[sanddrag]

First, to clear up any misconceptions, in the 254/968 collaboration, any time the two teams have competed at the same event/division, each team evaluated and picked the most suitable partner, whether it was the sister team or not. To my knowledge, there have never been any agreements that one of the collaborative teams would pick another. I believe that would not be a preferred way to run a collaboration, as it could lead to many unfavorable outcomes.

Second, collaboration is not for every team. In fact, it is not for most teams. The primary reason it works between 254 and 968 is because of a select few individuals who each have been in this program for a significant number of years. Collaboration presents many benefits (which are pretty clear) and several hardships, some of which are assumed, and others of which arise during the season.

Collaboration is by no means easy. And do not for a second expect that it will make things easier or make things get done quicker for any team.

Every team has a different philosophy on how they organize themselves and do things. To put two of them together on the same project is not something that is bound to work by definition. It takes a special two teams.

A lot can definitely be gained from a collaboration but remember, just as easily, a lot can be lost.