[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Swan217

Speaking for the Orlando Regional Planning Committee, we're still exploring our options. ...

TL/DR: We've got a lot of work to do before we can do districts here in Florida.

Don't wait too long. Yes it is hard work, but it has to be done, and soon. Is your committee talking with the other one down in Ft. Lauderdale?

I have seen the District system from both perspectives now. Seven seasons in St. Louis as a team mentor, event volunteer, and planning committee member. Five seasons now in Michigan.

The FRC has evolved since 1996, my rookie season. The vision and mission have not changed: we are still a volunteer community aspiring to "transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." However, the means to that end has changed over the years. Our first step away from the modest beginning was Championships in Orlando. The second step was decentralized planning by regional committees and directors, enabling growth through geographic spread. The third step, begun by the FiM organization and spreading across the community, enables further growth by lowering cost barriers and improving competitiveness -- a natural consquence when teams play more matches.

The District competition that I help to plan and host now requires about 5% of the budget that the St. Louis Regional required when I was part of that planning committee. Most of the difference (>$200k) went to professional event services and to venue rental. My opinion, apparently shared by many in the FRC community, is that those costs inhibit growth.