[JaneYoung]

This is just a thought that I've been carrying around for a while as I think about our rookie teams and rookie mentors - and veteran teams as well.

Perhaps the bridge foundation needs some work, strengthening.
We may have some weaknesses in areas that move from off season development through build through competition and into postmortems.

Competition, itself, is tough and I believe the game is designed for teams that compete to be able to work on many levels, not the least of which is strategy. The bridge that spans a FIRST team is Gracious Professionalism. That is not an empty phrase, it is the cornerstone of FIRST. Students and engineers and professionals working together to create a competitive team/robot/season.

I've seen posts calling for training for referees. I remember similar posts regarding inspectors. I've read posts complaining about the GDC, the venues. I've read and heard very little calling for training for Gracious Professionalism - what that is, and how it can bridge a year of FIRST for rookies and for veterans. How it continues to evolve, develop, and expand as FIRST grows and expands in every program.

When Gracious Professionalism is understood as a way of life, of how you conduct yourself, rather than a phrase to be thrown around, then it deepens the programs, the off seasons, the build season, the competitions, the networking between teams, the bridge from rookie to veteran. It also bridges the gaps between generations, positions held by students, mentors, parents, sponsors, FIRST staff.

Many rookie teams have the benefit of being mentored by veteran teams. Those veteran teams are the face of/introduction into FIRST and hopefully add strength to the bridge, helping the rookie teams move across the full season with a deepening understanding. This includes a very important part of FIRST, the robotic competition, and what it is and what it means. What its purpose is and serves. Before competition, during competition, and following competition. For rookie teams that don't have the benefit of being mentored by wise veteran teams, training in Gracious Professionalism could help this.

I understand what the OP is saying and the frustrations. I think training in this area could help in the long term. I appreciate and support a strong exciting competition that has all of us on the edge of our seats filled with awe and celebration of the teams.
Jane