**FIRST EMAIL**/Welcome to the 2005 FRC Season!

[Ashley Weed]

Originally Posted by Jon K.

Easter weekend is actually during week 4 of regionals this year, as easter falls on the 27th.

Wow, my bad, I wasn't expecting that at all. That's a first in FIRST I believe to have competitions through the Easter Holiday. I wonder how it will affect teams choices for Regionals?

[Dorienne]

Let's hope it won't be too much of a problem. *crosses fingers* Seems to me FIRST really had no choice. =(
--Dori

[Kevin Kolodziej]

There have been competitions on Easter weekend before. I think it was in 2002 that we had the Midwest Team Social on Good Friday.

I could be completely wrong though and just remembering the majority of them being during Lent and therefore not being able to eat meat at the socials.

Generally, the schedule looks good to me. I may or may not be able to make it to Nationals this year - it depends on when ASCE/Steel Bridge Regionals are. And if I end up going/volunteering at Midwest, St. Louis, Lafayette, and/or West Michigan...I'm going to miss a lot of Fridays in a row =(

Time will tell I guess!

Kev

[jpsaul7usa]

The qualifying criteria to attend are unchanged from 2004. Please remember the point system for qualifying is no longer in effect.

Wait... what happened to all that discussion over how the new system was going to change for 2005 earlier this summer? Wasn't the 2004 system based on points? ::

[Alex Cormier]

2005 Rochester, New York Finger Lakes Regional!!!! come see our awesome state and regional!

[Joe Matt]

I like the new safety award a lot.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by JosephM

I like the new safety award a lot.

that does sound very interesting, can anyone explain what the Canadian Regional did that FIRST sought was amazing enough to add to every regional?

[Steve W]

Originally Posted by Pit Bull 1126

that does sound very interesting, can anyone explain what the Canadian Regional did that FIRST sought was amazing enough to add to every regional?

Last year we had a team of inspectors that went around the pits and playing field areas. They took note of positive safety issues as well as identifying some oversights (such as safety glasses). There was an award given at the end for the most safety conscious team. There were also prizes given out at the team party that were very nice.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by jpsaul7usa

Wait... what happened to all that discussion over how the new system was going to change for 2005 earlier this summer? Wasn't the 2004 system based on points? ::

No, the 2004 system was not based on points, although teams that earned enough points in 2003 were grandfathered in. The criteria was explicitly stated long before now.



Regionals were held Easter weekend in 2002, as RoboHottie remembers