FIRST $CASH$ prize...

[KelliV]

If you want a prize go out in your community, visit your local Elementary school, and start something, wether it be a FLL team, FVC team, or just a day where little kids come and look at your old robots, the look on their faces as they smile and learn should be enough of a reward for any of you. As we said at WildStang, FIRST isn't just about building robots, it's about building people.
Being on a FIRST team is prize enough. Money is not needed. Start a new team, and give that prize to other kids, share, create a community that is centered around robotics, just watch and see, maybe you can win Chairman's, The Championship, or what I think is even more prestigious, a peer award from a neighboring team that you have helped more than they could have imagined. FIRST changes lives, you can be part of that change, and I don't know about you guys, but that is prize enough for me.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by TheNotoriousKid

Okay no refund...what about a refund for the national registration fee?

That is a lot of refund you are talking about.
I'm not sure the incentive?

Being a part of FIRST and playing with the big dogs is plenty of incentive.
(edit here: meaning - working alongside engineers and scientists in this program, as well as the other big dogs.)

When you start messin' with money, it brings in a lot of aspects and issues.
FIRST isn't rolling in the dough.

If any more incentive to win was needed, I would look in the direction of scholarships.

[TheNotoriousKid]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

That is a lot of refund you are talking about.
I'm not sure the incentive?

Being a part of FIRST and playing with the big dogs is plenty of incentive.

When you start messin' with money, it brings in a lot of aspects and issues.
FIRST isn't rolling in the dough.

If any more incentive to win was needed, I would look in the direction of scholarships.

The fee for nationals is about 5000 dollars...three teams, four at most win nationals...and FIRST compensates them with a refund.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by TheNotoriousKid

The fee for nationals is about 5000 dollars...three teams, four at most win nationals...and FIRST compensates them with a refund.

Again,
What about the Chairman's?
There would be worthy winners in every area.

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by TheNotoriousKid

The fee for nationals is about 5000 dollars...three teams, four at most win nationals...and FIRST compensates them with a refund.

That's just the registration fee. What about robot shipping costs? FIRST package costs? Travel costs? Lodging costs?

I don't see the point in wanting to pay teams that win. A team should already want to win due to human nature. I personally think a large trophy and that warm, fuzzy feeling you get inside is a satisfactory prize for winning a competition.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by TheNotoriousKid

Okay no cash prize...what about a refund for the national registration fee?

It is still money being handed back.

Money = NO.

Pavan.

[nparikh]

I personally disagree with giving out money, but I don't see an issue with giving out some kind of prizes. For example, the winners of the National Animation Award used to (it's unclear if they will this year) get a laptop & software from Autodesk as a reward(prize) for winning. Why not offer some kinds of other incentives--perhaps the opportunity to try out innovative products for next year, computers, or other gear to help teams.

It doesn't necessarily have to be money, but something in return wouldn't hurt--and it wouldn't spoil FIRST. Teams aren't going to cheat for something that isn't a cash prize--or so we'd like to think.

[TheNotoriousKid]

Originally Posted by nparikh

I personally disagree with giving out money, but I don't see an issue with giving out some kind of prizes. For example, the winners of the National Animation Award used to (it's unclear if they will this year) get a laptop & software from Autodesk as a reward(prize) for winning. Why not offer some kinds of other incentives--perhaps the opportunity to try out innovative products for next year, computers, or other gear to help teams.

It doesn't necessarily have to be money, but something in return wouldn't hurt--and it wouldn't spoil FIRST. Teams aren't going to cheat for something that isn't a cash prize--or so we'd like to think.

...it doesnt even have to be money...but even without a refund people would cheat, not demonstrate gp, or everything ur grandma wants.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by nparikh

Why not offer some kinds of other incentives--perhaps the opportunity to try out innovative products for next year, computers, or other gear to help teams.

I don't know if this is still the case, but in 2004, we were given two brand new computers with flat screens (courtesy of CDW, I think?) for winning our division at nationals. I always thought that was a nice little perk, and I wouldn't mind seeing it continue.

[chris31]

Originally Posted by jgannon

I don't know if this is still the case, but in 2004, we were given two brand new computers with flat screens (courtesy of CDW, I think?) for winning our division at nationals. I always thought that was a nice little perk, and I wouldn't mind seeing it continue.

That sounds cool. Something thats nice and team would want. But nothing to make the next year unfair or make people cheat/play dirty to win.

[Fred Sayre]

There is a lot of issues associated with having cash prizes. I think maybe having the team get a free regional registration or something might be an interesting reward. I think many teams do really well and then disappear due to sponsor difficulties and lack of funding. I think however that there is more than enough motivation without having competition prizes for teams to perform well.

I also agree with Cory that there should be focus on getting students all of the existing available opportunities that are not always taken advantage of.

[mizscience]

Definite NO. FIRST has been attracting people to the experience that is robotics for almost 15 years now - without the use of monetary incentives. Adding a cash prize would take away the pure fun and the working for the eventual self and team accomplishment that comes with FIRST. There is no need to sell out that way...

[Brian C]

It's definitely NOT about the money. Once you get money involved as a prize or goal you're going to see ALL of the Gracious Professionalism go out the door. You would also see teams no longer sharing information and helping each other.

This forum would become a shell of itself.

Unfortunately the $$$ aspect of a prize will change the attitude of many people. This would absolutely NOT be a good thing IMHO

IF you have to ask why then I'm afraid you might not be getting the point of what FIRST is.