Quote:
Originally Posted by Team 4264
So legally (bag /tag rules) how is this possible at a regional event with lots of new rookie TN teams trying figure out what is going on?
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I love this whole post. Thank you for laying it all out there. This is big. This is big because it is a wise assessment of the situation that impacts your entire region - not just your team. I spend years trying to crack that nut open with individuals and teams and it's great to see that a member of a rookie team - gets it. Wow. I'm going to talk about the competition, not the build. You have suggestions regarding build and I hope you continue to find help and support for your build season because you showed the courage to post and laid it all out there.
It's very difficult for a region to grow new rookie teams without a plan of developmental support in place. Recruiting teams and providing funding through grants, etc., is well and good but - where's the plan to help the teams succeed in the region that they are forming as a team? Texas grew lots of rookie teams over a very short span of time and not all of the rookie teams have thrived in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. Because of their needs and their
impact, it became very evident that support was absolutely essential in helping them to build sustainable programs and continue to develop into competitive teams. There have been some gains made but not as much as there could have been if they could have hit the ground running with a plan in place.
I was looking back at a thread that I had created after the 2011 Alamo Regional. In that thread, it is very clear that everyone pulled together to get the rookie teams through the event. From that thread and from my experience as a volunteer at the event, I have a few suggestions:
At the event, talk to and work with your Robot Inspectors. Immediately if not sooner. Many rookie teams have it in their heads that the robot has to be perfect before they go to inspection. Not true. For one thing, the robot is never going to be perfect. Establish communication with the inspectors and get the robot through the initial inspection process. That lets them know where the team/robot stands and it lets the team know what they've got to do to pass inspection. And - it gets the team on the map regarding help/support. The inspectors are aware of the status of the robot and they can direct help and support in the team's direction.
Don't turn down help. It's an opportunity to benefit from the experience of other teams. It's an opportunity to see how other teams work - hopefully in a cohesive, efficient, and friendly manner. It will benefit your team.
Keep your pit area clean and with a place for everything and make sure your pit crew knows what that place is. (You can do this in your build space, too. Order will help the build process go more smoothly and cut down on wasted time.)
Find out what kind of tech support you have at the venue and where it is located. Find out where the practice field is and what kind of process is in place to use it: sign-up sheet, practice time, etc.
Last year's Alamo Regional had a lot of rookie and young teams. It also had veteran teams who stepped in to give support. Some of the teams that come to mind are:
FRC 148, the Robowranglers
FRC 1429, Team KAOS
FRC 2587, the Discobots
FRC 2468, Team Appreciate
The inspectors could contact these teams (and others) and let them know to help another team and what kind of help they needed.
We also had veteran teams who traveled in from out-of-state to compete in and support the event. FRC 16, Bomb Squad, out of Arkansas and FRC 245, the Adambots, out of Michigan. What that does is help stabilize and strengthen the event. The veteran teams are bringing their valuable competitive experience with them and sharing it with the younger teams. Some of that is direct - helping, assisting, offering suggestions, competing together on alliances. Some of that value is shared indirectly - the veteran teams role model how to work as team in order to compete well. They also role model how to conduct themselves as a team when things aren't going as planned or as well as they would like.
It's difficult to develop a region of rookie and young teams without the support of the veteran teams. We've all (veteran teams) been there, done that. We've all gone through variations of what you are going through now.
I'll share one last thought in this post:
Enjoy it. As hard as it is right now - enjoy it. Remember it. Document it. Use this year to lay a strong foundation to build on. You will only have one rookie year - celebrate it. This includes the hardship, trials, unknowns, and busted bubbles.
This wasn't a post with technical answers or advice but - you posted in the General forum so I felt that it was ok to post in your thread. Finish your build and then read this before you go to your competition.
Rock on 4264.
All the best,
Jane