Falcon Robotics at the White House!

[falconmaster]

No its not true......but? I know its probably not very modest to bring this up, however controversial issues have not kept us quiet before, so why start now. We have championed the DREAM act for the last three years now. Our team is practically the role model for it. We know that President Obama is a busy man, but do you think in this new page in American history, there might be time to honor a team that has fought against all odds to become one of the top teams in FIRST? I guess I am taking a pole. Who out there thinks we will get invited to the White house, and who doesn't. Again I apologize for seeming so bold, but go ahead and give us your opinion. That has nver stopped you all before.

[Elgin Clock]

You didn't get invited to The White House from winning C/A (in ATL) this past year?

[falconmaster]

No, we did not feel so bad though, we really wish we would be invited now though. ( I amended my previous post, -poor choice of words and not GP-Sorry)

[MrForbes]

Go for it! See if you can get an invite...maybe talk to our (now ex?) Governor Napolitano

[falconmaster]

How do we reach the ex gov now?

[MrForbes]

Yeah, she probably has a busy schedule! Probably everyone has a busy schedule.

[OScubed]

Originally Posted by falconmaster

How do we reach the ex gov now?

You ask, and state your goal publicly. I'd start with your local representative or senator (not necessarily governor, but maybe if you have an "in") and ask them how he or she might be able to help you. You are their constituency - they owe you, your community and your parents their election. See if anyone's parents on the team know him or her and can provide a personal introduction. Get the press involved - state your intention boldly and publicly (but not so much pridefully as with a good social goal). Nothing like a big news story titled "Robotics team sets goal on white house meeting" or something of that nature.

Be sure you have a pitch ready to the rep or senator that explains in just a few minutes why this is a great idea, what's in it for him or her, and how this will not only benefit your community and team but also benefit President Obama and his staff. Pull some strings at FIRSTand see if you can get invited through their staff - they're very well connected no doubt. Don't be afraid to use quotes from his acceptance speech or other presentations he's done. They obviously know George HW Bush, maybe he has connections that could get you a voice.

Don't be surprised if he can't see you. Everyone on the face of the planet has an agenda with him, and he needs to pick and choose which are the most important for the country. You and I believe THIS is important, but every other special interest foreign and domestic also thinks THEY have an important issue. It's probably harder than getting on Oprah

The other thing is that you should go with the right intention - spread the message of FIRST, be an example of what makes all FIRST Teams, mentors, parents and students something to be proud of and to foster or care for. Not because you're proud of winning but because you're proud of what you and the DREAM team represent.

You never get anywhere unless you ask though. So ask.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by falconmaster

No, we did not feel so bad though, given who was in office...

I don't know, I really wouldn't agree with that. Not in the political sense, but rather in the sense that spreading and sharing the message of FIRST is sharing and spreading the message of FIRST no matter to whom it may be. I really think you looked at it wrong IMHO.

and yes, I know MOE already showed Bush all they could show, but I really thought your team could have a bigger impact on a man like that.

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I don't know, I really wouldn't agree with that. Not in the political sense, but rather in the sense that spreading and sharing the message of FIRST is sharing and spreading the message of FIRST no matter to whom it may be. I really think you looked at it wrong IMHO.

and yes, I know MOE already showed Bush all they could show, but I really thought your team could have a bigger impact on a man like that.

Well said, you might be right!

[Rosiebotboss]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I don't know, I really wouldn't agree with that. Not in the political sense, but rather in the sense that spreading and sharing the message of FIRST is sharing and spreading the message of FIRST no matter to whom it may be. I really think you looked at it wrong IMHO.

and yes, I know MOE already showed Bush all they could show, but I really thought your team could have a bigger impact on a man like that.

"...on a man like that?"

One thing that everyone needs to know when dealing in the politcal arena, espicially when you represent an organization, be it FIRST or Shriners Hospital or your local school district, you need to leave your personal and political views OUT of the conversation. Having dealt with politicians for several years on the local and state level, you need the office, not the person in the office.

We had a mayor once that I did not personally care for at all. But, whenever we wanted publicity, whenever we had an event and wanted press coverage, whenever I wanted to get something done for the betterment of Rosie, that involved politics, my personal feelings were put aside and I dealt with the "position", not the person. Does that make sense? I got what I wanted, he/she got a photo op, everyone was happy!!

[Pjohn1959]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

"...on a man like that?"

One thing that everyone needs to know when dealing in the politcal arena, espicially when you represent an organization, be it FIRST or Shriners Hospital or your local school district, you need to leave your personal and political views OUT of the conversation.

Totally agreed!

I think that last year was more of a transition year in the White House, so there wasn't much time nor effort for events like this.

However, with what the new president said yesterday about science and education, I think this would be an excellent opportunity to showcase what FIRST is all about, especially with a Championship Chairman's award team.

Fredi, I would have your team get in touch with the president's spokesman (phone calls or emails) and try and set this up. Do it now while the stove is hot.

Paul

[Mr MOE]

All:

With the apparent increased focus on science, technology, and innovation, FIRST should find it's way onto the US National scene even more than in the past. I am sure that, at some point, FIRST teams will be shaking hands with President Obama. In another month, FIRST teams will be literally blocks away from the White House at the Washington DC Regional.

MOE 365, along with the Championship FTC and FLL teams, were extremely lucky to have the planets aligned the proper way to get a chance to visit the White House. I deeply thank everyone at FIRST who made this happen.

It is important to realize that there was a tremendous amount of effort and work that went into getting permission and organizing a visit like this. I would have been proud to represent FIRST regardless of the president or political party in office at the time.

I truly hope that other teams get this opportunity. I know much focus has been given to Chairman's Award teams, but as the narration exclaimed in our MOE Chairman's Award video "every single day, on every FIRST team, miracles happen - one student at a time." Every team has hardships and challenges and struggles. Hopefully, we all recognize this and celebrate our collective success in overcoming our obstacles at every regional. That's the true essence of Gracious Professionalism.

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

"...on a man like that?"

One thing that everyone needs to know when dealing in the politcal arena, espicially when you represent an organization, be it FIRST or Shriners Hospital or your local school district, you need to leave your personal and political views OUT of the conversation. Having dealt with politicians for several years on the local and state level, you need the office, not the person in the office.

We had a mayor once that I did not personally care for at all. But, whenever we wanted publicity, whenever we had an event and wanted press coverage, whenever I wanted to get something done for the betterment of Rosie, that involved politics, my personal feelings were put aside and I dealt with the "position", not the person. Does that make sense? I got what I wanted, he/she got a photo op, everyone was happy!!

Well said, and I agree with you 100%.

[Akash Rastogi]

Not a big deal but you guys kinda mistook what I said. Yes, we should all keep our political ideals out of it, but that was also my point in my first post about this. I too said that it shouldn't matter who you're talking to about FIRST and what you think of them.

Originally Posted by ebarker

I think we should all view this as visiting the "President of the United States". Period. Let us not worry about who is briefly occupying this office.

Feel free to disregard "...on a man like that" even though I stand by it. My entire post meant the exact same thing what you guys have echoed. Spread the message of FIRST no matte to whom it may be.

I wholeheartedly thought that 842 would have had a much different impact on any President because they are such a different team imho.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by falconmaster

We know that President Obama is a busy man, but do you think in this new page in American history, there might be time to honor a team that has fought against all odds to become one of the top teams in FIRST?

So which top team do you think deserves to go and why does this one deserve to go more than another? Maybe we should start a poll and see who everyone thinks deserves to go?

(No, I'm not talking about 148, not only do I think it would be extremely presumptuous to mention my own team but we've already gone. Someone else can get a chance.)

-John