California District Proposal

[MARS_James]

This is a really good read, a lot of the issues being discussed here actually sound similar to what we are dealing with in Florida, though on a smaller scale distance wise. Now since I am not from California nor have I ever been there some of the following may seem ignorant but humor me:

Somethings that I think may be cool for the California District to try, that may help in being applied to FRC as a whole when we have districts everywhere:

1. Don't make two unique districts, make 1 district with 2 championships based on geography, ironically exactly how FRC works right now with 2champs. By reading the proposal I couldn't tell if you were planning on doing this or not but I felt the need to bring it up. With the rise of interdistrict play, this can help keep some competitive integrity, make it so if you are a California team the first 2 California events you take place in, regardless of North or South decides your points. This will make some of the more affluent teams not just head to the other half of the state to try out their robot at an event with no repercussions to their standing in their home half of the state.

2. If the two districts will be separate, allow Teams on border lines to declare which district they wish to be in. This could result in some headaches but lets say a team pops up in Inyo County (yes I looked up the names of the counties), it is a "Northern" California Team, but depending on where in the county it is, it's to closest events may be in the "Southern" district. This may become an issue later if the area develops enough to host it's own district event but could be brought up on reevaluation.

3. Extend the Shadow Program to include offseasons. Basically have key/essential volunteer roles be shadowed or overbooked for the offseasons. Now I know that this may seem challenging but getting more volunteers can be done by informing teams ahead of time that their will be sign ups for students to learn how these roles work. Now many of these roles can not be filled by students at official events, but students don't stay students forever and getting them the basic training will help in the long run.


Now I have a question about the district proposal: Why are you planning on Friday/Saturday for your events as opposed to Saturday/Sunday?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

1. Don't make two unique districts, make 1 district with 2 championships based on geography, ironically exactly how FRC works right now with 2champs. By reading the proposal I couldn't tell if you were planning on doing this or not but I felt the need to bring it up. With the rise of interdistrict play, this can help keep some competitive integrity, make it so if you are a California team the first 2 California events you take place in, regardless of North or South decides your points. This will make some of the more affluent teams not just head to the other half of the state to try out their robot at an event with no repercussions to their standing in their home half of the state.

If interdistrict play starts counting for points (and based on what Frank said on FUN, it likely will soon), 2 separate district systems can essentially function how you're describing.

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

Now I have a question about the district proposal: Why are you planning on Friday/Saturday for your events as opposed to Saturday/Sunday?

If they are planning on mostly high school events, there will probably not be that many Friday/Saturday events. To my knowledge, there has never been a NE event during school at a high school (I might be wrong). Even disregarding the logistical issues, the security issue of having several thousand strangers in the building during school hours is a nonstarter for many schools.

[MrTechCenter]

Originally Posted by frcguy

Any plans to send the proposal and the assorted documents to FIRST CA?

They've seen it.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

2. If the two districts will be separate, allow Teams on border lines to declare which district they wish to be in. This could result in some headaches but lets say a team pops up in Inyo County (yes I looked up the names of the counties), it is a "Northern" California Team, but depending on where in the county it is, it's to closest events may be in the "Southern" district. This may become an issue later if the area develops enough to host it's own district event but could be brought up on reevaluation.

I agree strongly on this one; it's one of the biggest disadvantages of district borders. I can think of at least one team that would need to make that decision, as they're on the northern/southern border for practical purposes. (They typically go south, BTW--hard to break old ties.)

3. Extend the Shadow Program to include offseasons. Basically have key/essential volunteer roles be shadowed or overbooked for the offseasons. Now I know that this may seem challenging but getting more volunteers can be done by informing teams ahead of time that their will be sign ups for students to learn how these roles work. Now many of these roles can not be filled by students at official events, but students don't stay students forever and getting them the basic training will help in the long run.

Working on it, and I think I can say that it works if you can do that. On another note, anybody want to ref or shadow a ref at Fall Classic?

Now I have a question about the district proposal: Why are you planning on Friday/Saturday for your events as opposed to Saturday/Sunday?

I can't answer that one for sure, but there's only been one FSS event in this area, and they went to TFS last year. (Not counting offseasons.)

