2008 Florida Regional

[Matt Keller]

Originally Posted by hipsterjr

FYI There will be a shuttle launch on the Thursday of Florida regional. The only down side is that it is at 1AM!

We are going to try and see it, and we'll just sleep on the bus Wednesday. Now that I think about it, I never sleep while I'm in Florida. My secret as a driver, lots of energy drink, mountain dew, and Cheifdelphi.

It is actually on the 11th @ 2:28am, which is Tuesday -- finalized just last week.

[James1902]

Originally Posted by hipsterjr

What's going on for a team social this year? [*starts mapquesting Disney World to UCF*] Florida is one of the funnest regionals and the wait is killing me!!

we're trying to get a FIRST night at a full scale simulation place called hard knocks. But we'll see what happens

P.S. And yeah, I can't wait either...11 more days!!!!!

[esisso]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TEAM 1242

Team 1242 would like to inform all teams attending the Orlando Regional that we are currently collecting items and shipping them overseas to the troops in Iraq. We are collecting pocket size hand sanitizer, pocket size hand wipes, individual drink mix packs (on - the - go packs) Beef Jerky and small tootsie rolls. We would appreciate any donations of the above items. Please drop them off at Team 1242's Pit.

HELP SUPPORT THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT RISK THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN LIVE HAPPILY AND CALMLY IN THE UNITED STATES

We will also be raising money to help cover the cost of shipping of the items to Iraq. Stop by Team 1242's pit to purchase a team gumball and help us out. Thank you for your support!!!!!

See you all soon!!!

[viking1902]

Originally Posted by esisso

We will also be raising money to help cover the cost of shipping of the items to Iraq. Stop by Team 1242's pit to purchase a team gumball and help us out. Thank you for your support!!!!!

I hate to rain on your parade but according to the manual:

Originally Posted by FRC Manual - Section 3.17 Site Restrictions

Do not sell any products. This includes food, hats, shirts, or any promotional products

We've thought about doing a simialar fundraiser in the past, but this rule prevented us from doing such. After reading through the manual, I don't see anything prohibiting a donation box. Maybe you guys can set one up in your pit and have a flyer/sign telling about what you're doing?

[Dan Richardson]

Originally Posted by viking1902

I hate to rain on your parade but according to the manual:


We've thought about doing a simialar fundraiser in the past, but this rule prevented us from doing such. After reading through the manual, I don't see anything prohibiting a donation box. Maybe you guys can set one up in your pit and have a flyer/sign telling about what you're doing?

Thats true they could do the typical mall fundraiser where you give someone something and ask for a donation, and give a suggested donation amount but you can't require it you can just make people feel really guilty if they don't do it lol.

I remember 108 was going raffle off some Motorolla Cell phones one year I believe it was for some sort of charity and they were told they couldn't do it, I think its silly especially since its a noble cause. Just don't advertise that your selling them and that your accepting donations and I would imagine your still within the rules.

[Barry Bonzack]

For all teams attending the Florida Regional,
Do you have something unique about your robot or an interesting (short) story that happened during build season? Well I am gathering information so I will be able to announce facts about teams when they are on the field competing. For example, last year team 386 had an easy button as a scoring sensor, and team 180 had a funny story on why their robot was named ItchyBotCrane. If your team has something similar that can be said within 2 - 3 sentences, please PM me so your team can be recognized among your peers. I hope this gives a personal feel to the competition and makes it more exciting.

[esisso]

i believe our team has gotten permission from US First and the organizers of the Orlando regional...i'll double check to make sure they did. Thanks for the heads up! but do remember that all the other items mentioned above can still be donated regardless of that rule

=D

see you guys in a couple days!!! i cant believe its so soon already

[wendymom]

To all teams headed to the Florida Regional.........check your mailboxes......be on the lookout for a package from Exploding Bacon.

[hipsterjr]

With Florida 4 days away, anyone have any interesting updates (or a picture of Pink )? Has a team social been put together?

check your mailboxes......be on the lookout for a package from Exploding Bacon.

Oooh, a present for me?

[wendymom]

We tried to get a team social together but it was denied. Problems with Liability and number of people.

We might just post a date and time of either bowling or a movie or something and anyone who is town could just show up,.

[Swampdude]

Hopefully we'll get this problem straightened out in the next few days, but again our teacher has backed out of the trip. So without an escort our team can't go until Friday night.... Also we're still hung up on the FCAT with a number of students.
Now we're hunting for a teacher to go with us. We've never had any luck getting teachers to help us out. MARS our neighboring school seems to get a lot more support from the Palm beach county school system. I wish we could afford to pay a teacher and keep one interested.... ugh...

[IbleedPink233]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

Hopefully we'll get this problem straightened out in the next few days, but again our teacher has backed out of the trip. So without an escort our team can't go until Friday night.... Also we're still hung up on the FCAT with a number of students.
Now we're hunting for a teacher to go with us. We've never had any luck getting teachers to help us out. MARS our neighboring school seems to get a lot more support from the Palm beach county school system. I wish we could afford to pay a teacher and keep one interested.... ugh...

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! The Florida Regional just won't feel right without Swamp. I suggest kidnapping a teacher for the cause, they won't mind.

PS: Sorry, hipsterjr, you'll just have to wait until the competition to see Roccobot 2K8. I have the feeling that it will be worth the wait.

[Dan Richardson]

Do you guys have any home schooled or other schools involved? Why can't the parents just sign them out of school for 2 days?

[Swampdude]

Yes we work with 2 schools. Tomorrow morning our team lead is going to see the principle at our other school and plead with them. However they did see the principle of our primary school this morning and she said they will work it out as a last resort. I wonder if one of the FIRST mentors could be an advocate for us and convince our local school system that this program should be more of a priority. They do give a us a nice place to work out of, and I understand teachers are tired at the end of the day and want to go home. So I'm not sure what the answer is, other than paying them extra. We as a team have never done a very good job of advocating for ourselves. We just don't have a real dynamic go getter administrative type, just a bunch of caring average busy volunteers. I'd like to steal someones chairman award winning team leads for a while

One way or another, we'll be there

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

I'd like to steal someones chairman award winning team leads for a while

I don't think you would have to steal, I think they would gladly and happily step forward to help support your incredible team. When I read this, I couldn't help but think what a bonus it was for me to be able to see the team and the robot's performances last year. Your team helped enrich my understanding of what FIRST is about and what it means to dig deeper, go the distance. I often talk about the teams in Florida and the importance that the mentors of the individual teams see in supporting each other and helping each other in order to be able to maintain a stable program. Supportive teachers and administrators are often key elements of a successful robotics program.

I wish you all the best!
Jane Young