[BB] Bills Blog 07/08/11

[JohnBoucher]

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011

It’s all fun and games
Good Morning Teams,

This time of year I think wistfully of summer vacations and long days spent by the water. In reality I’m besieged by decisions about the 2012 season that have to be made soon in order for the staff to get to work making the next season a reality.

Everything is up in the air (as usual) but we do have a big picture plan.
TIMS will open for team profile information in late August.
Registration for FRC events is scheduled to begin in late September.
We have several additional new Regionals planned.
FIRST staff and key volunteers are working to contract venues at all event locations.
When we have a firm competition schedule, I will share it right away.
We’re also discussing:
We need to find ways to reduce trophy costs. Here, the cost cutting discussion includes weighing the benefits of eliminating the second trophy vs. downsizing the two trophies currently awarded to winners.
We have to plan for the future of Championship. When the number of Regionals x6 exceeds the number of berths at CMP, how should we determine which teams should be invited to participate?
We’re looking closely at the volunteer model in FRC as compared to the rest of FIRST and other youth centric programs. Should we be background checking every volunteer who comes in contact with students?
We continue to look for ways to reduce Regional expenses, examining everything from venues and dates to equipment rental and contracted services.
In other news:

My congratulations to the FRC Teams in Mexico who attracted the attention and interest of President Calderon this year. The forum “Foro Mexico FIRST” is a direct result of their conversation with the President and provides all FRC teams an opportunity to make suggestions and offer support to the growing FIRST community in Mexico. Please visit the website and share your tips for success and lessons learned in bringing FIRST to your community. Go Mexico Teams!

Dean Kamen and several FIRST teams are featured in Time Warner Cable’s newest Connect a Million Minds TV special called “It Ain’t Rocket Science” which is now available for viewing on line. http://www.connectamillionminds.com/videos.php#79
http://www.connectamillionminds.com/videos.php#80
http://www.connectamillionminds.com/videos.php#81

183 days until kickoff
See you then!