Virginia Teams: Action requested

[gblake]

OK - Remember that I missed all the opening speeches (and the closing speeches haven't happened yet), so maybe it was discussed already (or will be).

In a similar vein, other than this CD thread, did anyone pass the word to the RECF yet? There are plenty of Virginians with keyboards in that herd too. Hang a roll of paper on the wall at their State Championship, have everyone sign it, and then drive it over to the capital. Whoops - It's already too late to take advantage of the 2016 VRC State Championship (but not too late to get the word out through the RECF to all registered VA VRC teams).

[JesseK]

I saw Sally while walking through the hallway said she didn't know anything about it. I asked if we could make an announcement or fit it into opening/closing ceremonies. I was told not until she fully looked at it, which I inferred wouldn't happen until after the event. I didn't even think to go straight to Dean with it.

I find it somewhat depressing to believe VA FIRST would retweet something of this magnitude and not follow it through to the end. Parents are not on twitter. I'm on twitter occasionally. I don't really facebook, and neither do a lot of parents. Kids look at government stuff and the importance goes straight over their heads, especially if it's a social media sub-team.

It's a bit frustrating we don't have full leadership support to take this thing the rest of the way. There have been many attempts and forms at this type of bill in the past, with lobbying from a lot of teams in the state. This bill is one of the few that has been successful, and we should all support it.

[PayneTrain]

^To be fair, leadership doesn't post on the Twitter either; that's a second or third party responsibility at events. The social media arm of VirginiaFIRST should exist mostly to bring teams together but I'm willfully not privy to the plan.

I'd say that I find it bizarre that the state organization is quick to jump on shallow, shaky-at-best projects but hesitant to support substantive projects like this but I don't think you're allowed to lie on the internet.

[Dmentor]

It appears to me that the governor's office recommended the correction of a typo and then sent it back to the senate (although it was April fools day). Am I correct in interpreting this as a good sign? Is this just a procedural change and then resubmission for signature or is it more involved? Thanks to 1086 (and all the RVA teams) for your constant activism.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Dmentor

It appears to me that the governor's office recommended the correction of a typo and then sent it back to the senate (although it was April fools day). Am I correct in interpreting this as a good sign? Is this just a procedural change and then resubmission for signature or is it more involved? Thanks to 1086 (and all the RVA teams) for your constant activism.

:-) Strike vs insert. Yeah, that needed correcting

From what I have been told, the Senate will reconvene on the 20th to correct and resubmit. *fingers crossed*

[Michael Kaurich]

I don't know if this is the case for VaFIRST but a similar bill has made its way through Maryland. The FIRST partner, STEMaction, isn't able to lobby for the bill due to receiving grant funding from the State of Maryland. There might be a similar grantee for VaFIRST that ties their hands.

BTW, Great Job on this and I hope it gets passed! Having STEM activities funded directly by the state is a huge step in the right direction.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Michael Kaurich

I don't know if this is the case for VaFIRST but a similar bill has made its way through Maryland. The FIRST partner, STEMaction, isn't able to lobby for the bill due to receiving grant funding from the State of Maryland. There might be a similar grantee for VaFIRST that ties their hands.

I do not believe that VAFIRST has the same restrictions as STEMaction. VAFIRST has gotten behind the bill and we appreciate their support.

[wilsonmw04]

as of 4/20: Senate and House have both adopted the changes. It now goes back to the Governor's office.