FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

FRC Lead Team Queuing

Regional, District or Championship2015 FRC Season

Updated: 2.4.2015

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Summary Expectations Responsibilities Event Training During the Event Elimination Rounds & Finals Recommended Team Queuing Process Gracious Professionalism® is Key Lead Volunteer Communication Critical Review FIRST Youth Protection Program Conclusion What’s Next?

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Expectations

What is required of you?Commitment of time!

Volunteer briefingAll 3 days of the competition + volunteer briefing

Ability to work as a member of the teamAbility to clearly communicate with:

Event ManagerField SupervisorPit AnnouncerTeams

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Expectations

Be prepared to serve for the duration of the event Consistency in policy application is critical You are instrumental in the overall success of the

event You are really the “gate keeper” of the field

There should be no robot entry without processing through your position

You will be required to operate a two-way radio and will work very closely with all of the personnel mentioned previously

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Responsibilities

Work with the event manager and field supervisor to create unrestricted paths to/from the pit area to the playing field

Manage the flow of teams to/from the playing field Create and manage the safe, orderly flow of robots

to/from the playing field Properly stage alliances in holding areas Ensure that the appropriate number of teams are in

queue Verify that drivers have connected their controllers

correctly within the assigned drivers station

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Responsibilities

Work as a member of the team The Lead Queuer is an integral part of the

overall event management teamEvent ManagerField SupervisorPit AnnouncerQueuing personnel

You will work very closely with all of the above personnel both in person and via radio.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Event Training

Wednesday nightCommunicate expectations to queuing team

Arrival time Keeping a positive attitude (service with a smile)

Assign positions Inspect robot traffic path Set up queuing areas around field

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

During the Event

Practice Day (Thursday for Regionals)

During practice rounds, set up a routine with the teams Teams check in with main queuers to be sent to the red or blue

side Red and blue queuers put teams in 1, 2 or 3 position Red and blue queuers make sure each team is in the correct

position on the field Teams enter one side and exit the opposite side of the field Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)

Monitor match times and keep to match schedule Meet with queuing team at the end of the day Make adjustments as needed to traffic pattern and

routine

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

During the Event

Day One of the Event (Friday for most Regionals) Inspect robot traffic path for safety Stage robots for first matches before opening

ceremonies Continue to use routine from Practice Day Monitor match times and keep to match schedule

Communicate with pit queuing and Field Manager about schedule

Pit queuing should announce when matches are not on schedule

Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)

Meet with queuing team at end of day

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

During the Event

Day Two of the Event (Saturday for most Regionals) Inspect robot traffic path for safety Stage robots for first matches before opening

ceremonies Continue to use routine from Practice Day and Day 1 Monitor match times and keep to match schedule

Communicate with pit queuing and Field Manager about schedule

Pit queuing should announce when matches are not on schedule Give teams queuing feedback (positive is preferred)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Elimination Rounds and Finals

Prepare for alliance selection Organize robots in field area

Communicate with alliance captain Blue alliance positions robots first and is not allowed make

changes Red alliance positions and adjusts robots last

Eliminated alliances must leave the field area Robots must remain in the field area during the final

rounds until eliminated Team members with proper badges will be allowed into

field area during elimination and final rounds

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Recommended Team Queuing Process

Prepare teams for future events... (other Regional, District or Championship event)

Teams will be expected to monitor the provided match lists Teams should assign a member of the team to monitor match

times

Pit announcements should be limited to overall progress only At pre-determined intervals

In conjunction with the Event Manager and Field Supervisor

  Overall timeliness announcements So that teams can adjust

(example: 5 minutes ahead or behind schedule)

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Gracious Professionalism® is Key

• Golden Rule– Treat others like you would like to be treated– Act as though you grandmother is watching

• Teams– Communicate concerns in a positive way– Clearly communicate your expectations

• Other volunteers– You are all working for a successful event– Communicate any concerns to Volunteer

Coordinator

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Gracious Professionalism® is Key

• At FIRST, Gracious Professionalism® is expected at all times.

• We expect it from our students, Mentors, Coaches, Volunteers and FIRST Staff.

• It is part of the ethos of FIRST.

“In the long run, gracious professionalism is part of pursuing a meaningful life. If one becomes a professional, and uses knowledge in a gracious manner, everyone wins. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have acted with integrity and sensitivity. That’s good stuff!”

– Dr.Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Gracious Professionalism® is Key

Encouraging high-quality work +

Emphasizing the value of others +

Respecting individuals and the community

EVERYONE WINS!

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Lead Volunteer Communication

With your team of volunteers:– As a Lead Volunteer you are a LEADER.– Lead Volunteers must communicate with the Volunteer

Coordinator(s) to get names and begin communicating with their team as soon as possible via e-mail etc. before the event.

– As a team leader, you must communicate with your volunteers to create a sense of a team and teamwork.

– By doing so, questions can be answered in advance, comfort levels increased, and miscellaneous information communicated.

– There should be no surprises when you get together with your volunteer team at the event.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Lead Volunteer Communication

With the other lead volunteers at your event:– Take the opportunity to meet with other lead

volunteers and discuss your expectations.– Discuss overlapping areas of responsibility and

decide on how issues in these areas should be handled.

– Clarify each others roles BEFORE a problem arises.

– Make sure everyone understands both the Medical Incident Report and the Non-Medical Incident Report and what to do in an emergency.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Critical Review

Communicate with: Event Manager Field Supervisor Pit Announcer Teams Queuing Personnel

Prepare and check robot traffic path Set a queuing routine Monitor match schedule Be consistent

FIRST Youth Protection Program• FIRST has established a Youth Protection

Program• The purpose of the YPP is to maintain a safe

environment for every FIRST team member while he or she participates in FIRST activities.

• The FIRST YPP provides Coaches, Mentors, Volunteers, employees, others working in FIRST programs, team members, parents, and guardians of team members with information about a range of risks, as well as specific guidelines and procedures to help protect everyone working in FIRST programs.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

FIRST Youth Protection Program

• Adults working in FIRST programs must be knowledgeable of the standards set by the FIRST YPP, as well as those set by the school or organization hosting their team.

• Please read and become familiar with the information here: http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/youth-protection-program

• The new guidelines will need to be followed and adhered to beginning with the 2015 FRC season.

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

Conclusion

You are an ambassador for FIRST Model gracious professionalism®

Keep things positive Enjoy what you are doing

Preparation is the key to success Set your robot path Open communication to other volunteers and teams

“A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.”

-Dutch proverb

FIRST Training Resource – Volunteers

What’s Next?

• Now that you have reviewed the key materials to succeed in your position be sure to:– Review any other materials provided.– Plan to participate in your pre- and post-event

training calls. These calls help volunteers at all events be successful!

• Contact: volunteer@usfirst.org with any questions