QUESTION OF THE WEEK!!! [10-07-01]
Hi all. After being an inspector and score keeper in a off season competition, and the one who handed out the awards to teams, I started wondering about the awards. Everyone who showed up in that competition deserved to win an award due to their accomplishment through out the year, but the fact that there are limited ones drove teams to become who they are today… With that in mind, here is the question of the week…
QUESTION 10/07/01 : What awards would you like to see FIRST have for next year’s competition?
I know that due to last year’s format, awards such as the feather weight award was taken out… So let’s assume FIRST is going back to head to head competition. Also, this question isn’t limited to the robots. Maybe some would like more recognition for animation teams, or teams who did a lot for their local community, or teams’ webpages that did a lot for others…
I understand that FIRST isn’t about winning, but we should recognize the fact that competition and awards inspire teams to set a high goal, and challenge themselves to the limit, trying to get themselves to do really good in the events…
Have fun,
-Ken Leung
P.S. I am open to suggestions of any questions you want as the “QUESTION OF THE WEEK!!!”… So e-mail me at [email protected] and show me what you got… 
Just a little twist to your post Ken, C.H.A.O.S. started giving out our own handcrafted awards at the FIRST Competitions that we attend. We FOLLOWED the example set by many teams before us. FIRST can not give an award to every team or they would not have a valid way to cut down the number of participants at the National Competition.
Anyway, this is one of those cases where it is better to give than receive. Teams need to go home with hardware and being selected by a fellow team helps a lot when overlooked by the judges. I have made the first place awards for River Rage for some time now and it is a wonderful feeling when someone wants something that you made. (who wouldn’t want a first place award regardless of who made it)
For those of you who want something to do in the preseason, start working on quality awards now and avoid the last minute rush. It is hard to pack those awards for travel when the polyurethane is not dry yet.
*Originally posted by David Kelso *
Just a little twist to your post Ken, C.H.A.O.S. started giving out our own handcrafted awards at the FIRST Competitions that we attend. We FOLLOWED the example set by many teams before us. FIRST can not give an award to every team or they would not have a valid way to cut down the number of participants at the National Competition.
I’m curious as to how your award system works. What kinds of awards do you give out? How do you coordinate it? I rather like this idea. It seems to be in total accordance with the sprit of FIRST, and somthing for other teams to adopt. Perhaps they have? I’m from a rookie team, and haven’t heard of anything like this happening before. 
-Jon Lawton
Our awards this year were “Form and Function” awards. We gave Team 38 an award after their outstanding success at the NE Regional and one to Team 267 for their success at the Nationals.
You have to plan this in advance. When you get to the event, make sure your members know the criterion for getting the award. On Friday, take nominations from your members and then have each member vote for one team with a deadline of either late Friday or EARLY Saturday.
Then try to arrange a time EARLY Saturday when both you and the other Receiving team are not on the field. Keep it a surprise, but you will need one “contact” on the receiving team to help organize this. Finally, go do a presentation and take some Pics. These are great for the PR efforts of the receiving team.
Things can get very busy on Saturday, so watch the clock.
Due to qualifying this year, I think there should be an award for the hardest working team or teams. Or maybe make it something a little more than an award…
As a rookie team for 2001 we received some nice awards.
We received Rookie of the Year from Wildstang (Team 111). Thanx.
We also received best looking pit area.
It doesn’t have to be a fancy award either. Just the thought is what matters.
Wayne Doenges
Here is an addition to the question of the week…
If your team give out awards, what awards do you hand out, and why?