Volunteer Resources

Volunteers make up 99% of the FIRST workforce. If you want to make a difference in the lives of young people and have a weekend free to help, please consider volunteering at a FIRST Tech Challenge tournament. FIRST Tech Challenge tournaments in Ohio typically occur on Saturday, with preparatory activities taking place the Friday evening before the tournament. The roles required will vary by event and the ones available will be listed on the event page within the Volunteer Registration system. For a list of Ohio FIRST Tech Challenge tournaments please visit the Ohio Qualifying Tournaments page. There is something for everyone to do at our events!

Roles

FIRST volunteers are people from all walks of life.  If you have technical or non-technical expertise, there is a volunteer role suited to your unique interest.Here are just a few of the roles (and volunteer needs per tournament):

  • Crowd Control (4-8) – Facilitate smooth pedestrian traffic flow throughout the facility. Monitor access to the competition field and judging rooms
  • Dean’s List Interviewer (2-4) – Responsible for conducting a 5-7 minute interview and submitting notes for students nominated for the Ohio FIRST Tech Challenge Deans List.
  • Field Technical Advisor/Control Systems Advisor (2-4) – The FTA concentrates on the technical issues with the robots on/near the playing field whereas the CSA assists teams on and off the field with robot control system related issues. Both positions generally are filled by highly technical volunteers that are willing to learn the FTC robot control system, Wi-Fi networking and FTC software applications.
  • Game Announcer (1-2) – The game announcer helps with team introductions, game play commentary and announcing scores.
  • Judge (12-18) – Listens to team presentations. Interviews the teams about their teamwork, game strategy, robot design, engineering notebook documentation and community outreach. Watches game play. Collaborates with other judges to assign awards to teams. (Requires attendance on Friday evening and Saturday for the Championship Tournament)
  • Photographer (1-2) – Takes pictures of each team and helps to capture the overall event.
  • Pit Runner/Queuer (8-10) – Manages the flow of teams to and from the playing field or judging rooms. Stages and position teams in preparation for the start of matches.
  • Referee  (8-10) – Has a thorough knowledge of the Competition Game and Rules of play. Responsible for reading and enforcing the game rules and scoring the robot matches. Works as a team under the direction of the Head Referee.
  • Robot Inspector (2-4) – Robot Inspectors work with the teams to ensure every robot is compliant with the guidelines and rules in the Robot Game Manual.
  • Scorekeeper/Timer (2-3) - Manages and operates the scoring system, including data entry and posting the match results.
  • Team/Volunteer Registration (2-4) – This person is responsible for checking-in teams and volunteers at the start of the event and handing out registration materials.
  • Pit Runner/Queuer (8-10) – Manages the flow of teams to and from the playing field or judging rooms. Stages and position teams in preparation for the start of matches. For a more comprehensive list of all volunteer roles and age requirements, click here

Click here for a complete list of FIRST Tech Challenge volunteer roles and descriptions.

Volunteer Training

Volunteering for an Ohio FIRST Tech Challenge Event

  • All volunteers must create an account and register through the FIRST website.

  • We use the FIRST Event Volunteer Registration system for all of our events. Volunteering for an event is one of the options on your personal FIRST Dashboard on the FIRST website.

To access the FIRST Event Volunteer Registration system:

  • If you already have a FIRST account, enter your FIRST username and password, and click LOG IN

  • If you do not have a FIRST account, click Register in the upper right-hand corner, then fill out the account form

  • Once on your personal Dashboard, select VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION and then EVENT VOLUNTEERING

The FIRST Youth Protection Program

  • At FIRST, Student safety is always a priority. All adult volunteers from the United States and Canada must complete a background screening through the FIRST Volunteer Registration System for the safety of all FIRST team members and participants. There is no charge for this.