Volunteer staffing for the 2007 FIRST Regional season

[KathieK]

The VIMS system is not set up to accept volunteers for the FVC events (nor the FLL ones if I remember correctly). Yet both programs are very much in need of assistance from FIRSTers! Our events are starting now and will run through the spring. Please check the program events pages (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/calendar.aspx?pid=16630 for FLL and www.usfirst.org/vex/events for FVC) to see the list of events near you and the event contact person.

[BandChick]

Jenny makes a really GREAT point. Instead of JUST looking for experienced people in these fields, lets start training new ones! I'd be more than happy to volunteer at ANY regionals I can, it just depends on my work schedule. Of course, now that I'm working for NJ/NYC FIRST, maybe I can squeeze a few more regionals in there ~__^

I always LOVE volunteering, it's almost as fun as competing, and DEFINITELY more fun than JUST spectating!

[sanddrag]

Does anyone know when VIMS is going to be updated for the new events? I'm anxiously awaiting the update to put in my 2007 preferences.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Does anyone know when VIMS is going to be updated for the new events? I'm anxiously awaiting the update to put in my 2007 preferences.

I'd also like to know as i am waiting for it to be updated so i can volunteer at an event!

[Jessica Boucher]

Patience, grasshoppers. Soon

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

I'd also like to know as i am waiting for it to be updated so i can volunteer at an event!

Look for VIMs to be fully functional in early December. Until then, just get basic information in the system as a registered volunteer. You can try to find out who the volunteer coordinators are by posting in the regional threads on CD, or go to regional websites, and give them a heads up you're interested in volunteering for certain positions. But otherwise, we'll just have to wait... again..

[Wetzel]

For everyone that has been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting, VIMS is now live with 2007 events.

Go make some Volunteer Coordinators happy.

Wetzel

[Jessica Boucher]

Yes! Go sign up!

Please realize that although events/roles are open for volunteers, the backend of VIMS is still being worked on and should be up soon. So, you can see the events, but the events can't see you yet.

So if your VC doesn't contact you right away, you know why.

[Billfred]

I guess I found a bug: if I select one type of event (say, the Planning Committee drop-down), then try and jump to another (events), it won't let me as I haven't selected an event.

Any other ones jump out?

[indieFan]

Originally Posted by Billfred

I guess I found a bug: if I select one type of event (say, the Planning Committee drop-down), then try and jump to another (events), it won't let me as I haven't selected an event.

Any other ones jump out?

I don't recall having to select a specific area of expertise last year. Personally, I don't like being forced to select something, since I tend to have a little knowledge about a number of different areas, but nothing I'd call myself an expert at.

indieFan

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Any other ones jump out?

They've added some junk to the contact information page. But when I tried to save it, it indicated that prefix (e.g. "Mr.") was a required field, even when filled.

Also, when selecting "Update" for one of the contacts on the references page, it doesn't do anything. That could be because it's only intended to updated the "inactive" checkbox, but that would make it a particularly worthless update button.

The experience edit box cuts off what you write. If that's to reduce the amount that they need to read, then why not indicate that fact somewhere—it looks like bad coding otherwise. And there's no way to confirm the additional information edit box without selecting continue for the entire page.