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Unread 19-04-2016, 15:36
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Jon Stratis Jon Stratis is offline
Electrical/Programming Mentor
FRC #2177 (The Robettes)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Minnesota
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Re: Incorporating Alumni within FRC Teams

I think the key to any part-time help/mentors is to focus on smaller scale projects that can be accomplished in their available time. Having someone who can't be there all the time means they should not be responsible for any critical parts of the robot, or any bigger, long term parts - things tend to grind to a halt when the mentor involved with a mechanism isn't there to advise.

Instead, focus on smaller, contained things part time alumni can help with. We usually get a few during the first week or so of build, as they're on winter break. During that time, they can help with prototyping (which is relatively short term), build field elements, or serve as a reviewer on chairman's submission materials.

Above all, remember that being a mentor is completely different from being a student, and you'll probably need mentoring in how to be an effective mentor!
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2007 - Present: Mentor, 2177 The Robettes
LRI: North Star 2012-2016; Lake Superior 2013-2014; MN State Tournament 2013-2014, 2016; Galileo 2016; Iowa 2017
2015: North Star Regional Volunteer of the Year
2016: Lake Superior WFFA
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