First Volunteers

[SegwayBill]

If you were to ask Dean what his greatest invention is, he would say First.
First needs our help, it is not too late to mentor a team this season. The Lego league competitions start next week and are in dire need of volunteers. All the competitions need our help!
My health has improved enough that I am able to mentor a rookie team. We built our first drive train last night and hope to have a drivable prototype by the end of the week. My team is going for a simple reliable design.[u]Go 1462</u>
The finals are in Atlanta this year April 12th thru 17th. I plan on being there and it would be great to have a strong Segway presents there and at all the regional competitions.
A friend of mine operates two roller rinks in Atlanta and is interested in Segways, If we can get enough machines, we will have an indoor Segway dance like I am doing in NYC.

Bill

[Dwarf84396]

I am in Atlanta and I should be available to volunteer during the finals. How/Who would I get in contact to volunteer?

Ben

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once
Ashleigh Brilliant

[SegwayBill]

Try the first link on the side of this page.

Bill

[SIDSWAY]

quote:Originally posted by SegwayBill

If you were to ask Dean what his greatest invention is, he would say First.
First needs our help, it is not too late to mentor a team this season. The Lego league competitions start next week and are in dire need of volunteers. All the competitions need our help!
The finals are in Atlanta this year April 12th thru 17th. I plan on being there and it would be great to have a strong Segway presents there and at all the regional competitions.
If we can get enough machines, we will have an indoor Segway dance like I am doing in NYC.
Bill


I took a little time today to become familiar with FIRST by visiting the Peachtree Regional at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA in Metro Atlanta. I was dressed in my finest, a Segway T-shirt, slacks and riding my Segway HT. I received dozens of smiles as I made my way across the parking lot and into the building. At this point I was greeted by a security person who informed me that I was not allowed in the building on my Segway nor was I allowed on the sidewalk or parking lot of Gwinnett Center which was hosting the Peachtree Regional. I asked to speak to head of security. The gentlemen advised me that he was the head of security. I commented that I hated to miss the event. In the presence of two nice women with FIRST badges the security person said that if I was part of the program that I could bring the Segway in but could not ride it around the floor and would have to leave by the freight exit. The women gave me a wink and told the security person that indeed I was an important part of the event. Hearing this the security person walked me to the event floor where I stayed close to a team from my neighborhood. I gave no demo's and remained in that area. I felt as if security was told to keep an eye on me, as somebody from security was always nearby. I watched one match then slipped out the back door. This is my "first" experience with FIRST and at being told the Segway is not welcome.

Sid, Atlanta, GA

[SegwayBill]

What will happen when dean shows up at the finals on his machine?

Bill

[SegwayUtah]

Bill,

Typically, nobody keeps Dean from going anywhere with his HT. :)

Historically, and as time goes on, we may be treated that way too.

Chris

[Segway City]

Here's to hoping that yours was uniquiely a Gwinnett Center problem and doesn't reflect how the highly professional staff of the Georgia Dome will treat us at the Finals.....

[SIDSWAY]

quote:Originally posted by Segway City

Here's to hoping that yours was uniquiely a Gwinnett Center problem and doesn't reflect how the highly professional staff of the Georgia Dome will treat us at the Finals.....

That is my hope as well but my reason for posting is to let Segway owners know that use of their Segway at a FIRST event is not automatic. Maybe I'm missing something here but I think the organization that owes its very existence to Dean Kaymen would stipulate Segway friendly venues for their events.

Sid, Atlanta, GA

[IndyFIRSTengineer]

quote:Originally posted by SIDSWAY

quote:Originally posted by Segway City

Here's to hoping that yours was uniquiely a Gwinnett Center problem and doesn't reflect how the highly professional staff of the Georgia Dome will treat us at the Finals.....

That is my hope as well but my reason for posting is to let Segway owners know that use of their Segway at a FIRST event is not automatic. Maybe I'm missing something here but I think the organization that owes its very existence to Dean Kaymen would stipulate Segway friendly venues for their events.

Sid, Atlanta, GA
WOW ... I understand, and agree, Sid,

I hope your experience at the Peachtree Regional didn't sour you on FIRST. I had two very different experiences with my Segway at two different regionals.

