Event Volunteer Checklist

1. Event volunteers must create an online profile to apply for and manage your event volunteer applications and assignments on the FIRST Dashboard.   
2. Event Volunteers are required to be 13 years or older. Each event volunteer role has its own minimum age requirements, and these may vary by program. 
   1. Please note: the minimum age to volunteer at FIRST Championship is 15. This will also vary upon role and program. 
3. All volunteers 18 and over from the U.S. and Canada must complete background screening, located on the Dashboard, for the safety of all FIRST team members.  
   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. Login or, if new to FIRST, create an account on the FIRST Dashboard. 
2. Apply to events or programs in the ‘Volunteer Registration’ tab. 
3. Fill out your profile and volunteer information.    
4. Select your availability and choice of up to five (5) roles.  
5. Complete the free youth protection screening (U.S. & Canada).  
6. Complete the Consent and Release form. This form is updated annually. 

Refer to the FIRST website for help articles. 

For Event Volunteers Under 18 (ages 13 - 17) and Not Associated with a Team:  

If you are not currently on a team or registered under your parent/guardian's account, you can follow this process to create your own account.  

1. Create an account on the FIRST Dashboard!  
2. Fill out profile and volunteer information.  
3. Apply to an event or program in the Volunteer Registration tab.  
4. Select your availability and choice of up to five (5) volunteer roles.  
5. Click on the Consent and Release Form and follow instructions to invite your parent or guardian to electronically sign the form on your behalf.  

Refer to the FIRST website for help articles. 

For Event Volunteers Under 18 (ages 13 - 17) and Associated with a Team: 

If you are a student already registered under your parent/guardian’s account, you can use the same email address to log into your own account and volunteer.  

1. Log in to the FIRST Dashboard.  
2. Fill out profile and volunteer information.  
3. Apply to an event or program in the Volunteer Registration tab.  
4. Select your availability and choice of volunteer roles.  

Click on the Consent and Release Form and follow instructions to invite your parent or guardian to electronically sign the form on your behalf (if not already completed).  

Refer to the FIRST website for help articles. 

1. Your Youth Protection Screening status can be accessed under your profile on the top right of the FIRST Dashboard.  
2. If you have questions, would like to be proactive to reach out to the volunteer coordinator 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. Refer to the FIRST website for help articles.
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 for your volunteer coordinator.  
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: 
  • Volunteering with FIRST is an introductory learning module that explores what FIRST is and what it means to volunteer with FIRST.   
  • Inspiring Success Training is for coaches, mentors, volunteers, partners, and other key stakeholders who work directly with students and are committed to creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable teams and are committed to creating a sense of belonging for students. This training is delivered in three modules. We recommend completing each module in one sitting.     
  • 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. 

• 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.

• 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.  
• Have fun! – You will have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded volunteers, see the teams in action, and have an amazing day!