Eh, I’m not sure I’d say that events are generally run out of school venues. If SoCal had their full event complement we’d be 3/7 at schools instead of 3/6. If I’m not mistaken regional events are generally around 50% at schools or universities. Districts, OTOH, that’s definitely more like 90% at that type of venue.
Regardless, the point about following outside policy is what’s going to drive event policies in general. Just might be the venue policy for an arena instead of a district policy.
I was speaking about PNW FRC district events that are requiring vaccinated volunteers are also mostly ran out of schools.
The only events that ever provided accommodations for me was R2RC which has a policy of providing a hotel for out of town volunteers no matter what their role is and the first year of Robots@CNE.
Covering expenses for events is always going to be an event by event and case by case basis because of how event budgets are handled. Each regional/district has their own fund development and budget and typically receives little from HQ.
When I used to volunteer at 6-7 regionals a year (opposed to doing FUN now) it was not uncommon for events that required longer travel to either receive a travel stipend, reimbursement through FIRST and/or have my hotel covered. This was usually because I was going out to fill as an emcee at an event that did not have an experienced person and I would also typically be training others for both emcee and GA roles. Local events I’ve done in the past (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois) I did not receive anything but typically I was traveling with a team. When I emceed FIRST champs I did not receive any type of reimbursement/compensation. I have had some off-season events cover my hotel costs.
One notable role that receives a form of compensation at an event is the FTA (or at least they used to at a regional level). I am sure someone that is a FTA could go into further detail on this. I’m also not sure if this differs between regional and district levels.
As someone who is planning on going to an event every week, it would be nice to have a few columns added to the event info search page. Perhaps something like ‘masks required’ ‘vaccination required’ and ‘covid test required’ . I know when you click into events under additional info on the landing page it says site and covid information but that’s a lot of reading for each event and each one is formatted differently. This could be a nice reference those who volunteer multiple weeks.
I’ve attended over a dozen events in 2021. My routine typically has been to wear a mask as I am in contact with many different teams, get tested 2-3 days after the event (on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually) and personally I have already received a booster shot.
Ga First doesn’t spoil everybody. I have never asked for or received reimbursement for events even when not traveling with my team. For reference I am generally a RI or CSA. Also I have no issue with GA First policies. They always (Mostly) feed us well. 
For Detroit championship COBO Hall has a 100% mask mandate, so that will have to be the least amount required. FIRST could add testing, etc. above that.
COVID-19 | TCF Center (tcfcenterdetroit.com)
Too bad it just got cancelled.
I guess I won’t be at Championships this year.
My room was covered once for the hotel stay as they needed that next week. It was nice. That does not happen always obviously. I’m not worried about 2022 events. I know how to protect myself having worked in potential covid climates all along.
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