Where was the GP at Championships?

[Meredith Novak]

Snarly mentors have snarly teams. Considerate, respectful and professional mentors generally have such teams. I see my behavior and attitude reflected and amplified in my students (not always good, I'm afraid). I'm not advocating a lack of intensity - that's different!

[ebarker]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

I noticed FIRST replaced them with larger male volunteers better able to refuse entrance to perennial gate crashers.

Did my survey too.

That particular entrance needs to be manned by aspiring bouncers.

[JaneYoung]

It'd be neat to have a button that said something like:
'Atlanta rocks and so do you' - to hand out to staffers and folks at hotels, restaurants, etc.

That's a thought.

[woe18]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

There's something we can do right now: Tell their bosses how much we appreciated them. http://www.gwcc.com/feedback.html

Great idea! I am forwarding to my team.

I do want to mention that sometimes we may hear or view something out of context, then assume it was un-GP.

For example; my glasses broke on Sat. morning. Our team was near the top of the stands and all I could see was blogs and blurs on the field. While my son was in the pit trying to fix my glasses, I wandered down to a team sitting in the first several rows, and asked if I borrow seat to see our team's upcoming match. They agreed.

As our kids prepared to take the field, a mentors turned and said (with a smile) "You are just sitting here the one match, right?". My son, as he was returning with my fixed glasses, overheard the comment and jumped to the conclusion that I was being given a hard time. I assured my son that everything was fine, it was just adult's friendly banter. By missing the "smile and wink", my son took something out of context. After the match, I went back to my team and had to explain the "real story"; that GP was still alive and well.

Several unGP displays are unfortunately accurate. However, *sometimes* there is another side.

And I love the "how's my GP?" buttons as well as "appreciation" buttons.

[KathieK]

The venue manager (Mary Katherine?) speaks to the volunteer staff during Wed night orientation. I sought her out on Friday and told her how wonderful her staff was. I wish I'd paid more attention to staffers' names so I could have given specific examples, "John has been so pleasant to us over the past three days, always greeting us in the morning, etc."

I had received several complaints that media badged persons were being turned back at the entrance to the Dome. I went to investigate. It turns out that the signage we had provided there did not include team media badges, only "professional" media badges (like CNN). The staffer was doing what he was instructed to do, not allowing access to anyone without a badge from the sign! It took us a while to get it straightened out but I can't fault the staffer. I applaud him for doing what we wanted him to do! And after standing with him for several minutes while we waited for a supervisor, I wouldn't want his job for anything. I can't tell you how many drivers and coaches put their buttons on their sleeves, their pants, on their shirts in the middle of a bunch of other team buttons, on their shirts UNDERNEATH hoodies, etc.! That doesn't help speed up the process of getting into the Dome at all.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by KathieK

I can't tell you how many drivers and coaches put their buttons on their sleeves, their pants, on their shirts in the middle of a bunch of other team buttons, on their shirts UNDERNEATH hoodies, etc.! That doesn't help speed up the process of getting into the Dome at all.

I can't put my finger on it at the moment (might've been cleared out with my computer spring cleaning), but isn't there some document where FIRST that operator badges should go on the upper corner of their shirt? A reminder with the badges might be beneficial.

(Or, alternatively, maybe it's time to consider alternative pass forms for events since an operator badge can easily be drowned out in a sea of buttons...but that's another thread.)

[DCA Fan]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I can't put my finger on it at the moment (might've been cleared out with my computer spring cleaning), but isn't there some document where FIRST that operator badges should go on the upper corner of their shirt? A reminder with the badges might be beneficial.

(Or, alternatively, maybe it's time to consider alternative pass forms for events since an operator badge can easily be drowned out in a sea of buttons...but that's another thread.)

I had this problem at regionals, operators not having their badges on in a common area made it hard to tell who was supposed to be there and who wasn't. Definitely would be nice to make a note that it should be on the front, upper corner of a shirt, not on your pants pocket, on your hip, or dangling off the end of your shirt.

[Pavan Dave]

If people would just calm down, take a deep breath, and be a good sport/do the right thing, the world would be a better place. Forget this "OMG THAT WASN'T GP!" and remember what you were taught in school, by family, by friends, and others. What happened to "doing the right thing even when no one is looking?" I guess GP is 2 characters versus a story/phrase thats been passed down since the Romans and beyond. Enough of GP and start being good sports.


Pavan

.

[doukjin]

As a volunteer this year, i also saw a good bit of this behavior up close and personal. Frankly, i was appalled by it, but i wont be elaborating on that point too much.


