MassFIRST

[generalbrando]

Originally posted by David Kelly
Thats why i think that MassFIRST or in our case IndianaFIRST should be totally separate and not supported by any individual team.

That's what I'd like to see happen with MassFIRST. I'm still somewhat torn on the idea of charging money. This is why I hate money.

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by generalbrando
That's what I'd like to see happen with MassFIRST. I'm still somewhat torn on the idea of charging money. This is why I hate money.

The teams got to understand that nothing in the world comes free. It is very nice that there are all these people caring about FIRST very much and want to give free workshops or competitions to the teams, but if the teams can't even afford a little money for an off season competition, or taking workshops, then they are going to have a really hard time.

The bottom line is, it takes money to provide quality service. The point is that you don't rip teams off charging them. Couple a hundred dollars for entering an offseason competition is more than fair compare to the few thousand dollars FIRST charge for regionals. $5 per person take take an all day workshop learning a great deal about engineering and other business related area is more than fair for the students.

By charging an resonable amount of money, the organizating running the events have a source of income, and can continue to provide to service in the coming years. Getting sponsors to support the short term events are nice, but in the long run it is much more healthier to use those sponsor money in investment in the organization, such as getting equipments you can use for a long time, or building up the organization itself.

The organizations will do a lot more good if they live to continue the service they provide to teams instead of doing it for a couple of years and stop because of lack of resources.

[miketwalker]

I think that you could "highly encourage" teams to buy lunch or something at events, that'll pay off the expenses necessary, yet at the same time leaves the workshops or whatever it happens to be open to anybody who wants to to show, and I'm sure if you tell people that it does cost them to run the thing, they won't mind paying an extra dollar or two at a lunch you host if it's paying for the things, so your not forcing people to pay money, so it's open for all to come to.

[Erin Rapacki]

Thanks for all this helpful discussion, all the advice is much appreciated. However, I'm a fan of taking things one step at a time. So before I start figuring out ways to pay for events that aren't planned yet, we should come out with a mission statement first... a purpose:

From what I observe, MassFIRST's needs wouldn't need to be as extravagant as IndianaFIRSTs or SCRRF. If I said we didn't have location on our side, I'd be lying. From all points in Mass, FIRST Headquarters is no more than a 3-4 hour drive away, and we have two Regionals that are easily accessible (BAE and UTC). We have plenty of companies and corporations around that I'm sure hasn't been tapped for funding, and a large population to support a large number of teams.

With all this on our side, then why are we loosing teams?

That's where I think MassFIRST should step in. To try to figure out:

1. why teams are fading away
2. what can we do to keep them
3. have a dedicated group to go out and solicit funds and interest from local companies, and then match them with a team
4. offer help to rookies
5. organize forums and workshops where many teams can mutually benefit and learn
6. put together somewhat social events where we can all meet up and 'network' better
7. inject new enthusiasm into older teams
8. ... anything that would add to the fun
9. website to keep line of communication open (we'd definately need a dedicated webmaster, who would want to do it?)

When it comes to a Regional, it's up to FIRST to put a Regional in Boston. We could help plan it... but for now, it's their call. They've seriously considered it before, its just a matter for need to come up. For an off-season, yes... I am planning a Beantown Blitz for next year. For initial organization, NU would want to keep it as "their thing," but I would be hoping that many different people would want to volunteer for it. It could also be part MassFIRST convention, and a place where people who are thinking of starting a team may go and learn more about FIRST (I just learned that my Mom want's to start a team in Bloomfield, CT... oh boy).

For starting out, I think these are good main objectives. Inevitably we'd expand in years to come... but it's good to start small and learn as you go.

Comments?

[generalbrando]

Website: Like I said before, I know how to do that web stuff. I'd be more than happy to dedicate to it. I have space on BU's server that we can use as a temporary site and/or work space, so getting something in the way of a website wouldn't be too hard. Currently I think the only part of the site that I won't be able to make happen is the forums. I could probably copy a PHP forum from somewhere, however I don't know PHP yet, so I won't be able to do much with it. Anyone in Mass know PHP? I suppose there are other ways to do it, but everyone is so familiar with these good ol' PHP forums - it just seems like that'd be the way to go.

[AndyTriboletti]

This sounds like a great idea to me. I actually have a book -how to form a nonprofit corporation by the nolo press- which is pretty much the bible when it comes to 501(c) and a little knowledge of the paperwork involved. if anyone from Boston wants to borrow it, just give me an email.

Generalbrando: PHP's pretty simple if you have any programming experience at all, go here for the quick and dirty way to start http://www.php.net/tut.php.

For a site like this, I'd definitely recommend using some preexisting community management tools, like drupal or zope. All the good stuff like calendars, forums, news management etc. comes prewritten, debugged, and there's a community of thousands of users to help you customize it.

[Michael R. Lee]

Thanks guys for all of your input. Once as we get together we can assimliate them all... I tihnk Erin already has. A website would definately good (good job you guy sat Indinan FIRST... its beautiful). And remeber K.I.S.S..... something we always seem to forget... most of us anyway