MAR 2017

[scottandme]

Originally Posted by Brian Sherman

FIRST requested us to move our district champs to week 6 starting in 2016, but due to a schedule conflict, we had to keep it at week 7 last year. Because of the double champs, FIRST wants all districts to move their champs to week 6 this coming year. It has been discussed in great detail and has been mentioned at board meetings for the past 2 years. It's not new.

One of the other benefits of having an earlier district champs is that it gives teams more time to prepare for travel to worlds. Those who have been in the positions to make travel arrangements & fund raise in less than a week and a half know this pain. And with more teams than ever qualifying for worlds this year, giving 2.5 weeks will help.

I'm probably not alone in being unable to attend board meetings, and the MAR email blasts/blog posts are pretty sparse. I try to listen in when there's a working stream, but am not always able. More detailed meeting minutes used to be available, now they're pretty much just a few bullet points - so it's hard to have an idea of what is actually being discussed at meetings. I can't find anything on the MAR site anymore, but meeting minutes used to be posted there.

After the first MAR season in 2012 - I remember getting a nice survey asking about the MAR champs schedule, competition weekends, RFS vs FSS events, etc. It was good to be able to give feedback on proposed changes, and have some involvement in the process, even if it didn't end up matching our individual preferences.

There are obviously pros/cons to any arrangement, but I'm sure there are many teams in MAR who would have given feedback if asked. Worst case - it would have given the MAR board a better idea of team preferences, even if HQ is trying to force the move.

Are all other regions moving to a week 6 DCMP? Seems like it would be a difficult move for Michigan and New England.