Big Plans for 09-10?

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Boydean

I'm going to break off a little bit and go back to the collaboration part.
How about teams start collaborating more. You hear about stories of teams going to competitions with non-functional robots or the such and basically every team at the regional lends a helping hand. But what about the bigger picture? We all know that we want FIRST to grow in a steady manner without losing any teams in the process, what about joining together to make this happen.

Just an idea, what if every team in each state contact one another and make one big goal to work on together. Whether it be present more to state government, or gaining larger sponsorships to start new teams. Something that just one or two teams couldn't do alone, but with the help of 6 or more teams would be able to make a huge dent in their state, if they work together. 1 goal that when accomplished would greatly benefit FIRST in that state.

Four years ago at the local kickoff, the FRC teams in the Baltimore area sat down together and realized they could all help each other while competing with each other. The Baltimore Area Alliance was born.

There are a few core teams, and others that have come and gone from the BAA, but it is usually around 10 teams. Membership criteria is evolving, but does involve geography as attendance to meetings is required to make this work. There is a facilitator and a treasurer, but otherwise no one is "in-charge." The BAA does a joint fundraiser each year, holds modest training workshops in the fall and just put on the 3rd annual Battle O'Baltimore off-season competition.http://www.battleobaltimore.com/ Putting on an off-season event is just plain fun, and is a great way to do team-building. A local foundation is used as a 501(c)3, as some corporations would rather donate to the group, rather than individual teams. The Maryland State Dept. of Education was impressed by the BAA, and made a donation. These teams help each other during the build season, and this really played out with one of the rookie teams last year. (a great story but too long for here). Let me add that the teams are all fierce competitors with each other, but are also very willing to extend a helping hand.

As a wise man said "Collaboration works. DO IT!"