Saving Seats Epidemic

[Jimmy Nichols]

Last year we had problems at QCR with seat saving. Teams left seat covers, banners, etc. in efforts to save their spots. We even had one team who had some members sign up to volunteer, they came in early with their volunteer credentials and went into the stands to save seats about 5 minutes before the venue opened. I personally watched with the FTA and RD as my team came down and was stopped by the person who instructed my students that the seats were saved. We had a talk with this team's lead mentor. Now our team hangs our banner, but not in an effort to save seats, if we don't sit in front of our banner, its ok with us. We just hang it to promote the team.

1114 and 610 (and 118 as well) did "do it right", and not only because they showed up early and had their entire team grab seats. They also, if they had any open seats, would allow spectators, such as myself and other members of my team, to sit among them.

This is exactly how we do it. We set our morning schedule so that we can all get their early enough to get the best seats as a group. Teams tend to stay where they park on Thursday for the remainder of the event, at least at Regionals.

I instruct ALL my students that seats may not be reserved...

This is priority one when we get to the regional on Wednesday night at our team meeting. I also instruct them not to get into a confrontation and if it does escalate to come tell me so I can relay to the Event Manager. I also let them know that anyone who comes to our "section" and tries to sit in an open see needs to be welcomed.

Teams that I have spoken to on this issue and stories I hear from other Event leads and Key Volunteers are the same. Teams claim that seat saving is allowed at Regional X or that's how they were taught to do by team Y. I hear the same story and it needs to change.