the major problem is not about the travel arrangements is about coming up with the 5000 dollars at the beginning of the season -especially with fundraising and what not-
with no idea weather or not you will be able to do well in the regionals or if you are going to have a bot that you feel confident engough about (and not uneasy and worried-as we were with our first robot in 2000)
I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season
*Originally posted by Andrew Dahl *
**the major problem is not about the travel arrangements is about coming up with the 5000 dollars at the beginning of the season -especially with fundraising and what not-
with no idea weather or not you will be able to do well in the regionals or if you are going to have a bot that you feel confident engough about (and not uneasy and worried-as we were with our first robot in 2000)
I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season
whew!!!
thanks for listening
dahl
team497 **
The registration money for Nationals (well, whatever second or third event you want to attend) is not due until February 15 (I believe that was the date). The original registration money ($5000) is due by December 15. We used the February 15 date to our advantage this year; we didn’t have the money to go to nationals until about week 4 of construction or barely in time to send the check to FIRST.
What would be interesting to see is how many teams register, pay, and then back out at the last minute due to robot or funding issues or for whatever reason. I’m sure that there are teams who regretfully are forced to do this.
*Originally posted by Andrew Dahl *
**I think there should be a protocol set in place that allows registration for nationsls to fall in the last two-three weeks of the build phase- instead of at the beginning of the season
**
While on the surface, this sounds like a good idea, you also have to look at the extra logistics involved with setting up the national event. My understanding is that around February, Disney is starting work on setting up the competition area for April, so that would mean that they’re planning it out on paper much before that, which means they need a number of teams attending(or at least close to it - I know there’s always last-minute changes) so they know how much space they need. If they didn’t even have the number of teams registered until just before they started building the arenas and pit, that would make things that much more chaotic. Disney already does so much for us, do we really want to say to them, “OK, we’ve got this big competition coming up in April that we need pit and arena space for, but just one problem…we don’t have any idea how many teams are coming yet. Oh, by the way, you’ve got 2 months…”
Rather than sending in the check teams could tell FIRST that they plan to attend. If it turns out they cannot go the place could be given to some other team. It’s better to have extra room than not enough.
C~ya,
Carolyn
Actually, what Carolyn said makes sense. Say they initialy have 400 teams sign up. Disney builds the lot for 400 teams. Let’s say 25 drop out (or don’t pay). Then you have 25 extra pit areas. Whereas you plan on 350 teams going, and with registration deadline very late, 25 more than expected turn out. Now you’re 25 pit areas short, and no way to expand.
The teams who sign up after the limit go on a waiting list. Then they still have a chance. As for hotels, the team they replace should have already made arrangements so call the hotel and change the name the rooms are in. No prob.
C~ya,
Carolyn who like to hear someone say she’s got a good idea every once in awhile.
Ever heard of a bathtub or a cot? Myabe take sleeping bags with you. The point is, do you care where your sleeping if your at nats? I’m sure there may be other teams who might be able to work with a team in that situation, being Gracious Professional and all…
C~ya,
Carolyn
*Originally posted by Carolyn Duncan *
**Ever heard of a bathtub or a cot? Myabe take sleeping bags with you. The point is, do you care where your sleeping if your at nats? I’m sure there may be other teams who might be able to work with a team in that situation, being Gracious Professional and all…
C~ya,
Carolyn **
It’s not as much an issue about what people are willing to put up with but instead what hotels are willing to put up with. If FIRSTers don’t behave at hotels (read as follow occupancy restrictions), then we will be asked to not come back. Second of all, it’s probably illegal to put more people into a hotel room than occupancy allows. As to other teams helping, the main problem would be that there’s a need for students and teachers to be close together (school regulations and all) so just sticking them with other teams or whatnot won’t particularly work.
Matt who really thinks the various bizarre plans relating to nationals should stop…
*Originally posted by Matt Leese *
**just sticking them with other teams or whatnot won’t particularly work. **
I don’t necessarily mean put the extra kids in a room with another team. If another team could possibly trim down the number of rooms they need, i.e. putting more students in a room legally, they could give up a room. Does that make more sense?
C~ya,
Carolyn
<<As for hotels, the team they replace should have already made arrangements so call the hotel and change the name the rooms are in. No prob. >>
Actually, just a logistical note. You can’t do this with Disney owned hotels. The reservations must be kept in the original name or they are cancelled.
I think Disney would understand and be happy to keep the reservation. They are such supporters of FIRST that I think they would make an exception.
C~ya,
Carolyn
