over a decade now, first as a spectator, then a student (and occasional volunteer), then as a volunteer, now as a spectator again. This year, I think I've seen more tension buildup between CD and the perceived goals, etc, of HQ than any other year. Yeah, the move did compound it. Yeah, there's been some tension year after year, especially in 2008/2009 (IFI-NI transition in FRC; VEX-Tetrix in FTC). This year, it seems worse than normal. Hopefully, having team veterans and active team mentors from the role-model teams on the GDC will help bring the teams' views to the GDC and HQ and ease some of the tensions.