Honestly, i think we NEED to make sure people treat the staffers there with equal respect as we give our peers at this event. Is it so hard to keep yourself from feeling superior to these men and women who work hard the same way everyone did on their robots?

Sure, you may be in a hurry and need to get somewhere fast, but DONT blame the staff for this - many of them are INCREDIBLY nice, sociable people and many of them love this event [our team, the Circuitrunners, works at the Georgia Dome selling Papa John's for fundraising occasionally] because it brings in good business and many different people from all around the world.

Please, everyone, show your respect and thankfulness to the staff at the GWCC and Georgia Dome by sending them comments on their website and listening to the wise thoughts of Mr. Dave Lavery [first page of replies]

- Doug

[ngreen]

Originally Posted by Billfred

(Or, alternatively, maybe it's time to consider alternative pass forms for events since an operator badge can easily be drowned out in a sea of buttons...but that's another thread.)

Agreed.

For starters, the operator buttons for FRC, FTC, and FLL should be different colors. After working the door between FTC & FLL to the dome all Thursday I know this problem well. The media passes were actually easiest to see, mostly because of the lanyard. The teams aren't consistent with button placement. How about we just give out operator safety glasses and solve two problems at once? Can you imagine how easy it would be for a queuer to say: Do you have your driver safety glasses on? Good.

As for the Georgia Dome staff I would like to thank lady who stood guard at the FTC & FLL door all Thursday. I would also very much like to the thank the lady reminding people to put their safety glasses on at the FRC pit on saturday morning. I would also like to thank the person who went and bought her a Starbucks coffee after hers was spilled. The small act surely made her day go better and therefore everyone who had the pleasure of being reminded to protect their eyes as well.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Next year, many of these same Dome staffers will be working our event. I suggest that we spread the word and make a concentrated effort to do random acts of kindness toward these people.

We've got a year to think about what things we can do. What are some ideas?

Andy

I made an effort to speak to each of the House Staff I came in contact with, operating the elevators and who were involved with entrances, exits and pathways.
I said "We have high expectations of these students, mentors and parents. If you see any behavior that is not gracious, please let your superior know and have them let FIRST know."

There were a few instances where I felt the "rules" didn't make sense (and in some cases were safety issues), was able to get the people that had the ability to make decisions and I made some suggestions.

I like the random acts of kindness gestures. Maybe we could provide lanyards to the house staff and they could collect buttons too!

I also like a formal process to give feedback to the judges before the final awards are locked in, by the house staff and the field crew (this is done at the regionals I've been involved with).

[Bob Steele]

I just finished the survey for the Dome.... great idea!!!

I try to hand out little "skunk" pins to the volunteers as we come upon them.
Its just a nice way to say we appreciate them...

I even gave pins to two of the airport personnel when our plane was overbooked and they got all of our kids on the plane so they could all get back to Seattle as a group.. (some of us mentors stayed behind ...)

They were actually astonished that someone would thank them... they are so used to being 'beaten up" by passengers...

If you witness GP in action.... you need to thank those that do it too...
Seeing someone thank someone is also worthy of praise...

It is truly amazing what how this kind of attitude can change society...

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Bob Steele

I try to hand out little "skunk" pins to the volunteers as we come upon them.

Boy would I like a skunk pin!
woohoo

I promise on my honor to try to be nice - and earn a skunk pin.
Yup.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Boy would I like a skunk pin!
woohoo

I promise on my honor to try to be nice - and earn a skunk pin.
Yup.

Lol!!!


Something for you all to think about. While we're sitting here discussing this issue, talking about what changes should be implemented, etc., where are the offending teams/members now? I know for a fact the almost all of the teams in my area don't even know about this forum, let alone the discussions going on within. While I'm not expecting every member of every team to be actively on the site (though it would be nice!) there should be more of an effort to "recruit" more people here to the point of having a minimum of one person (preferably a mentor) from each team actively checking the site, engaging in conversation, etc. It's also good for networking, asking for help in a pinch, and general chit-chat with other "enthusiasts".

[Protronie]

Originally Posted by jtdowney

How about giving out team t-shirts, buttons, and other items. I know it doesn't make up for past transgressions but maybe if we try to include them our relationship would be better. There will be those who don't care and just want to finish their day so they can go home but I imagine more then a few will be interested, feel more involved, and not just be a bystander.

Thats a nice thought but... if they are GA dome staff... they may not be allowed to except anything from attendees.
I know its like that here in Greensboro.
Nice thought anyway, just saying hi, how you doing? Or thank you, can go along way. Event staff seldom here such kind words.