Getting involved in regionals

[C.Lesco]

So basically after 2 years I'm an alum now although i really want to get involved in the events as an official, especially as an announcer. Is this possible and if so how should i go about doing this?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by C.Lesco

So basically after 2 years I'm an alum now although i really want to get involved in the events as an official, especially as an announcer. Is this possible and if so how should i go about doing this?

I've been down the path to game announcer. Some tips:

1) Pay dues. It's highly unlikely you'll get the job right out of the gate--there will be a lot of queueing, field reset, flag attendant, robot inspector, and so on between now and then. And that's okay--do those jobs well. Volunteer coordinators can leave notes for other VCs, you want good ones (or at least not bad ones).

2) The secret to getting good at announcing* is taking reps. Work off-season events, work FLL or FTC events, work demos.

3) Communicate with your local people. Make sure they know you are interested in the position; if you don't ask, you won't get.

4) Accept that sometimes, the only way you'll get the position at an event is because the guy doing it now gives it up (or, rarely, gets fired). Palmetto had the same game announcer for about a decade before he decided to hang it up. Until then, see step 1. Fortunately, you're in an area going to district events so you'll see more opportunities than an area that only has one regional.

*There are some people that just don't have "it", and no number of reps is going to help them. This group tends to be recruited by an event due to some related thing they do that's kind of like game announcing, and it's unfortunate when that happens. I'm assuming that you have the basic "it", which you'll probably realize the first or second time out.

[Sperkowsky]

It is possible. The first thing Is to figure out what "announcer" you want to be. There are the emcee's and the game announcers. The emcees are more showy usually jumping around the field and such where the game announcers are either at a desk or right by the field never actually going on the field.

Once you figure out which role you want to try and get go onto VIMS. https://my.usfirst.org/FIRSTPortal/L...IMS_Login.aspx
and you can apply to events.

Being Ontario is going districts I am sure you can find an event to volunteer at. Volunteering is a blast and I really recommend you do it. You are not going to get assigned as a GA for every event and it is actually possible that you wont be a GA at any event. Generally there is a greater need for Emcees (2 vs 1) so that is option.

[ctt956]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

It is possible. The first thing Is to figure out what "announcer" you want to be. There are the emcee's and the game announcers. The emcees are more showy usually jumping around the field and such where the game announcers are either at a desk or right by the field never actually going on the field.

Once you figure out which role you want to try and get go onto VIMS. https://my.usfirst.org/FIRSTPortal/L...IMS_Login.aspx
and you can apply to events.

Being Ontario is going districts I am sure you can find an event to volunteer at. Volunteering is a blast and I really recommend you do it. You are not going to get assigned as a GA for every event and it is actually possible that you wont be a GA at any event. Generally there is a greater need for Emcees (2 vs 1) so that is option.

Don't forget the pit announcers!

[bdaroz]

Originally Posted by ctt956

Don't forget the pit announcers!

Pit announcements can be bland, you can can really make them into your own thing....

Side note, I have it on good authority that "The Punisher" will be back doing pit announcing at NYTVR next year.

[Jon Stratis]

My advise is the same for all key volunteer positions (and game announcer is definitely one of those!)

The very first thing to do is make your desire known to your area leadership - contact the VC, if you know who they are. If you don't, get ahold of a local Senior Mentor, Regional Director, or a volunteer you know from the regional - they should all be able to get you in touch with the VC! Talk with the people currently filling that role in your area. Ask for advise on preparing for it, what you can do now to get yourself ready.

The second thing to do is... level your expectations. Odds are, it won't happen your first year. Your VC can tell you what they want to see from you as you work towards the position - which other positions they'll want you in first (to get to know others involved with the event, demonstrate your abilities and reliability), which off-seasons you can practice at, or maybe starting with the position in another program like FTC, if they need people in that position.

Third, maintain good communication. Meet your commitments, ask them for feedback after each event. If you're going after a key volunteer position, recognize that jumping in to volunteer for other stuff can help - do they need help loading/unloading? What about setting up for off-season events? Is there something you can help with at kickoff? The more you help out, the better you'll get to know them, and the more they can help you get into the role that's right for you.

[Tyler Olds]

Originally Posted by C.Lesco

So basically after 2 years I'm an alum now although i really want to get involved in the events as an official, especially as an announcer. Is this possible and if so how should i go about doing this?

I started off as a GA (though I pretty much only Emcee now) and Billfred has some great advice here. Start with Off-Season events and other competitions (FLL, FTC, VEX etc). To me the GA/Emcee role is deeply impacted by your cadence and confidence. Knowing the correct verbiage will come in time. There are so many that I have trained where all they want to do is tons of research on the teams ahead of time (still a good thing to do) that they forget exactly what they are going to do or how they are going to sound on the field.

