How do I help my area move to districts?

[Chief Hedgehog]

At this late hour I must chime in - because I have dealt with most of the Minnesota contingent at one event or another. I do this as I have a 4 year old screaming next to me because she has an ear infection and the childrens tylenol has yet to kick in... life gets in the way.

What saddens me about all of this is that there are so many great people (that have the same intentions) being lambasted on this forum. I can say that because I have experience with putting my foot in my mouth from time to time on CD.

GoFIRST - a great group of energized college students that are willing to advance FIRST in Minnesota. What they do with SRS, SPLASH, and their other events furthers FIRST in Minnesota.

MN FIRST - a great group of people that have created an incredible organization where there once was none. These people put in time to hone the organization that most other states would be envious of.

Volunteers in Minnesota - no one can argue that any volunteer is worth their weight in gold. Thank God most volunteers do not frequent this site.

All of this boils down to two things:
1. The direction that Minnesota needs to go in the future
2. A document that was presented to college-aged people.

I cannot state when or how this document was presented or received - but knowing the two parties, I think that both read the document differently.

If you read it from the party sending it out, it reads as a "how to volunteer at a FRC event and what to expect"

If you read it from the receiving party it may read as "do it our way or else..."

Again, what I think that what is missing in the creation, transmission, and translation of the said document is that all parties need one another in order to further FIRST in Minnesota.

I pray that all of the discussion on this thread can lead to a better organization in Minnesota - because that is what I believe all parties are truly for in the long run.

What we don't need is conjecture and bias playing into all of this. Minnesota does have a tough road ahead as we transition into the future - whether that be regionals or districts. Yes, Minnesota has some of the greatest regionals in FIRST; and yes there are concerns with the future of Minnesota and what comes next.

What we do need is more constructive conversation from all parties with interest in making MN FIRST the best organization in FIRST - clearly this is not how this thread has progressed.

Again, I am loving that we have CD to air our differences - but please lets keep this from being a site where we flame ideas or people with good intentions.

/walks off soap box/

[Truelight]

Originally Posted by Ginger Power

If there is transparency in the process, things will operate better.

I completely agree with this. Transparency would have prevented all of this.

As someone who is involved in MN FIRST and is aware of the districts debate, it saddens me how little information is made available, let alone even the acknowledgement of districts even being a remote possibility.

Something from being on several FIRST teams has taught me is that communication along side transparency is very effective in meeting a goal. And here, I believe we all have the same goal which is to do what is best for FIRST.

Unfortunately, here in Minnesota communication is deteriorating and this clear goal is being blurred. The ones suffering from this are the events that are now missing some incredibility dedicated alumni.

Transparency of all sides is the key.

[Collin Fultz]

Originally Posted by Ilovepineapples

Collin, I apologize if I caused you any confusion. Each paragraph is an individual account from a different volunteer, if you have additional questions or clarifications feel free to PM me.

Ok, that helps. It certainly seems as though there are potential volunteers who have had negative experiences. I took your original post as more a question about you specifically ("How do I train key volunteers?"), which is why I asked what volunteer experience you had. I apologize for misreading this.

Thinking on the letter, I can absolutely appreciate both sides' viewpoints. I do think it's a little troubling that so many people's response to "This document is a little offensive to me." is "No it isn't." instead of "That was not our intent at all. How do we fix it?"

It almost seems like it's gotten to the point of needing some type of mediation between the two groups (which I'm assuming are the GOFIRST students and the MN Regional Planning Committee). Certainly, you both share the same goal: To continue to grow access to FIRST programs throughout your state, so that every student has the opportunity to participate in this life-changing program. A neutral, independent mediator may be able to help both groups build on their own success and move forward. Honestly, I have friendships with people in both groups, former GOFIRST leaders and the RPC members in MN. They are all some of the best people in FIRST that I know. We even snagged one to lead us here in Indiana.

There are many, many things that precede an area. What could you start doing this year, right now, to help? My first idea would be to start more off-season events. The two years before we made the switch (2013 and 2014), we hosted 4 off-season events each summer in the state. That gave us 6 events a year for a state of around 50 teams. Two of these events were strategically placed in locations to determine feasibility as district host sites. The 2013 off-season state championship was at Perry Meridian HS, which is hosting a district event this year.

These off-seasons are a great opportunity to show that a location can provide a planning committee, fundraise to support an event, pull volunteers, and provide a location suitable. It also gives more people the opportunity to try different volunteer roles in a low-stress environment.

The most important thing, I think, is to come at this from a place of common ground. If you approach the situation negatively, I think you're more likely to get a negative reaction. If you approach it positively, I think you'll get a better response. Disagreement can be both healthy and productive, as long as it's done in a respectful, gracious, and professional manner.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you!

