Goodbye IFI?

[Billfred]

Going back to Bharat's original post, this email posted in a thread about FTC events in the Worcester area had me a little perplexed. There are lots of connections in FIRST across a lot of types of organizations (and I can't personally think of any case where those with such an overlap were misusing their position), but this seems odd.

Edit: It would be worth noting that the above-linked email is just one point of data. As with anything, one would be wise to get more information before taking a position on the topic.

[eshteyn]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Because Victors (883s, 884s, HVs and Thors) really only work well with IFI controllers... Any other pwm device and they are kind of jittery and unreliable. Dispute it if you want, but it is a common fact in combat robots. I hope FIRST is aware of this before they start the '09 season.

?

well IFI does offer a signal driver for non IFI controllers to be used with their motor control products.

[Tristan Lall]

From Billfred's link:

Originally Posted by Betty Lauer

Last week I recieved a telephone call from Steve Chism, Senior Director of Programs, at FIRST, and I was surprised and saddened to learn that FIRST had changed their mind and decided that they would not recognize our event as an "official" FTC tournament this year. Steve Chism explained that this decision had nothing to do with our very successful FTC (then FVC) Championship event last year, and acknowledged our event is a well organized, well run, high quality event for all the teams. Steve informed Quinsigamond Community College, via telephone, that the reason FIRST would not "allow" QCC, or myself, to be a Massachusetts FTC Affiliate Partner was that my son Brad now works for Innovation First. Needless to say, I was (and still am) troubled, perplexed, and stunned that FIRST would make a decision that negatively impacts teams, schools, and students based on that reasoning.

I'm a little concerned by what I'm seeing here. While I realize that this is only one side of the story, it seems to me that (short of an outright refutation of the contents of this correspondence) FIRST is exercising their power as the FTC Affiliate Partner licensor in a very questionable manner.

I have to wonder why FIRST, in dealing with QCC and Ms. Lauer, would choose to deny them the FTC partnership based upon her son's employer. While it's apparent that there has been some sort of recent change in the nature of the relationship between FIRST and IFI, to discriminate against an IFI employee's mother's employer (i.e. QCC), on no basis other than the identity of his employer—it's startling. I'm frankly having trouble concieving of a situation whereby that decision represents fair dealing. Is Brad Lauer personally involved in the Worcester FTC competition in such a way that his participation would threaten some interest of FIRST's? And if so, why can't he simply step aside? Has this possibility been addressed?

FIRST styles itself as a responsible organization with responsible values. So why are they making life difficult for the Worcester FTC planning group? Does it do the students any good to make this decision? Does it advance FIRST's standing and prestige within the community? I don't think so, but would love to hear FIRST's side of the story to understand their motivation.

If I had more faith, I might be happy to forget about this, supposing that FIRST's internal politics would work themselves out promptly. I don't think that will happen. But what I do still hope to see is an explanation of why FIRST is seemingly making decisions that appear at face value to be biased against IFI and IFI's interests.

[synth3tk]

That does sound a bit awkward. And I agree, why should all those teams suffer for this? To not recognize an event that apparently was very successful on the basis of a relationship, doesn't sound right to me.

[Andrew Bates]

It seems to me that it might be time for FIRST to fully disclose what's going on between them and IFI.

[Rosiebotboss]

Please close this thread.........too many questions are arising that can only lead to more dirty laundry being aired in a public forum and not contributing to the benefit of the either the FTC (or IFI's) program.

Thank you.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

Please close this thread.........

Agreed. I doubt that anybody with any real insight into what's going on is going to be able to say anything. If people who don't know the whole story speculate anyway, even if they guess right they won't be able to do anything about it, and if they guess wrong they'll be spreading bad feelings without cause.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

Please close this thread.........too many questions are arising that can only lead to more dirty laundry being aired in a public forum and not contributing to the benefit of the either the FTC (or IFI's) program.

Thank you.

