FIRST Robotics Mentor Coffee Meeting with Code Red

[JNelson]

Hello Ether,

Thanks for asking. There were nine different teams represented and over 35 folks in attendance. I noticed that we had array of cookies and a few pots of coffee on hand, but nobody wanted to stop talking about FIRST Robotics long enough to partake. It was a very informal event with Mentors, Head Coaches, Sponsors and School Administrators and few college kids kicking around topics that included:

1. Team structure
2. Team Vision & Goals
3. Recruitment of students and mentors
4. Shop equipment
5. Build Season schedule
6. Project planning
7. Problem-solving and Brainstorming
8. Importance of Marketing
9. Sponsorship & Team Funding
10. Roles of Mentors
11. Roles of Parents
12. Collaboration among teams so that all are stronger
13. Setting up scrimmages before ship date
14. Robot fabrication, prototyping, etc.

The general consensus was that Item #2 was key. Establish the right Vision of the team, and getting people on board who share that vision, can result in something very powerful and amazing!

We knew going in that many team leaders were out doing holiday and family things that week. We were able to meet some fantastic people, and we definitely plan to hold more of those in the future. We will also try add Mentor & Coaches seminars to the Code Red Mock KickOff next year. There is some information about the recent one in the announcement we posted on FIRSTinMichigan's website:

http://www.firstinmichigan.blogspot.com/

Let me know if you have any questions, and have a great time with 2011's Logomotion!

Thank you,

Jeff