-Collin

[Al Skierkiewicz]

OK,
Time for a little background to be added to this thread...
First, key volunteer roles require level headed, mature people with specific abilities and experience. Some of the wording in this document is directly lifted from my requirements for Lead robot Inspectors and for Inspectors. While Inspecting may look easy for the casual observer, it is not. We just make it look easy. The Inspection staff is tasked with insuring that robots are ready to take the field and compete. We regularly assist teams with robot and team issues and I depend on that staff at every event to be able to deliver bad news and get the team working towards a successful weekend. We train LRIs to recognize when a smile is turned into a frown and to correct it, immediately. In talking with other key volunteers, their desire and training are similar. My requirements for inspectors at a minimum is that they have actively worked on a team building a robot for at least two years. That means I want them to know how to read and interpret rules on the fly to assist teams. Inspectors must pass a test to be allowed to inspect. Even then, each inspector will be evaluated by the volunteer coordinator, the LRI and the regional committee for future volunteer assignment. In addition, any complaints lodged by teams will also be considered. In rare cases, a volunteer may not be the best fit for that role for a variety of reasons.
Any LRI is also expected to fulfill the role of Inspector for several years before being considered as an LRI candidate. During training, that individual will again be evaluated by the LRI and volunteer coordinator under which they train and shadow. It is only in this way can we insure that an event will be successful and the students each volunteer works with receive the highest possible experience.
As to maturity, that is also judged by how a volunteer presents themselves outside of FIRST events as well as when volunteering. While social media seems to be a benign entity, it is not and it is public. When a volunteer expecting a better role, complains in public, degrades staff or committee decisions and purports to know "the real reason" behind certain activities, that is never a secret. Volunteer coordinators need to know that they have the best person in each position because we are putting students at risk if we don't.
Some volunteer positions do not require the level of maturity or experience that other roles demand. We still need volunteers and I am sorry if you think you deserve a different role. My recommendation for everyone is to self evaluate their daily activities as a future employer. Would you hire someone who complains in social media (including CD) about their current employer, decisions made and activities for which they have no real knowledge? I would not.
While many posters, presenting themselves as knowledgeable students in Minnesota, are arguing that the Minnesota committee is preventing a move to districts, you are not in position to know what the committee is doing. You have no knowledge of what it takes to move to districts, the restrictions placed on the committee by FIRST, the state and local jurisdictions, the financial needs or the on the demands for volunteers, including local committees. If you think that the committee is doing a bad job, I would point to the explosive growth in Minnesota, now at 208 teams. I would point to four regional events serving well over 50 teams at each event. I would point to the high standards for volunteers, especially judging staff and inspections. I would point to the expectation that more events are needed and the work they are doing to assist Iowa and Wisconsin. I would point specifically to the great LRI and inspection staff I observe at MN events. I would point to the preparation of rookie teams that allow them to have a great first experience. I think that Minnesota is doing a spectacular job for FIRST and I hold them up as an example for others to emulate.
It is rare to find someone who is still in college or recently entering the workforce to be able to handle the stress and demands of any Key Volunteer position. It is actually hard to find that in someone who has been around for years.
Want a real test? How would you handle a team who shows up for your event at 142" frame perimeter, weighing 130 pounds, with no way to mount bumpers to the front of their robot and a pickup mechanism that extends outside of the frame by 2 feet? Think about how you would deliver the news, how to keep the team engaged, how to get the team working towards a compliant robot. How would you keep the smiles coming and allow the team to keep their pickup in a compliant fashion. That is what our LRIs and Inspectors are facing every week. Compared to Judges working with Chairman's teams or Engineering Inspiration or Rookie Allstar, our job is easy.

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

My recommendation for everyone is to self evaluate their daily activities as a future employer. Would you hire someone who complains in social media (including CD) about their current employer, decisions made and activities for which they have no real knowledge? I would not.

Frankly, I think some of the most short sighted and unprofessional posts on this topic both on CD and social media have not been from the MN alumni and their supporters, rather from the established adults chastising this group. Al's point about the perils of social media is absolutely appropriate, however this is something that everyone should be considering, not just the group of alumni who are regularly being called out.

This reminds me a lot of how millennials are regularly called out for simply being younger and having different perspectives. In the end it's the ones who are calling them out in unprofessional in ways that end up embarrassing themselves and looking uninformed.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Karthik

Frankly, I think some of the most short sighted and unprofessional posts on this topic both on CD and social media have not been from the MN alumni and their supporters, rather from the established adults chastising this group. Al's point about the perils of social media is absolutely appropriate, however this is something that everyone should be considering, not just the group of alumni who are regularly being called out.

