its all about the MONEY!!~

[Andrew Dahl]

the major problem is not about the travel arrangements is about coming up with the 5000 dollars at the beginning of the season -especially with fundraising and what not-
with no idea weather or not you will be able to do well in the regionals or if you are going to have a bot that you feel confident engough about (and not uneasy and worried-as we were with our first robot in 2000)

I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season


whew!!!!
thanks for listening

dahl
team497

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by Andrew Dahl
the major problem is not about the travel arrangements is about coming up with the 5000 dollars at the beginning of the season -especially with fundraising and what not-
with no idea weather or not you will be able to do well in the regionals or if you are going to have a bot that you feel confident engough about (and not uneasy and worried-as we were with our first robot in 2000)

I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season


whew!!!!
thanks for listening

dahl
team497

The registration money for Nationals (well, whatever second or third event you want to attend) is not due until February 15 (I believe that was the date). The original registration money ($5000) is due by December 15. We used the February 15 date to our advantage this year; we didn't have the money to go to nationals until about week 4 of construction or barely in time to send the check to FIRST.

Matt

[Elgin Clock]

What would be interesting to see is how many teams register, pay, and then back out at the last minute due to robot or funding issues or for whatever reason. I'm sure that there are teams who regretfully are forced to do this.

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by Andrew Dahl
I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season

While on the surface, this sounds like a good idea, you also have to look at the extra logistics involved with setting up the national event. My understanding is that around February, Disney is starting work on setting up the competition area for April, so that would mean that they're planning it out on paper much before that, which means they need a number of teams attending(or at least close to it - I know there's always last-minute changes) so they know how much space they need. If they didn't even have the number of teams registered until just before they started building the arenas and pit, that would make things that much more chaotic. Disney already does so much for us, do we really want to say to them, "OK, we've got this big competition coming up in April that we need pit and arena space for, but just one problem...we don't have any idea how many teams are coming yet. Oh, by the way, you've got 2 months..."

[Carolyn Duncan]

Rather than sending in the check teams could tell FIRST that they plan to attend. If it turns out they cannot go the place could be given to some other team. It's better to have extra room than not enough.
C~ya,
Carolyn

[David Kelly]

i plan on winning the lottery to help fund our team next year. Then i can just work on robots for the rest of my life

[EddieMcD]

Ooookaaayyyyyyyyy...

[EddieMcD]

Ooookaaayyyyyyyyy...

Actually, what Carolyn said makes sense. Say they initialy have 400 teams sign up. Disney builds the lot for 400 teams. Let's say 25 drop out (or don't pay). Then you have 25 extra pit areas. Whereas you plan on 350 teams going, and with registration deadline very late, 25 more than expected turn out. Now you're 25 pit areas short, and no way to expand.

[Andrew Dahl]

then if they say they are going to cap at 400 then that is it-
if 350 pay and show up so be it

if 425 sign up (which is highly doubltful)
then the last teams to sign up get axed

it hurtful and unfair but here has to be some hard and fast rules-

remeber FIRST is about fun and learning ans sometimes learning it getting your feet trampled upon


dahl
team497- who has no ideas where to come up with the $$ to get the nationals

[Carolyn Duncan]

The teams who sign up after the limit go on a waiting list. Then they still have a chance. As for hotels, the team they replace should have already made arrangements so call the hotel and change the name the rooms are in. No prob.
C~ya,
Carolyn who like to hear someone say she's got a good idea every once in awhile.

[EddieMcD]

What if a small team signs up, but a large team takes it's place?

[David Kelly]

Originally posted by EddieMcD
What if a small team signs up, but a large team takes it's place?

if FIRST is fair, that shouldn't happen.

[EddieMcD]

And if it isn't?

[Carolyn Duncan]

Ever heard of a bathtub or a cot? Myabe take sleeping bags with you. The point is, do you care where your sleeping if your at nats? I'm sure there may be other teams who might be able to work with a team in that situation, being Gracious Professional and all...
C~ya,
Carolyn

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by Carolyn Duncan
Ever heard of a bathtub or a cot? Myabe take sleeping bags with you. The point is, do you care where your sleeping if your at nats? I'm sure there may be other teams who might be able to work with a team in that situation, being Gracious Professional and all...
C~ya,
Carolyn

It's not as much an issue about what people are willing to put up with but instead what hotels are willing to put up with. If FIRSTers don't behave at hotels (read as follow occupancy restrictions), then we will be asked to not come back. Second of all, it's probably illegal to put more people into a hotel room than occupancy allows. As to other teams helping, the main problem would be that there's a need for students and teachers to be close together (school regulations and all) so just sticking them with other teams or whatnot won't particularly work.

Matt who really thinks the various bizarre plans relating to nationals should stop...