[Tom Line]

I can understand the need to keep a list of people who are and who are not allowed to volunteer for certain duties. I think everyone who has been a member of a FIRST team can confirm that certain people simply shouldn't be doing certain jobs (even if they don't realize it).

However, the creating, maintaining, and auditing of that list is absolutely critical. Obviously it needs to be kept secret: telling a worthwhile volunteer that, for instance, they simply don't have skills to be an electrical robot inspector can be very hurtful to the individual.

Dan seems to have approached all the avenues of communication. Now, feeling that he'd run out of options, he went for the nuclear option. I can understand that and sympathize with it.

I certainly hope that Dan's airing of this 'dirty laundry' results in a positive reviewing of Michigan First policy and a formalizing of the system for 'blacklisting' people. Unfortunately, and much more commonly, an action like this results in a circling of the political wagons and the immediate commencement of damage control.

FIRST In Michigan is a new organization, and is certain to have some growing pains. So far they've done an outstanding job of laying out and trying something new: reactions have been incredibly positive. I sincerely hope they continue that postive growth by taking this as a postive cry for help that they can help to resolve.