Entry Fee Increase---hurting teams

[Tonya Scott 476]

I think this is healthy discussion.

It is important for young people to discover cost of living per capita, and this discussion is making us think about all aspects. This discussion is also demonstrating that FIRST is about a lot more than just building a robot---team dynamics are complex and students must learn how to solve problems of all types.

Just remember that it isn't supposed to be personal attacks.....

My hopes (and purpose) of starting this discussion is that innovative solutions can be presented, and that various aspects of team finances can be learned.

In other words, walk a mile in another person's financial shoes. The main theme of these discussions is that many teams are not able to participate due to high costs. One of the main focal points of FIRST is to target minority groups---many minority groups are found in impoverished areas that can't afford these high entry fees.

FIRST is a great program that builds great kids! Keep up the healthy portions of solving problems, and we will all benefit!

80 days till kick off!

[MikeDubreuil]

Just like electricity, everyone involved with fundraising takes the path of least resistance. If a major sponsor is available who is willing to take care of the whole bill, that's what the fundraising team will do. If the fundraising team needs to go door-to-door collecting funds that's what they will do.

No one chooses the path that's most difficult. Often times it has to do with a poor economy in their area or a lack of major sponsors in their area.

It doesn't make a team better if they have just one sponsor or if they have 100 sponsors. However, you should commend a team who struggled to pay the bill with a list of sponsors one hundred long for showing their strength, perseverance and love for participating in the FIRST robotics program.

[UCGL_Guy]

Tonya - I knew I shouldn't have shown you how to post on Delphi!

Anyway I agree - Foremost to me is for all to remember that FIRST is not really located in Manchester NH but with each student and mentor involved. It is only through us that it exists. Dean's vision of this taking place in every school in the nation simply cannot be met using the current system. FIRST is about changing the norm - well let's change the norm within FIRST. Why should we choose to exclude teams based on finances. We should be looking at ways to include every school in the nation. The cost structure as it is now will keep schools away.
I believe we need to
1. Do a better job of retaining teams. Successful teams will spur the growth - if we don't take care of what we have, it will be increasing hard to recruit new teams. Kevin - do you have this stat? BTW thanks for mentioning good ol PC right here in the heart of God's Country.
2. Can we deliver a similar product with less cost? Are there opportunities to actually lower the rates we charge teams. Think of some Innovative ways we may lower costs and maintain a quality product.
3. We need to focus more on teaching and mentoring vs. the money aspect of FIRST - I believe everyone should pay their way but it takes a full year to raise funds to travel. This leaves little time to actually fulfill our mission. I spent more time last year fund raising than mentoring - SAD- This year we made a decision we weren't going to do that. True, money is part of life and business but should not overshadow the opportunity to teach and learn. This aspect makes it hard to convince new sponsors why they should invest their money in this very expensive undertaking. They feel they can't get the bang for the buck they should. WE also lose about 5 to 10 new team members every year due to the time commitments that is required, I'd rather keep these kids if possible to lower costs.

Anyway love the thoughts and ideas posted here - good stimulating conversation is never a bad thing - it is only when ideas are not exchanged and discussed that people get their feelings hurt or feel left out.

In response to rural vs. metropolitan teams - in some ways we have it better than the larger cities. We receive tremendous support from our community. I hear sometimes the larger city teams have a more difficult time getting sponsors and donations or in-kind work. So yes I do feel blessed to be here in the heartland of America. But I do not enjoy the long drive to Houston (10 hours driving with a bunch of High school students listening to their music AAAAAAH!) but love the folks - for anyone who has never been to the Lone Star Regional it is a must attend - best atmosphere in FIRST.

Ken York
476
Tor Mentor

[Rich Kressly]

Ken,

Great thoughts here. I especially love the attention to "taking care of what we have" as a priority. I've been beating that drum for awhile myself.

[Kevin Sevcik]

As commanded, I return with some statistics. I only have team lists for 2002, 2003, and 2004, so that limits my data somewhat. and I was too lazy to get extended data on the '02 and '03 seasons.

Team retention:
'02-'03: 89.5% of teams returning
'03-'04: 89.0% of teams returning

2004 Misc stats:

238 teams attending 2 regionals
20 teams attending 3 regionals
1 team attending 4 regionals

23 rookie teams attending 2 regionals

292 teams attending the championships
24 rookies attending the championships
131 teams attending multiple regionals and the championships
9 rookies attending multiple regionals and the championships


Notes: The "team" counts above are including rookies. Also, the retention numbers are teams that retained their name from the previous year. Teams that changed numbers for whatever reason are not counted.

A mess of mostly useless stats there, since I was sorta asked. Analyze as you wish, but you can atleast throw your fee schedules at them and see what turns up.

[UCGL_Guy]

Thanks Kevin
I appreciate your taking the torch.
Pretty good retention overall.
Go Cardinals