FIRST® Robotics Competition Buckeye Regional

Overview

Volunteers are one of the most critical elements of hosting a successful regional Competition. Although FIRST provides staff members to maintain vital event areas, regional volunteers are needed to round-out the staffing efforts. All volunteers are expected to help with clean up efforts at the end of each event day. It is very important that the event site is "show ready" when people arrive each morning. The task leader for each area will let the volunteers know what needs to be done. Also, the pit area opens at a specified time each morning of the event. All volunteers and FIRST staff are expected to help keep team members from entering the pit area before the specified time. This is to prevent any team from having more time to work on their robot resulting in an advantage over the other participating teams.

Dress Code

Volunteers will receive a complimentary FIRST T-shirt (provided by FIRST) to be worn on-site at all times when they are volunteering. The dress code is casual: the volunteer T-shirt, blue jeans, and comfortable shoes. The volunteer T-shirts will be available on-site when volunteers first arrive to work the event or may be distributed at volunteer orientation.

Volunteer Name Badges

Volunteers will receive name badges which must be worn at all times that they are on site. Volunteer name badges should be available at the Volunteer Check-in Table from Thursday morning through Saturday.

Volunteer Task Descriptions

Volunteer task descriptions are provided in the tabs above. These descriptions will help you to identify which positions require a technical background. Furthermore, some critical volunteer positions necessitate that the same volunteer fill this role throughout the Competition (i.e., all day, Thursday through Saturday). For any positions where prior knowledge of the game or rules, etc. is required, FIRST will provide the appropriate learning materials in advance.

Volunteers fall into 4 major categories:

• Those who are Judges,
• Those who work Around the Field,
• Those who work In the Pit area, and
• Those who work Elsewhere.

Judges

Judges are a unique group of volunteers. These men and women serve as role models to the competitors by their actions and through frequent interactions with the competing FIRST teams while on-site. Judging is demanding work, very intense, but also very rewarding. They are responsible for their own travel/accommodation expenses and arrangements. Each judge will be given one golf-style FIRST JUDGE shirt to wear during the Competition. Attire is casual, and comfortable shoes are a must! Judges do a lot of walking between the playing field, the pit area, and the judges room. Judges may not have any affiliation with any team competing.

Once a candidate has agreed to become a judge, he/she needs to provide a brief (no longer than 50 words) biographical paragraph, which highlights their career achievements, awards, affiliations, etc. These biographies may be printed in the regional program, and abbreviated versions may be used by the regional emcee on-site to introduce the judges each morning during the opening ceremony. Your planning committee's Judge Coordinator should email these biographies to FIRST in keeping with the program book-printing deadline. Typically, this deadline is in early to mid-December.

Criteria for Regional Judges

• Typically, individuals maintain an upper management position in his/her company or is a professor/dean at the university level.
• Individuals possesses an engineering, technical, or science related background, education or interest.
• Judge candidates should not be affiliated with any university or company which is sponsoring a team registered to compete in the same regional.
• The judges panel should reflect diversity.

Sample Regional Judge Schedule

Judging Volunteer Positions

Judge

Select team award recipients through interaction with teams, review of documentation regarding team background information to familiarize judges with teams, and serve as role models for the competitors. Judges are responsible for own travel/accommodation expenses and arrangements. More details from FIRST

Judge Advisor

Judge Advisors are responsible for leading the judge panel, facilitating decisions, clarifying award guidelines and ensuring the overall consistency of the awards process in accordance to FIRST standards.
The Regional Planning Committee may nominate the Judge Advisor. To be considered for this position, the individual must have a minimum of two years of prior judging experience. Once nominated, the Lead Judge Advisory panel and the Director of the FIRST Robotics Competition must approve the nominee. Once approved the candidate will be contacted and assigned by FIRST HQ. More details from FIRST

Judge Assistant

Assists Judge Advisor throughout the event, collaborates with event management staff to ensure meeting competition schedule, and is responsible for motivating and energizing the judge panel throughout the competition. The Judge Assistant is not a judge or an assistant Judge Advisor and does not interview teams, or participate in awards recipient selection process. More details from FIRST

Ambassador

Ambassadors interact with teams, and serve as role models for team students and mentors. They educate and engage VIP guests to inspire their continued motivation, passion, and commitment to FIRST. Ambassadors are responsible for their own travel and accommodations, expenses, and arrangements. FIRST experience not required, but helpful. More details from FIRST

Ambassador Coordinator

Assist the Regional Director in facilitating the Ambassador Program. Collaborate with event management staff to ensure fulfillment of meeting needs. This position provides the opportunity to cultivate support for FIRST programs. More details from FIRST

Around the Field

Awards Assistant

Assist the Event Manager and Event Assistant with preparation and presentation of competition awards, trophies, and medallions to teams at the closing ceremony on Saturday. The volunteers should plan for a minimum of three hours before the ceremonies to begin this process. FIRST experience not required. More details from FIRST

Control System Advisor (CSA)