This reminds me a lot of how millennials are regularly called out for simply being younger and having different perspectives. In the end it's the ones who are calling them out in unprofessional in ways that end up embarrassing themselves and looking uninformed.

That last part is what is really bothering me right now. When older mentors who don't inherently have more experience due to age are talking down to college aged volunteers and implying they are inherently immature, I have very little sympathy for any region craving volunteer growth.

As a mentor, I try my hardest to never pull the age card on my kids. Having been through it as a student, I know that it can feel like one of the most condescending things to hear.

Last post for me in this thread, it is really not worth it. PM to comment on my posts.

.

[Ginger Power]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

While many posters, presenting themselves as knowledgeable students in Minnesota, are arguing that the Minnesota committee is preventing a move to districts, you are not in position to know what the committee is doing. You have no knowledge of what it takes to move to districts, the restrictions placed on the committee by FIRST, the state and local jurisdictions, the financial needs or the on the demands for volunteers, including local committees. If you think that the committee is doing a bad job, I would point to the explosive growth in Minnesota, now at 208 teams. I would point to four regional events serving well over 50 teams at each event.

I don't believe I'm one of those students who has said that the Minnesota Committee is preventing a move to districts. I know for sure that I'm not one of those students who believes the Minnesota Committee is doing a bad job, to the contrary, I believe they've done a great job as evidenced by some facts you reference.

I would, however, like to be in a position to know what the committee is doing. Their decisions affect my involvement with FIRST, and the involvement of everybody else in Minnesota.

You are mostly correct in stating that I have no knowledge "of what it takes to move to districts, the restrictions placed on the committee by FIRST, the state and local jurisdictions, the financial needs or the on the demands for volunteers, including local committees." I say mostly correct because I do have some knowledge, but not nearly enough. I think everyone in the state would benefit from having a broad knowledge of the situation that MN FIRST is dealing with. There is no reason, that I can see, that would make secrecy a requirement.

If the general population has a broad understanding of the situation, we will be more equipped to help. If we understand what is going wrong, we can become a part of the solutuon. If the general public understands the issues, we can provide accurate, and educated feedback with an understanding for how difficult some issues are.

The fact is, people don't understand how the transition to districts will work, nor the problems associated with such a transition. Once that problem is resolved, we can start making real change happen.

[PayneTrain]

As this thread approaches a point where it is best off locked up from the denizens of this corner of the internet, I just want to make sure that it's pretty clear it's now impossible to buy into the meme that Minnesota can't move to the district system because of a lack of a volunteer base.

Sure, my only experience with Minnesota comes from
a) flying up there to canoe one summer (it was great, thanks nature!)
b) the Saints beating the Vikings in the NFCCG (sorry Vikings fans)

but I live in a region that really seemed to hate the idea of moving to districts. Just couldn't seem to find x or y. New executive director for the state's 501c3 comes in and says "yo, we're doing this now" and people FREAK OUT. WE'RE NOT READY! HOW WILL THE EARTH CONTINUE TO SPIN WITHOUT HAVING A DEEP BENCH OF GAME ANNOUNCERS [or other KV position here]."

We're going into our last week of districts and hell yeah, there have been growing pains. We had to wait 3 hours to get inspected at our first event. But hey, my first thought was "wow, guess we need to get some of our to-be alums trained up to be RIs" not "wow, guess I need to tell the internet how much districts suck." We went to the first event to spectate and hoo boy, some stuff was rough. But hey, first district, a lot of KVs brand new to their positions, refereeing is hard this year and the barrel plugs on these radios are nightmare fuel. The only problem was the grotesque number of the infernal FRC parody videos everyone had to sit through.

The biggest victory of the district system? Coaches got an email a week before the district saying "hey, we NEED people for these positions." I ring up a couple alumni from the local college and they leap right into it. We had one alum get the opportunity to go from high school senior last season to Game Announcer this season. And he KILLED it. One of the clearest, most enthusiastic and confident GAs I have heard in a long time. Sure I'm biased because I know him, but also I know that he was very green but wanted to do the job well. He will be doing the job this weekend and I expect great things.

If he was a Golden Gopher instead of a Hokie, he would be told he wasn't even old enough to run FIELD RESET this year. How are you going to engage your alumni to further advance your program when you tell them to man safety glasses until someone almost quite literally dies? MN's RPC has triggered an aggressive expansion of teams but seems to balk at the idea of aggressively expanding their volunteer base. Why?

