FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 11

Invoices Went Out Last Week!

Just want to make sure everyone is aware that invoices were emailed to the contact designated on the PNW FRC Registration form on November 26.  The invoices come from our accounting software Aplos and often end up in people’s spam folder.  

If you did not receive an invoice, please…

  1. Check your spam folder 
  2. Send me an email (acollins@firstwa.org) with your team number and I can confirm who the invoice was supposed to be sent to and if needed, help you get a copy re-sent. 

Fundraising for your team

Many of you have booster accounts with us and either have fundraising links set up (through give lively, benevity, etc…).

It is imperative that you make sure your team number gets put on any and all donations we receive whether by check or electronically.  We support over 1000 teams and many of them have booster accounts.  We have NO WAY of knowing a donation from James Smith should go to your team unless they tell us your team number (not your team name or school name or coach name or mentor name or student name or parent name – hopefully you are getting the point). 

We are a VERY small staff to support all teams in the PNW and Washington… and when we have to take time to chase down donations, it prevents us from doing the work necessary to support all of you!

If your team number is not listed on your donation, you are at risk of those funds not being deposited into your booster account. We just have no way of knowing how to contact the donor or who the funds are for… and it is not our responsibility. 

Please make sure your instructions to your sponsors are clear when it comes to making donations to your FIRST Washington booster account.

FIRST Washington is not responsible for donations not getting deposited due to lack of documentation from donors. That is YOUR responsibility to correct.

Help US help YOU! 🙂

The November Coaches Chat will take place on Thursday, December  5th at 7:00 pm

The November Coaches Chat was rescheduled due to much of Washington state losing power in November. It is scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 pm.  Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.

We Want YOUR Feedback! 

FIRST Washington strives to support coaches in building sustainable and supported teams. We’d love to hear from you how we’re doing.

Please take time to fill out the survey below to let us know how prepared you feel for the upcoming season and how you feel about your team’s sustainability.

The survey is anonymous and will not collect your name/email or team number. All questions are optional, and any that you complete will help. Thank you for supporting an improved experience for all teams! 

Volunteer with FTC or FLL!

We have 27 FTC and FLL Challenge events in December alone, and we need over 1,400 volunteers to run them! Please organize your team to register today! Volunteering at FLL and FTC events is NUMBER ONE way your team can support FIRST growth in your community, and you’ll have a blast doing it! 

For coaches and mentors, Judging or Refereeing is a great local team netoworking opportunity. And for FRC Students, volunteering in any role is a great way to work towards any service hour requirements for graduation.

If there is an FLL or FTC event in your school district and your team isn’t already supporting it, please consider mobilizing your team to help out! We understand this time of year is busy, but many of our FLL and FTC hosts depend on FRC teams to help fulfill volunteer roles. 

You can always reach out to us if you want more guidence about how to help out. Email Mara Kealey at marak@firstwa.org.

Volunteer Roles Needed: (both programs)

  • Referees
  • Judges
  • Queuers
  • Field Resetters
  • Scorekeepers
There are no upcoming events at this time.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

Important Dates

  • December 5:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • December 10:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat This will be cancelled since the Nov coaches chat was pushed into December 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 10

Invoices Went Out Today!

Thank you for your patience, between the delay in getting the info we needed from FIRST and the weather last week, invoices went out much later than planned.   

Invoices were sent to the person that was designated on the PNW FRC registration form and include grants from your firstinspires dashboard as well as FIRST Washington or Ortop (where applicable) 

***New this year, MySite fees will be included on the invoice this year so if your team chose MySite for kickoff, expect to see that added to your invoice. 

Because invoices went out later than expected, we changed the secured date to December 10 to give you two weeks to secure it.  Remember, you can secure your invoice with a PO or pay by check or Credit Card.  Because of how winter break falls this year, it is critical that you secure your registration before you go on break or you may not receive your kickoff kit. 

If you have questions about your invoice or did not receive it please email me directly.  Include your team number in your email 

 

The November Coaches Chat was moved to Thursday, December  5 at 7:00 pm

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 pm.  Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.  Click here for meeting link  

 

Volunteer with FTC or FLL!

