Announcing Indiana MentorBridge!

Calling all FIN teams, mentors, volunteers and alumni! We are launching a new program, Indiana MentorBridge, to support teams and build sustainability in the FIRST Indiana Robotics district. We know that there are committed mentors out there who want to see all teams succeed, and that sometimes teams need just a little extra support to make it the last mile (or go the extra one)! This new program will allow volunteers to share their knowledge and expertise with any team who chooses to sign up, on a low commitment basis. There are several different programs that we will be launching, and to do that, we need volunteers and teams who want to receive our support! Take a look at our options and enroll in our programs on our Linktree.

The primary approach of MentorBridge pairs experienced FRC mentors, alumni and volunteers with first- and second-year teams, as well as any other teams that choose to participate. Options include:

  • one-on-one team pairings between teams and experienced FRC volunteers
  • one-on-one guidance for mentors, by mentors
  • specialty guidance about specific subject matter
  • written documentation

This program is by mentors, for mentors - we operate independently of FIRST Indiana Robotics and no work done through MentorBridge can be counted for Impact Award submissions, so the volunteers working with your team are genuinely there just because they want to see your team succeed.

Consider signing up - we promise we’ll have goodies for you if you do!

If you have questions or suggestions, comment in this topic or email us at [email protected] (Mady Stricker) and [email protected] (Dave Ebersol)!

We are only accepting enrollments from volunteers and teams in Indiana at this point in time, but if you are interested in starting a similar program in your area and want to learn more about our plans, feel free to reach out!

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Also - please consider taking a moment to update your team’s listing on the Linktree map!

If it’s spearheaded by Mady and Dave, then it has to be top-notch. I’m Looking Forward to seeing where this leads!

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That means A LOT coming from you. A secondary goal of this project is to invite those incredibly experienced, and dare I say famous mentors, into shops of new and growing teams.

I know after being a student, then transitioning to coaching, I was star struck when I walked into my first comp and had to rub shoulders with some of those mentors I looked up to. I was utterly afraid of shaking hands with those mentors Idealized. Having this when I started, 11 years ago, would have helped break down those insecurities I had and would have opened up a huge world of of knowledge and experience I was too afraid to ask for.

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