[BB] What did you do with your weekend?

[gyroscopeRaptor]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2011...r-weekend.html

Very interesting story about the GP award.

Also, why can't you un-remove that photo?

[Justin Montois]

Who would say that to anyone at a FIRST event(or anyone in general) much less an FTA?

Sad.

[EricVanWyk]

Originally Posted by Justin Montois

Who would say that to anyone?

Sad.

Fixed that for you.

[Steven Donow]

Our first tease of the year

But on the note about the GP award, what do most regionals do to determine it? At Philly this year they had paper ballots for teams to fill out(i assume just for input from teams, not as the final decision), whereas at NJ I don't believe there was anything.

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by stevend1994

Our first tease of the year

But on the note about the GP award, what do most regionals do to determine it? At Philly this year they had paper ballots for teams to fill out(i assume just for input from teams, not as the final decision), whereas at NJ I don't believe there was anything.

The Gracious Professionalism is a judged award. The paper ballots you refer to are reviewed by the judges.

[Bjenks548]

Well I did pick up one thing about the game next year. The game pieces don't seem to be custom made. I am assuming this because BB last year before kickoff kept saying they were looking for suitable game pieces. Sounds to me like this year the game is being made to fit the game pieces instead of the other way around. Footballs?

[safetycap'n111]

Originally Posted by Bjenks548

Well I did pick up one thing about the game next year. The game pieces don't seem to be custom made. I am assuming this because BB last year before kickoff kept saying they were looking for suitable game pieces. Sounds to me like this year the game is being made to fit the game pieces instead of the other way around. Footballs?

This might very well be possible, but I doubt its footballs.

From what I've seen, there is a pattern where FIRST goes from more complex piece to less complex, with '09 and '08 debatably reversed, and this pattern goes all of the way back to 2001.

[EricVanWyk]

I hear the game piece is going to be WAGO tools.

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

I hear the game piece is going to be WAGO tools.

If WAGO tools are the game piece, I hope the game is try to find them in the shop. Can't imagine the robots would be any worse at it that the students are.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Bill's Blog

As Judges in Seattle were trying to decide which team would receive the Gracious Professionalism Award, one of them witnessed a student from one of the top three choices telling the FTA “you don’t ****ing know what you’re doing”. Needless to say, that team didn’t stay in the top three for long. Heads up teams, we can hear you.

That's so disgusting. I'm not even sad, I'm disappointed and ashamed on so many levels.

1) As stated before, who would say that to ANYONE?

2) FTAs are trained by FIRST. Yes, they're human and everyone screws up sometime, but they certainly know what they're doing.

3) FIRST Teams are supposed to be better than this. Remember our core values? Gracious Professionalism? "Act as if your Grandmother were watching you." Who cares about getting an award or not.... would grandma have been proud of that behavior? I highly doubt it.

I'm glad that FIRST Staff is finally letting us all know that they DO hear what goes on. I'm sad that this ISN'T the first story like this I've heard all season.

Let's work on our behavior, eh folks?

EDIT: & by that I mean, ALL of us. Let's all watch how we speak, and how we treat others, as even in the heat of competition, behavior like that is inexcusable. Let's make sure we're not personally doing it, and let's gently remind others of the same if we see it happen. It'll help make FIRST a better place.

[JaneYoung]

I think this happens more often than we realize or recognize. By Bill Miller calling the attention of the teams to the rudeness, it provides an opportunity for discussions within the teams and the community.

Any time a team member is rude or obnoxious on our team, we (the mentors) address it. Whether we are made aware of it immediately or we are made aware of it further down the road, we take steps to address the behavior. It reflects poorly on the individual and it reflects very poorly on the team. It isn't something that we want to let slide because it impacts the individual's future and the team's.

I always take the responsibility back to the veteran mentors first and the veteran students and parents second. We haven't done our job fully if we have a member of the team behave in such a manner that they insult a volunteer or an award, itself. Granted, it chips away at that precious time that is so finite during build and competition to discuss team conduct. Some veteran members have heard the drill for years and don't place the topic as a priority. Sometimes, it is an oversight on the part of the team leadership. There are a lot of reasons that the conduct of the team can suffer and damage its reputation. This is a good call on the part of Bill. He's letting all of the teams know that poor conduct is recognized and will not be rewarded. It's good to have it brought to our attention so that the off-season can be used to help mentor the teams in proper conduct and respect.

Jane

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Libby K

EDIT: & by that I mean, ALL of us. Let's all watch how we speak, and how we treat others, as even in the heat of competition, behavior like that is inexcusable. Let's make sure we're not personally doing it, and let's gently remind others of the same if we see it happen. It'll help make FIRST a better place.

Agreed.

I am disappointed that the blog chose to call out the regional where the story took place.

I think it would have been more effective if he had not mentioned the site or identified whether the person was a FTA or contractor or staff or "just a regular" volunteer.

I've seen people act like jerks in numerous locales. The education, whether or not trophies are involved, is an ongoing process.

UPDATE: Jane, our postings overlapped. You are right on.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

UPDATE: Jane, our postings overlapped. You are right on.

I feel discomfort regarding the specific information along the lines that you have mentioned, Jenny. At the same time, because it is more specific rather than generic, it drives the point home.

This is that shade of gray matter stuff, isn't it?

Jane

[mwtidd]

I have to agree that swearing at someone is unnecessary and only reflects ignorance on your part. However I do think swearing has its place. It can be used to make an environment feel less formal, and actually more inviting. Also when used in certain contexts and sparingly it certainly can aid in humor (especially when you're not expecting it). I think swearing can help lighten the tone when people tend to take themselves a bit too seriously (FIRST definitely having that vibe from time to time). Also I think there is an age appropriateness that comes into context. Swearing in front of freshman has a very different effect than swearing in front of seniors.
I would point towards Gary Vaynerchuck, Cee Lo Green, and the immi-children's book "go the f*** to sleep" as two examples where swearing is used effectively.

Basically swearing is like a lot of other things, if you're not smiling when you're doing it, its probably wrong.

To anyone who swears at another out of anger, "You don't ****ing know what you're doing"

A more serious question, if someone acts like that on a team, and brings them down and refuses to change, should a team and FIRST abandon that individual simply because they do not approve of their behavior. I think this reflects juvenile detention methods to an extent, where it is not so much about rehabilitation but rather punishment. By FIRST outright saying that it punishes a whole team because of one individual's words, is it in a way saying that we should abandon those who pose similar risks to our teams, to further our own chances. I think there are some real dangers in conveying a message like that. The fact is teams cannot control how everyone is going to react to a situation, and the only way to outright avoid a situation like this is to ban anyone who may act like that from a team. The kid was an idiot, I don't disagree, but I think that a team's GP is not directly linked to a single action by a single individual. Maybe its just me but FIRST members are not members of a utopian society, we all have flaws, and we all know there are members on our teams that pose a risk. But I would much rather have those people on my team than to win an award, because I know the effect FIRST has on those individuals is much more valuable than any award.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by safetycap'n111

This might very well be possible, but I doubt its footballs.

From what I've seen, there is a pattern where FIRST goes from more complex piece to less complex, with '09 and '08 debatably reversed, and this pattern goes all of the way back to 2001.

There's another long-lasting pattern of alternating between using balls and something else, which works if you don't consider 2009 to be a ball game. Also there's a back and forth between being themed around a sport that goes to 2006(assuming you look at Lunacy as being moon-themed)