VIMS Responses

[gluxon]

Does anyone know when to expect them? I figured regional coordinators would have selected before training began, but apparently not.

Yes, I am new to this.

[Debbie]

Originally Posted by gluxon

Does anyone know when to expect them? I figured regional coordinators would have selected before training began, but apparently not.

Yes, I am new to this.

Expect what? I believe regional coordinators have already been selected months ago. Are you asking for confirmation that you are doing a position?

[gluxon]

Yeah. This was stated in the email.

"You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator(s) for this event."

[Gregor]

I got my response in early February, but since it is specific to each volunteer coordinator, I would assume it is different for each regional.

[Debbie]

Originally Posted by gluxon

Yeah. This was stated in the email.

"You will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator(s) for this event."

I'm not an expert, it is my first year coordinating an event... but from what I know.. Most volunteers are not contacted until a few weeks prior to the event. It is a big puzzle filling all of the positions and we don't want anyone told they are doing one thing, have them train for it, and then find out we have to move them to a different position. I believe for trained positions, FIRST sends out notices of training. For others, if you signed up in ViMs, you should plan to be there and watch for email shortly before your event.

[gluxon]

Originally Posted by Debbie

I'm not an expert, it is my first year coordinating an event... but from what I know.. Most volunteers are not contacted until a few weeks prior to the event. It is a big puzzle filling all of the positions and we don't want anyone told they are doing one thing, have them train for it, and then find out we have to move them to a different position. I believe for trained positions, FIRST sends out notices of training. For others, if you signed up in ViMs, you should plan to be there and watch for email shortly before your event.

Makes sense. Thank you.

[synth3tk]

My first (and so far only) year of volunteering, I found out about a week or two before the regional. Of course, your mileage may vary as it depends on that event's coordinator. But I wouldn't count it out until the regional actually begins. And even then, some people may get contacted at the last minute.

[Sayrah]

If you need to make travel or work arrangements, I suggest you contact the volunteer coordinator. It is a big puzzle to put together.

[Moriarty]

Is it also a few weeks before for Championship volunteering?

[Libby K]

Hey guys! Volunteer Coordinator here, to the rescue!

I know for my event (Boston), I don't send out confirmations for jobs that don't need training until about 2-3 weeks before the event, just because that's when I've got everything figured out. Other events might be earlier, or later. It just depends on the VC. Anything with training required has probably already been assigned or will be VERY soon if you're looking at a later regional.

Originally Posted by Sayrah

If you need to make travel or work arrangements, I suggest you contact the volunteer coordinator. It is a big puzzle to put together.

^This! Contact your VC if you need an answer for planning and you don't have one yet.

The VC Interface at one point was sending out automatic 'you have been assigned' responses, but it was messing them up occasionally, and FIRST HQ shut them off. Not sure if they'll be back this year.