A Corrupt FIRST?

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by EricH

Quick suggestion: Before making unsubstantiated claims and wondering where the registration fee goes, look at http://usfirst.org/aboutus/content.aspx?id=78 for annual reports going back to 2003. You will notice that the first item is an audited financial report.

While I in no way want to give credence to the idea that FRC is subject to financial mismanagment, it is worth noting that the financial reports get no more specific than showing several million dollars poured into FRC. My point is not that they should or shouldn't be more specific than that, but that the average student wouldn't learn anything of value by looking at those resources.

And as for claiming the KOP has little of value: Motors aren't exactly cheap. The Kitbot isn't exactly cheap. The software in the KOP is NOT cheap, especially in non-student versions. With the prices of copper these days, the wire isn't exactly cheap. I'm not sure I want to know how much the batteries cost.

It's worth noting that at least some amount of the Kit of Parts is donated. The KoP has an estimated value greater than its price tag, however.