FIRST Mid-Atlantic Teams, Volunteers, & Supporters-
As many of you know, Mid-Atlantic Robotics (MAR), d/b/a FIRST Mid-Atlantic successfully brought the FRC District model to our region.
In 2012, we started with the states of New Jersey and Delaware and the eastern half of Pennsylvania. FIRST HQ and FIRST Mid-Atlantic have recently discussed a potential realignment in which Western PA teams would become part of the FIRST Mid-Atlantic District. FIRST believes that combining all PA teams into one area will enable additional funding opportunities, including potential state funding to grow FIRST in the entire state. Currently, the split in Pennsylvania limits potential financial opportunities from the state.
FIRST HQ and FIRST Mid-Atlantic want to get your feedback and address any questions and concerns your team may have. We will hold informational meetings at our district events this year. FIRST & representatives of FIRST Mid-Atlantic will also be at the Pittsburgh Regional to answer their questions.
We know there are many questions, so we will try to answer a few upfront.
There is no guarantee that western PA will become part of FIRST Mid-Atlantic, nor is there a timetable for the realignment. FIRST HQ, FIRST Mid-Atlantic and local leaders in Western PA are simply studying the effects of the move and gathering public opinion on the change.
District Championship will remain at Lehigh University for the next few years.
While FIRST Mid-Atlantic volunteers may travel to western PA to help with events, the long-term goal is to develop a local volunteer base to cover the events.
There would likely be two new district events in western PA in addition to the existing FIRST Mid-Atlantic events. The new potential FIRST Mid-Atlantic events will count towards district points in the region and will give an opportunity for teams to ‘travel’ both to and from western PA.
We hope you join us in conversations as together we talk about expanding FIRST in our region. Please send any comments or questions to Joe Troy @ [email protected].
Sincerely,
Bill Garfield, Chair
Brian Sherman, Vice Chair
Joe Troy, Program Director