[martin417]

Since the team I was working with back in 2012 did not have a teacher sponsor, I became the main team contact. The following year, the team did not compete (due to lack of teacher sponsor). I have since moved on to another team. This year, the original team has found a sponsor and wishes to compete. They sent me an email and asked me to invite the new sponsor as the main team contact. I figured it would be as simple as quickly logging into TIMS and making the invite. I was forced to watch a video that I didn't have time for, then allowed into TIMS. I was then forced down a long and winding path that eventually led me another website where I was asked for much personal information. When they asked for my social security number, I drew the line. This is becoming far too intrusive. I am already in violation of this new policy since I have contact with many current and former students through social media (including this website).

I resent being treated as a criminal or a child molester just because I volunteer my time to help these kids. I sent an email to FIRST and asked them to change the main team contact. I hope that works. I will have to think long and hard about whether I will become involved with FIRST this year if this is required. After the fiasco that was last years' game, I was already wondering if FIRST is heading in a direction that I don't want to follow. This new policy seems to reinforce that worry.