Quote:
Originally Posted by johnr
How about next year all rookie teams need to have a sponsoring 3 year veteran team before they can register. Atleast we will know someone is helping them, even if it is just by phone for those teams that are really out in the sticks. I never thought our team would have the time or manpower to help another team, but what a great feeling seeing that team out on the field.
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The biggest problem that Washington in particular has is that they have a 3:1 rookie to veteran ratio. There are some places that don't have a big enough group of veterans to support some of these ideas. At the Seattle Regional last year 1/8 of the teams were sub-1000.
For the last two years in Washington and this past year in Oregon we have had something called SWAT. It's alumni who are volunteering at the regionals helping teams fix problems and pass inspection. We have also been filling in around the event as needed (i.e. crowed control is needed for a few hours here or spare parts is swamped and needs help). Having people who know robots and how regionals operate available at a moments notice to fill in and make things go smoother really has helped up here in the PNW.