New Team to be (Possibly) Started at Cal Poly Pomona

[Bill Gold]

Please, please be careful if you’re thinking of starting a new team. In California we’ve had problems before with starting new teams and there not being enough funding in a given area to support the veteran and rookie teams in that area. I would actually advise against starting a new team in that area, and suggest an alternative which would be to get new schools involved in an existing team. Then, in a year or two (when you’re absolutely sure there’s enough funding for all teams in the area to survive amicably) you can spin off a rookie team or two (this way the rookies aren’t exactly rookies, and can be more competitive than the typical rookie team, too). I would be very disappointed to see one or more teams in the Cal Poly Pomona area fold due to the introduction of a rookie or more than one rookie team. Please think about this option and the possible effects (local and global in FIRST) of starting a rookie team before you fully commit to starting a one.

-Bill

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Bill Gold

Please, please be careful if you’re thinking of starting a new team. In California we’ve had problems before with starting new teams and there not being enough funding in a given area to support the veteran and rookie teams in that area. I would actually advise against starting a new team in that area, and suggest an alternative which would be to get new schools involved in an existing team. Then, in a year or two (when you’re absolutely sure there’s enough funding for all teams in the area to survive amicably) you can spin off a rookie team or two (this way the rookies aren’t exactly rookies, and can be more competitive than the typical rookie team, too). I would be very disappointed to see one or more teams in the Cal Poly Pomona area fold due to the introduction of a rookie or more than one rookie team. Please think about this option and the possible effects (local and global in FIRST) of starting a rookie team before you fully commit to starting a one.

-Bill

Cal Poly Pomona is in LA County and part of a major urban area. There are plenty of untapped potential sponsors in the area. If they were talking about Cal Poly SLO, it would be a different story.

For the past three years, the LA Regional committee has focused on keeping the LA Regional alive. Thankfully, due to the hard work of the development committee, we appear to have reached a point where the Regional is sustainable for the long term. So now we can start thinking about actively recruiting schools to join the FIRST family. Next year we are planning to do some substantial recruiting. The area around Pomona could certainly use a new team or two. Bill's points are good ones, but in this case Angela would probably have the blessings of the Regional Committee.

Of course I think she would be welcome supporting the BeachBots too (I know she'd get my vote and probably Joe Ross' as well among others) but the commute between school and our shop would be a killer.

[Mike Hendricks]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

If they were talking about Cal Poly SLO, it would be a different story.

Heh. Speaking of CP SLO .. there are 2 teams within 15 min of CP SLO, 973 and 1388, both teams are exploring the possibilites to create 2 new teams in the area .. the funding isnt as great as it could be, but there are companies out there willling to donate money and machine time for FRC teams.

Not to hijack the thread .. but if there are any CP SLO students in the area (besides "Crazy Nick") that are FIRST-aholics .. and are looking for a team .. shoot me a PM and we can get you more info about the teams.

[A. Leese]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

Cal Poly Pomona is in LA County and part of a major urban area. There are plenty of untapped potential sponsors in the area. If they were talking about Cal Poly SLO, it would be a different story.

For the past three years, the LA Regional committee has focused on keeping the LA Regional alive. Thankfully, due to the hard work of the development committee, we appear to have reached a point where the Regional is sustainable for the long term. So now we can start thinking about actively recruiting schools to join the FIRST family. Next year we are planning to do some substantial recruiting. The area around Pomona could certainly use a new team or two. Bill's points are good ones, but in this case Angela would probably have the blessings of the Regional Committee.

Of course I think she would be welcome supporting the BeachBots too (I know she'd get my vote and probably Joe Ross' as well among others) but the commute between school and our shop would be a killer.

As much as I would like to support the Beach Bots, the travel just wouldn't be worth the trouble. I'm carless and the LA bus system is great but..yah.

Chris: You mentioned that the regional committee wants to work on starting some new teams. Do you have any sort of an info packet put together to give to people such as myself who wish to start teams? I know Kate has something for the Finger Lakes Regional. If so, I'd love a copy.

Thanks!

- Angeal

[Joshua May]

One of our team members will be attending Cal Poly Pomona this fall, i'm sure she'd enjoy working with a new team. I'll refer her to you tomorrow.