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Re: Gracious Professionalism?
I personally think that there are two parts of GP. There is the trust and the action.
GP to me says a lot about the "honor system". Teams trusting teams. We have all gone through similar experiences, and therefore we know what its like. I can honestly say that I don't think that there is a single FRC team where 100% (and I mean a full 100%) of the robot is done by students. Whether it be a small part, or a whole design concept, there must be some involvement of mentors, otherwise, what are they good for? And I think a lot of us can accept that. Its those people that don't accept that, that start these rumors, and begin to judge. I also think that many teams do not realize the struggles of other teams. Sure a team may have better funding, but is their community involved? Do they have outside help from families and friends? I'm not saying that some teams have it easier, but teams are just like people, we all have our problems. However, on the same term, some teams don't realize how easy that they might have it. Some teams are at risk of getting shut down by their schools, some teams barley have enough money to participate, some teams barley have enough mentors.
The second part of GP to me is that actions performed by students and mentors. I have commonly joked about "those teams". You all know "those teams" with plenty of funding, plenty of mentors, and plenty of help. And good for them! Thats great! The problem come when they begin to think that they are better because of it. Teams that will dominate on the field are still teams. Just because you may be seeded higher, does not give you the right to boss other teams around, we are all peers. It also becomes a problem when mentors act too much like bosses. This is where problems start. A respectable well oiled team that is helpful, nice, and not afraid to lose, is great. However a rude well oiled team (and they're aren't many) that care more about winning than anything else is a problem.
This past year my team has gone through a lot. We were last place in GSR 2009, but regional winners in 2010. There was no difference in funding, just one new mentor (after one left that is) and a couple new students. What really drove us was not our achievements, but our failures. We didn't do well because we had more money, we did well because we wanted it more, and put more into. Sure we may have had to work a little harder than other teams, but its always worth a shot. There is nothing that can stop a well inspired and driven team.
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WPI Robotics Engineering & Mechanical Engineering Class of 15
iRobot Mechanical Engineering Intern
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