The FIRST Control System Advisor is a volunteer who assists teams with robot control system-related issues. Works in collaboration with the FIRST Technical Advisor and/or Robot Inspectors, who may direct teams experiencing issues on the field or in the pits to the CSA for assistance. This position requires a high level of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills, and has the ability to affect the quality of the event. More details from FIRST

Crowd/Robot Control

The Crowd Control volunteer position is a physically active position that requires facilitating smooth pedestrian traffic flow throughout the facility, monitor audience, keep walkways and aisles clear. Effective crowd control is critical to a safe and well-run event. More details from FIRST

Field Assembly-Disassembly

Assist with assembly on Tuesday or Wednesday, and/or disassembly on Saturday, of the competition playing field. Volunteers need not do both. These volunteer roles have interesting and varied responsibilities and are physically active roles. More details from FIRST

Field Reset-Repair

Repair and reset playing field after each team match. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining pace of the event. Duties need to be done efficiently. This position can be very physically active. More details from FIRST

Field Supervisor

Field Supervisor is a Key volunteer position. Participate in field construction and maintenance. This is a critical role in the competition as you direct activity on the field to ensure smooth execution of the matches, maintain the pace of the event and smooth flow of match play. Work in collaboration with the FIRST Technical Advisor.

FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant (FTAA)

The FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant is a volunteer who helps keep the FRC field and event running smoothly. Works in collaboration with the FIRST Technical Advisor. It requires a high level of responsibility and has the ability to impact the quality of the event. More details from FIRST

Game Announcer

Work as part of a team with the Master of Ceremonies to energize the teams and spectators, generate and maintain interest, enthusiasm, and excitement throughout the matches. Announce play-by-play commentary for each match. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play, and maintaining the pace of the event. Key volunteer position, significantly impacts the success of the event. More details from FIRST

Head Referee

The Head Referee is responsible for training, directing and supervising all Referees and Official Scorers. Oversees all scoring processes and procedures. Has final authority for decisions regarding team scores. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play, and maintaining the pace of the event. More details from FIRST

Lead Team Queuer

Directs and supervises the Team Queuers, determines team traffic flow on and off the field, monitors flow during the competition. Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. More details from FIRST

Master of Ceremonies (Emcee)

The Master of Ceremonies (a.k.a. MC or Emcee) is the individual primarily responsible for setting the tone of the competition. He/she creates and sustains an exciting and fun atmosphere throughout the event, is the most visible presence at the event; embodies the spirit of FIRST and is the consummate FIRST ambassador. The MC works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event. The MC ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event. This is a Key Volunteer Position that significantly impacts the quality of the competition. More details from FIRST

Official Scorer

Official Scorers observe team matches, tally the official score of the matches using electronic input devices, validate final scores and participate in ensuring correct field setup between matches. Official Scorers will play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. This role is a physically active role positioned on the perimeter of the playing field. Works under the direction of the Head Referee. More details from FIRST

Referee

Referees observe team matches, identify rule violations, and "call" them. They calculate the official score of the matches and participate in deliberations regarding contested calls. Work under the direction of the Head Referee. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play, and maintaining the pace of the event. This role is a physically active role positioned on the perimeter of the playing field. More details from FIRST

Scorekeeper

Manages and operates the scoring and field control systems. Communicates scores. Play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. More details from FIRST

Team Queuing

Plays a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and maintaining the pace of the event. A Team Queuer is responsible to manage team traffic to and from the playing field; stage and position teams in preparation for the start of matches; and restrict access to field for unauthorized individuals. This is a physically active role. More details from FIRST

In the Pit

Crowd/Robot Control

The Crowd Control volunteer position is a physically active position that requires facilitating smooth pedestrian traffic flow throughout the facility, monitor audience, keep walkways and aisles clear. Effective crowd control is critical to a safe and well-run event. More details from FIRST

Lead Robot Inspector

Oversee and perform mandatory robot inspection and weigh-in processes to ensure compliance with robot construction rules. Train, supervise, and direct the Robot Inspectors and make final decisions regarding inspection decision disputes. Provide general technical support for teams by helping to resolve issues with their robots. More details from FIRST

Lead Safety Advisor

This individual will work with a team of Safety Advisors to increase the awareness of safety among all FIRST participants. This individual will work with teams to ensure they understand, comply with, and practice the fundamentals of safety to ensure the safety of all event participants. The Lead Safety Advisor will be responsible to provide training of the Safety Advisors in team coaching, mentoring and evaluation during the competition from Thursday to Saturday. The Safety Advisors will also select one team to win the Industrial Safety Award at the conclusion of the event. More details from FIRST

Lead Safety Glasses Attendant

Oversee volunteers that are handing out safety glasses during the event in the pit area. Maintain adequate supply of safety glasses and volunteers at the safety glasses locations, alert Volunteer Registration room when more volunteers are needed, schedule lunch and bathroom breaks for volunteers at safety glasses stations. More details from FIRST

Machine Shop Attendant

Process work orders for the Machine Shop Staff. Work in a fast-paced environment with students, mentors and staff. General knowledge of robotics and parts a plus. More details from FIRST