I would typically agree, and I do actively advocate not spreading rumors....but when legitimate evidence for concern, such as the letter linked by Billfred from FIRST to Mrs. Lauer, arises, I feel that if they are made public, people, particularly the concerned parties, should be able to comment on them. This does not, however, allow for continued speculation, flaming, trolling, or fishing. I feel the thread should remain open, but heavily moderated (perhaps even moved to the moderated discussion section).

[Mr. Van]

Please do not close this thread. This has been a reasonable series of questions. I am very concrned by what I have read here. I feel that those who devote countless hours in support of FIRST's programs deserve some answers as to what has happened in Massachusetts, and what is happening with the relationship between IFI and FIRST.

-Mr. Van
Head Coach
Robodox
Granada Hills Charter High School

[robosteve]

I didn't mean to start any issues, just thought others in the area might be wondering if QCC was having an event again and what was going on. Once I found out why, figured this was a good place to share it so others in our spot would know. I don't think anyone has said anything mean or anything, so I hope I didn't do anything wrong or start something that needs to be closed. Plus it seems like the point of the forum is for teams and people to share information, discuss and talk about things going on in FIRST. I was very surprised to see the reasoning behind the change, especially since the QCC event was so cool last year and it looks like they offered to do it again this year. Every team we talked to said they had a great time at the Quinsig events and recommended we do it, that's why we were planning to start a FTC team.

Either way, this forum led us to the right info and now we still get to play at the quinsig events, so thanks to everyone who gave answers and helped. Too bad it won't be an FTC event, which sucks cause now we won't get a team number and can't qualify for Atlanta. Again, thanks QCC for still holding the events, we're really looking forward to it.

[Beth Sweet]

Please do not close this thread. There is obviously an issue going on here, and those who know something about it, I urge you to step forward and educate the rest of us. To close this thread would be to cover up an issue that seems to be getting increasingly worse in this organization. As someone trained in journalism for 2 1/2 years, I would like to know the facts. I invite representatives from both FIRST and IFI to tell their sides of the story so that the FIRST public may know what is going on in the organization to which they send thousands upon thousands of dollars of hard earned money each year.

[wilsonmw04]

a web based public forum is not the place for the conversation that Beth has, in my opinion, correctly asked for. These types of talks must be done in private. Close the tread and start another one, in a moderated setting, where folks can urge the two parties to sit down and issue a joint statement.

[Rich Kressly]

If you read what I wrote in this space before, please understand one thing. I'm one person, with one point of view. I believe in what I said, but I acknowledge that other perspectives are very different and I admit that saying things out of frustration isn't the best way to do business. Just know that whatever comes to pass, I'll always do my best to support the students and the community. The details beyond that are somewhat insignificant. I too wish I knew all there was to know here so we could look to the future with confidence. I look forward to that day as much as everyone else does.

Namaste

[Andrew Bates]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

a web based public forum is not the place for the conversation that Beth has, in my opinion, correctly asked for. These types of talks must be done in private. Close the tread and start another one, in a moderated setting, where folks can urge the two parties to sit down and issue a joint statement.

I think that FIRST and IFI may have already done that or are in the process of doing it. The problem is no one but those in high positions know whats going on so what really needs to happen is for FIRST and IFI to tell us whats going on.

[JaneYoung]

This is a very unique situation in that we have Chief Delphi. These forums were created for teams to share information and develop community, I think. That is my perception. Like many parts of the FIRST development, Chief Delphi has grown, developed, expanded, trying to accommodate the needs of the community.

In most places of business there is nothing like Chief Delphi for the clients to be able to develop community, celebrate, complain, question. Those businesses have vendors and clientele and they conduct business, often without their customers knowing when changes occur or why. For example, if I go to a place of business and try to purchase a product that I have been purchasing for 25 years and am told that it has been discontinued, there isn't much I can do about it except deal with the change and make a decision regarding the change.

I understand the thread and the questions being asked. I also understand the business aspect of this and what is appropriate to ask. If there were no Chief Delphi, the only places to ask would be with the business and vendor directly. I'm not suggesting this be done - I'm suggesting that we take great care with how we post on Chief Delphi and that we don't misuse its generosity or purpose in any way.