FIRST: the incredible community

[JudyVandy]

I'll never forget...

..the look on the faces of the two kids who had a few minutes of conversation with Dave Lavery at the 'Iron Fever' expo in York, PA.

...the excitement of the mom whose two sons had just talked to Dean about their experiences with our team and their plans for the future.

...the young engineer who credits FIRST with changing his life.

And this is only a very small part of it all. The Inspiration is definitely happening!

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by Matt Krass

And I can personally attest to shooting myself in the foot in 2003 when I became convinced the engineers from the company interested in sponsoring us couldn't possibly know more about sensor coding then me, Still living that one down.

Yes, I am still cringing about standing in awe in the "end zone" of the playing field at UTC (my first time ever being on any playing field) and having Woodie come up and ask me "Well, what do you think?" I said something about I thought everything was going well, I had some concerns about the bleachers, but... and then realizing later on he was referring to how the game was being played out. My one chance to talk to a legend and I blew it, thinking like a NEM!

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

So we need to treat them like real people, but with respect for what they do as well. They can choose to be elsewhere, give their money elsewhere, not promote this great program. Appreciation is key.

You are right, Kim, and there is one thing I know we can all do better with each other... I receive a lot of e-mails and PMs on Chief Delphi. I have been at FIRST events where people have come up to me and greeted me and started a conversation with me and to be honest, I have no idea who the person is! It's embarassing to me, and even if you tell me your name, I still might not be able to place you. It's respectful when approaching someone to introduce yourself and place yourself into a context the other person might know, "Hi, I'm Kathie from NEMO, the Non-Engineering Mentor Organization. I'm 'KathieK' on Chief Delphi and we exchanged some e-mails a while ago about your team merging with another high school. How did that go?" or "Hi, you don't know me, I'm Kathie Kentfield. I've been a volunteer with FIRST for 6 years. I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello." And our custom (here in the U.S. anyway) is to shake another person's hand when being introduced; learn how to look someone in the eye and offer a nice (not too strong, not too wimpy) handshake. If you're an introvert like me, it takes practice. Practice it with your fellow team members. I know of a team that did this and when I met them, every student addressed me with respect and a handshake and a proper introduction. That impressed me!

[Conor Ryan]

First thoughts of post: Sticky this, so people can see what joining FIRST can do beyond the robot, like most great things in life, FIRST is a much deeper thing then when you first look at it. If you've been involved for awhile, remember the first time you heard about FIRST, now look how far you've come, 5 bucks you never though that would ever happen to you.

The example that Andy used at the end of his post with the mentor talking to Dean about the Segway is another example of what FIRST preaches at competition (and all too often people tune out), Gracious Professionalism. As you can see the mentor did not use their GP, and Dean did.

All the pages that there on FIRST's website that most of us don't read, like the About FIRST Page, Impact Page, about: FRC, FLL, as well as keynote speeches at events, all say something in common. FIRST teaches people more than just how to compete, and there are too many things to list.

Thanks FIRST
Congrat's FIRST

[Libby K]

I agree. FIRST has not just made kids into engineers [which it's done an AMAZING job of, by the way], but it's helped a good majority of us become better people as a whole. The entire process of becoming a team, starting with getting sponsors, teaches students to think before they act or speak.

Yet another reason i absolutely love this organization. It's not about the celebrities [although Dean, Woodie, Lavery, and all the others who make FIRST possible are AWESOME], or even the actual competition, it's about becoming a responsible, smart, and graciously professional person.

in short, i <3 FIRST for everything it teaches us.

[artdutra04]

When one finally realizes the full impact of FIRST, one can't but help feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

We are not perfect, and we understand that. Yet we make every attempt we can to put aside our personal differences to come together, to create, to recognize, to inspire. Knowledge is openly and willingly shared, rather than secretly obscured and muddled. We've found a way to eliminate the seemingly instinctual habit to form a "caste system" of society; for in FIRST everyone is on the same playing field (no pun intended).

In FIRST, we've been able to push aside many of our negative instincts while embracing the positive. Next time you are in Atlanta for the Championships, stop and take a moment and just observe everything. Here are people from all over the world, who have never met prior to this event, yet they are as kind and benevolent as lifelong friends. If our future scientists, engineers, and leaders are in FIRST right now, then our future is a bright one indeed.

