No Team Social at Regional?

[TMHStitans]

Does anyone know why there is no team social on the agenda at the Granite State Regional? Is this the case at other regionals as well? I am just wondering because everyone really seemed to enjoy it last year. I can't think of any reason not to have one.

[Daniel Brim]

There is no official social at the SoCal regional. We sort of have an informal get-together at Universal City Walk, and two years ago we went to the 3rd Street Prominade in Santa Monica. If you want a social, try to throw something together! It doesn't have to be big; last year at Phoenix one night we all went mini-golfing (in pouring rain - good times).

HTH,
Daniel

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by TMHStitans

Does anyone know why there is no team social on the agenda at the Granite State Regional? Is this the case at other regionals as well? I am just wondering because everyone really seemed to enjoy it last year. I can't think of any reason not to have one.

I can, $$$, or the lack thereof. Southern California isn't having a team party because we could not recruit enough sponsors to cover the cost. Actually I'm not sure we're over the top on the regional itself yet, but we are close.

If you want a team party then work with your local committee to find sponsors for it. Some companies would rather sponsor the event than individual teams, so you are not necessarily hurting your own team to pass contacts on to your regional committee.

[KathieK]

A quick check of the agendas show that less than half of the Regionals are hosting a Team Social: Finger Lakes, VCU, Peachtree, Arizona, UTC New England, Boilermaker, SBPLI, Buckeye, NYC, Philly, Las Vegas, Lone Star, Palmetto.

Although the socials are fun to attend, I would rather they keep costs down and eliminate them if necessary, than to pass along increased costs to the teams.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Not to be contrary, but Lone Star isn't holding a "true" Team Social this year to keep costs down. Much like last year, there will instead be door prizes, mascot competitions, mentor competition, cheering competitions, etc. This would be why the "Social" is only an hour long.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by TMHStitans

I am just wondering because everyone really seemed to enjoy it last year. I can't think of any reason not to have one.

The biggest reason is usually money. Many many thousands of dollars is the reason why the Chesapeake won't have one. Although I can dream about having an ALL team banquet in King Hall, with seats for everyone at the long tables.....
Rumor has it there are some off site off the record team socials but I can't know about them.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I can't say I'm surprised that this has been an issue. However, I definitly agree with something said above. In a period of time where it is getting harder and harder for teams to afford multiple regionals without strain, the first thing that gets cut back has to be outside of the competition itself. However, I think that there are a few things you should do if you're caught at a regional with nobody to spread robotics joy to after that Friday or whatever.

Your hotel probably has a good few other teams. At the National level, this is more likely to happen, but I remember having at least 1 or 2 other teams from MWR at our hotel last year. Also, at competitions, if you've got a laptop, that's a great way to socialize, providing you have internet access in your hotel room and you pay for that, not your team.

I plan to have loads of fun hugging during the day, and make my team social last all day. Robotics is a unique competitive event in that you have so much time to interact during competition, and that this is a huge part of the expectation at a regional event. Use it well!

[jzampier]

Well being the Team Social Coordinator for the Finger Lakes Regional I guess its appropriate to comment here a little bit.

I will say first and foremost that money is the defining factor in planning a social.
Interestingly enough it isn't even the activities that cost a lot, it's the FOOD.
(The cost of which is based on the number of attendees...)
We were lucky enough to have two sponsors step up at the last minute and
cover the social costs. (You guys know who you are... and you rock)

Now for the fun stuff:
For those teams lucky enough to be attending Finger Lakes the
social offers the following:
1. A comedian.
2. A band (no dancing, obviously)
3. A movie on a big screen, (Finding Nemo, if you must know)
4. Karoke (yet again, no dancing)
5. Access to basketball courts.

Everything is designed to be family friendly.
Dinner will also be served.
Food should be Vegitarian (maybe even Vegan) friendly, as well as Lent friendly.

Wrist bands will be issued to teams.
(Sorry I hate them too, but we have to limit numbers b/c of cost)

[LSevcik]

The Lone Star Regional as mentioned before will have a team social from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be fun games for the mascots, a Woody/Dean look a like contest, door prizes, and ice cream for all. We will have a webcast as well.

[Don Knight]

The Arizona Regional will be having a Team Social on Friday night!
It will be held at the Arizona Science Center as in past years.
http://www.azscience.org/
This years menu is an Arizona Barbecue.

Great Weather
Great Volunteers
Great Organization
Great Venue
Great "Bang for your Buck"
Great Team Social

Another great reason to put the Arizona Regional on your competition list!