I don't agree with the statement that "FSS means less vacation time taken for volunteers/mentors". Personally, and I'm not speaking for anybody else, if I have an event that has me there on Sundays, I take Monday off to recover and recalibrate for the work week ahead! While I can see how it can work, it certainly isn't true for all volunteers. Also, as some folks in NE found out last year, some teams have a hard time doing Sunday events. (That's also a variation by team, but it is something to be aware of.)

[Pauline Tasci]

Originally Posted by EricH

Working on it, and I think I can say that it works if you can do that. On another note, anybody want to ref or shadow a ref at Fall Classic?

A lot of the people who would want to shadow reffing in so cal will be attending chezy champs that weekend, I assume you will also be at Battle at the Border and can extend that offer there as well.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Pauline Tasci

A lot of the people who would want to shadow reffing in so cal will be attending chezy champs that weekend, I assume you will also be at Battle at the Border and can extend that offer there as well.

The problem with assumptions is that, well, they're often wrong. I have no plans to volunteer at any events that aren't Fall Classic or the SCRRF Workshops this fall. (It should be noted that I had no plans to attend San Diego Regional until shortly after practice matches started there. When you get a message passed both directly and indirectly... you kinda figure you need to show up.)

[Pauline Tasci]

Originally Posted by EricH

The problem with assumptions is that, well, they're often wrong. I have no plans to volunteer at any events that aren't Fall Classic or the SCRRF Workshops this fall. (It should be noted that I had no plans to attend San Diego Regional until shortly after practice matches started there. When you get a message passed both directly and indirectly... you kinda figure you need to show up.)

Understood. Still stands that many will be at Chezy Champs. Maybe you can help connect people with the refs at BATB so people can connect that way, I'm sure you know at least one ref working that event since you've been reffing for a while.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Pauline Tasci

Understood. Still stands that many will be at Chezy Champs. Maybe you can help connect people with the refs at BATB so people can connect that way, I'm sure you know at least one ref working that event since you've been reffing for a while.

I've only been reffing for 3 years... Not sure which BatB ref(s) I might know.

Incidentally, at least 50% of the referees at SoCal FRC events were rookie refs. Most of the ones that I know were experienced were on one crew. Two refs worked every SoCal regional... and another two had had Fall Classic experience.


What I'll probably do is hold the offer open for the Scrimmage as well. Gets lonely when you're the only one...

[bkahl]

Originally Posted by EricH

(It should be noted that I had no plans to attend San Diego Regional until shortly after practice matches started there. When you get a message passed both directly and indirectly... you kinda figure you need to show up.)

It should also be noted that there is never a 'Need' associated with Volunteering.

At the end of the day, under any circumstance, we Volunteer out of the goodness of our hearts, out of respect for the program, and because (at least some of us) enjoy it.

Originally Posted by EricH

Incidentally, at least 50% of the referees at SoCal FRC events were rookie refs.

You have to be a rookie somewhere! Sounds like a good start to getting more trained referees in the region.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by Pauline Tasci

A lot of the people who would want to shadow reffing in so cal will be attending chezy champs that weekend, I assume you will also be at Battle at the Border and can extend that offer there as well.

EricH, I'll referee at FC and BatB.

Danielle has committed to be trained as an FTA when she returns to CA in July.

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by rsisk

EricH, I'll referee at FC and BatB.

Danielle has committed to be trained as an FTA when she returns to CA in July.

Sisk family coming in clutch! Thanks a ton!

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by ASD20

If they are planning on mostly high school events, there will probably not be that many Friday/Saturday events. To my knowledge, there has never been a NE event during school at a high school (I might be wrong). Even disregarding the logistical issues, the security issue of having several thousand strangers in the building during school hours is a nonstarter for many schools.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it looks like some FiM district events at High Schools run TFS?

Good point though, and something to be aware of.

Personally, I like districts having a good mix of TFS and FSS, but I don't think that has to be a hard line at all. Districts have shown that both can work.

-Mike

[Knufire]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it looks like some FiM district events at High Schools run TFS?

Good point though, and something to be aware of.

Personally, I like districts having a good mix of TFS and FSS, but I don't think that has to be a hard line at all. Districts have shown that both can work.

-Mike

Can confirm, lots of MI districts run TFS in high schools with class in session during Friday.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Knufire

Can confirm, lots of all MI districts run TFS ....

FTFY.