We have 27 FTC and FLL Challenge events in December alone, and we need over 1,400 volunteers to run them! Please organize your team to register today! Volunteering at FLL and FTC events is NUMBER ONE way your team can support FIRST growth in your community, and you’ll have a blast doing it! 

For coaches and mentors, Judging or Refereeing is a great local team netoworking opportunity. And for FRC Students, volunteering in any role is a great way to work towards any service hour requirements for graduation.

If there is an FLL or FTC event in your school district and your team isn’t already supporting it, please consider mobilizing your team to help out! We understand this time of year is busy, but many of our FLL and FTC hosts depend on FRC teams to help fulfill volunteer roles. 

You can always reach out to us if you want more guidence about how to help out. Email Mara Kealey at marak@firstwa.org.

Volunteer Roles Needed: (both programs)

  • Referees
  • Judges
  • Queuers
  • Field Resetters
  • Scorekeepers
There are no upcoming events at this time.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

Important Dates

  • December 6:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • December 10:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat This will be cancelled since the Nov coaches chat was pushed into December 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 9

PLEASE NOTE: We are working with FIRST to get our PO applied but it is being held up by some grants on FIRST Inspires end.  I know many of you are concerned because you can not currently access FIRST Choice.  You should be able to access FIRST Choice next week once FIRST is able to apply our PO to all team accounts.

Invoices Will Go Out Next Week! 

Now that FIRST event & kickoff registration is closed, we are in the process of finalizing FIRST, FIRST Washinton and ORTOP grants.  Invoices should go out next week to the contact listed on the PNW Registration form. 

***New this year, MySite fees will be included on the invoice this year o if your team chose MySite for kickoff, expect to see that added to your invoice. 

Invoices should be secured by December 8.  Because of how winter break falls this year, it is critical that you secure your registration before you go on break or you may not receive your kickoff kit. 

 

OSPI Checks will be Mailed the end of this Week 

For all Washington State Public Schools, your OSPI checks should get mailed out the end of this week to the contact listed on your application. 

Next FRC Coaches Chat, Thursday November 21 at 7:00 pm

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm.

Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.

 

Volunteer with FTC or FLL!

We have 27 FTC and FLL Challenge events in December alone, and we need over 1,400 volunteers to run them! Please organize your team to register today! Volunteering at FLL and FTC events is NUMBER ONE way your team can support FIRST growth in your community, and you’ll have a blast doing it! 

For coaches and mentors, Judging or Refereeing is a great local team netoworking opportunity. And for FRC Students, volunteering in any role is a great way to work towards any service hour requirements for graduation.

If there is an FLL or FTC event in your school district and your team isn’t already supporting it, please consider mobilizing your team to help out! We understand this time of year is busy, but many of our FLL and FTC hosts depend on FRC teams to help fulfill volunteer roles. 

You can always reach out to us if you want more guidence about how to help out. Email Mara Kealey at marak@firstwa.org.

Volunteer Roles Needed: (both programs)

  • Referees
  • Judges
  • Queuers
  • Field Resetters
  • Scorekeepers
There are no upcoming events at this time.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

Important Dates

  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact 
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 8

Attend the Coaches Chat, Thursday October 17 at 7:00 pm

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 pm.  Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.

 

Volunteer with FTC!

All our Washington FTC events are live and accepting volunteer applications. Register today! 

Volunteering at your local FTC events is a great way to support your local pipeline of future FRC students. 

FTC leagues are looking for Scoring Referees, Penalty Referees, Lead Scorekeepers and more! 

Judging starts at the Interleague level. Interested? Sign up today! 

Next Preferencing window opens next Thursday, October 17 at 9 am Pacific

Make sure you don’t change your lead contacts before the 2nd preferencing window closes unless you can get the new contact through YPP screening prior to preferencing.

You can find detailed information on preferencing below.

If you did not choose your home event during the first event preferencing window, you are no longer guaranteed space in that event. 

