[Collmandoman]

Originally Posted by dlavery

And I would have to respond that, as the largest sponsor of FIRST teams in the entire program, NASA massively disagrees with you. I reject the notion that asking for a team to acknowledge the sponsorship of an organization is equivalent to not understanding what FIRST is all about.

I think this is part of what FIRST is about
It's strange you used all... I don't' think I mentioned that.. but I do feel that ASKING for recognition does one of two things..
It either implies that the recipients of the contribution are ungrateful and need to be reminded to reimburse the sponsor by recognition. Which shows a lack of credit and trust to the team.
OR it is a "hey we did something for you, here is our demand so you can thank us and pay us back in the way we see appropriate"
I'm having a hard time seeing it another way..
I feel FIRST recognizes NASA's generous spirit and thanks them - I hope NASA doesn't say - We'll sponsor you if you get our name out there more -- This should just happen because the community acknowledges your sacrifices -- It has the EXACT same ends.. but the means seem so much more moral to me -- In this case pragmatism = no! (well to me)

When NASA sponsors a team, part of the deal is that NASA is recognized by the team as a sponsor, "NASA" is included somewhere in the team name, and the NASA logo appears somewhere on the robot. This is done for a number of reasons, including:

I mean..errr... this bothers me.. but it doesn't -- I don't know..yes it does
I would just hope that teams would have the common sense to recognize their sponsors.. because their team couldn't't exist without them -- None of our sponsors this year said anything about us displaying their name.. we just do because we feel they are what made it possible this year-- without them this would not be possible AT ALL..
they don't remind us of that by telling us to show them off
we show them off because we are grateful

- it is appropriate and professional to recognize the contributions of all members of the team; when an organization sponsors the team, they tacitly become part of the team, they and the team are then associated with each other, and they should be recognized as such

TOTALLY AGREED =)

- recognition of NASA sponsorship of the team acknowledges that NASA has used their resources to "support the cause" and further both the goals of FIRST and the agency. They can then show their sponsors (the U.S. Congress and the public) that they are properly utilizing the resources that they have been given. When they do so, then they are given additional resources in future years to continue the effort. If they don't, then about 200 teams will be without sponsorship next year.

I just would kinda hope in humanity.. that if teams weren't asked to recognize NASA.. it would still do so..

So the bottom line is that NASA does, and will continue to, ask to be recognized as a sponsor when the agency supports a team. Because NASA is smart enough to understand that without the recognition of the sponsorship, the ability of the agency to continue to support the program will be questionable and the long term effects are much, much worse than any minor discomfort someone might feel about asking for a logo to be placed on a robot.

The way you juxtapose the two makes it seem like my view is pointless(and adding the word smart- has the same effect). This is about principle.. and I bet if not asking for recognition would not cost FIRST or NASA to begin to fall into oblivion. I ACTUALLY think people would be surprised that the same recognition is given.

Does this mean that NASA is a bad sponsor, or the agency is involved for all the wrong reasons, or the agency doesn't understand what FIRST is all about. Well, NASA has been involved with FIRST for the past ten years. You have all had ample opportunity to observe the actions and behaviors of the agency and it's engineers, and judge if NASA is an appropriate sponsor or not. What do you think?

again.. some farfetched comments
I think they've done great! =) and you!