The Sad truth

[JoeXIII'007]

I have skimmed through this long thread, and have some thoughts:

-Diversification of funding is key to survival of a team. I would seek support from the government, but if received, not to be depended on considering how rapid the political landscape can change.

-FIRSTs expansion is definitely a double-edged sword. Growth to spread the message is marvelous, but there are ailing older teams as well that could face even more trouble if possible sponsors and funding are taken up and stretched by the new teams. Money is not something that grows on trees for certain.
(Edit: However, if FIRST were to take FRC and FTC, and somehow merge the two into a mid-sized robotics competition format (thinking vex is small, FRC is large, F?? would be the combination of the two... ), we might have a survival plan)

-School support of programs is great, so long there is not any surrounding politics to hurt it. Here in the Willow Run area, politics almost KO'd Team (66) existence this year due to an imposed contract on teachers. The teachers in response decided to drop their extracurriculars (except the normal sports... [where's the emoticon for hmph!]). I would cite an article from the Ann Arbor News explaining this but Mlive.com has only a 14 day archive when the article was run in early September. Fortunately, GM is keeping the team afloat and from what I have heard and operations are going on as usual, recruitment is pretty good for the year too (I love GM for that, very very much).

Other than that, I would attribute rising costs to the current state of the economy (it isnt bad but it isnt too great either). Just do what you can to survive, be ambitious if you have great ambitions,

... and make sure you have a whole lotta fun while doing it.

Edit: Lastly, a bit about inspiring, the key of FIRST's success. For my 4 years of high school I mentored the Lego League at Willow Run Middle School. That was to make a long story short the most difficult task I have ever brought upon myself and some of my Team 66 teammates. Due to district problems my senior year, the team did not start until late September. Competition was rough, placing 22nd out of 24th, and there were not many happy faces on the team heading home. However, several parents were remarking how their kids were interested in the robotics kit, and I gave them information on how to get it, etc.

Well, March came along with the Great Lakes Regional. We had invited district schools to the regional to watch, along with the FLL team. When I came to them they were so happy, and so was I to see them quite alright after a horrible experience in November. The fact they welcomed me still after all of the FLL season was the biggest expression of appreciation and the best return for my efforts ever. I didnt need any one of them to say 'thanks' or anything, I just knew they appreciated what I did. They also had a lot of fun at GLR too.

Just remember, a spark of inspiration can produce a lifetime of success. FIRST fosters that quite well, no matter what the condition.