Multiples 2007

[Rich Kressly]

sighhhhhhhhhhhh. Much of what I read in this thread is respectful, but there's an undertone that needs to be addressed.

Judging or evaluating ANYTHING from a distance is dangerous. Even for those who know team members well on other teams. Anything that keeps students, mentors, and teams in FIRST is a good thing. What works for my team, might not work for yours ... yadda, yadda ...

Remember why FIRST exists, folks. Stay focused on the mission of changing the culture. Putting people in a position of explaining/defending a team choice on how to do business makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. All of these other details are wasted thought and energy. It's one thing to want to learn from other teams, but that is not what's happening here.

Remember, take what you know and believe and value from being a part of competitive events in the popular culture and throw those away. No, this isn't easy for any of us. I'm a lifetime jock and have coached multiple sports for nearly a decade where it was more about winning than I ever cared to admit. However, this is what our founder, the national advisors, and the board of directors ask of us. Without trying to sound harsh, it's time to get on board with that notion and live it all of the time, on purpose, for a reason. And, no, spending your time evaluating whether or not someone ELSE has it right isn't what I mean. For those who haven't read it, I believe I covered my thoughts on Gracious Professionalism here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...74&postcount=1

Every time you show up at a FIRST event you should notice the PEOPLE and say to yourself, "Oh, wow. Look at all of these people involved in FIRST. I wonder what positive difference FIRST makes in each of their lives. Maybe I'll go ask them all over the course of the next three days. Oh, yeah, there are some robots here too."

Until we learn to celebrate our differences with great vigor in an earnest way, we won't accomplish what we're supposed to get done. If the average American (sorry folks from elsewhere, I don't know the numbers for you) lives to the age of 75, that's 3900 weeks Americans have to live. I've got about 1820 weeks left in my life, how about you? How do you want to use the little time you have left?

Namaste.