SME Cards

[archiver]

Posted by Steve Alaniz at 03/07/2001 12:23 PM EST


Other on team #57 from Houston Regional co-ordinator.



Hi.. There has been a LOT of "Discussion" about the SME
cards. As a regional co-ordinator, let me share a few
things with you.
All F.I.R.S.T. is doing is asking you for a little
help. It takes $... make that $$$$ to fund the National
and regional competitions. (the Astro Arena is not free
and DISNEY definitely is not free) We fund raise almost
year round and when we approach a company as a
potential funder, the first questons we get asked are,
"How effective is this program?" " Do people who
participate really consider engineering as a career?"
Without concrete numbers, we have no way of giving an
honest answer.
One thing that would help is the SME cards as a
tracking tool to give us those numbers. (No, having an
SME card doesn't mean we can "TRACK" you so don't get
lost in the woods and expect SME to find you.)
Will you be kept out of the team party at the Houston
regional if you don't have a card? I doubt it...
Disney? Doubtful as well.. (Although if push came to
shove... mouse ears not withstanding...I wouldn't mess
with Disney security.. those guys have really eaten
their Wheaties!)
No one is asking for your credit card numbers and
expiration dates... all we're asking for is a little
help. And I would be grateful for YOUR help in
continuing the F.I.R.S.T. program.

Best Wishes

Steve Alaniz

[archiver]

Posted by Matt Ryan at 03/07/2001 3:35 PM EST


Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.


In Reply to: SME Cards
Posted by Steve Alaniz on 03/07/2001 12:23 PM EST:



The only problem I had with it was that I was never told what FIRST was to do with my **personal** information.

I would like to see some guarantee of privacy next year, along with a statement telling everyone what the information is used for instead of a "you better get this or else" sort of attitude (or else you don't get into the competition or the team parties).

[archiver]

Posted by Steve Alaniz at 03/07/2001 3:56 PM EST


Other on team #57 from Houston Regional co-ordinator.


In Reply to: Re: SME Cards
Posted by Matt Ryan on 03/07/2001 3:35 PM EST:



Good point... however, I think you're risking a lot
more by posting on this site.. I didn't realize that
my e-mail address would appear so easily... (I'm SPAM
shy these days.) I promise to voice that concern about
privacy when the regional directors meet this summer.
I realize the "MUST" is a bit heavy handed... you just
have to know how to "read" F.I.R.S.T. and trust that
they have your best interests in mind.... really...
they do. It's kind of like parents that try to lead and
guide but just come off as pushy. On the other hand,
your participation in F.I.R.S.T. and the SME will give
you a decided edge when you seach for a job.
Thanks for your attention to the details. That's what I
enjoy most about working with all teams and their
members. all these viewpoints and they're all worth
hearing.

Best and all

Steve


: The only problem I had with it was that I was never
told what FIRST was to do with my **personal**
information.

: I would like to see some guarantee of privacy next
year, along with a statement telling everyone what the
information is used for instead of a "you better get
this or else" sort of attitude (or else you don't get
into the competition or the team parties).

[archiver]

Posted by Thomas A. Frank at 03/07/2001 5:25 PM EST


Engineer on team #121, The Islanders/Rhode Warrior, from Middletown (RI) High School and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.


In Reply to: Re: SME Cards
Posted by Steve Alaniz on 03/07/2001 3:56 PM EST:



Hello All;

Personally, I figured that neither SME nor FIRST has any business asking for my date of birth, which was the only piece of real personal info they demanded (if they think that the data in their data base is accurate, well, they can enjoy that little fantasy)

On the other hand, if they actually plan on enforcing the "you must an SME card" rule, SME had best get around to mailing those cards out!

Tom Frank

[archiver]

Posted by nick237 at 03/07/2001 5:37 PM EST


Engineer on team #237, sie h2o bots, from Watertown high school ct and sieman co.


In Reply to: Re: SME Cards
Posted by Thomas A. Frank on 03/07/2001 5:25 PM EST:



Hey Thomas. did you add a few years or did you take many off ?????
Happy Fantasy.
nick237



: Hello All;

: Personally, I figured that neither SME nor FIRST has any business asking for my date of birth, which was the only piece of real personal info they demanded (if they think that the data in their data base is accurate, well, they can enjoy that little fantasy)

: On the other hand, if they actually plan on enforcing the "you must an SME card" rule, SME had best get around to mailing those cards out!

