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Sign Up to Be an Event Volunteer!
Our Volunteer Coordinators are hard at work assigning positions for our eleven FIRST Robotics Competition events in New England! If you're interested in volunteering at a District Event or District Championship, sign up in the Volunteer Information Management System (VIMS). Information about how to use VIMS can be found here. Interested in volunteering but not sure what it entails? Check out the volunteer position descriptions.
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2016 Volunteer of the Year Nominations
At each District Event and at District Championship, we select a "Volunteer of the Year," an individual, business, or organization who consistently excels in their efforts in leadership, community impact, community involvement, personal commitment, and involvement with the program over an extended period of time. This year, we are giving you the chance to nominate a FIRST community member to be considered for the award.
The nomination form can be found here. If you would like to nominate a volunteer for the award at a specific event, you may indicate it on the form; however, this section is optional and nominees can be considered for all New England events.
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Inspire Blog
Have you checked out the new Inspire blog yet? The mission of the Inspire blog is to inspire young people, and additionally, the people that touch their lives, including parents, educators, mentors, and future employers. Inspire will cover a wide range of topics, from education best practices to stories from members of the FIRST community. Examples include the recent posts by Dr. Woodie Flowers, Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and Drew McConnell, Manager of Digital Learning at FIRST.
If you have an inspiring story or piece of wisdom that you've picked up through your experiences in the FIRST community, send an email to inspire@firstinspires.org and inquire about becoming a guest writer for Inspire. Updates will be posted frequently and can be monitored by subscribing to the RSS feed.
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Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
The Virtual Kit of Parts went live today at noon! Items in the Virtual Kit are included as part of the Kit of Parts system and are available to all registered and secured 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition teams. They consist of software licenses/downloads and Product Donation Vouchers (aka "PDVs" or "vouchers").
Vouchers can be redeemed for specific items or a selection of items up to a specific dollar amount (teams pay for shipping), but refer to the Virtual Kit site for details on how to pursue these helpful donations. Additional items will be added to the Virtual Kit on Kickoff, so make sure to comb through the paper in the Kickoff Kits and check back to the Virtual Kit site then.
More information can be found on the blog. Be sure to update your RSS feed subscription for the new FIRST Robotics Competition blog to receive updates as soon as they're published!
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"Last Chance to Ask an Expert" Event
The Last Chance to Ask an Expert seminar is happening again this year on Friday, Jan. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at FIRST HQ in Manchester, NH. FIRST Senior Mentor Dana Henry, along with a panel of mentors, VISTAs and possibly FIRST staff members, will be available in person as a resource to the FRC community. Looking for advice? Need questions answered before going into Build season? This is your last chance before Kickoff to relax, have some good conversation and get your answers.
Feel free to stop by at any point during the event! If you have any questions, email Dana at dhenry@firstinspires.org.
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District Event Hotel Reservations
Teams that are looking to book hotels for a Regional or District event can do so through Experient. If your team is traveling to an event this season, we highly recommend reserving rooms in the official FIRST housing block.
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Save the Date: NE FIRST District Championship Alumni Event
On Friday, April 15, 2016, the second day of District Championship, we will be hosting an alumni networking event after matches conclude for the day. The event will be open to all alumni in the New England area, as well as graduating seniors on any FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge team. Stay tuned for more details! Alumni and graduating seniors can sign up here to receive information about the event and other NE FIRST alumni initiatives.
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YPP Safety Meeting Reminder
As part of the FIRST Youth Protection Policy (YPP), all teams are required to hold a meeting specifically to address issues around standards of behavioral conduct and team member safety. The safety meeting should address the YPP Code of Conduct, found on page 11 of the YPP Program Guide, and a discussion about appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior.
The FIRST Team Safety Meeting Guide video can be watched here.
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Upcoming Important Dates
By now, everyone should have registered for their two district events and their kickoff events (if not, please contact your Regional Director ASAP to explain the situation). Here's a list of upcoming important dates:
FIRST Choice Opens for Live Orders
Friday, Dec. 11, noon
FIRST Choice login information can be found in TIMS for registered teams. Credit allotments are live at FIRSTChoiceByAndyMark.com. See the blog for more details on the FIRST Choice process.
NASA Grant Educational Sponsor Letter (for NASA Grant recipient teams only)
Monday, Dec. 15, 9 p.m. EST
Send by email to arc-frc-grants@mail.nasa.gov with team number and school name in subject line.
FIRST Choice Round 2 begins
Saturday, Jan. 9, noon
Additional credits will be issued and unused credits carry over.
FIRST Choice Round 2 Team Priority Lists due
Saturday, Jan. 16, noon
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Upcoming Events
Connecticut Science Center Robotics Day
Saturday, Dec. 12
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06106
To register for the event in advance, contact Brit Montmeat at 860-520-2112 or bmontmeat@ctsciencecenter.org.
Last Chance to Ask an Expert
Friday, Jan. 8
1-4 p.m.
FIRST Place
200 Bedford St., Manchester, NH 03101
2016 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff
Saturday, Jan. 9
Broadcast starts at 10 a.m.
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