[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect
That's VERY interesting to me, as VirginiaFIRST seems to be following the exact same process. Two things are striking:

1. The VirginiaFIRST administration has explained that FIRST has mandated the "FIRST + <local flavor>" naming scheme for all newly-forming districts. If you "are not using PNW FIRST any longer", then maybe you guys aren't being held to this same standard? Or you decided to reject the standard? Or maybe the naming scheme isn't really mandatory in the first place?
2. It seems to me that when an organization is attempting to represent the needs of 2 or more uniquely-named places, then the organization shouldn't be named for only 1 of those places. I don't think I would be comfortable with the arrangement, if (say) I were a MD or OR team. How does your organization make sure the Oregonians and Alaskans are appropriately represented in the decision-making processes?

I recently asked the FIRST Chesapeake admin team this question:


Is it the same story for WFR? The WFR board just didn't make a determination that an overarching PNW organization was necessary?

It is best explained by this excerpt from PWNFIRST.org.

"Washington FIRST Robotics has a close partnership with Oregon FIRST Robotics. Our states run independent boards. Last year, we were using the moniker PNW FIRST. This created unity for our District, but is also causing some confusion with our donor community. Creating yet another entity for them to think about did lead to some issues.

Washington FIRST Robotics is the legal entity which has fiduciary responsibility for the PNW District and is signing the contracts. We are very sensitive to the fact that a third of our District is based in Oregon, and that our District Championship is in Portland in 2016. We are one big happy District. Currently there is not a 501(c)3 in Oregon who is responsible for the FRC program. That is being worked on.

Essentially WFR is caught in the political middle in respect to the name of the organization and at it is best to make the donor community happy and not confuse them since they provide the funds to make the PNW district happen.