Quote:
Originally posted by Ken L
I remember the good old times when I was eager to go into the forum and see people talking about interesting issues. I was too afraid to post replies, and was silently reading posts after posts learning whatever I can to prepare myself to enter one of the most exciting places in FIRST community, arming myself with basic knowledge of just about everything, and making sure I sort out my own line of thinking/feeling before I form my voice....
I start thinking about the role I want to take in FIRST and in other places, and I remember how much fun it was to inspire people, and teach them new things...
Believe it or not, when we register for this forum, ...we took on a little of the responsibility of showing others what’s the right thing to say. Lots and lots of viewers who come in here to read the forum look up to us for good ideas and data, because when we started showing our voices in the FIRST community in the forum/chatroom, we became sort of a role model, for newer members to come in and see, what’s the proper way to have intellectual discussions about something we are really excited about. The newer members look at what’s posted/said in the forum/chatroom to see how people are supposed to expression opinions and communicate. In a way, we are all teachers from the beginning we stop being a reader and start being a poster.
So start posting and show a good example to others ;-)...Make an example, and start influencing and inspiring others. There are lots of teams out there waiting to benefit from the CD forum just the way we benefit when we started.
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Nicely said, Ken.
I don't believe there has been that much of a change in spirit, it is pretty much this way every year. New members (not necessarily rookie teams) are overloaded with this new concept of gracious professionalism. They hear about it on this forum and others and certainly from the FIRST docs and staff, but can anyone really know this concept from just reading about it? It doesn't hit home until it is experienced. Those who know what I am talking about have seen it firsthand. That time when you explained your robot design or strategy to a competing team member who didn't expect it. That incredulous, almost double take look, when you explained that you are required to give them that info. That look that said "what planet are you from?" until they realized you were serious. I see it at every event I attend, and not from students but adults as well.
Keep up the good work, it is making a difference out there.