Two weeks ago, at the St. Louis Regional (in St. Charles, MO - The Family Arena) I was initially told I could not ride inside on my segway. With the very active STLSegway organization there were many Seways around, including some event volunteers (Thanks Mike!!) who were giving demos to VIPs and others outside the arena. Then Dean K DID show up (on the playing field ... ON HIS Segway). Funny how their tune changed - we were then allowed to give demos inside, but only in the large entrance hall where it was not crowded. Besides the Arena's typical paranoia surrounding liability (as we have all become accustomed to) everyone enjoyed seeing the Segways and getting a chance to try them. This crowd really appreciates the technology.

I also just returned from the Buckeye Regional in Cleveland, OH (CSU Convocation Center). It was a completely different story here - as I had almost unlimited access to glide anywhere I desired. The pit area was not nearly as crowded as in St. Louis (larger venue) so I was even able to mingle with the teams where all the real work was going on (when I wasn't turning a wrench for my own team). My Segway was all decked out in team colors and EVERYONE was positive and again very appreciative of the technology. I can't wait to get my hands on some pictures to post. It was a BLAST!

I am expecting the Championships in Atlanta to be more like Cleveland. I know Dean, and other "dignitaries" will be there WITH their Segways - and I doubt they will have any gliding restrictions. Even though I will be very busy with volunteer activities and not have too much time for my Segway, I am looking forward to gliding whenever and wherever possible. ... and I hope you and many others can join me.

Stuart Bloom - Rolls-Royce Corporation
FIRST Team 1018 - Pike High School "RoboDevils"

“Who goes out and says, ‘You have a better probability of winning the state lottery than making a nickel in professional sports. And by the way, last year two million exciting technical jobs went unfilled in this country because you weren't there to take that job. And it pays you 10 times as much as flipping burgers, and it's fun and it's exciting and you get to create things and build things and help make the world a better place and help make yourself a better living.’ Who tells them this?”
Dean Kamen, founder - FIRST Robotics

[errapi]

I am SO HAPPY I had a Segway in Atlanta. I was volunteering - event managing the FIRST Robotics Conferences in some rooms on the fourth floor. I was constantly gliding between those rooms & the dome's event offices, a walk that would have taken far far too long. Thanks to the Segway, I was able to make time and run errands quickly.

At the dome, security was friendlier to the volunteers & VIPs who were gliding. They were a little more strict towards the normal event participating crowd.

ByE

erin


I glide two ways: www.flymorningside.com

[Randy_Schaeffer]

quote:Originally posted by SIDSWAY

quote:Originally posted by SegwayBill

If you were to ask Dean what his greatest invention is, he would say First.
First needs our help, it is not too late to mentor a team this season. The Lego league competitions start next week and are in dire need of volunteers. All the competitions need our help!
The finals are in Atlanta this year April 12th thru 17th. I plan on being there and it would be great to have a strong Segway presents there and at all the regional competitions.
If we can get enough machines, we will have an indoor Segway dance like I am doing in NYC.
Bill


I took a little time today to become familiar with FIRST by visiting the Peachtree Regional at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA in Metro Atlanta. I was dressed in my finest, a Segway T-shirt, slacks and riding my Segway HT. I received dozens of smiles as I made my way across the parking lot and into the building. At this point I was greeted by a security person who informed me that I was not allowed in the building on my Segway nor was I allowed on the sidewalk or parking lot of Gwinnett Center which was hosting the Peachtree Regional. I asked to speak to head of security. The gentlemen advised me that he was the head of security. I commented that I hated to miss the event. In the presence of two nice women with FIRST badges the security person said that if I was part of the program that I could bring the Segway in but could not ride it around the floor and would have to leave by the freight exit. The women gave me a wink and told the security person that indeed I was an important part of the event. Hearing this the security person walked me to the event floor where I stayed close to a team from my neighborhood. I gave no demo's and remained in that area. I felt as if security was told to keep an eye on me, as somebody from security was always nearby. I watched one match then slipped out the back door. This is my "first" experience with FIRST and at being told the Segway is not welcome.

Sid, Atlanta, GA


Sid -- I'm very sorry to hear about the reception you received at the Gwinett Center. Please know that FIRST does not always have control over the policies of the venues it rents for the purpose of holding FIRST Competition.

I can assure you that Segway owners and their marvelous machines are always welcome at FIRST events in the NYC/NJ metro region - they add fun and excitement for everyone involved.

Best regards

Randy Schaeffer
Regional Director
New York City / New Jersey FIRST



Randy Schaeffer
Regional Director
New York City/New Jersey FIRST!
New Jersey Institute of Technology
(973) 596-3234