Suggestions For Developing Off Seasons Without The 'Like IRI' Mindset Trap

[JaneYoung]

Let me explain ...

Recently, I have had the privilege of serving on several off season committees in the state of Texas that have been trying to re-establish an off season event. (Apparently, in the past there was an off season competition in the Houston area though I don't know who ran it or any of the logistics.)

I've gained a lot of insight into the planning of and for an off season, including waging a battle against the IRI mindset: 'like IRI', even if folks have never attended IRI in person to see how it has developed and grown over the years.

Billfred and I were talking about some of this at dinner on Saturday after IRI and I mentioned that I'm thinking about writing a white paper concerning the insight I've gained and what I've learned. The purpose of the white paper would be to help others who are interested in starting an off season but are trying to do too much too soon too fast. What we are learning here in our region is that the teams have to get interested and committed to participating as competitors. That is key to the success of an off season along with its organizational side of things.

If anyone has any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas in how to help generate interest with the teams along with maintaining the KISS attitude, initially - I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance for your insight and ideas.
Jane

[GaryVoshol]

This is a good idea, Jane.

"Like IRI" could mean "like IRI's organization and volunteers" and you'd be headed in a good direction. That would be difficult, because IRI has a number of well-respected mentors with ages of experience. But it's a goal for any off-season organization.

But you can't make it mean "like IRI's attraction of great teams". That only happens as an offseason matures, not when it begins. It's not a case of build it and they will come. You have to make your off-season attractive to teams in your area, and build from there.

So, are there any white papers out there, "Like Kettering Kickoff", "Like Ruckus", "Like Ramp Riot", "Like SCRRF"? Things that tell what you have to do, who you have to contact, how much money you need, etc?

[IndySam]

This is the paper we used when planning the CAGE match last year. It was a invaluable resource. We wanted a small friendly competition that teams could use to introduce new members to FRC and have a some fun and this paper really helped us out even though we had no intention to have an event like IRI (wow that's a long sentence.)


How to IRI by Chris Fultz

My advice would be, keep things simple for the teams. Easy load in, comfortable pits, affordable concessions ......

Get the best people possible to help you. Don't be afraid to ask the best, most will be glad to help out.

Parents, parents, parents. No off season event would be possible without a lot of parental help. Recruit them early.

One guy has to be the general and be prepared to take charge. Taylor is our 4 star!

Don't try to make it a fundraiser, keep the price affordable. Try and break even, profits will come down the road once you're established.

[Kims Robot]

We've learned a lot over the years of developing Ruckus and were discussing doing something similar (at least organizing & releasing all of our documentation on our website).

I think the reality is offseasons need to start simple as you suggest. JUST start with a 1 day event, do things that appeal to ALL people, not just FIRSTaholics or CD'ers, be careful with your food & registration costs - keep them as low as possible, and start small, focus on the local teams.

I will let you know when we get our documentation up... I had a list that Jason Rees and I generated the first year of things our Committee needed to discuss and plan, and thats probably a good way for most events to start.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

We've learned a lot over the years of developing Ruckus and were discussing doing something similar (at least organizing & releasing all of our documentation on our website).

I think the reality is offseasons need to start simple as you suggest. JUST start with a 1 day event, do things that appeal to ALL people, not just FIRSTaholics or CD'ers, be careful with your food & registration costs - keep them as low as possible, and start small, focus on the local teams.

I will let you know when we get our documentation up... I had a list that Jason Rees and I generated the first year of things our Committee needed to discuss and plan, and thats probably a good way for most events to start.

Music to my ears, Kim - to the beat of common sense applications.

What does: 'do things that appeal to ALL people, not just FIRSTaholics or CD'ers' mean?

I get the rest. Would love to see your documentation when it comes out. I am an absolute firm believer in off seasons and their important role in helping get the word out to communities and potential teams.

Thanks,
Jane

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Music to my ears, Kim - to the beat of common sense applications.

What does: 'do things that appeal to ALL people, not just FIRSTalholics or DC'ers' mean?

I get the rest. Would love to see your documentation when it comes out. I am an absolute firm believer in off seasons and their important role in helping get the word out to communities and potential teams.

Thanks,
Jane

Come up here and see it first hand Jane!

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

Come up here and see it first hand Jane!

