[Elgin Clock]

These types of threads amuse me.

The reason is that I'm willing to bet not one of you has sat on the board of directors within this organization, and personally heard why or what the long term goals of FIRST is.

And don't look at me. I haven't either. But I do know this program exists for one reason.

To inspire youth to pursue careers in Science & Technology.

That's a pretty vague statement, this is true; but it gives FIRST whatever liberties on their end they feel is the best way to do this.

Do you want to start your own not-for-profit organization to inspire youth?
Do you want to even imagine how different that program will be & what you will have to sacrifice personally, & in the business sense to accomplish your basic goals?
Would you even know what your goals were going to be in a year? 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
Would you have what it took to be a member of the board of this program if all you heard from down the chain was whining about everything you ever did?

It seems to me these forums, and some of the people on it are so far caught up in the HS world of robotics, and the situations that develop out of that world, that they tend to use any excuse to take the "HS drama mentality" up the chain to FIRST itself.

I've gotten annoyed at some of the things FIRST as an organization has done over the years, and I'm willing to bet you won't find anyone who hasn't.

What we need to do though, is separate the problems on the field, & the problems within management, and approach the issues you have a problem with in a good way.

A public forum in my opinion is not a good way.
Not CD anyways. Don't add to the stress of the already crazy season by making the mods here work overtime (volunteering btw) because of your whining, and complaining about everything you can in this program.

Let's leave the HS drama for the students, and as Mentors approach these things in a civilized manner.

I saw a suggestion of a "town meeting" of sorts with FIRST to discuss certain problems or changes within the organizations.

Let's all take a minute, and come up with some reasonable questions if you have any and not assume what someone told you is correct unless it comes from an official source.

Even Dave probably doesn't consider himself an official spokesperson for FIRST on these forums. He may post here about things, and partake in discussions, but we've all learned that the only official word form FIRST comes in a more official medium than a web forum - especially this one.

If you have problems with the organization, feel free to ask FIRST directly, and not start the "he said she said" game on these forums.

Most of the people partaking in those discussions I've seen are mentors.
Is this what we want our kids to learn from us?

That the HS drama & accusations mentality is a way to get answers when you aren't even in HS?

I am just truly disappointed in some people here & what they are saying.

It's not because what they are saying may be false (it very well may be true) but it's the way you are carrying out your statements that are making you look bad & reflecting poorly on the FIRST community as a whole.

I don't usually post serious things here, as some of you know, but when the maturity level of adults goes below that to most of the students in the programs we are involved in then I feel something needs to be said or done to remedy the situation.



This may be my last post till after Atlanta, so I hope this thread turns around in its overall direction it's heading in and starts to ask some good questions, and leads to some good answers.
Asking tough questions is not always a bad thing, but the way you ask them makes the difference.

I would hate to think that after a week it will lead to an even worse decline in attitudes towards the program we can all agree is achieving its main goal.

To inspire youth to pursue careers in Science & Technology.

If you feel it's not accomplishing that, then I, as well as many others will gladly show you the door.


And if you don't agree with me, send me a PM.

Or send me a quick response with some red negative rep dots...
They are only dots, and I have way too many of them anyways.
I really don't care how you choose to counter these thoughts of mine.
Agree with me.
Disagree with me.
But do it in a civilized manner and while you are at it, post in a civilized manner on the topics at hand.



Good luck to those teams going to Atlanta, and to those who can't join us, at least tune in & see what inspiration looks like.

This weekend is the culmination of all the inspiration FIRST has to offer over these past 15 or so years it has existed.
At least show some respect for that.

/steps off of soapbox.