Sustainability In FRC Teams

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by BJC

I think FIRST (or us on CD) should start a buddy program in which rookie teams are paired up with veterans for there first season. Obviously, the veteran team would have to consent, but there are enough teams now to have at least a 5 year old team for every new rookie. These old teams would get the new teams up to speed answering questions via phone, conference call, ect; or if close, even in person. They could go over things rookies would have no idea about such as game analysis, scouting, wiring, programming, sponsorships, even time management. This would greatly lower the chances of a rookie team failing after their first year. Plus if they chose, the buddy teams could stay in contact in years following. This is the sort of thing that would draw the FIRST community even closer; building connections and friendships between teams that will last for years to come.

I believe this system is in place -- or at least it was. In TIMS there was/is a "willing to mentor" and "want to be mentored" check box. When 1276 was a rookie, we were blessed to have 133 as our mentoring team. Even though they met several hours away, their head mentors came down once before the season, once in the middle of the season, and a few days before the end of the season. Their advice as invaluable, and a huge help in getting a rookie team with no idea what they were doing off the ground. We even broke a gearbox at our first regional, and since they knew what the failure was and how to best quickly fix it, they came over with a big crew to help us out, despite the fact that their robot was also in desperate need of repairs!