These students will graduate, move on, and settle down into a life of their own. There will always be something inside them, something that humbles them to think that they were part of something as great and amazing as FIRST. You can take people away from FIRST, but you can never take the FIRST away from them.

[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by Jane

So, how does one learn/grow from that Matt? How can we help students grow in this area?

Sorry for delay, college is busy...

I learned my lesson when a week later when we had to fundraise doubly hard and we hadn't heard anything else from the prospective sponsor. I sent an apology letter, hand written in, and received a note of forgiveness, but no sponsorship. As it stands that team is still without a sponsor, who knows what difference it may have made if I had been a little more accepting.

Meanwhile, remember, engineers do this for a living, they went to school for this, there's a pretty good chance they know what they're talking about. And if you do disagree with them, which is perfectly alright, present your thoughts in a respectable manner and work with them to find the solution. There's nothing wrong with needing help, that's why we have mentors.

Just for kicks, my FIRST celebrity blunder list:
- Walked along the tunnel between fields and pits in Atlanta 05, complaining about how certain parts of the event were handled, loudly, not noticing Dave Lavery motoring behind me quietly on a Segway trying to get past the raving teenager. (Sorry Dave)

- Bumped in to Woodie at UTC regional (twice) almost knocking him over once. I was trying to say Hi.

- Nearly taking out Deans eye with a microphone during the FIRSTcast interviews...twice or three times...

- Countless stumbles when I talk to Andy Baker

- Spraying instead of saying because I was so excited to talk to Chris Hibner (Who probably doesn't even remember me)

- Tripping over a crate platform when going to congratulate Paul Copioli

So... yeah... My first impressions are pretty bad

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Well Jane and Andy, I have been thinking of this for a few days.
I remember my first encounter of many with Dean and Woodie and you Andy and so many others. All of these were interesting conversations even though some were by shear chance. There are two things that I have learned along the way and which I keep in the back of my mind. First and foremost, no matter who you meet, even it is someone you pass on the street, they will be changed forever after. That is a lot of power that you carry. You can make a person feel better with a smile or a nod, perhaps changing their day. You might make them feel more comfortable in an upcoming interview, more relaxed for a test or more open to an idea from a colleague. If you carry that kind of power on just a chance meeting, you would certainly want to put some additional effort into meeting a person for the first time over something important. Second, I believe everyone should give a modicum of repsect to each person they meet for the first time. After that it is up to them as to whether to give you a reason to increase that respect or detract from it.
I have been lucky to meet people over the many years I have been a participant in this organization. I have enjoyed those encounters immensely and look forward to everyone that will come in the future. Each year the number of "friends" grow. I know their faces, but like many of you, I forget names. For that reason, I religiously wear a name badge of some sort, so that they won't feel bad for not knowing mine. I now list among my friends teachers from schools all over the world, engineers from the Big Three automakers and their spinoff companies and vendors. I can talk or email engineers from Xerox, Nasa or JPL, or any of a number of spectacular firms from robotic suppliers to machine tool companies and other union members from all walks of life. How many people do you know that can say that they spent the weekend with a Rolls Royce Engine division manager or a cave diver from Michigan? And what's even more special is how many can say that they have spoken with students from other countries like Brazil, Israel, Great Britain or Canada?
I can very easily say that Inspiration is part of my daily life and inspiration is a two way street. I am a better engineer than I was 10 years ago, I am better at problem solving and my eyes have been opened wider to the world around me. I have watched rookie teams grow into great veterans, I have learned from veterans and cheer rookies and veterans on when they are competing. I worry about those I have met when their job is in jeapordy or they are waiting to hear about acceptance into a certain school. I have discussed the frustration with school districts, team advisors and parents with folks I have never met in person, but whom I cherish as friends. I can't think of anything in existence that will give a person this much exposure. For all of the good, let's face it, some weird things will occur. I think we must just put those behind us. Like the guy who pointed out the Segway to Dean, sometimes you just put your foot in your mouth.