Our team has made volunteering part of what our team does. One our stated goals when the team was formed in 2000 was to see a regional in our home state of South Carolina. To that end, starting in 2002 we offered members of our team to serve as volunteers to build a knowledge base to draw from for running the SC regional. One of our adult members is actually the volunteer coordinator for both the Palmetto (we succeeded! we have a regional in SC) and the Peachtree Regionals. We will also be supplying volunteers for nationals.
As a more personal response I have been a volunteer in the past, as a field coordinator (not sure if that's the correct title? I made sure teams got on and off the field in orderly fashion), as an inspector and as the Pit Announcer at the Nationals. It really brings you close to an extraordinary group of people, the FIRST staff. I have really enjoyed working with these people. I also really enjoyed the chance to meet so many of the participants. This is such a great way to be part of something that I see as the birth of a new and exciting direction for teans around the world. This year I will also be volunteering.
For those that read this and wonder, "How can I get involved?" Contact FIRST through their web site
www.usfirst.org or if you would like to volunteer for the Palmetto or Peachtree Regionals visit our team’s site,
www.metalinmotion.com and post a message stating that you would like to volunteer. We'll get you in touch with the coordinator! You can also PM me and I'll put you in touch.
Be a volunteer! Give back to FIRST! Get a whole lot more than you give!
P.S. FIRST takes care of the volunteers. There is always plenty of great food and refreshments