Go to Post Speaking about healthier, the Texas air was sooooooooo much cleaner than NJ air, I felt my life expectancy being extended another 5 years. - The Chinese Guy [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > FIRST > General Forum
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
 
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 4 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #36   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 28-12-2008, 17:07
JaneYoung JaneYoung is offline
Onward through the fog.
no team
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Austin, TX USA
Posts: 5,996
JaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond reputeJaneYoung has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Should sponsors be held the same standards as teams?

Here's a couple of thoughts:

I saw a wonderful trailer this past fall on the University of Texas campus where I work. It belonged to a robotics group and it was plastered with decals from sponsors. I was so impressed with the sponsors that I made a mental note to contact the group and ask about it. The logos belonged to corporations from the technology industry.

If the trailer had been plastered with decals from places that didn't represent futures that I, personally, could encourage young people to look into - then it would not have stopped me in my tracks. I would have kept walking.

If FIRST Robotics competitions were to want to pattern themselves after big events that attract crowds and audiences that aren't necessarily placing education as a priority, then a logo on a robot or banner wouldn't really matter as much. (Rodeos, tractor pulls, wrestling events all have beer sponsors.) That's one way to look at it. Schools draw the line in who can sponsor teams. Some teams, themselves, draw the line in what logos they would like partnered with their team name/reputation.

The teams should be prepared to stand by/stand up for their sponsors. An example: some teams have generous sponsor partnerships with fast food places. When talking about those sponsors to people, they can talk about the importance of keeping the teams fed during build and how generous the sponsor was... easy tie-in. One team talked to me a couple of years back about how a local funeral home was a sponsor. The team was very appreciative and was able to explain why that sponsor was so important to their build/expenses. And, the sponsor was delighted to be able to support students who were interested in science and technology.. in their futures. (Some funeral homes do a lot a business because of gang activity, seeing so many young people's lives wasted.) -

Times are hard and generosity is nothing to sneer at but at the same time, it is wise to look at all the different aspects of obtaining and working with sponsors as partners or potential partners.

Regarding the Gracious Professionalism aspect. It will be impossible to limit the spread of Gracious Professionalism - to contain it or control it. I agree that it is an internal measuring stick but I also think it is more than that. One example: watching the teams on the field and in the pit - is available to the public. The teams who have chosen to understand, implement, and display Gracious Professionalism, set a standard for others to follow. Part of that is sharing the concept with companies, potential sponsors, visiting guests, including politicians and school administrators. If the concept is not shared or displayed, then are the goals of FIRST being met? It isn't loud or showy but it does garner attention. Well deserved attention and also, respect.
__________________
Excellence is contagious. ~ Andy Baker, President, AndyMark, Inc. and Woodie Flowers Award 2003

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~ Helen Keller
(1880-1968)

Last edited by JaneYoung : 29-12-2008 at 00:01. Reason: more info
Reply With Quote
 


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Should Sponsors ask to be recognized? Collmandoman General Forum 32 08-04-2005 16:18
Two Teams from the Same School? Anonymous Capt General Forum 14 05-05-2002 20:39


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:38.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi