FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Lead Team Queuing Regional or Championship

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Summary  Expectations & Responsibilities  Event Training  At the Event  Gracious Professionalism  Review  Conclusion  What’s Next?

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Expectations  What is required of you?  Commitment of time!  Volunteer briefing  All 3 days of the competition + volunteer briefing  Ability to work as a member of the team  Ability to clearly communicate with:  Event Manager  Field Supervisor  Pit Announcer  Teams

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Expectations  Be prepared to serve for the duration of the event  Consistency in policy application is critical  You are instrumental in the overall success of the event  You are really the “gate keeper” of the field  There should be no robot entry without processing through your position  You will be required to operate a two-way radio and will work very closely with all of the above personnel

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Responsibilities  Work with the event manager and field supervisor to create unrestricted paths to/from the pit area to the playing field  Manage the flow of teams to/from the playing field  Create and manage the safe, orderly flow of robots to and from the playing field  Properly stage alliances in holding areas  Ensure that the appropriate number of teams are in queue  Verify that drivers have connected their controllers correctly within the assigned drivers station

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Responsibilities  Working as a member of the team  The Lead Queuer is an integral part of the overall event management team  Event Manager  Field Supervisor  Pit Announcer  Queuing personnel  You will be required to operate a two-way radio and will work very closely with all of the above personnel

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Event Training  Wednesday night  Communicate expectations to queuing team  Arrival time  Keeping a positive attitude (service with a smile)  Assign positions  Inspect robot traffic path  Set up queuing areas around field

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers During the Event  Thursday (Training Day)  During practice rounds, set up a routine with the teams  Teams check in with main queurer to be sent to the red or blue side  Red and blue queuers put teams in 1,2 or 3 position  Red and blue queuers make sure each team is in the correct position on the field  Teams enter one side and exit the opposite side of the field  Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)  Monitor match times and keep to match schedule  Meet with queuing team at the end of the day  Make adjustments as needed to traffic pattern and routine

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers During the Event  Friday  Inspect robot traffic path for safety  Stage robots for first matches before opening ceremonies  Continue to use routine from Thursday  Monitor match times and keep to match schedule  Communicate with pit queuing and Field Manager about schedule  Pit queuing should announce when matches are not on schedule  Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)  Meet with queuing team at end of day

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers During the Event  Saturday  Inspect robot traffic path for safety  Stage robots for first matches before opening ceremonies  Continue to use routine from Thursday and Friday  Monitor match times and keep to match schedule  Communicate with pit queuing and Field Manager about schedule  Pit queuing should announce when matches are not on schedule  Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Elimination Rounds and Finals  Prepare for alliance pairings  Organize robots in field area  Communicate with alliance captain  Blue alliance positions robots first and is not allowed make changes  Red alliance positions and adjusts robots last  Eliminated alliances must leave the field area  Robots must remain in the field area during the final rounds until eliminated  Team members with proper badges will be allowed into field area during elimination and final rounds

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Recommended Team Queuing Process  Prepare teams for future events... (other regional or championship event)  Teams will be expected to monitor the provided match lists  Teams should assign a member of the team to monitor match times  Pit announcements should be limited to overall progress only  At pre-determined intervals  In conjunction with the Event Manager and Field Supervisor  Overall timeliness announcements  So that teams can adjust (example: 5 minutes ahead or behind schedule)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Gracious Professionalism is Key Golden Rule –Treat others like you would like to be treated –Act as though you grandmother is watching Teams –Communicate concerns in a positive way –Clearly communicate your expectations Other volunteers –You are all working for a successful event –Communicate any concerns to Volunteer Coordinator

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Gracious Professionalism is Key At FIRST, Gracious Professionalism has become an expectation. We expect it from our students, from the Mentors and Coaches, from all FIRST Volunteers and from FIRST Staff. It is part of the ethos of FIRST. “In the long run, gracious professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. If one becomes a professional, and uses knowledge in a gracious manner, everyone wins. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have acted with integrity and sensitivity. That’s good stuff!” – Dr.Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Gracious Professionalism is Key Encouraging high-quality work + Emphasizing the value of others + Respecting individuals and the community EVERYONE WINS!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Lead Volunteer Communication With your team of volunteers: –As a Lead Volunteer you are a LEADER. –Lead Volunteers must communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator(s) to get names and begin communicating with their team as soon as possible via e mail etc. –As a team leader, you must communicate with your volunteers to create a sense of a team and teamwork. –By doing so, questions can be answered in advance, comfort levels increased, and miscellaneous information gotten out of the way. –There should be no surprises when you get together with your volunteer team at the event.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Lead Volunteer Communication With the other lead volunteers at your event: –Take the opportunity to meet with other lead volunteers and discuss your expectations. –Discuss overlapping areas of responsibility and decide on how issues in these areas should be handled. –Clarify each others roles BEFORE a problem arises. –Make sure everyone understands the non-medical incident report (new in 2008).

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Critical Review  Communicate with:  Event Manager  Field Supervisor  Pit Announcer  Teams  Queuing Personnel  Prepare and check robot traffic path  Set a queuing routine  Monitor match schedule  Be consistent

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers Conclusion  You are an ambassador for FIRST  Model gracious professionalism  Keep things positive  Enjoy what you are doing  Preparation is the key to success  Set your robot path  Open communication to other volunteers and teams “A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.” -Dutch proverb

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers What’s Next? Now that you have reviewed the key materials to succeed in your position be sure to: –Test your knowledge with our online quiz. –Review any other materials provided. –Understand the post-event survey. –Plan to participate in your pre- and post-event training calls. These calls help volunteers at all regional events be successful!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers FIRST would like to thank the Association for Laboratory Automation for their gracious support.