[Jack Jones]

It is true; things are not always as they appear. Sometimes an apparent conflict of interest is either unavoidable or unanticipated. For example, my organization sponsored a regional last weekend and will sponsor another next week. As the driving force behind getting us involved in FIRST, we had to wear a number of hats – volunteer, VIP tour guide, and engineers on our rookie team. We’ve come to understand how a team member’s access to most any area at the event would look a little fishy, because it was. We could not avoid doing all jobs simultaneously. Next week my engineers and I will be with our team. The other tasks will be delegated. Unfortunately, the fishy smell will linger because we all work for the same organization, but the ones who have privilege will not be the ones who’ve given their blood, sweat, and tears to the team.