One of the benefits of being a previous student is that you can place yourself into the mindset of your target audience member (the students). Think about the experience that you enjoyed or would have enjoyed as a student and translate that into how you act on the field.

Everybody has their own pace but here's the steps I would recommend:

Ask to be an assistant/backup at an off-season and/or FLL, FTC, Vex event. Let the primary do their work and see if you can step in for a couple matches with the primary watching/listening and providing feedback. A good start is to do the introductions and scores since these do not require improv speaking.

Get in touch with the VC of a FRC event and do the same thing. Most GA's will be more than happy to let you do intros and scores especially during qualifications so they can rest their voice. Do a few matches and ask for feedback. Realize that you might need to do this for a couple years and if the event is well staffed you might need to wait a few years or find another event to be a primary.

Watch/Listen to a few matches from your favorite years game and see how the GA handles the match. Think about what you did or did not like and customize your own style based on that. Practice doing your own voice over for the match. Record it if you can; listen to and critique yourself.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Tyler and Jon have a lot of great insight into this as they both have been a part of some great regionals (as well as Worlds!). Both are rockstars here in MN and the midwest!

My insight is one of a rookie Volunteer this past season. I was able to work the Pit Admin at North Star and at the MN State Tournament. The one thing that I will say is that the work 'behind the scenes' at a regional is like a well-run circus. I am not kidding, it is akin to putting on a show.

I am fortunate that I had a great mentor in PA as well as an incredible VC. Yes, I know that being Pit Admin may not be the most glamorous of the positions - but it does help to get to know the teams, team names, and where they are from. It also allows you to see how the individual teams work in the Pits and how to work with these teams. Buyer beware: as Pt Admin you will be expected to be the first to enter and the last to leave.

Remember back to your first event and how shocking the whole weekend was to the senses? Well, being a volunteer for the first time is very similar. It takes a little work to get over the awe and excitement.

But please do volunteer - in whatever area you can. It is an amazing experience and will pay dividends in your personal growth! Plus, the parking and food are well worth it.

[Mr V]

Actually you've missed your opportunity to get involved with Regionals, if your listed location is correct, because Ontario Canada is switching to the District System for the 2017 season. Actually that is good since that means there will be a large need for new volunteers with the increase in the number of events and the fact that there will likely be weekends with 2 events.

So as the others have said you need to let the local leadership know that you want to be involved. I'm not sure if there will be any off season events in your area this year but if there are it is possible that the District administration will take that opportunity to hold try outs and training for various key volunteer positions.

[DCA Fan]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I've been down the path to game announcer. Some tips:

1) Pay dues. It's highly unlikely you'll get the job right out of the gate--there will be a lot of queueing, field reset, flag attendant, robot inspector, and so on between now and then. And that's okay--do those jobs well. Volunteer coordinators can leave notes for other VCs, you want good ones (or at least not bad ones).

2) The secret to getting good at announcing* is taking reps. Work off-season events, work FLL or FTC events, work demos.

3) Communicate with your local people. Make sure they know you are interested in the position; if you don't ask, you won't get.

4) Accept that sometimes, the only way you'll get the position at an event is because the guy doing it now gives it up (or, rarely, gets fired). Palmetto had the same game announcer for about a decade before he decided to hang it up. Until then, see step 1. Fortunately, you're in an area going to district events so you'll see more opportunities than an area that only has one regional.

*There are some people that just don't have "it", and no number of reps is going to help them. This group tends to be recruited by an event due to some related thing they do that's kind of like game announcing, and it's unfortunate when that happens. I'm assuming that you have the basic "it", which you'll probably realize the first or second time out.

Pretty much the same advice as Billfred. Starting out, I spent years at official events as field reset, spare parts, real time scorer, whatever was needed. At offseasons and FLL/FTC, I juggled emceeing and announcing, eventually getting asked to announce at official events. It helps to get to know the local MCs and GAs as well - if they are invited to an event they can't make, maybe you can be a reference for them. Or sometimes they like to have a backup/trainee. Especially since your area is going district, there will need to be a lot of people shadowing key positions, I imagine it wouldn't be that hard to get your foot in the door.

[DonRotolo]

What they ^^ said.

I started as robot inspector, after a few years was asked to be LRI, and did. In-between was a lot of volunteering for whatever, getting to know the volunteer coordinators and event planners. They saw I wasn't an idiot* and I got the job.

*Or perhaps the least idiot compared to the others?

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

They saw I wasn't an idiot* and I got the job.

*Or perhaps the least idiot compared to the others?

Or was idiotic enough to take the job?

[bobbysq]

Originally Posted by bdaroz

Pit announcements can be bland, you can can really make them into your own thing....

shoutouts to the pit admin at worlds

ZIP TIE

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

In-between was a lot of volunteering for whatever.

I highly encourage this. BTW - my car needs washing.