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Event Volunteer Role
Emcee
Bring the energy and spirit of FIRST to life as an Emcee, the enthusiastic voice that guides the audience through match play, team introductions, and ceremonies while celebrating student achievements. If you enjoy public speaking, connecting with teams, and creating a fun, inclusive atmosphere, this high-profile, fast-paced role is a perfect fit!
Volunteer as an Emcee
The Emcee is the energetic and engaging voice of a FIRST event, responsible for setting the tone, maintaining the pace, and creating an exciting, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates teams and their achievements. Emcees introduce teams, guide audiences through match play and ceremonies, offer real-time commentary, and help ensure a smooth and spirited event experience.
Working closely with event staff and volunteers, Emcees spotlight team stories, communicate game rules, and sustain energy throughout the day while prioritizing team recognition and upholding the FIRST Core Values. This highly visible role requires strong public speaking skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to collaborate, adapt, and engage diverse audiences in a fun and respectful manner.
Minimum Age: 18 (must be post-high school or equivalent)
- Exceptions may be granted by event Volunteer Coordinators after review and approval by the local Program Delivery Partner
Experience: Either FIRST or related experience preferred
- FIRST experience strongly preferred
- Prior announcing or public speaking experience highly encouraged
Training: Some pre-event training required
Role Details / Responsibilities:
- Responsible for setting the tone of the competition
- Create and sustain an exciting, fun atmosphere throughout the event
- Emcees should understand that their primary role is to highlight the teams and not dilute the focus by being "a performer" and overshadowing the team focus
- Follow all FIRST guidelines for bias-free communication and professionalism
- Comfortable using a microphone and addressing a large crowd; vocally energetic
- Volunteers should focus on the role they are filling at that event. This includes:
- Helping avoid the appearance of bias by not cheering for one specific team when wearing official event apparel (volunteer shirt or FIRST/Partner staff clothing). Instead, we encourage volunteers to cheer for all teams equally.
- Refrain from accessing sensitive event areas unless they are necessary to fulfill your volunteer role for this event. This can include playing field access, scoring table and judging rooms.
- Wearing volunteer specific apparel (e.g. FTA shirt, Robot Inspector hat, etc) only when filling that specific role
- Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook
Volunteer as an Emcee in four distinct FIRST programs
Learn more about volunteering as an Emcee in each program.
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FIRST LEGO League Explore
Program Role DetailsEmcee with FIRST LEGO League Explore
The Emcee serves as the public voice of the event.
- Provides anecdotal announcements about teams that helps to put them at ease while keeping the audience engaged.
- FIRST LEGO League experience preferred, but not required.
Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator
Role Resources:
-
FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Program Role DetailsEmcee with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
The Emcee serves as the public voice of the event, introducing both teams at the competition table, ensuring both teams are ready, and starting the match.
- Provides anecdotal announcements about teams that helps to put them at ease while keeping the audience engaged.
- Helps the audience visualize the action and excitement through commentary during the robot rounds.
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, maintains the event's pace, and can significantly impact the competition's quality.
- Knowledge of the competition game and rules.
- FIRST LEGO League experience preferred, but not required.
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Tech Challenge
Program Role DetailsEmcee with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Prior experience as an emcee for another FIRST Program(s) is helpful
- Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
- Works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event
- Work closely with the FTA to maintain the schedule and flow of the event
- Meets on-site with Event Management to prepare and rehearse scripts
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
Role Resources:
- Provided by FIRST prior to the start of competition season. May include conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support.
-
FIRST Robotics Competition
program role detailsEmcee with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Prior experience as an emcee for another FIRST Program(s) is helpful
- Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
- Works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event
- Work closely with the FTA to maintain the schedule and flow of the event
- Meets on-site with Event Management to prepare and rehearse scripts
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
- Pre-event training calls
- Practice Day (if applicable) – observe practice matches and become familiar with the game and teams. No Announcing.
- Minimum 2 full day commitment
Role Training: Provided by FIRST prior to the start of competition season. May include conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support.
