So for those of you that weren’t able to attend I figured i would give a rundown of the events that transpired and some of the things that went on.
First off we arrived at FIRST-Place without any real knowledge of what was going to happen and were given packets with information in them. Then after some speeches and a briefing on why we were there and an UPDATE on what FIRST is doing next year. They told us about how many teams they figured they would have next year and where the new regionals were going to be and some other information.
Then we were broken up into teams to discuss one of 2 topics. First was the Chairmans award and how first can help make it a bigger deal and help teams realize that it is infact the reason FIRST is around and that it IS the most prestigious award and how to get more teams involve and basicly make it a bigger deal and the second was a discussion about the FIRST hall of fame and what exactly that is going to be and how it is going to work and such.
Really cool stuff, alot of interesting ideas were proposed and discussed and i’m sure that we’ll see some of the fruits of our discussion popping up in what FIRST is doing next year.
Then we were taken to Deka/Segway and given a tour and demonstrations of the internals of segways, a demonstration of the IBOT, A trip through the machine shop and some of the office areas for Deka, and show the sterling engine and water purification stuff. Very cool. (The insides of the segway are alot simpler then i expected)
Then we were taken by bus out to Dean’s house were we were treated to some speeches and dinner and then allowed to roam freely, talk amongst ourselves, talk to Dean, Woodie and other first personalities, and ride segways they had for demonstrations. We ate a delicious dinner in deans helicopter garage and were privilage to the unveiling of yet another amazing piece of FIRST news, National Beverage company has created FIRST vending machine for the FIRST water! Totaly cool looking and a great idea.
So yah that was basicly our fun filled night, and for those of you that haven’t been yet, Deans house is absolutely amazing and awe inspiring!
I should have some pictures to post in the next couple of days.
I’m sure other people can fill in details i forgot or stuff i forgot to mention.
Yeah, Dean’s place is totally amazing! The giant 2.5 story steam engine alone is worth the trip!
Talk to FIRST staff before you post any picture of Dean’s house ;). I got warned not to post anything back at 2002 when I took a bunch of picture there.
Hmm nobody said anything to me taking pictures…and i took a bunch.
The only thing we weren’t allowed to photograph was at first place they had a sterling engine without the cover so you could see the innards and i got buted trying to get a shot of that.
Did you find the book in his library that pulls out to unveil the secret staircase?? Or even where the secret door is?? Andy Baker knows what I am talking about
*Originally posted by oneangrydwarf *
**Hmm nobody said anything to me taking pictures…and i took a bunch. **
Nothing about not allowing to take picture ;). Just maybe not publicize them.
I remember a while back, someone recorded a TV show about Dean and his house, and he posted it on chief delphi… and quickly took it off when FIRST staff told him he is not supposed to.
I thought the vending machine was a great idea. And real FIRST Water for the public! Smart. We had Dean sign almost a dozen bottles of water to take home. (…should have taken more)
What’s next, FIRST/Shasta soda?
The inside of the water label has a brief description of FIRST with pictures!
Also his office and conference room was very cool. We also got a good look at his black Hummer, got FIRST chocolates, got caps and a souvenir book.
Met Andy Baker!
Ate too many brownies and rode the Segway, again and again and again.
The best part- find and meet the real people behind the Chiefdelphi names.
*Originally posted by oneangrydwarf * Then we were broken up into teams to discuss one of 2 topics. First was the Chairmans award and how first can help make it a bigger deal and help teams realize that it is infact the reason FIRST is around and that it IS the most prestigious award and how to get more teams involve and basicly make it a bigger deal and the second was a discussion about the FIRST hall of fame and what exactly that is going to be and how it is going to work and such.
It’s a little disappointing that input on these subjects wasn’t gathered from non-Chairman’s Award winning participants. While winning that award is certainly an accomplishment, I don’t think it qualifies anyone’s opinion as more worthwhile or valid.
Maybe it’s just that I’d like to see more public awareness of what FIRST has done and what it plans to do, and the opportunity to give more input and insight into that direction.
As a participant and someone who’s sacrificed more than even I realized for FIRST, the least I can hope for is the assurance that my participation and allegiance is to an organization that still maintains the same ideals and dreams as I do.
*Originally posted by M. Krass *
**It’s a little disappointing that input on these subjects wasn’t gathered from non-Chairman’s Award winning participants. While winning that award is certainly an accomplishment, I don’t think it qualifies anyone’s opinion as more worthwhile or valid.
Maybe it’s just that I’d like to see more public awareness of what FIRST has done and what it plans to do, and the opportunity to give more input and insight into that direction.
As a participant and someone who’s sacrificed more than even I realized for FIRST, the least I can hope for is the assurance that my participation and allegiance is to an organization that still maintains the same ideals and dreams as I do. **
Throughout the past season, FIRST has been sampling opinions from several different cross-sections from within the communitty.
