Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Stratis
So I'll offer up an alternative solution. Find a mentor or volunteer on here from an area different from yours. One that doesn't interact with your team or your events, and one that doesn't work for FIRST. Private message them (from a new anonymous account if you feel it necessary) and ask if they would be willing to advise you.
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Great suggestion, I will certainly offer to be that contact. I am a chief volunteer but I am not a FIRST employee. I am a member of a HOF team and a 21 year team veteran.
Every year I will hear allegations of a very similar story. It is rare,
extremely rare, for a team to flaunt rules. Mentors are not perfect and they sometimes misunderstand the rules. Young team members are also capable of this same misunderstanding. Usually, in short order, the mentor and/or student will see the error of their ways and correct their behavior. I can tell you that Chairman's teams are accused of misstating facts in their presentations every year and likely every event. This is an indication of how important the award is and how desirable for teams to achieve.
In spite of the desirability, many teams still do not make the attempt. When a team actively pursues Chairman's, it affects the way they think and make decisions. When a difficult decision comes before the team, they start to think "What would a Chairman's team do?" This is why I encourage every team to pursue the Chairman's award. Every team thinks they don't do enough to win, but you can't win if you don't try.
Congratulations to Team 597 the Wolverines of LA, 2015 Champs winners. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!