Where has the GP gone???

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Pjohn1959

Over the past few days, I have been reading some posts that make me feel that the high level of Gracious Professionalism that we all strive to maintain, is fleeting. There are stories about teams that feel that they were robbed, and teams questioning another team about the legitimacy of their Chairman’s Award. There is another about mentors/engineers in the pits helping to maintain their team’s robot during the matches, and the stories go on.

We ALL put in a tremendous amount of time and effort into the ‘robot’ to make it the best that it can be, and then to see it in competition in the various regionals, This is the fun part of the job. However, this is just a small step in the process. It is my understanding behind the idea of the FIRST competition to Inspire the students to better themselves though Science and Technology, and for them to focus on their future and to continue their development thru higher education.

We should remember that the competitions are just a game, and that the future of this country, and of the lives of the students are much more important. The students that have experienced FIRST are already winners. They are focused and ready to meet the challenges of their post secondary education and to pursue various engineering degrees. They also know the importance of what it means to ‘give back’. I have heard and seen many stories of former FIRST students that have graduated with their degree, and have gone on to either be a mentor, or start up a new FIRST team. This is what the FIRST community should represent.

My two cents worth…

While it's true that it's "just a game", it's important to remember that teams often set goals like going to Atlanta (by winning a regional, Chairman's, Engineering Inspiration, etc). When that doesn't happen, some of the team members are hurt, angered and want to get things off their chest. If a team member feels "we were robbed" and expresses that in this forum, I consider that a human response. Maybe not admirable, but certainly understandable.

I agree with Jane that we're tired and too emotionally wrapped to put our best thoughts into our posts. I also think we should allow some lenience to those who post out of frustration, pain, even anger. I've already seen posters' retract and apologize for things that were said in the "heat of the moment". GP also requires us to show care and understanding to those who feel as though they were wronged.

Telling someone "it's just a game" isn't all that consoling when he or she feels that the outcome wasn't fair. It will take time for the hurt to go away, finding the right words to speed that process isn't easy...