VOLUNTEER
Event volunteers give students the opportunity to compete at the highest level. With over 50 robotics competitions in a single season, we depend on volunteers from all professional backgrounds to share their expertise and help students grow.
There are many fun roles to new and veteran volunteers to fill at events! Most require no STEM background, just a passion for helping kids learn!
Time Commitment: Seasonal, one or two weekend day time commitment. This is a great start for beginners!
FIRST Washington runs over 50 competitions each year, and every competition requires a minimum of 20 volunteers to serve as Judges! Rally your coworkers to share their talents and Judge at one of our exciting events!
Judges have the opportunity to interact with students, providing constructive input on their season’s work. They uphold FIRST® Washington Core Values: Discovery, Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, Teamwork and Fun!
Time Commitment: Seasonal, full day or multi-day time commitment. Judging is a great start for beginners!
Coach or Mentor
Event Volunteering
Event volunteers give students the opportunity to compete at the highest level. With over 50 robotics competitions in a single season, we depend on volunteers from all professional backgrounds to share their expertise and help students grow.
There are many fun roles to new and veteran volunteers to fill at events! Most require no STEM background, just a passion for helping kids learn!
Time Commitment: Seasonal, one or two weekend day time commitment. This is a great start for beginners!
Corporate Volunteering
FIRST Washington runs over 50 competitions each year, and every competition requires a minimum of 20 volunteers to serve as Judges!. Rally your coworkers to share their talents and Judge at one of our exciting events!
Judges have the opportunity to interact with students, providing constructive input on their season’s work. They uphold FIRST® Washington Core Values: Discovery, Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, Teamwork and Fun!
Time Commitment: Seasonal, full day or multi-day time commitment. No volunteer experience required!
Ready to Volunteer? Create your Volunteer Profile!
If you’ve never volunteered with FIRST before, event volunteering is a great way to begin. Follow these five easy steps to get started!
1. Create a Volunteer Account
- Create your volunteer profile on the Dashboard.
- If you already have a volunteer account, simply log in!
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll have access to our list of local competitions and event.
2. Submit Volunteer Application and Youth Protection Screening
Log in to your dashboard.
- Once you’ve logged in, select Volunteer Registration on your Dashboard.
- Then select Event Volunteering. On Event Filters, pick the program you wish to volunteer with (FLL, FTC, FRC). Or clear all filters to see all events.
- Or if you do not have a specific event you wish to volunteer at, select a program you wish to volunteer with.
- Select the event you wish to volunteer at.
- Under Volunteer Roles, pick the role you wish to fill.
- For the Dates Available field select the dates you’re available for.
- Lastly, select the Begin Youth Protection Screening button and follow the prompts to submit your free-of-charge background check.
3. Youth Protection Screening Help
At FIRST, student safety is always a priority. All adult volunteers from the United States and Canada must complete a free-of-charge background screening through our Volunteer Registration for the safety of all FIRST team members.
- U.S. Screening Process Step by Step
- Youth Protection Screening Frequently Asked Questions
- You cannot be assigned as an event volunteer until you have passed the screening. Please submit your screening a minimum of one week prior to any event you wish to volunteer at.
- Questions or difficulties submitting your Youth Protection Screening? Email Marak@firstwa.org for help!
4. Confirm Volunteer Assignment
You will receive a volunteer assignment email from your volunteer or event coordinator when you are assigned to a role.
- If you have not been assigned or received any information about your role, you can message the volunteer coordinator for any event to which you have applied. See page 10 of the Volunteer Registration User Guide for more information on how to do that.
- Once you’ve been assigned, it doesn’t hurt to double-check your schedule so you’re certain you can fulfil the volunteer time commitment!
- You will receive training specific to your assigned volunteer role either before or on the morning of the event. You should receive communications from your event organizer about whether training is required and when and how it is administered.
5. Know What to Expect
Most events are a full day or multi-day time commitment. New volunteers will be guided through the event by more veteran volunteers to assure you feel confident and prepared!
- What You’ll Eat – Generally, a volunteer lounge with food and refreshments away from the crowd will be supplied to show our appreciation for your time and to help re-energize you. We try to accomodate dietary restrictions, but advise you to bring a sack lunch if you’re worried about what will be served!
- Starting the Day – Please arrive for volunteer check-in at the time listed in your volunteer email. Arriving on time helps us account for all volunteers, and make sure the event runs smoothly!
- What to Wear – Dress comfortably but appropriately. You will receive a volunteer tshirt at check-in. Competitions take place at schools and event centers so it can be drafty, and certain roles require you to be on your feet. So tennis shoes are encoraged!
- What to Bring – Stay hydrated and help cut down on waste by bringing a reusable water bottle.
We look forward to seeing you, and thanks for sharing your time and talents!
Interested in Volunteering? Join Us!
