FSAE-A improvements

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Charlie:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by moose:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JonJon:
Has anyone considered ringing in new team members, and getting them to assist at the event as volunteers. We're going to try and get a few to help this year, and i know there are a fair few teams with additional members at the event, looking for something to do. Why not sign up as volunteers and get as close to the action as possible.
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There are probably a few places that they can help, but it's very likely that there are safety/insurance concerns that would preclude them from working the "hot" areas.

There is a lot of responsibility/risk in having the team members with each car, but you really want people who are a bit more experienced working the track rather than a bunch of 18-19 yr old students (not that older folks don't do stupid things).

So many decisions are made in a split second, and having a student get hurt would be a major blow to the competition IMO.

-Matt </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are more than a 'few' places that student volunteers can help. There is always a massive need for volunteer help at these events, and annually there are inexperienced people who are part of the 'hot' areas. Standard procedure is to pair experienced track workers with inexperienced ones when possible.

I would encourage you not to discourage people from volunteering when you don't fully understand the situation http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Student volunteers are great help. Best to notify SAE as sooner rather than later though, because there is time needed to organize and inform volunteers. Walking up right before endurance will not have the same positive impact as inquiring on day 1. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


I didn't want to discourage anyone from volunteering, I've been doing it myself for a few years, and actively recruiting others to do the same. I think that anyone who is interested/able should head out to their nearest event to help out.

I've seen lots of inexperienced and experienced volunteers out on the track (and plenty of good work done by the inexperienced ones). There is always a shortage of hands and experienced ones, so getting new blood out there can do nothing but help.

While "few" might have been the wrong word, there are some roles that are more suited to non-students. Would be happy to take this discussion to a non-public forum / don't want to corrupt this discussion (will try to send you a quick message later about it).

Matt

A couple of thoughts.

Yes, FSAE alums are always welcomed back as volunteers at any FSAE event, and a competition is an excellent place to get together with former team members and competitors who have been dispersed around the country or world.

Having current team members who are not directly or immediately involved in the competition, working at the event is also a good idea and a good source of extra "arms and legs" for the autocross and endurance events. It would have to be checked, but I suspect that the release waiver one signs as a team member is exactly the same waiver one signs as a volunteer. Here in the States, at an SCCA Solo (Autocross), when you compete as a driver, you also have to "work". That applies to everyone, even senior citizens like me!

With respect to this idea of a "student committee", while input and suggestions from team members are always welcome at any of the FSAE events, be a little careful.

Firstly, what would be the "remit" of this committee? Its purpose and structure would need to be properly defined and recognized by the organizers. Otherwise, it would just be a complaints forum, and the members would get disillusioned when very few of their suggestions were accepted by the organizers, others being deemed impractical or too expensive.

Secondly, being a member of a committee such as this requires a commitment, i.e. time. How many current team members have that extra time?

Thirdly, a representative from each team in the FSAE-A competition would mean a very large committee. Large means unwieldy.

My suggestion is to let Geoff and Natalie take things up with Robert Chadwick and the organizers, and work out the best way of getting the team members more involved.

Do keep up the commitment, because the FSAE-A competition was always very enjoyable, and Suzanne and I made many good friends there and have many fond memories of our trip down under. It would be a crying shame to loose it.

I agree with Michael Royce's comments. We should definitely be able to get more alumni involved if current teams made a bigger effort to contact and recruit their alumni in the lead up to the event.

Also Kev, I think the design report consortium is a great idea and I would be keen for Monash to be involved. Will talk with the team leaders and see what they think. Will definitely be interesting and helpful for most teams, much like seeing the presentation event winners in the overseas comps.

I've often wondered if a Student 'Association' of Australian teams (recognised by the SAE-A) could be formed to attack some of the key issues that are getting discussed here and seem to pop up every year, additionally providing some structure of the teams underneath the SAE-A.:

-Representing ALL teams interests in a democratic and fair manner to the SAE-A
Note: I'm glad to see people like Natalie and Geoff in discussions with the SAE-A, but for teams not in Vic that sort of engagement with the SAE-A is not possible. Not that they aren't getting it, but every team would appreciate fair representation here.
-Management and distribution of common information to assist teams; "can we 'borrow'....","design consortium"
-Organisation of common events; after party, testing days etc.

To a sense some of this happens already, over email and the forums, however a formalised structure would further assist in achieving a working relationship between all Australian teams. For example: it's pretty fair that something be organised to take the 'unofficial' burden of RMIT organising the after party for the last few years.

This can all be achieved with a pretty simple structure of student member elected from every team that has an interest in FSAE-A (active, emerging, restart) with "board room" meetings once a year at comp. And remaining communication handled in the existing methods or through teleconferencing.

I have been keeping an eye on all your comments. The one I am in a position to address right now is the Volunteers. We would welcome all volunteers ( must be 18yrs old +) So please pass on the message. click on the following link for a registration Form - Return the completed form to formulasae@sae-a.com.au Registration Form

Thanks

Michela Bartels
SAE-A