Machine Shop Staff

Assist teams with robot repair and modifications. This role requires a significant level of responsibility and provides the opportunity to utilize and further develop coaching skills and mechanical knowledge. This is an active role, not sedentary. More details from FIRST

Pit Administration Supervisor

Manages all activities in the Pit and Pit area operations including coordination of Pit Administration Table, team interface, and collaborates with Emergency Medical Technicians. More details from FIRST

Pit Administration Support

Provide direction, assistance, information, and support to teams in the Pit. This is a physically active, fast-paced role. More details from FIRST

Pit Announcer

Call teams to queuing area and make general announcements via use of the public address system (PA) in the Pit area. Work in collaboration with the Team Queuing volunteers to facilitate adherence to team match schedule. Experience as a Pit Announcer volunteer preferred. More details from FIRST

Practice Field Attendant

This volunteer team schedules and monitors practice field and equipment usage throughout the competition. These volunteers are also responsible for keeping the practice field clean and free of debris, protecting practice field electronics and for reporting any malfunctions or damage to the field directly to the Field Supervisor. More details from FIRST

Replacement Parts Attendant

Manage distribution of spare kit of parts materials to teams and loaning control system parts. More details from FIRST

Robot Inspector

Perform mandatory robot inspections and weigh-ins to ensure compliance with robot construction rules. Determine inspection outcome decisions (pass/fail). May perform random inspections. Work under the direction of the Lead Robot Inspector. Provide general technical support for teams by helping to resolve issues with their robots. This is a physically active role. More details from FIRST

Safety Advisor

Safety Advisors are involved in ongoing safety assessment during the entire event. The Safety program nurtures a positive reinforcement model using safety credits to emphasize safe behavior and coaching to correct unsafe behavior. The goal is to have a safe event and to promote safety as a holistic life skill. Safety Advisors will receive training from the Lead Safety Advisor at the event. More details from FIRST

Safety Glasses Attendant

Hand out safety glasses during the event in the pit area. Maintain adequate supply of safety glasses at the safety glasses locations, alert the Lead Safety Glasses Attendant when more glasses or volunteers are needed. Maintain a high level of safety as stated in the FIRST Safety Procedures. More details from FIRST

Elsewhere

Assign as Needed

This is a position for someone who is very flexible, and is willing to show up at the event ready to take on any volunteer assignment. You may be asked to fill in for last minute cancellations; and/or breaks for other volunteers in their job/assignment. It is a great assignment for someone who is new to FIRST and does not know what they would like to do, someone who is a non-participating person traveling with a team, or a walk-in, who will be paired up with an experienced volunteer. You report to the Volunteer Registration Room for appropriate positions, you will be assigned as they come up throughout the event.

Registration System Assistant

Assist the Registration System Supervisor with the successful implementation of the Event Volunteer Registration System. Check picture ID’s to ensure accurate data entry into the System. More details from FIRST

Registration System Supervisor

Ensure the successful implementation of the Event Volunteer Registration System. Train, supervise, and direct the Registration System Assistants to ensure accurate data entry into the System. Ensure that data files are downloaded before the start of the event and uploaded to the server at the completion of the event. More details from FIRST

Scholarship Attendant

The Scholarship Attendant will be in charge of promoting the FIRST Scholarship Program to students, parents, mentors and others attending an FRC regional event. The Scholarship Attendant will be charge of locating and setting up the designated scholarship table using materials supplied in the Scholarship Program Table Supplies box. Visit with teams/mentors in the pit area to inform them of the scholarship table and its location. More details from FIRST

Team Social Attendant

Oversee the Team Social to ensure a safe, secure, and enjoyable event environment for attendees. More details from FIRST

VIP/Media Check-in Table

Assist the VIP Reception Coordinator and Media/PR Coordinator with VIP/Media Registration and Information Table operations. Facilitate positive VIP and media experience at the event. More details from FIRST

Volunteer Lounge Monitor

This is a crowd control position. This position requires that you sit by the entrance of the Volunteer Lounge to check for proper authorization to pass through the area. Use counter to get an accurate number of volunteers that eat in the facility. Must be a take-charge person with strong interpersonal skills. More details from FIRST

Volunteer Registration/Information Table

Manage check-in activities at the Volunteer Registration Table. Provide direction, assistance and information to event volunteers and attendees. FIRST experience not required. Good position for early birds and volunteers traveling with, but not participating on a team. More details from FIRST

Website Evaluator

The Website Evaluators review and score websites that are designed, built and managed by students participating on FIRST teams. Evaluation is accomplished via an on-line system. There is a minimum of five (5) Website Evaluators recommended for each competition. Website evaluations must be completed three days prior to the start of the event. More details from FIRST

Website Evaluator Advisor

The Website Evaluator Advisor oversees the group of Website Evaluators that have volunteered for their regional. They ensure that all websites are evaluated prior to the deadline. The Website Evaluator Advisor also acts as a Website Evaluator. Website Evaluators review and score websites that are designed, built and managed by students participating on FIRST teams. Evaluation is accomplished via an on-line system. There are a minimum of five (5) Website Evaluators recommended for each competition. More details from FIRST