[JaneYoung]

There are likely cause and effect possibilities that stem from ideas like this. It is good to step back and look at/think of all the ones that you can.

I thought about the awards. As it stands now, how are judges going to understand that a team hired a strategist at the competition? Many judges (as well as others) understand the concept of helping to change the culture. By hiring strategists, is that helping to change the culture? If it is, how is it doing so and to what end? There's a lot to think about in a proposal such a this one, I think. If you are hired and you don't come through with the success you are offering the team, can they sue you? It becomes a business. Let's say teams at regionals make it a common practice to hire strategists - then what comes next - working within the culture in society that exists now? Where can it lead?

Also, part of being an FRC team is developing and growing. If the team invites strategists to come to some team meetings and share experience/knowledge, that is a way to help the team develop and grow. If the team hires strategists to come to the regional and work for the team in achieving success on the field, it can still help the team develop and grow but it can also invite problems that the team and the strategists need to be prepared for.

This is an .02, nothing more.
Jane