**FIRST ROOKIE ALERT**/What to do now/Deadlines/Save yourself some trouble/We're here

FIRST General Forum
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FIRST ROOKIE ALERT/What to do now/Deadlines/Save yourself some trouble/We’re here to help!

Greetings Rookies:

What to do now:
If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend a Robot Quick Build Session at your local Kickoff, the challenge of turning your Kit of Parts into a working robot may feel overwhelming at this moment. Don’t worry. The Robot Quick Build Documents are available on our website here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents under Game Manual Section 4– The robot.

You may find your team focusing solely on robot build right now. Be aware: As teams ask the Game Design Committee questions about the game, some rules will be clarified and others may be updated. You don’t want to spend valuable time working on an assumption that is no longer valid. Assign reliable team members to check the Team Updates twice weekly and have them share updates with your team regularly. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/team-updates

Deadline:
Friday, January 13, 2012 at noon – check your Kit of Parts against the Kit of Parts checklist http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2012-frc-kit-of-parts and list any missing items in TIMS. This is your last chance to get those parts replaced for free.

ASAP - Your team may add to your Kit of Parts components using FIRST Choice http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/first-choice](http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/first-choice). The system opened this past Monday and parts are limited, so visit the site now and order soon.

Save yourself some trouble:
Rookie teams from last year stressed the importance of understanding FRC rules are rules, not guidelines. The weight is a limit. The size is a limit, the wiring requirements are requirements, the robot shipping rules are rules. If you read the FRC manual and check the Team Updates twice weekly http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/game-and-season-info you improve your team’s chance for success.

We’re here to help:
If you have any questions, please contact Team Support at [email protected] or 1-800-871-8326, “0” – they are eager to help you during this rookie season!

Go Rookies!

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A little self endorsement, rookies, listen to the EWCPcasts (http://ewcp.org/blog/2011/12/11/ewcpcast-build-2012/ for details). This doesn’t replace the need to keep up with updates but we will be discussing rules updates and big Q&A things as we become aware of them. After each recorded call is a open session where you can call in and ask us questions.

Sorry, I just happen to think it is a decent venue for connecting with some more experienced mentors.

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*Mark, FWI I get a “404 - File or directory not found” error when I click your links.

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It appears as though the links require a www.usfirst.org (the links above don’t include the “www”).

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Thanks, I fixed the links.

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Also take the time to listen to the Senior Mentor-hosted calls that have been recorded here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/frc-senior-mentor-teleconference-recordings They can really be of help!