Volunteer staffing for the 2007 FIRST Regional season

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

It appears that VIMS is either down right now, or not yet up for the 2007 season. Is anyone else having this problem?
Wetzel

I was able to log into VIMS, but could not update event preferences for 2007. The menu choices are still set up for 2006.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I am sure that Richard, Ed Sparks and many others will chime in that inspectors are always welcome at events. The major need is on Thursday and just Friday morning of each event (Saturday from 11 to 1 is also a happy time). If you plan to be at the event with your team and they can let you go for those times, inspections will go so much easier. There are other critical needs for volunteers, but one that is rarely discussed is FIRST ambassadors. These people will guide visitors and potential sponsors/school teachers and administrators around the event. They will explain the competition and the student roles. Often they will introduce mentors and students who will help as well. Ambassadors at the Boilermaker Regional played a major role in introducing FIRST to the mentors and students of Peoria Schools and Caterpilar which resulted in two FRC teams and several FLL teams.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

I am sure that Richard, Ed Sparks and many others will chime in that inspectors are always welcome at events. The major need is on Thursday and just Friday morning of each event (Saturday from 11 to 1 is also a happy time). If you plan to be at the event with your team and they can let you go for those times, inspections will go so much easier. There are other critical needs for volunteers, but one that is rarely discussed is FIRST ambassadors. These people will guide visitors and potential sponsors/school teachers and administrators around the event. They will explain the competition and the student roles. Often they will introduce mentors and students who will help as well. Ambassadors at the Boilermaker Regional played a major role in introducing FIRST to the mentors and students of Peoria Schools and Caterpilar which resulted in two FRC teams and several FLL teams.

Yeah! What Big Al said!

If any experienced inspectors are coming (with or without teams) to St. Louis and may be available to help on Thursday, please let me know. Since we're in Week 1 this may be a good opportunity to get familiar with whatever curve balls FIRST has thrown us this year. Or maybe that won't happen this time?

Also, I'll post my schedule when I know it. I'm always willing to help with robot inspections at any event I'm attending. I don't know yet which events my team is going to, but since I have family in SC I'm thinking of going to Palmetto, just to observe, and I'd be happy to help with inspection there.

[sanddrag]

I would be ABSOLUTELY THRILLED to be given the opportunity of MC or announcer at any event. It is something I've always wanted to do. What exactly is an FTA?

[Melissa Nute]

This may be slightly off topic, who exactly gets picked for volunteering for the Israel regional? Is it just a select group of people or will they take non-FIRST staff yet?

At the moment, I'm only able to be attending the Manchester, NH regional provided that I leave as soon as the awards are over to hop over to Boston and Fly out.

From March 4th to May 10th I'm going to be in Namibia for school, however I was able to find cheap flights (well a lot cheaper than flying from the US) into Israel from there surrounding those dates. I already hate that I have to miss most of the local regionals so this could be a good option for me.

[David55]

Originally Posted by Meli W.

This may be slightly off topic, who exactly gets picked for volunteering for the Israel regional? Is it just a select group of people or will they take non-FIRST staff yet?

At the moment, I'm only able to be attending the Manchester, NH regional provided that I leave as soon as the awards are over to hop over to Boston and Fly out.

From March 4th to May 10th I'm going to be in Namibia for school, however I was able to find cheap flights (well a lot cheaper than flying from the US) into Israel from there surrounding those dates. I already hate that I have to miss most of the local regionals so this could be a good option for me.

I don't know how it will be this year, but last year at the Israeli regional they were in desperate need for volunteers. It got to the point that each team was asked to provide 2-3 students that were volunteers for the 3 days (field reset, setting up, queuing etc.) and the teams were also the ones that took apart the field after the regional. I am sure any help would be appreciated by the organizers. I would suggest speaking to Alisha Wallenstein who is the regional director (at the moment I don't have her email.) Also, I am sure you can speak to Greg Needel or Jon Mittleman (Jon236) and they will be able to tell you about their experience with coming to the Israeli regional.

David

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

What exactly is an FTA?

FIRST Technical Advisor. One of the hardest working people at an event when things are going badly.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

FIRST Technical Advisor. One of the hardest working people at an event when things are going badly.

This person is responsible for these things:

1. Field setup & debug
2. Field calibration (vision values, etc.)
3. Insuring that the field runs well during an event
4. Managing or fixing every possible problem that a field would have during an event
5. Leading the disassembly and packing of a field at the end of an event, until the crates are fully packed on the trailer

While doing these tasks, this person leads various people: setup and tear-down crews, scorekeepers, field supervisors, field reset coordinators. Last year, FIRST trained about 8 people to do this job. They are going to need more this year. If anyone is interested in being an FTA, feel free to PM me and I can forward you to the correct person at FIRST.

Andy

[petek]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

What exactly is an FTA?

To expand on what Al said, the FTA is responsible for the field from when it comes off the truck until it's back on the truck, for overseeing the game part of the "show" and for advising the event staff on all matters technical.

S/He directs the volunteer staff in setting up the field, makes sure the scoring system is working properly (about half the job this past year) and troubleshoots any field and scoring problems throughout the event. The FTA works with the scorers to spot and fix any scoring problems and with the IFI folks to do the same for the field/robot controls. The FTA may help the Head Ref and Robot Inspector ensure a "level playing field" and works closely with the event committee and production company to try to keep on schedule.

JVN described the job to me like this: "when things are going well you just sit back and look good, but when things go wrong you're the one in the hot seat*", to which I'd add "and you're the last one out on Saturday night".

* (actually he said something about a cyanide capsule...)

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I would be ABSOLUTELY THRILLED to be given the opportunity of MC or announcer at any event. It is something I've always wanted to do. What exactly is an FTA?

I'm assuming you're available for the Fall Classic. Please contact "Mr. Van". The RoboDox are actively recruiting people to help out with Announcing/Color commentary as I have mentioned earlier. Try sending a PM to him or EricRobodox, if you don't get a response in a few days PM me and I have ways.

ChrisH

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by Richard

I was able to log into VIMS, but could not update event preferences for 2007. The menu choices are still set up for 2006.

Correct. The event choice in VIMS will be available soon as the schedule is just now being solidified/made public. However, anyone can access or register for VIMS now to be sure all of your info is there and correct and I encourage all to do so. When the event choices become available you'll only have one thing to do.

As for the FTA discussion, Pete and Andy are two of the best FTA's in all of FIRST, so please take advantage and PM them with questions, etc. Even if you don't have the time or experience necessary now, knowing what an FTA is and what an FTA does could enable you to work towards that as a goal and strengthen FIRST in future years.

(...and I've got dibs on Pete for Week 5 )

[petek]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

(...and I've got dibs on Pete for Week 5 )

Hey Andy: I think we may have stumbled onto an untapped business opportunity: enter the era of the free-agent FTA! Let the bidding begin.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by petek

Hey Andy: I think we may have stumbled onto an untapped business opportunity: enter the era of the free-agent FTA! Let the bidding begin.

Pete, Andy, and all the other hard-working FTAs already know that finding and fixing problems while a few thousand impatient FIRSTers are doing the Macarena will get you plenty of respect, but it is not the easiest way to get rich as a free-agent.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Rich,
We know that Andy has a sweet music side gig (DS&K Band) he can count on, I wonder what Pete might have.

[petek]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Rich,
We know that Andy has a sweet music side gig (DS&K Band) he can count on, I wonder what Pete might have.

Ya got me! So let me know if you come up with something! (FYI, I can't sing worth a darn)