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Unread 28-10-2003, 15:37
Ken Leung's Avatar Unsung FIRST Hero
Ken Leung Ken Leung is offline
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FRC #0115 (Monta Vista Robotics Team)
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Quote:
Originally posted by Amanda Morrison
While the team socials were fun, I don't really think they are necessary.

The money spent throwing the social together could be used more towards competition.
It cost about 10~15k for the food at a team social, that is if the venue is provided by a sponsor. Compare to the overall budget of a regional that's 170k, it's not exactly a huge expense. Keep in mind that sometimes when a regional raise money, the check they get is specified for "2004 *** regional", and that money can only be spent during 2004 and 2004 only. I know that's not a good excuse to have a team social, but it's not a bad one neither.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of the regional committee didn't have to find the money to get a team social. They didn't sacrifice some other portion of the regional just to get a team social. I know the silicon valley regional had to decide between the A/V or the team social, and ALL team agreed to keep the A/V.

The Arizona regional committee worked really hard last year to get the team social happening last year, and I know for sure a lot of people had a great time because of that effort. The committee set out one of their goals to have a team social at the Arizona regional, and did fund raising specifically for that goal. I think without that determination, the money wouldn't have been raised, and the regional wouldn't have a team social, nor the money for that team social.

I personally got to talk to some cool people because of that. Sometimes when the competition is done for the day, people are just too tired and leave to get their own food and disappeared. It is hard to meet with those people without an organized effort. Sometimes during the competition it is really stressful/hectic to have a nice chat with other teams or with FIRST staff. And having a team social provide for that opportunity.

What happened in silicon valley is team 192 Gunn Robotics Team invited WRRF teams to come to a party at their high school robotics room after Saturday award ceremony, and about 5 different teams showed up + mentors from other WRRF teams, and that was lots of fun.

Sometimes, when you put all the teams together in a non-competitive environment just to have a good time, you get unexpected results. Some of your quiet team members might make some friends on another team, or get to hear some of the most dedicated FIRST-a-holics talk in groups and learn to look up to the mentors. I know the latter happened because that's how I got hooked into FIRST, when I was quietly sitting there listening to a group of Engineers/mentors chat about the game and the whole program in general.

Besides, a lot of friendships are forged when they weren’t on the field battling each other with their robots. For the teams far away from everyone, it’s not easy for them to meet others. Having a team social will give them a chance to do so, even though they might choose to sit in the corner and enjoy the food and music.

So, you never know. ;-)
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1999-2001: Team 192 Gunn Robotics Team
2001-2002: Team 100, 192, 258, 419
2002-2004: Western Region Robotics Forum, Score Keeper @ Sac, Az, SVR, SC, CE, IRI, CalGames
2003-2004, 2006-2007: California Robot Games Manager
2008: MC in training @ Sac, CalGames
2009: Master of Ceremony @ Sac, CalGames
2010: GA in training @ SVR, Sac.
2010-2011: Mechanical Mentor, Team 115 MVRT

Last edited by Ken Leung : 28-10-2003 at 15:41.
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