GUIDE TO EVENT VOLUNTEERING

Transcription

1 What Is FIRST? GUIDE TO EVENT VOLUNTEERING Developed by Alamo FIRST FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The annual programs culminate in an international robotics competition and celebration where teams win recognition, gain self-confidence, develop people and life skills, make new friends, and perhaps discover an unforeseen career path. FIRST has four programs: FIRST Lego League Junior, FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition. For more information on all FIRST programs, visit the website at FIRST LEGO League is for students ages 9 to 14. Teams build autonomous LEGO robots that perform a series of missions, as well as design a solution to a scientific question or real-world problem. FIRST LEGO League in the Alamo Region The Alamo Region includes the city of San Antonio and surrounding areas, extends westward to Del Rio, southeast to Corpus Christi, and southward to the Rio Grande Valley. During the season, an estimated 450 teams will compete in qualifying tournaments. Volunteer jobs are essentially the same at each Qualifying Tournament and at the Regional Championship events. We strongly encourage volunteers to assist at more than one event. The events are fun, and once you have done a job, it is even easier the next time around! Who can volunteer? Anyone age 13 or older can volunteer at a FIRST LEGO League event. No experience is necessary! People of all backgrounds can offer valuable skills as volunteers a background in robotics, technology, or engineering is NOT a prerequisite. What do volunteers do? There are so many different types of jobs that all types of people are needed to make an event run smoothly. Some volunteers will judge robots, others will judge skits and projects. Some volunteers will keep the student teams in the correct order while other volunteers will work at a sign-in desk.

2 There are announcers, people needed to keep time, people needed to enter data into a spreadsheet, and more. Some of the volunteer positions require training, which is provided by FIRST (online and in person). Those volunteer positions that don t require training will have volunteer orientations where the volunteers will be instructed in their task for the event. The following table shows the volunteer positions available for a FIRST LEGO League event with 24 teams. Most roles require a full day commitment (7:30 4:00); times can vary depending on the venue s schedule. Volunteers Required for a 24-team Qualifier Tournament Volunteer Role Brief Description Ideal Quantity Required Robot Game Roles Head Referee Referee Master of Ceremonies Referee lead in charge of the robot game Officiates the robot game Public voice of the event/ play by play announcement of robot game Minimum Quantity Required Training required? 4 4 Y Role Notes standing, standing, 16+ with approval standing, Field Resetter Score Keeper Robot Game Queuer Score Runner Resets the game table between matches 4 2 N Enters data from robot game scoresheets into scoring 2 2 N display software Manages team traffic to and from playing field; in charge 1 0 N of queueing Delivers the robot game scores to the score keepers 2 0 N standing, Data entry, Judging Roles Judge Advisor Judging Lead- oversees judging process and leads deliberations Judge Evaluates teams in one of 3 areas: Project, Core Values (teamwork), Robot Design Y Judge Assistant Assists judges timekeeping, score running, 6 3 N Minimum number may depend on

3 Pit Roles Pit Manager Pit Runner Practice Table Assistant General Roles Volunteer Coordinator Load-In/Load-out Registration Photographer Technical Advisor Floater Total judging sheet organization, etc. Pit Lead - Provides information to Pit and manages Pit Volunteers Runs messages, locates teams Oversees practice tables, ensures that the rules for table use are followed Coordinates all volunteers before, during and after the event, runs the volunteer checkin Assists with set-up and tear-down of the event Checks in and greets the volunteers or teams, provides information Documents the event: judging, robot game, volunteers, teams, dignitaries Provides assistance to the tournament director in setting up PA system, computer scoring system, etc. Willing to fill in when and where needed versatile and flexible volunteer 1 0 N 2 0 N 2 1 N 1 1 N 9 6 N 2 1 N 1 0 N 1 1 N 2 0 N room configuration, 1 per table highly recommended, May occur the evening before or early morning,, familiar with venue and FLL electronics What are the best jobs for a first-timer? All the volunteer roles at a FIRST LEGO League tournament are jobs that can be done by most people, even if they don t have experience. Looking at the description in the above table can give you an idea of the responsibilities of each volunteer role.

4 We need many judges and referees at each tournament. These roles are critical for the tournaments, and there is no experience required, so if you are somewhat interested, please consider volunteering for these roles. The judge role requires online training (about 1 1/2 hours), and they will spend the day interviewing teams in the judging room. Referees oversee and score the robot game, and are trained the morning of the tournament. Other positions that need to be filled include field resetter, practice table assistant, and judge assistant roles. If you are someone who likes to watch the robot game action, you may want to sign up as a field resetter, someone who puts the pieces back in place after each robot round. The job of practice table assistant is a job for someone who can keep track of time for the teams on a robot practice field, usually near the area where the teams have their base stations (pit). Judge assistant s usually spend their time in the hallway outside the judging rooms, with the important job of keeping the teams and judges on time. How do I sign up to volunteer? Any individual that would like to apply to volunteer at a FIRST event must use the FIRST volunteer portal, called the Volunteer Information and Matching System (VIMS). VIMS helps match people who can help out with volunteer opportunities at the events. The following are instructions on how to sign up for a FIRST LEGO League event. Visit the FIRST account registration website Create an account, make sure to make note of your address and password. If you are a previous volunteer, click on Log In in the upper right hand corner. Agree to terms and conditions, and consent and release forms At the dashboard screen, click on Event Volunteering Sign up for an event to find a specific event, choose the program (FLL), country (United States), and state (Texas), and zip code (enter your zip and the given distance you could drive - such as 30 miles). Click on Apply Filter and you will see the list of FLL tournaments near you When you have decided on an event, click VOLUNTEER at the bottom of that event, and you will see the list of roles available. Click on the button EVENT DAY and fill out any specific details of availability. Select at least one and up to five volunteer role(s), and then click on NEXT. If you are affiliated with a team, enter the team number(s). If you are not affiliated with a team, click on COMPLETE. Background screening will be triggered once you register for an event. If you have already passed background screening, you will see You have successfully completed YPP Screening requirements If you need to complete the screening, click on the BEGIN YOUTH PROTECTION SCREENING button. Screening can take up to 2 business days to complete. If you wish to sign up for another event, click the button VOLUNTEER FOR ANOTHER EVENT or choose RETURN TO DASHBOARD to sign out of the FIRST account.

5 An will be sent once volunteer assignment is made. What about trainings and certifications? Most volunteer roles do not require formal training or certification from FIRST. The volunteer coordinator will be in touch with all volunteers prior to the event to inform them of the specific responsibilities of their roles, including duties and time requirements. FIRST LEGO League judge, referee, and announcer roles require volunteers to complete online training and certification prior to performing in the role. Most people take 2 hours to complete the training modules. To access courses, volunteers must ensure they have an active VIMS account, have applied to at least one event, passed background screening, and have been assigned to one of the FIRST LEGO League Judge, Referee, or Announcer roles at an event. You will receive an once you have been assigned a role. You can also verify your assignment by logging into VIMS and looking under the Volunteer Role Assignment Listing. Your role assignment populates a new section at the bottom of the left-hand navigation called Go To Certification. Clicking on Go To Certification will take you to the FIRST Training Center. Click on the Course Catalog and be sure to scroll down to view all courses associated with your assigned role. Complete the necessary testing associated with the assigned role. A test will be given after the training is complete. Passed test scores are submitted to FIRST and can be viewed by the Volunteer Coordinator and/or Judge Advisor. Contact Information For assistance in signing up for an event, or for more information about volunteering, please contact the Alamo Regional Volunteer Coordinator, Sue Agrawal, at alamovolunteers@gmail.com