FRC Workshop: Hosted by SOTAbots 2557

FRC #2557 The SOTAbots is hosting a free FRC Workshop on November 9. We welcome your team to attend and learn along with other teams from the PNW. This will be an opportunity to learn about technical information, FRC strategy, public relations, and several aspects of FIRST Robotics. Please consider attending the workshop and inviting other FIRST team members and mentors. 

More detailed information about the workshop will be provided as the date approaches. Please reach out with any questions. 

Please fill out the form below to confirm your team’s interest. 

Questions?  email SOTA Bots at – sotabots@gmail.com

Important Dates

  • October 12 – 13:  WA Girls Gen Hosted by 2046 
  • October 17:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • October 19:  Storm Surge hosted by 2811 & 9567 
  • October 17 – 24:  Second FRC preferencing window 
  • October 31:  Additional In District Registration opens 
  • November 12:  FRC Registration (Event & Kickoff) closes 
  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact 
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 7

Next FRC Coaches Chat, Thursday October 17 at 7:00 pm

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 pm.  Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.

 

Next Preferencing window opens next Thursday, October 17 at 9 am Pacific

Make sure you don’t change your lead contacts before the 2nd preferencing window closes unless you can get the new contact through YPP screening prior to preferencing.

You can find detailed information on preferencing below.

If you did not choose your home event during the first event preferencing window, you are no longer guaranteed space in that event. 

FRC Workshop: Hosted by SOTAbots 2557

FRC #2557 The SOTAbots is hosting a free FRC Workshop on November 9. We welcome your team to attend and learn along with other teams from the PNW. This will be an opportunity to learn about technical information, FRC strategy, public relations, and several aspects of FIRST Robotics. Please consider attending the workshop and inviting other FIRST team members and mentors. 

More detailed information about the workshop will be provided as the date approaches. Please reach out with any questions. 

Please fill out the form below to confirm your team’s interest. 

Questions?  email SOTA Bots at – sotabots@gmail.com

Important Dates

  • October 12 – 13:  WA Girls Gen Hosted by 2046 
  • October 17:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • October 19:  Storm Surge hosted by 2811 & 9567 
  • October 17 – 24:  Second FRC preferencing window 
  • October 31:  Additional In District Registration opens 
  • November 12:  FRC Registration (Event & Kickoff) closes 
  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact 
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 6

Event Preferencing Closes at 9:00am on Thursday!  

Remember that to register, your Lead and Alternate coach need to have signed their consent/acknowledgement forms and be current on their youth protection screening. 

You can find detailed information on preferencing below. 

Remember, if you preferenced for an event other than your home event, there is a good chance you will start out on the wait list when event assignments are posted.  I will be working with FIRST HQ throughout the day on Friday and Monday to move teams off of the wait list.  Your team will receive an email from me no later than Tuesday, October 8 letting your know your options if we are unable to move your team off the waitlist into the event you selected.  Please do not email me before Tuesday afternoon if you end up on a waitlist.  I will not respond to your email because I will be too busy getting everyone moved into their events!  

OnShape with Kevin this Fall

Kevin is doing his onshape workships a little differently this season.  Instead of having live workshops, he has pre-recorded a series to allow people to move at their own pace.

If you have students who would like to learn CAD for FRC, here is a playlist of a series of videos for learning how to use OnShape.

*This is a series of videos. After clicking the link below, you’ll be able to access the list of videos on the YouTube playlist. 

Important Dates

  • Open now!  Boeing Grant open (ask your Boeing Mentor to apply)
  • September 26:  Kit and Kickoff registration opens
  • September 26 – Oct 3:  First FRC preferencing window
  • September 27:  Deadline to fill out PNW FRC registration to be considered for a grant
  • October 4:  Boeing grant closes
  • October 5 – 6:  Bordie Blast Hosted by 2412
  • October 5:  Oregon Girls Gen Hosted by 1425
  • October 6:  FIRST Chance Hosted by1425
  • October 12 – 13:  WA Girls Gen Hosted by 2046
  • October 17:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • October 19:  Storm Surge hosted by 2811 & 9567
  • October 17 – 24:  Second FRC preferencing window
  • October 31:  Additional In District Registration opens
  • November 12:  FRC Registration (Event & Kickoff) closes
  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!)