[NE FIRST] 2015 Rhode Island District Event

[Joe Menassa]

The Rhode Island District Event (RIDE) will return to Bryant University on March 20-22, 2015!

The planning committee, which brought you an exciting event this past March, is back together and already planning the 2015 event. We are looking forward to seeing returning teams and a few new ones! We have taken your suggestions and comments from March 2014 and are tweaking the event to run even more smoothly and efficiently.

Keep an eye on the NE FIRST website in the coming months for updates and additional information:http://www.nefirst.org/

Tell us you're coming on our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/312504238947114/

Questions? Shoot me a message or email the planning committee at: ri.rhode@nefirst.org

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

[Joe G.]

5400 is looking to sign up here when unrestricted district registration opens. Looking forward to it!

[Chirag]

4761 is looking forward to compete at RIDE again this season!

[Rick]

While you are anxiously awaiting the new game, why not take a few minutes to apply to volunteer at the 2015 Rhode Island District Event?

Apply here: https://my.usfirst.org/FIRSTPortal/L...IMS_login.aspx

Our event is still looking for the following key volunteers:

• Lead Safety Glasses Advisor
• Pit Administration Lead
• Control System Advisor

We are also looking for the following:

• Field Tear Down Crew
• Field Repair/Reset
• Help Desk Attendants
• Pit Administration Support
• Practice Field Attendants
• Robot Inspector (Especially for Friday night and Saturday morning)
• Safety Glasses Attendants
• Team Queuing

If you are on the fence about volunteering for our event, talk to a volunteer from our event last year or a team that attended the event. Our planning committee tries hard to make the event a great experience for the volunteers who in turn give the teams a great experience.

Any questions? Email the committee at ri.rhode@nefirst.org

[Rick]

The Welcome Packet for RIDE 2015 has been posted. Please visit http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ride/ to download.

Contact ri.rhode@nefirst.org with questions.

[Rick]

Some updates on our event as build season enters the final stretch:

• The pit map and venue map is now available. Visit http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ride/ to download.
• For key volunteers, we are still looking for one more Control System Advisor.
• Other volunteer roles needed: A/V Setup/Teardown, Field Teardown, Field Repair/Reset, Team Queuing
• Any team interested in taking home the field carpet should contact ri.rhode@nefirst.org.

Good luck during week 6 of build!

[Rick]

Congratulations on making it through build season! We are exactly 4 weeks away from load-in and inspection! As you begin to think about your robot cart, please keep in mind the following dimension: 81.5" x 43". This is the smallest doorway your robot and cart will need to travel through to get from the pits to the playing field.

Please email me at ri.rhode@nefirst.org with any questions.

[Rick]

Teams, to make the 2015 Rhode Island District Event (RIDE) run as smooth as possible, we need some additional volunteers. If each team was able to supply just one volunteers on Saturday and Sunday (March 21-22) we would have all the volunteers we need and then some. Thank you to the team members that have volunteered for our event already. Below is a list of roles, with quantities, we are still looking to fill. No experience necessary for any of the roles below - we are happy to train!

4 - Field Reset
5 - Scorekeepers
4 - Team Queuing
3 - Friday A/V Setup
3 - Sunday A/V Teardown
1 - Safety Glasses Attendant
2 - Team Load In
3 - Team Load Out
1 - Pit Admin
2 - Practice Field Attendant
1 - Spare Parts Attendant

Please share this with your team and visit https://my.usfirst.org/vims/ to register!

[donnie99]

Team 237 Black Magic is looking forward to continuing our season at RIDE! Can't wait to see everyone competing!

[Jon K.]

I am beyond excited to get to come back to an event in New England this season! I can't wait to see all the teams at RIDE in a few weeks.

[Rick]

The planning committee is excited to set up tomorrow. If your not competing this weekend come check out the event. Reasons to visit RIDE 2015:

1. Frank Merrick (Director of FRC) will be at the event both Saturday and Sunday to get feedback from teams, volunteers, and spectators.
2. Awesome MCs Dave Carter and newcomer Rick Casey will be keeping the energy up!
3. Grizzled FRC veterans Tim Baird and Andy Grady will be calling the matches.
4. Possibly the most competitive mix of teams of the New England districts this year. This field is deep!
5. We've got room for 2,600 spectators! Every seat offers a great view and Bryant has lots of parking close to the arena.

Details here: http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ride/

[Brandon Holley]

Back to defend our title! RIDE is one of the best districts in the country, looking forward to coming back.

-Brando

[dag0620]

Looking forward to coming out to RIDE for the first time!

[The_ShamWOW88]

Our first time at RIDE....looking forward to competing with all the great teams coming this weekend!!!

See you all tomorrow night

[Rick]

I hope everyone had a great time at the event! What an exciting set of playoff matches. Lots of high scores!

Main and alternate contacts as well as event volunteers should look for a survey this week. We want feedback so we can continue to make our event better for the teams and volunteers in future years.

A note on the webcast: Bryant University had issues with upload speeds all weekend. All matches and ceremonies were archived and should be available soon. We are already looking into webcast upload solutions for next year that bypass the university internet.