[ChuckDickerson]

I apologize in advance because I am sure this is going to offend some people. Maybe I do not quite understand what you are proposing here but I really don’t think I like this idea at all. Once we “sink” to the level of bringing in paid outside consultants we are really treading on the edge of destroying the ideals of FIRST. The FRC is about the process not the end result. If a team is looking for a consultant to pay to help them scout and strategize then they are really saying “We are willing to pay to win at all costs.” That, my friends, is not at all what FIRST is about. Remember, the robot is just the vehicle. As far as I am concerned, part of the process is for the students to learn to scout, and strategize, and work together with their alliance partners in those brief moments before you go on the field.

Now if you are just looking for a way to visit several regional events and help out the teams that are there but can’t afford the travel expenses on your own that is a different story. There are any number of ways to volunteer at a regional and I bet if you posted here on CD that you want to volunteer at X regional but need to catch a ride with a team or maybe even need a place to stay, something could probably be worked out with a team. My problem is with the payment for services. Once you are getting paid it is a whole different ball game to me.