Event Volunteer Checklist

1. Event volunteers must create an online profile on the FIRST Dashboard to apply for and manage your event volunteer applications and assignments.
2. Event Volunteers are required to be 13 years or older. Each event volunteer role has its own recommended minimum age requirements, and these may vary by program. 
   1. Please note: the recommended minimum age to volunteer at FIRST Championship is 15. This will also vary upon role and program. 
3. Volunteers 18 and over are required to complete FIRST Youth Protection Clearance in the FIRST Dashboard in order to volunteer for the season.
   1. Accept Youth Protection Policy for the season
   2. Complete Youth Protection Training in FIRST Training
   3. Volunteers 18 and older from the U.S. and Canada  must complete background screening, located in the Dashboard, for the safety of all FIRST youth participants
      1. U.S. Screening Process Step by Step     
      2. Canadian Screening Process Video 
      3. Youth Protection Screening Frequently Asked Questions   
4. Become familiar with FIRST Programs to help you select an event volunteer role: 
   1. FIRST^® LEGO^® League
      
   2. FIRST^® Tech Challenge 
   3. FIRST^® Robotics Competition 
5. Review event volunteer roles on our website to familiarize yourself with the options before you apply. We have roles in the following categories for all programs: 
   1. Administrative
   2. Around the Field
      
   3. Event Delivery
      
   4. Meet the Teams 
6. Eager to know more? Refer to our FIRST Volunteer Handbook. 

For Adults Ages 18 and Older: 

1. Log in to your existing FIRST Dashboard  or register if you do not already have a FIRST account
2. Click the “Register to Volunteer” blue button on your Dashboard
3. Select the Event Filters you wish to apply such as Program and Location
4. Click the blue “Apply” button
5. Select the blue ‘Volunteer’ button for the event of your choice
6. Complete the Consent and Release for the season
   1. If already completed, this step will be skipped
7. Choose up to five roles and click “Continue”
8. Enter team affiliation, if any, and click “Continue”
9. Add or update your Volunteer Information and click “Next”
10. An application summary screen will appear
11. Complete your required youth protection background screening (U.S. & Canada) 

You will receive an email from your local event coordinator once your registration is complete and you are assigned to a volunteer role. 

Please note that most of our events are managed at the local level, so the Volunteer Coordinator for your event will be your best resource for role-related details such as the status of your application, time commitment/training expectations, and event details/logistics. If they did not provide you with a contact email or phone number, you can message them directly through your FIRST Dashboard. 

For Event Volunteers Under 18 (ages 13 - 17):  

Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to have their parent/guardian create their account on firstinspires.org and to volunteer at an event.  

If they are not currently on a team or registered under a parent/guardian account, you can follow these steps: 

1. Create an account on firstinspires.org if you have not done so already.

2. Once logged in, select ‘My Roles’ from the left menu.

3. Select ‘Parent/Guardian’ and select the blue ‘Add Youth’ button on the upper left.

4. Proceed through the application steps to register a  youth. Registration  includes:

   1. Personal information.

      1. You will need a unique email address for each youth registered.

   2. The Consent and Release form, completed by the parent/guardian.

      1. The Consent and Release form will need to be completed each season by the parent/guardian for each registered youth.

5. At the ‘Apply to Team’ step, please select ‘I’ll do this later.’

6. Once the youth is registered, the youth can sign in and apply to events using the steps in this support article.

7. Please note: the first time the youth logs in using their unique email address, they will need to set up a password for their account by using the ‘Forgot Password’ link and following the prompted steps.

If the youth is already registered under your parent/guardian’s account, you can use the unique email address used to register the  youth to a team to log into the youth’s account to apply to volunteer: 

1. The youth can sign in and apply to events using the steps in this support article.

2. Please note: the first time the youth logs in using their unique email address, they will need to set up a password for their account by using the ‘Forgot Password’ link and following those steps. 

1. Your Youth Protection Screening status can be accessed under your profile on the top right of the FIRST Dashboard.  
2. You can reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator if you have questions, would like to be proactive, or 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.
3. You may also want to contact the local FIRST partners in your area after you apply to be proactive, introduce yourself, and let them know of your interest.  
4. If selected for an event volunteer role, you will receive a volunteer assignment email from your volunteer coordinator with details about your role, shift times, and contact information.  
5. Communications will mainly come from event organizers or volunteer coordinators. They will be available to answer all your questions prior to and during the event. Once registered as a volunteer, communications may also be sent from your local Program Delivery Partner and FIRST Headquarters.  

Volunteers will have access to FIRST Training, our online learning platform, after you complete a volunteer application. You will access FIRST Training through the Dashboard.  

• If the role(s) applied have required online training, the training will be automatically assigned in FIRST Training. 
• You may receive other training specific to your volunteer role outside of FIRST Training. Your Volunteer Coordinator will notify you.  
• Volunteer Ready - At FIRST, student safety is always a priority. Every adult must become familiar with our Core Values, Ethos, and Youth Protection Program. Take the time to become Volunteer Ready by taking this optional training path in FIRST Training after you complete an event volunteer application.  
• Also available in FIRST Training:  
  • Gracious Volunteer Training will allow volunteers to discover how they can represent our mission, embody our Core Values, and master the skills needed to create a welcoming and inspiring FIRST community through customer service.
  • Gracious Volunteer Training for Event Volunteers will walk event volunteers through customer service basics to use at an event through scenarios. 

• General Volunteer Resources - New to volunteering, or looking for more information? This page has resources curated to you. 
• Subscribe to the FIRST Volunteer Newsletter - Stay up to date on the latest news from FIRST Headquarters for FIRST volunteers, including resources and exciting opportunities for volunteering.  
• FIRST Volunteer Handbook - This handbook is full of everything you ever wanted to know about volunteering with FIRST!  
• FIRST website – Search for help articles.
• Volunteer Experience Digital Content - Exclusive digital swag for FIRST volunteers.
• Help Articles - Search for answers to questions event volunteers often ask.

• Volunteer Lounge with Food - Generally, at a full-day or multi-day FIRST event, 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.    
• Volunteer T-Shirt and Name Badge - Depending on the program and event, you may be given a T-shirt and name badge. These appoint you as a FIRST volunteer for the event. These items will grant you access to the areas you will need to access to complete your volunteer role and are also your ticket to the volunteer lounge for food and refreshments throughout the day if a volunteer lounge is provided.    
• Log Your Volunteer Hours - You may want to log your volunteer hours after the event if you are volunteering for school credit, for your employer, or for other reasons. Hours can be logged for the current season only. 
• Have fun! – You will have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded volunteers, see the teams in action, and have an amazing day!