**FIRST EMAIL**/Get Ready...Get Set...Triple Play Begins!

[Rich Wong]

Greetings Teams:

We are very excited the first weekend of the 2005 "Triple Play" Regionals is about to start, and we trust you are too. We hope you are well rested and ready to get your robots in action! Before the regionals begin we want to share the following with you. In turn, please be sure to share with all team members.

Safety

FIRST asks everyone involved in FIRST’s programs to place the highest priority on safety, looking out not only for ones own safety but also the safety of others. Do not hesitate to speak up or act in the interest of safety. FIRST particularly wants to highlight safety measures in the areas of transportation, equipment and work safety, and guarding against abuse. Please see the safety overview document at http://www.usfirst.org/4vol/FIRST_Safety_Feb_21_05.pdf

Safety Glasses

Please don’t forget to bring Safety Glasses for each member of your team. FIRST will not have extra Safety Glasses! Please have these with you on Thursday to wear while opening your crate.

Early competition admission for uncrating robots

Teams will again this year be able to have three (3) team representatives enter at 7:45 am on Thursday morning to uncrate the robot and tools. One of these 3 should be an adult with the team. MCS (the drayage company) will put tags on the robot crates to show weight. Please note if you bring a second crate into the venue you will be asked to open it in the presence of a FIRST volunteer or staff member.

**IMPORTANT** If a crate is marked as overweight, and the team wishes to dispute the charge for the additional weight, they must do so before the robot is uncrated. MCS will have a palette jack and scale available to weigh the crate.

Team Participation Medallions:

In 2004 FIRST changed the method of distribution for team participation (bronze) medallions. Prior to 2004, a box containing 25 bronze medallions was shipped to each team who had not won a silver (Finalist or Engineering Inspiration Award) or gold (Winner or Regional Chairman's Award) medallion during the season. Due to the rising cost of shipping the bronze medallions,they are now distributed at regional events.

At each team's first event, the team will receive one box containing 25 bronze medallions if the team did NOT win gold or silver medallions as part of an award. In order to receive the medallions, an adult member of the team must pick up and sign for medallions at the Pit Administration desk on Saturday afternoon. Teams who are eligible to receive bronze medallions and do not pick them up at their first event will be responsible for the shipping of the medallions post season. Teams may not pick up their bronze medallions at a subsequent event.

Agendas

Please remember to print your regional's Agenda close to the day you travel to your event as there may be some last minute changes posted to the web.

"In the Know" One pager

This "one pager" contains some useful information to know at the event. You can download a copy at http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/Intheknow.pdf

Robot Transport

Don't forget to bring something to transport your robot to and from the field. Lugging 130 lbs around can get tiresome! At a minimum, a moving dolly works; better yet a modified wagon to carry your robot is suggested.

Event Volunteers and Extended FIRST hours

Pease remember that each event is supported by event and committee volunteers. Some will be new, some will be veterans. They will all be working hard, lending their time and skills to making each event a success. They will be in charge of key functions at the events - they will in fact be the voice of FIRST. We thank you and all team leaders and students in advance for the courtesy and cooperation we know will be extended to them. Without these volunteers the events could not take place.

Team Support will be available during regular business hours 8:30 am-5:00 pm EST Monday-Wednesday, and for extended hours 8:30 am-8:00 pm EST Thursday and Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 am-3:00 pm EST during the event season. You can call us at 800-871-8326 or write to us at frcteams@usfirst.org should you need any assistance from the home office.

We look forward to seeing you at the events and wish you all the best of luck.

Let the Triple Play games begin!