Reports to: Event Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Role Resources:
-
FIRST Championship
Championship Role DetailsEmcee at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Explore & FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Key Volunteer Role, identified and assigned by Event Manager
- Key face for Closing Ceremonies
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day
- Reports to: Event Manager
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Emcees for the Championship events must be an Emcee at a minimum of two official FIRST Tech Challenge events during the current or previous competition seasons with at least one occurring during the present season.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) commitment at event
- More information with times will be sent before the event
- Reports to: FIRST Staff, Global Key Production and Show Volunteers
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Emcees for the Championship events must be an Emcee at a minimum of two official FIRST Robotics Competition events during the current or previous competition seasons with at least one occurring during the present season.
- Emcees for the Championship events will be selected and approved by FIRST Staff. If interested, please email Blair@firstinspires.org early in the season to be considered.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) commitment at event
- More information with times will be sent before the event
- Reports to: FIRST Staff
Program Role Details
Emcee with FIRST LEGO League Explore
The Emcee serves as the public voice of the event.
- Provides anecdotal announcements about teams that helps to put them at ease while keeping the audience engaged.
- FIRST LEGO League experience preferred, but not required.
Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator
Role Resources:
Program Role Details
Emcee with FIRST LEGO League Challenge
The Emcee serves as the public voice of the event, introducing both teams at the competition table, ensuring both teams are ready, and starting the match.- Provides anecdotal announcements about teams that helps to put them at ease while keeping the audience engaged.
- Helps the audience visualize the action and excitement through commentary during the robot rounds.
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, maintains the event's pace, and can significantly impact the competition's quality.
- Knowledge of the competition game and rules.
- FIRST LEGO League experience preferred, but not required.
Role Resources:
Program Role Details
Emcee with FIRST Tech Challenge
- Prior experience as an emcee for another FIRST Program(s) is helpful
- Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
- Works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event
- Work closely with the FTA to maintain the schedule and flow of the event
- Meets on-site with Event Management to prepare and rehearse scripts
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
Role Resources:
- Provided by FIRST prior to the start of competition season. May include conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support.
program role details
Emcee with FIRST Robotics Competition
- Prior experience as an emcee for another FIRST Program(s) is helpful
- Requires thorough knowledge or ability to learn game and match process
- Works as a team with the Game Announcer to produce a well-organized, thrilling event
- Ensures the smooth flow of match play, and maintains the pace of the event
- Work closely with the FTA to maintain the schedule and flow of the event
- Meets on-site with Event Management to prepare and rehearse scripts
- Attend the daily morning meeting if directed by the Event Manager
- Pre-event training calls
- Practice Day (if applicable) – observe practice matches and become familiar with the game and teams. No Announcing.
- Minimum 2 full day commitment
Role Training: Provided by FIRST prior to the start of competition season. May include conference calls, supporting materials, email communications, and one-on-one support.
Reports to: Event Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Role Resources:
Championship Role Details
Emcee at FIRST Championship
This role is available in the following programs at Championship with the additional requirements below:
FIRST LEGO League Explore & FIRST LEGO League Challenge:
- Key Volunteer Role, identified and assigned by Event Manager
- Key face for Closing Ceremonies
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Wednesday – Saturday, full day
- Reports to: Event Manager
FIRST Tech Challenge:
- Emcees for the Championship events must be an Emcee at a minimum of two official FIRST Tech Challenge events during the current or previous competition seasons with at least one occurring during the present season.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) commitment at event
- More information with times will be sent before the event
- Reports to: FIRST Staff, Global Key Production and Show Volunteers
FIRST Robotics Competition:
- Emcees for the Championship events must be an Emcee at a minimum of two official FIRST Robotics Competition events during the current or previous competition seasons with at least one occurring during the present season.
- Emcees for the Championship events will be selected and approved by FIRST Staff. If interested, please email Blair@firstinspires.org early in the season to be considered.
- Championship Volunteer Time Commitment:
- Minimum 3 full day (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) commitment at event
- More information with times will be sent before the event
- Reports to: FIRST Staff
Event Volunteer Roles