[Nate Laverdure]

It's quite amazing how far the document diverges from the one published by GuamFIRST. I compared the two documents so you can see for yourself-- it's almost eerie how the two letters have the same format but vastly different messages. Not half as destructive or offensive. Great job GuamFIRST!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

It's quite amazing how far the document diverges from the one published by GuamFIRST. I compared the two documents so you can see for yourself-- it's almost eerie how the two letters have the same format but vastly different messages. Not half as destructive or offensive. Great job GuamFIRST!

Nate,
I disagree, the messages are almost identical down to the actual wording.

Happily, when students graduate from teams and/or from college, they often want to give back to
the FRC program!
With the growth of FIRST Programs in Minnesota, many students are graduating from teams
and/or from college and wanting to give back to the FRC program.

GuamFIRST staffs our events with people who volunteer often and energetically.
DO volunteer often and energetically.

In your personal communications (including social media), maintain an awareness of how
your voice may be heard by your audience.
When not at an event, be aware that everything you do reflects
on FIRST. This is especially true with social media – Tweets, posts, or blogs can easily cause
issues for volunteers. Stay positive, think about how your post will be perceived,

It is just written in different style because it was written by a different person. It is the same message.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

It's quite amazing how far the document diverges from the one published by GuamFIRST. I compared the two documents so you can see for yourself-- it's almost eerie how the two letters have the same format but vastly different messages. Not half as destructive or offensive. Great job GuamFIRST!

3Spooky5Me!

So now that this thread has brought to light the falseness of Minnesota's "lack of volunteers" problem, are there any actual problems preventing Minnesota from transitioning to districts??? The last two threads I read about MN and Districts, this was unequivocally the primary/only problem cited by many individuals. Argument doesn't look so strong now.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Nate,
I disagree, the messages are almost identical down to the actual wording.

Happily, when students graduate from teams and/or from college, they often want to give back to
the FRC program!
With the growth of FIRST Programs in Minnesota, many students are graduating from teams
and/or from college and wanting to give back to the FRC program.

GuamFIRST staffs our events with people who volunteer often and energetically.
DO volunteer often and energetically.

In your personal communications (including social media), maintain an awareness of how
your voice may be heard by your audience.
When not at an event, be aware that everything you do reflects
on FIRST. This is especially true with social media – Tweets, posts, or blogs can easily cause
issues for volunteers. Stay positive, think about how your post will be perceived,

It is just written in different style because it was written by a different person. It is the same message.

I respectfully disagree. Only one of those documents makes me want to volunteer.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Nate,
I disagree, the messages are almost identical down to the actual wording.

Happily, when students graduate from teams and/or from college, they often want to give back to
the FRC program!
With the growth of FIRST Programs in Minnesota, many students are graduating from teams
and/or from college and wanting to give back to the FRC program.

GuamFIRST staffs our events with people who volunteer often and energetically.
DO volunteer often and energetically.

In your personal communications (including social media), maintain an awareness of how
your voice may be heard by your audience.
When not at an event, be aware that everything you do reflects
on FIRST. This is especially true with social media – Tweets, posts, or blogs can easily cause
issues for volunteers. Stay positive, think about how your post will be perceived,

It is just written in different style because it was written by a different person. It is the same message.

Yes, they are different styles. One of which is vaguely insulting. The other is more encouraging.

More bees with honey than vinegar.

[dag0620]

From an outsider's perspective: One problem I think MN has is that the entire state is run by one RPC. Most other districts took several RPCs, and combined them, allowing for a wealth of expertise. Unless MN starts to divy up the load on to more planning committees before the switch, the transition in that regard could be rough.

Getting the volunteer base is a struggle every district goes through, but having to grow planning committees by 10 in the first year isn't.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Nate,
I disagree, the messages are almost identical down to the actual wording.

...

It is just written in different style because it was written by a different person. It is the same message.

The message may be the same, but the presentations are completely different; night and day. Two salesmen can present the same pitch for the same exact product and get drastically different results.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

GuamFIRST staffs our events with people who volunteer often and energetically.
DO volunteer often and energetically.

GuamFIRST: Tells me waht they look for and how they staff their events. Insiteful!
Minnesota: Tells me how I should volunteer. You don't know my journey, Minnesota.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

In your personal communications (including social media), maintain an awareness of how
your voice may be heard by your audience.
When not at an event, be aware that everything you do reflects
on FIRST. This is especially true with social media – Tweets, posts, or blogs can easily cause
issues for volunteers. Stay positive, think about how your post will be perceived,

GuamFIRST: Reminds me that as a volunteer, a represent the community, and people will look up to me.
Minnesota: Scares the $#!& out of me by guilt-tripping me into not making a social blunder, because "they're always watching!!!".

HUGE tone differences.