Quote:
Originally Posted by GeeTwo
Well, damm. Please 'splain to me in small words how bag and tag kills teams.
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Second...
And to go off on a long limb (this does not reflect back on you or your comment, GeeTwo, just a tangent)...
What is so bad about attrition as long as the FRC pool of teams continues to rise? In essence - some teams die on the vine and others flourish. This is not a reflection on FRC but an exercise of Darwin's 'natural selection'. Teams that have what it takes can make it - and others do not. FIRST and it's sponsors have already done their work by spreading out their resources to teams that may need it - but how have those teams used these resources?
Or are we in a place in FRC that we all need equal access to all resources?
Yes, my team wants to have what the best of the best have - but we are confined to the resources in our area. And I will be honest with you, I believe that we have enough resources to compete with the 'best of FRC teams'. We feel that our greatest resource is 'time' with 'talent' being a close second.
So here is what sustainability means to me:
Build/create a strong mentor core that can withstand the exit of student talent. Have a SWOT plan in place so that we can withstand long-term ebb and flow of sponsors/student talent/space/etc. Creating a Booster Club to aid in our fundraising efforts and back the team/club when the School Board is making significant changes that effect our funding. Founding and supporting FTC and FLL teams that will produce the new wave of innovation for the FRC team. Creating a HUB from teams in a similar geography to aid each other in time of need.
You see, none of these rely upon FIRST - and none truly go back to the students themselves. If your FRC team is set up to succeed - it is set up so that the students can succeed as the mentors and support groups do the work that they are designed to do. Yes, it takes a lot of work by the lead mentors; and yes it may take years to establish this culture... but for us in Becker, MN - it has served us well. FRC 4607 is a success as it graduates 10-15 students each season and we look to bring in another 10-20 that can take the place of those that graduated. How do we do this? By creating opportunities for those in the lower grades. Last year we started 3 FTC teams and 3 FLL teams.
Last Wednesday we registered students for our FTC teams and we are now creating 2 more teams... and by September I am expecting to create 2 more. That means in a town of 4500 people, we will have 6-7 FTC teams. These teams will be made up of kids from Becker, St Cloud, Big Lake, Clearwater, etc. And I am certain we will have at least 5-6 FLL teams as well.
Oh - and our largest sponsor gives us $3500 a year. Most of our sponsors give between $250-500 (cash and in-kind). And we have 24 of these - all of which we worked our butts off to bring into the fold. And we are in Central Minnesota, in the middle of Potato Fields - 9-15 miles in every direction.
edit - I am not saying that teams need to fold, but teams need to have strong leadership. Money can entice leaders, but it does not guarantee strong leaders.