Teams might be winding down, but the staff is just getting started

Good Afternoon Teams,

Thanks for the comments on early registration.  We are actively exploring all our options to improve FRC registration.   I’ll let you know how it goes.

Last week I told you I couldn’t share the outcome of the championship discussions yet, but as of this week, I’m comfortable telling you that the feedback regarding qualification matches on Thursday was so positive we’re planning to include them in the St Louis CMP schedule.

This week, I’m looking for your input on the FIRST Finale held on Saturday at Championship.  And I need it fast.  Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010FIRSTFinaleSurvey to take the survey.  Tell your teammates, tell your friends.

Did you (or someone on your team) submit an essay for the Dean’s List Award this year?  We didn’t ask for the email or home address of the nominee then, but we need it now.  We want to make sure every participant receives acknowledgment that they were nominated and Dean wants to include the nominees in some upcoming discussions.  If someone on your team was nominated for the Dean’s List Award, please have them send their personal email and home address to DeansList@usfirst.org.

If your team forgot to pick up participation medals at your first FRC event, you can arrange to have them shipped to you, BUT the deadline to contact FRCTeams@usfirst.org is the close of business, this Friday.

We are offering leftover 2010 game pieces for sale in lots of 14 (enough to run an event).   The link should appear on this page  sometime today.

Oh, and we have our first onsite meeting of the Game Design Committee coming up in June.  If you have any suggestions for the competition, autonomous play, grand finale or the game itself, don’t post your ideas on this blog (people can see it) send your input to FRCTeams@usfirst.org and put “For GDC eyes only” in the subject line.  Your email will be forwarded to members of the GDC for review.

227 days to Kickoff
See you then!

We’re planning for 2011!

Good Afternoon Teams,

Thank you for your feedback last week on the elements of Championship you want to see remain.  It has been a big help to be able to say “the teams want” during the discussions on how to set up St. Louis.  Nothing is firm until all the parties (and the St Louis fire marshal) sign off on the plans so I can’t share the outcome yet.  I will let you know when it’s a go.

This week we’re discussing the FRC season as a whole and wondering if opening early registration even earlier (like in September maybe) would benefit teams.  Do you have an opinion?

We’ll be reviewing the 2010 season in detail next month so please be sure your team completes the FRC team survey before June 16th.

Machine Design magazine is planning a spotlight on FIRST in June. http://machinedesign.com/ Igus (supplier of the igus bag containing Energy Chain Systems and polymer bearing components in the Kit of Parts) is involved in the creation of that article and would like some feedback from FRC teams on how you used igus parts.  If you want to participate, email Courtney at ctoomey@igus.com and tell her your team number and robot name; which igus parts you used on your 2010 robot and how; and if your team won any awards.  She’d also love a photo of your robot.  She needs your input by the end of this week in order to include it in the article.

Other suppliers and vendors want your feedback too.  Please be sure your team completes the Kit of Part Survey before June 16th.  Let us know in the comments section which Kit of Part components you found the most useful.  Kate will pass your comments on to the suppliers who really appreciate the feedback.

This week is your last chance to order 2010 FRC medallions.

234 days to Kickoff
See you then!

As we clean up the 2010 Season

Good Afternoon Teams,

This week I’m focused on the 2011 Championship (CMP) in St Louis.  With a new venue comes new opportunities.  Everything about CMP is under discussion at the moment, the size of the pits, the location of playing fields, the schedule, the food, even the role of suppliers and exhibitors.  What is the most important element of CMP for your team?  Playing in the dome? Having a pit next to other teams in your division? Robo Prom?  You tell me.  Also, thinking outside the CMP box for a second, what don’t we have at CMP right now that you’d like to include in the future?  I’ll be interested to see your comments below. 

While I’m tied up with planning, the rest of FIRST has a few messages for you:

The Ops team wants you to know: Lost and found items from Regional Events and CMP are now piled in corners everywhere.  As interesting as the eye glasses, cell phone cases, belts, backpacks, cameras, jewelry, clothing and tools are to look at, we’d love to get them back to their original owners.  Send an email to FRCteams@usfirst.org with a description of your lost property, your team number and the event where you lost it.  Items still cluttering up the place in October will be donated to local charities.

Wendy is excited to announce: The deadline for ordering additional FRC medallions and trophies has been extended to May 20th.

Anna Maenhout, Director, FIRST LEGO League and Jr.FLL Programs wrote a thank you letter to FRC teams and volunteers.  You can find it here.

As of today, there are 514 responses to Kate’s Kit of Parts Survey and only 233 responses to my FRC survey.  Please make sure your team is heard before the July 16 deadline (and let’s see if we can improve the number of responses to the FRC Survey.)

241 days to Kickoff
See you then!

I want to know what you think x3

Good Morning Teams,

Kate’s Kit of Parts survey link will be sent in an email blast to your team’s main contact today.  Please make sure someone on your team answers this survey.  Kate relies on the results of this survey when making decisions about future Kits of Parts.

My FRC Team Survey link will also be included in the email blast to your team’s main contact today.  Please make sure someone on your team answers this survey.  I will use your responses when planning for 2010 and future seasons.

If you (or someone on your team) completed the WPI survey sent to teams in January (see email blast here) , please make sure they complete the follow up survey.  We’re looking to compare ‘before’ and ‘after’.

I’m actually in St. Louis today doing some preliminary planning for the 2011 Championship.  Can you believe it?  Kickoff is less than 9 months away.

248 days to Kickoff
See you then!