**FIRST EMAIL**/Kit and Kickoff Preferences Deadline Reminder!

[Mark McLeod]

Greetings Teams:
This is a reminder that the “Kit and Kickoff Preferences” in the Team Information Management System (TIMS) <http://www.usfirst.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=468> will close this Friday, December 5, 2008.


All Kit Shipping information must be accurate by this date as the packing and palletizing process for shipment will start next week. Once Kits are palletelized, FIRST can not accept any changes to your shipping selections.


Please read the following important selection details, especially if you are a new/rookie team this year:


* Your team can attend more than one Kickoff. For example, if your team is planning to fly members to the Manchester, NH Kickoff, other members of your team can also attend a Local Kickoff and pick up your Kit of Parts (KOP) there;

* If your team chooses to fly members to the Manchester Kickoff,they will not be able to take the KOP back on the plane. We recommend you send other adult team members to a Local Kickoff to collect the KOP OR select "Team Shipping Address (team pays shipping cost)"* for your KOP shipment; .

* We highly encourage Rookie Teams to send two (2) adult team leaders to the Manchester, NH Kickoff to attend the workshops! Workshop Information can be found at: http://www.usfirst.org/community/fir....aspx?id=11192


*Team Shipping Address (team pays shipping cost) - if you have chosen this selection, please make sure:

* You have a valid FedEx or UPS shipping account number in TIMS. If this number is not entered or is inaccurate, your kit cannot be shipped!!
* Your Shipping Contact's shipping address is accurate in TIMS - this is where the KOP will be shipped.
* Your can expect to receive your Kit starting the week after Kickoff, however, if you are an international team your delivery will depend on customs clearance.

Surrogate Kit Pickup Option

If your team is unable to pick up its KOP at the selected Kickoff, an alternate team may do so on your behalf. The team unable to attend must provide FIRST with an authorization letter, signed by the main contact, on school or sponsor letterhead.

Fax the letter to Team Support at 603-666-3907 no later than December 31st, 2008 5:00 pm EST, and send a hard copy to FIRST, Attn: Team Support, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101. The letter must include the following:

1.) Your team number and the pick-up location;
2.) The name and team number of the representative picking up the KOP.
3.) Provide a copy of the Surrogate Kit Pickup letter to the team representative picking up the KOP for your team. This representative must bring the letter to the appropriate Kickoff.

Thank you all.

Go Teams!