Just because FIRST hasn’t deigned to talk to you and me, doesn’t mean they aren’t asking around. It’s really not practical for FIRST to talk to EVERYONE…
Although… I do wish I was one of those “special” people.
I think the approach FIRST took was appropriate. It would be nearly impossible to compile input from 15,000 team members - they had a diverse cross section of experienced teams and newer teams and drew from that. Plus, I really think the discusion groups were put in place after the decision was made to invite Chairman’s winners to Manchester - they made great use of the teams that were going to be there and gathered feedback. They were looking for ideas from the group, and the ideas that were generated will be compiled and I believe shared with the broader FIRST community for more feedback. I think the groups ideas will make the FiRST of tomorrow even better.
And regarding the event itself, to add to comments already made. For me, the visit to FIRST and DEKA was cool, and Dean’s house is unbelievable - I wish every team and team member could have the opportunity.
But for me, the greatest part of the day was the discussions with so many teams leaders and FIRST employees and volunteers and the ability to get new ideas and share some of ours. I have a better apreciation for Team 103 after being in small group with some of them, I had a great talk with some of the Buzz team, and was able to chat with Chief Delphi - plus lots of others.
FIRST made great use of the day by letting us receive congrats and also by providing us the opportunity to give something back through our discussions.
Well it’s true the Dean’s house is truly awe-inspiring. I’ve been there twice and both times it was great.
About the posting of pictures Ken, I remember being not told in 2002, but surprisingly in 2003 (this past year) I was never told not to post the pictures and we took a ton. So maybe he was trying to hide something in 2002, we all know how Dean works.
*Originally posted by M. Krass *
**It’s a little disappointing that input on these subjects wasn’t gathered from non-Chairman’s Award winning participants. While winning that award is certainly an accomplishment, I don’t think it qualifies anyone’s opinion as more worthwhile or valid.
Maybe it’s just that I’d like to see more public awareness of what FIRST has done and what it plans to do, and the opportunity to give more input and insight into that direction.
As a participant and someone who’s sacrificed more than even I realized for FIRST, the least I can hope for is the assurance that my participation and allegiance is to an organization that still maintains the same ideals and dreams as I do. **
Oneangrydwarf and other CD contributors were in the same discussion group as me (who could miss that hair!). I was glad we were assigned the topic “Elevating the Stature & Understanding of the Chairman’s Award.” I’m passionate about the Chairman’s Award because many of the teams I advise and coach in NYC has what I call the “Right Stuff” for winning but no one on the team has recognized and attempt to package it for the Chairman’s Award submission. One of the reason is the teams are too focus on the robot aspect of FIRST. I try to chance their view by participating in FIRST workshops held every Fall at Polytechnic University in NY.
M.Krass concern about “public awareness of what FIRST has done” is a high priority issue with FIRST but it must be carefully controlled. FIRST do not want to lost the Ideas of FIRST for the sake of commercial successful. Unfortunately, the average public prefer Battle Bots instead of Intelligent Bots. Adding the FIRST logo on water bottles and soft drinks in the future is a good start. Other FIRST sponsors are also planning to acknowledge their contribution to FIRST by displaying the FIRST Logo.
FIRST is gathering a lot of information from many sources on how best to improve and increase the number of teams participating in the Chairman’s Award. This event was just one source of information gathering by FIRST. From speaking with the FIRST who is compiling the feedbacks, the FIRST Forum that was held last month also resulted a huge amount of data and suggestion from non-Chairman winning participants. Feedback is still rolling in from many sources. Next week I’m participating in a FIRST Lego Committee meeting that will also generate comments, suggestions, and concerns for FIRST to digest.
FIRST relies on passionate FIRST participants like M.Krass and thousands of other volunteers that want to make a difference.
*Originally posted by M. Krass *
**It’s a little disappointing that input on these subjects wasn’t gathered from non-Chairman’s Award winning participants. While winning that award is certainly an accomplishment, I don’t think it qualifies anyone’s opinion as more worthwhile or valid.
**
M. I dont think that they felt that our opinions were any more worthwhile or qualified they stated that they figured since they had us all in one place anyways why not take the opertunity to pick our brains.
If you emailed first or called them or wrote them a letter with your opinion and how you feel about these subjects and your responses to the same questions that they asked us I am sure they would take your opinion into consideration as much as my opinion or anyone elses. FIRST is always looking for input and responses from people, as well as suggestions and they are very open to criticism and praise. If you want to tell them what they can do to increase awareness of teams who won the chairmans award and increase awareness of the award itself and to increase its stature and importance and share your thoughts with them.
Rich: I thought you looked familiar:)
Yah its getting strange that i can recognize people from CD whenever i goto a FIRST event, IRI was just insane in that nature.
And i agree with what Chris said, I too wish that every team and member could see what we got to see because it truely was beyond my wildest dreams…
