2003 Annual Report on The FIRST Site

[Andrew Rudolph]

the 2003 Annual Report for FIRST is up on the main page http://www.usfirst.org/about/2003/annualreport2003.pdf

[Gabriel]

Thanks for pointing this out. Its always good to see how FIRST is doing.

I noticed that Dean Kamen's contribution to FIRST went from $400,000 in 2002 to zero in 2003, even though FIRST seems to be running an operating loss of $165,000. Makes you wonder if Dean is having some financial problems. I wonder how badly the Segway fiasco seems to have hurt him. In the Time article about his Water Purifier he said "I have no credibility" (http://www.time.com/time/2003/inventions/invwater.html) Poor guy. At least he's back to inventing stuff that can really change the world.

[GregTheGreat]

Originally posted by Gabriel
Thanks for pointing this out. Its always good to see how FIRST is doing.

I noticed that Dean Kamen's contribution to FIRST went from $400,000 in 2002 to zero in 2003, even though FIRST seems to be running an operating loss of $165,000. Makes you wonder if Dean is having some financial problems. I wonder how badly the Segway fiasco seems to have hurt him. In the Time article about his Water Purifier he said "I have no credibility" (http://www.time.com/time/2003/inventions/invwater.html) Poor guy. At least he's back to inventing stuff that can really change the world.

I also seen that. Really makes you think... I personally think Dean has done enough already, without him....well you know.

-Greg The Great

[Andy Baker]

The annual report looks good.

It's great to see an excellent picture on the front cover. What we see is a picture of a highly-respected engineer (Raul Olivera) who is hugged by the students he has worked with over the past 4 years, in a moment of victory. This picture says alot. You can see the bond between the students and the engineer, and you can see the mutual respect shown.

Also, it is good to see sound financial information reported. It is a good sign that Dean did not need to add to the assets of FIRST this year and they can operate on their own accord without his financial assistance. Now, if they can lower some of those expenditures like they are planning to do, next year's financials will be even better.

Andy B.

[generalbrando]

I like the way the numbers look. I'm not into economics or anything, but they sound good. I'm also amazed and excited (despite already being in college) that the scholarships have been almost doubling over and over again since 2000. I don't know where the ceiling is on that chart, but it doesn't look like we're close.

[Rich Wong]

Very nicing looking annual report.
I would have like to see photos of some of the Championship winners; like Team 103 winner of the Chairman's Award.

[Madison]

I kinda wish someone would've edited it before they published it. There are some blatant typographical and grammatical errors.

[JVN]

Originally posted by Rich Wong
Very nicing looking annual report.
I would have like to see photos of some of the Championship winners

How about a picture of the coach, and drivers from one of the teams off the championship alliance?

Maybe some students from one of the other championship teams?