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Re: 2015 Peachtree Regional
[quote=Kellen Hill;1463623]Does anyone have notes on what happened at the meeting to discuss transitioning to districts in Georgia? This will be the solution to bring down the cost per match ratio. As Anupam mentioned, the current cost per match is frustrating to see when other events (especially districts) allow for much more bang for your buck when it comes to the amount of matches you get to play.
I attended the meeting on converting to the district model. It was an informational meeting where we learned the good points of the district model, and also what you give up by going to it. I think Georgia will move to the district model in the next two years, but a LOT of work has to be done by the Peachtree Planning Committee before it will all work out. We would like to take advantage of Georgia's support from colleges and universities to help with putting on the district meets, rather than using high school gyms. All that has to be worked out, and it won't be easy. Not to mention having to haul the playing field around (or two fields if we have a full practice field as in the past) since FIRST doesn't send down a field for each event.
Having and keeping volunteers is a big concern when moving to the district model, so if teams want to go that way, you had better expect to encourage your teachers, mentors, and PARENTS to step up to the plate and help out. Otherwise you're going to kill off all us grandparent-type people who are doing a lot of the work now.
While the district model gives more playing time, and maybe more bang for the buck, total costs for getting to the World Championships will be higher for winning teams, which have to attend two district meets, one state (or super-state) regional, and finally the Championships.
Many of the frustrations with this year's Peachtree were pretty much beyond the control of the Committee. High costs come with all meetings in downtown Atlanta. Other, maybe more desirable, venues were already tied up before we settled on a location. The seating delivered was not what we ordered, and it wasn't set up in the correct place, but once in position, we could do nothing about it. The remainder of the space had to be re-allocated as we were setting up Wednesday.
In spite of it all, I think we had a well-run event with great competition and wonderful winners. And don't forget, we essentially had everyone inspected by 7:00 Thursday. That's NEVER happened before!
My hat's off to Connie, Val, and the others in leadership positions for succeeding in putting on two great events this season in Georgia.
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Dr. Bob
Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.
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