Some of you may be aware that our team, team 448X, has been removed from the team list for the 2019 HS World Championships. This is a result of the RECF disqualifying our team from competing at any future competitions this season, including Worlds. The RECF claims that we egregiously violated rule <G1> (rule states all competitors must be respectful at all times when at any robotics events) and the Code of Conduct, and have denied our multiple appeals to their ban despite the large amount of evidence we have gathered from over a dozen separate witnesses proving this claim false. Throughout these past couple of weeks, our interactions with the RECF reveal the injustice within the organization itself, and we are concerned with the way teams like us may be treated in the future.

The injustices that we have faced has come to light in many incidents including:

• The constant changing of allegations against us
• The RECF’s insistence to involve our school with the hopes to punish us academically
• The lack of involvement of our team in the investigation process

These are just a fraction of the issues we have had with the RECF in this appeal process.

We would like to see a change in the RECF’s protocol, specifically in the California region. The RECF abuses its quite nearly unlimited power as the judge, jury, and executioner. It’s treatment of those who question authority harms teams who push boundaries and favors those who simply comply. How can the RECF claim to benefit the general welfare of the students when it actively seeks to punish those who love and are passionate about the competition? How can they ban members of their own community without due process?

Some Specific Changes we would like to see:

-Council of non-biased individuals that hear both sides of the case and come to a decision

-A greater enforced strike system that does not lead to the termination of a complete season at first 

-Greater transparency in the actual accusations that are being made

-Freedom from punitive actions against freedom of speech and expression

Feel free to leave your comments on things you would like to see change as well!

It is with your help and support that we can create a change for the benefit of all teams.

If you believe that there needs to be a change in the RECF, please sign this petition.

Thank you.

-Team 448X