The Responsibility of Being a Role Model

[AndyB]

Originally Posted by JVN

So let's summarize...
"The fat bald coach from 148 pissed me off at IRI during a strategy discussion..."

Andy... I don't need any more friends like you.

-John

PS - The list of names that the fat bald guy has pissed off is long, welcome to the club.

I do apologize if I made you look like an overgrown-dream-killing-bully. When I said things like "you pissed me off", "fat bald guy", and "I'm better than you", I meant them in the best way possible.

In all seriousness, no one should draw anything negative about JVN from this story. It was written from the perspective of an angry teenager with a bit too much angst. John handled the situation very well and I never woke up with a horse head in my bed the next morning... That was a plus.

[Andy Baker]

AndyB, you are wise.

As many others have said, this is a very good post. I don't know anyone who is totally comfortable in being a role model, and it's definitely not easy. However, this is one of the focus points of FIRST, so we accept it. FIRST is designed to put mentors on a pedestal, and so we need to learn to act as such.

With regard to seeing a admired role model do foolish things... keep in mind that no one is perfect and we all are human. Sometimes role models make mistakes, or they have different morals than you do.

Relationships in FIRST are a big benefit of the program. One of the things I enjoy about meeting people in FIRST is that people I meet transform from someone who just knows me to someone who I am friends with. After this peer to peer relationship is made, I believe that role models come down from their figurative pedestals and people just treat each other as good human beings.

A good person to talk about this subject is none other than Dr. Woodie Flowers. He will be the first to admit that he is not totally comfortable with this role, and while he describes his difficulties, you will realize that he is human.

Take care,
Andy Baker

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by AndyB

I decided to post a congratulations thread on a team's forum for an award they won. I received a reply saying "Thanks so much! It's an incredible honor to be congratulated by a FIRST celebrity."

I was completely shocked at the comment. Me, a FIRST celebrity? It now occurs to me that the poster most likely mistook me for Andy Baker... which makes a lot more sense.

Andy, Your post made me smile.
Often when I meet new FIRSTers, especially at the CMP, their eyes will look at the "Jenny" and then zero in on the last name. Dozens and dozens of times, I have experienced someone being more interested in talking with me because of my last name. Sometimes I recognize what is happening and say "I love Team 71 but I'm not related ( I look forward to seeing these great mentors each year at the CMP) but sometimes when the gushing starts and they get to "I love your team", I reply "I do too." This is often the case if I am near the field and having to shout.

And as long as I am drifting, I have a Woodie story. As the other Andy said, Woodie is one of the most humble people you will ever meet. Years ago I was in an airport line with him. He was being swarmed by people asking, in a nice FIRST way, for autographs. I turned to his wonderful wife Margaret, and said, "Forget Woodie, I want your autograph." She laughed and gave me one.

Fast forward to Boston a couple of years ago. I see Margaret and say "You won't remember me but..." And she says "I remember you. You are the only person to ask me for my autograph."

My list of role models in FIRST are probably different than most!

[EStokely]

What a great post. And like others I may not agree with all you wrote but I believe it is something that we forget about. That with or without our knowledge or consent role models are created.

I usually have to only make a couple of decent blunders a year in order to insure I am not placed in a such a role on our team.

And if I ever lose sight of who i am I look to some of the strong teams in my area and I am humbled pretty quick. When you have XBot(488), IRS(1318) and Skunkworks(1983) in your backyard you quickly understand what leaders look like.

But I like to share who my role models are (at least the ones before I joined the FIRST community.)
Ford, Edison...not the best people always but I can't help but admire what they did.


As for the worry that some well respected FIRST celeb will be caught in some act that will make him or her look less than perfect I can only hope that the students are smart enough to separate the person that inspired them and the person that made a mistake.

I mean did you know that the on the Woodie Flowers award the ball bearings can fall out!?! Doesn't mean I can't marvel at how well the super shifter works :-)