Quote:
Originally Posted by vivek16
arg, i am not getting this right. I mean: is there a single mentor that shows up to every single one of the meetings? the same mentor.
I im inferring that there is usually not and that we need more than just 3.5 mentors
thanks, vivek
|
Often, the consistency of the team is based on the consistency of the mentors that commit their time and effort to the team. Teams find ways to work with the schedule. Communication is key in running a FIRST team. The mentors that you have should discuss what they can commit to and what areas they will work in with the team. From there, you can figure out if you need more mentors. It is always good to have mentor support and parent support. Time constraints are a big part of build. Learning to work within those time constraints is real world.
Your team has to figure out what you can and can not do this year and learn from this experience. Build on it. All of this advice is nice but it can also be overwhelming. Go through the thread and write down suggestions that have been helpful and something you feel your team can do.
There are teams who build out of a living room and a garage and they are successful. There are teams that build out of warehouses like you are talking about. There are teams that build out of shops at schools. There are teams that build out of shops provided for them by their sponsors. Every team has to figure out how to make the best use of their time and their workspace. There is no cookie cutter method to build.
If little red flags raise regarding lack of sleep, using energy drinks to keep yourself going, letting studies slide - pay attention to those little red flags and discuss them with your team. Your rookie year is the only rookie year you guys will ever have. It will be stressful and the learning curve will be enormous but approach it with as much common sense as you can and have fun learning what a FIRST team is all about and capable of.
Take the time to read the information that has been released for the 2008 manual.
Take the time to look at the resources provided for you in the FIRST website.
Take the time to look at the rookie resources provided for you by teams and referred to here in CD.
This thread is a thread of advice, humor, and suggestions, but the actual programs that have been developed to help rookies through their first build and competition(s) are where you'll get the most bang for your buck.