: Tom Frank

[archiver]

Posted by Thomas A. Frank at 03/08/2001 2:07 PM EST


Engineer on team #121, The Islanders/Rhode Warrior, from Middletown (RI) High School and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.


In Reply to: Re: SME Cards, up or down?
Posted by nick237 on 03/07/2001 5:37 PM EST:



: Hey Thomas. did you add a few years or did you take many off ?????
: Happy Fantasy.
: nick237


Interesting question! Actually, it was the same year, just a different day...an easy to remember one from my point of view (since I seem to be faced with these situations on an increasingly frequent basis, I have a standardized response).

TAF

[archiver]

Posted by Mike King at 03/07/2001 6:42 PM EST


Coach on team #88, TJ², from Bridgewater Raynham and Johnson & Johnson Professional.


In Reply to: Re: SME Cards
Posted by Thomas A. Frank on 03/07/2001 5:25 PM EST:



Actually, I'm betting that the birthdate was there for another reason.

Due to federal regulations, any datagathering organization (in this case SME) cannot retain any information on Minor's under the age of 13.

[archiver]

Posted by Lora Knepper at 03/07/2001 5:46 PM EST


Other on team #177, Bobcat Robotics - (Adoptee) =), from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: SME Cards
Posted by Steve Alaniz on 03/07/2001 12:23 PM EST:



I can see all the issues presented, both Pros and Cons of the way SME was gathering data. Personally, I don't have a problem with it. As Steve has pointed out, we all give away much more information on these boards which are readable by anyone with an internet connection. If FIRST was going to an unknown group to do all this, I'd tend to be more wary like you all - but all in all I'm not worried about the SME. FIRST wants to see just how much this program is working. I'm proud to say I'm hooked for life, and I for one don't have a problem letting FIRST or SME know that.

just my 2 cents
~ lora

[archiver]

Posted by Elgin C at 03/07/2001 8:25 PM EST


Engineer on team #237, Sie-H20-Bots, from Watertown High School / NVCC.


In Reply to: SME Cards
Posted by Steve Alaniz on 03/07/2001 12:23 PM EST:



Is there a webpage/phone number you can get ahold of SME for info on where the cards are??? I registered for my card 4 weeks ago and still havn't gotten mine!!
Thank you

[archiver]

Posted by Mark Pierce at 03/08/2001 6:04 AM EST


Other on team #288, RoboDAWGS, from Grandville High School and X-Rite, Delphi, and others.


In Reply to: Have all of the cards been sent out?
Posted by Elgin C on 03/07/2001 8:25 PM EST:



I know that there were several delays in getting cards out. Our cards took over four weeks. You can check their database by trying to register again. It will tell you whether the system knows that you registered or not.

I'll try to find an SME person this weekend who might know their progress on mailing.

[archiver]

Posted by Ken Leung at 03/09/2001 3:04 AM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Re: Have all of the cards been sent out?
Posted by Mark Pierce on 03/08/2001 6:04 AM EST:



Are they sending the new cards to people who got the old cards?

[archiver]

Posted by ChrisH at 03/09/2001 5:04 PM EST


Engineer on team #330, Beach 'Bots, from Hope Chapel Academy and NASA JPL, J & F Machine, Raytheon, et al.


In Reply to: how about the ones with the old card?
Posted by Ken Leung on 03/09/2001 3:04 AM EST:



I was signed up last year and was told I had to do it again this year. If you don't show up again in the database they assume you've dropped out and have no need of a new card.

Better get registered Ken!

Chris Husmann
Team 330 the Beach'Bots

[archiver]

Posted by Ken Leung at 03/11/2001 2:18 PM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Nope
Posted by ChrisH on 03/09/2001 5:04 PM EST:



Well, my initial question is about if we already have last year's card, will they still send the new one's to you...

But just a few days ago I just received the new card...

Guess the question is answered.

See you at SoCal regional.