I almost made it this year, Alex, but I have a date conflict. I was looking forward to some Halloween travel.

[Dale]

In the fall in Oregon, we've taken a different route by developing a simple game local teams can develop a new FRC-style robot for. This is called the BunnyBot Scrimmage. Rules for last year's game can be found at http://www.oregonfirst.org/regional-...bot-scrimmage/

These games are kept intentionally simple and friendly. We want new members of the local teams to get practice building robots and using tools before the intense FRC build season rolls around. The rules of the season's BunnyBot game are announced towards the end of of September and the competition held around the last day of school before winter break. (We had weather problems last year so it was pushed off to the day before kickoff.)

Some teams just enter a single robot, others enter multiples. Our team (1540, the Flaming Chickens) tries to keep our BunnyBot teams small, 4-6 students, so everyone is fully engaged. We entered three robots last year.

Let me know if you'd like to know more or watch the above web address for the rules of this year's game.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Dale

Let me know if you'd like to know more or watch the above web address for the rules of this year's game.

All ears, Dale. Thank you - I'll watch for the link updates.

As you can imagine, Texas is big and if we can develop a package to send to areas of Texas (and other regions as well) with this type of information and support - it is easier to get things going on a local level. Our lead mentor, Mr. Bertucci, has an idea similar to this and I will be happy to share your insight and information with him. I think it will make him grin.

Also, the members of two of the committees I was a part of are following this thread and can apply these ideas and suggestions to their areas of Texas and also when and as we work together in the future.

Keep 'em comin', folks. We appreciate it.

[Dale]

By the way, if you'd like to see photos of last year's BunnyBot Scrimmage, some can be found at http://www.team1540.org/BunnyBot09

As you can see, BunnyBots is an informal affair and pull off. It's held on a course half the size of an FRC course with two robots per alliance. Ours is held in a covered tennis court but a high school gym would be fine as well.

Many of our new members have more fun with BunnyBots with it's relaxed schedule and rules than true FRC where they, being less experienced, can't have as central a role as veteran students.

BunnyBots gives everyone a "magnetic field" to align to in the buildup to FRC kickoff. It's great for team building.

[Carol]

As already suggested in a previous post, you need to decide on finances. Is the event going to be fundraiser for your team, or do you want to break even? Make sure you budget carefully in either case. And don't forget sponsors, especially if you are using the event as a fundraiser.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Carol

As already suggested in a previous post, you need to decide on finances. Is the event going to be fundraiser for your team, or do you want to break even? Make sure you budget carefully in either case. And don't forget sponsors, especially if you are using the event as a fundraiser.

Carol,
If a white paper comes about like I'm planning for it to, that will definitely be discussed. Breaking even seems to be a realistic goal the first year or so. Although... if Alex will come down here and teach me how to throw a few pies...

It would be awesome to get some more sponsors on board. That's always an excellent goal. I think if we spend a little more time and expend a little more effort in that area, we could a do little bit better. Thanks for the reminder.

[JaneYoung]

Ok, so - I'm not going to be able to go to sleep until I ask these 2 favors. *sigh*

1. Would anyone like to share some talking points for interesting teams (local and regional) in participating in an off season? Please keep in mind that this is all new ground for many of the current teams in our area - many of which work very hard to make their yearly budget as it is without thinking about the possible expense of an off season. Also, one of the reasons teams didn't sign up that we've heard consistently is that teams can't gain access to their shop, robot, tools, mentors, students - or all of the above during the summer months. (Many Texas teams participate in BEST which starts almost as soon as school starts so the fall semester would not be a great time for an off season, most likely.)

2. Would anyone like to share a quote with regard to what participating in an off season has meant to you?

Again, thanks in advance for your help and your ideas.
Jane

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Would anyone like to share

Jane, you might start here ... http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...04&postcount=9

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Jane, you might start here ... http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...04&postcount=9

When I initially read John's post yesterday, it made me think of the incredible power that lies behind this attitude and dedication, as individuals and as a team, and their unswerving commitment to excellence. I viewed it as a post that mentors and role models how to maximize potential, looking at every position and opportunity, mining the value strategically in very conscious ways. This post highlights much much more than asking for some talking points to encourage teams to attend an off season. It shows why John is a WFFA and why 148 has brought home the gold from the Championship. Beautifully.