[rourke]

I take it as a good sign that this thread didn’t need to get moved into the moderated section.

I’ve had a number of private messages and e-mails from mentors who really like this approach to growth. As many of you have pointed out, there are endless ways of packaging collaborative approaches depending on the circumstances.

Woodie declares FIRST “a microcosm of the real-world experience”. The real-world is moving towards global collaborative enterprises. GM & Ford will share a 6-speed Transmission in 2007. GM & Toyota manufacture Vibe’s and Matrix’s in the same plant together. The Chevy Equinox is built in a joint venture between GM and Suzuki. And when you examine the explosive growth of the automotive industry in Asia, you will encounter a complex set of alliances and strategic partnerships all collaborating together for the purpose of GROWTH. Collaborating in FIRST Robotics is a microcosm of what is already transforming society, for all the same reasons. I’m concerned that if we take a hard line and insist that teams try to do everything on their own, then we are burying our heads in the sand. Collaboration is happening in the real-world at an accelerated pace.

Now, back to the challenge. For those of you that are working on growth initiatives in your region, when you begin with the premise that collaboration is a means to get a new team off the ground you will be more successful in attracting school administrators and sponsors. You will be more successful in getting them to put some money down on a venture that already has some sort of successful support system. You will more likely be able to get a teacher to sign up for a new school robotics club when they know they have a sure thing.

This thread has generated some healthy and enlightening debate. But in addition to debate, I was seeking to hear from those teams that are actively pursuing applying collaboration to their region to help with growth. Or I was seeking to hear from teams who are now comfortable with the concept and will consider it in the future. I know from some of your private messages that there are unique and creative collaborative approaches brewing. Let’s hear from some visionaries on some plans…..