Dear FIRST Chesapeake Family,
I hope everyone is excited for the FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Sponsored by Capital One on February 11th. We have an exciting lineup of very talented teams that I know will make for a spectacular event.
I want to address something that has been brought to my attention at a recent FTC Qualifier. Several attendees have reported behavior that falls short of the ethical standard of Gracious Professionalism set by the FIRST community. As a human process, not all events will run as smoothly as we would like. Teams must adapt to conditions on the field, we too must adapt to imperfect situations and collaborate in good faith to move things forward. No mistake, no matter how large or small, gives anyone the right to act poorly towards others.
As members of FIRST Chesapeake, it is important that we all uphold the core values of Gracious Professionalism, Coopertition, support, and respect, especially at events.
Therefore, I would like to remind everyone to respect the referees, judges, volunteers, and staff who work so diligently to make these events happen. They play an essential role in ensuring events run smoothly and fairly, and they deserve our appreciation and support. Poor behavior by any attendee, regardless of age or role, is not acceptable and goes against the spirit of the FIRST community. It is our responsibility to ensure that all attendees are treated with respect and dignity, and that FTC Qualifier events are a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Ultimately, a commitment to FIRST ideals is a commitment to building a better world. I believe that by coming together and embracing the spirit of the FIRST community, we can create a competitive environment that is not only challenging and exciting, but also encourages growth, learning, and positive experiences for all.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing everyone at the FTC Championship and experience the best our FIRST Chesapeake community has to offer.
Scott Turnbull
Executive Director, FIRST Chesapeake
