It happens this way every year. There’s a big push by teams to get registered for events and signed up for kickoffs before the deadline, then it seems teams take a breather. What’s happening here at HQ is completely different. By the time teams could sign up for events and kickoffs we were done with the big push to schedule events and recruit volunteers. Now that registration is over, we’re working feverishly to finalize the Game Manual, gather the remaining elements of the Kit of Parts, ensure game elements and pieces are ready to go, and plan Championship. I will continue to keep you updated during this crazy time and I suggest that you take advantage of the next few weeks to read the first half of the Game Manual , brush up on your programming skills, recruit more members and sponsors and get some rest.
That said, I have a few important items for your team before you break for the holidays.
I announced the posting of the FIRST Choice Ordering Process on Monday and was surprised to receive a few questions. The original description is in my November 15th FIRST Choice blog (how quickly we forget) and on Nov 17th I answered a few questions that trickled in by then
I also posted a video request for team input into the kickoff on the FRC Teams Global Channel on Youtube and haven’t heard from anyone yet. There are just nine days left until the last possible moment for me to include team videos in the live broadcast. Submit your team’s short funny, creative, 20th anniversary themed video in the comment box and I’ll pick the best for inclusion on January 8th.
If your team hasn’t completed the team information section in TIMS, now is a good time to make sure everything is up to date. December 16th we’re going to pull that information out of the system to start printing Program Books. If you want your team information included, fill it in now. Program books make great souvenirs for your sponsors and supporters.
Maybe the experience is different in this area but I know a lot of teams who are feverishly working now. They are hosting FLL qualifiers. They are helping with FTC tournaments. They are helping with VRC tournaments. They are helping with planning for the local regional(s). They are fundraising. They are debriefing from and planning more workshops. They are helping the rookies.
And although it sounds like they are all set for volunteers on a HQ level, we are still recruiting like crazy here.
Done with Fall Training and our FLL Sate Qualifier was last weekend. This weekend will be our Mock-Kickoff/Build day where we take one of the previous challenges and ask the teams to strategize, conceptualize and prototype a robot from basic materials. We invite the other local teams so that we can prepare all the rookie team members and remind the veterans of what to expect on kick-off.
Our local FTC Championship will be the last weekend of the build season, so unfortunately we won’t be volunteering for that.
Maybe the experience is different in this area but I know a lot of teams who are feverishly working now.
Yes indeed, our FRC team went to 3 fall off seasons, we ran the Downingtown Jr and Sr Fall Classic (two VRC events in the same place, same day), PSU Abington/Abington Bank Scrimmage, did some outreach events, set up in our new 17,000 sq ft space with 15 VRC teams on one side, FRC on the other, put the full size field together, moved the mill from the high school to the Robotics Center (thanks East Coast EDM!), getting ready for the practice kickoff (Dec 11/12) and our open house (Dec 15) :eek:
I’m looking forward to January when things will slow down some!
