FIRST^® Senior Mentor Program

FIRST^® Senior Mentors (FSMs) recruit and support teams, mentors, coaches, and volunteers while expanding and deepening both the awareness and exposure of the progression of FIRST programs. From the ground-up to the larger community, FIRST Senior Mentors recruit, support, and expand, piece by piece.

Who are FIRST Senior Mentors?

FIRST Senior Mentors (FSMs) are a group of highly skilled and talented technical and non-technical individuals, who focus on recruiting, supporting, and expanding FIRST  programs within their assigned region.

Through outreach events, expositions, and demonstrations FIRST Senior Mentors attract new volunteers, mentors, and coaches to sustain and support FIRST teams across all programs. FIRST  Senior Mentors strengthen and expand FIRST partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and communities.

The FIRST  Senior Mentor program, founded in 2005, is a critical component to an organization that needs people on the ground, working in a hands-on environment. FIRST Senior Mentors work in a cross-program, grassroots approach to recruit, support and expand FIRST.

Map of FIRST Senior Mentors

What do FIRST Senior Mentors do?

Raise awareness about FIRST programs and events in their local community
Support coaches, mentors, and volunteers
Provide technical and non-technical support to FIRST teams
Recruit new teams and connect youth participants to both new and existing teams
Help strengthen existing teams and enable year-to-year growth

How do you become a FIRST Senior Mentor?

FIRST Senior Mentors are recruited through a cross-program nomination process that occurs locally at the collaborative recommendation of their Program Delivery Partners because of their previous relationships with FIRST Programs and their general understanding of the culture of FIRST. Most, if not all FSMs have had existing relationships with FIRST as team mentors, coaches, or event volunteers. FSMs collaborate with each Program Delivery Partner/ Program Delivery Organization in their assigned region to formulate goals around recruiting, supporting, and expanding FIRST. FSMs goals are focused to achieve impact in a limited time commitment of about 10-15 hours per week.

How do I contact my FIRST Senior Mentor?

Reach out to your FIRST Program Delivery Partner and they can connect you with your local FIRST Senior Mentor!

Become a FIRST Senior Mentor

FIRST Senior Mentor Position Description

FIRST^® Senior Mentors (or FSMs) are a group of highly skilled and talented, technical and non-technical individuals serving in various locations across the United States and Canada. Their main focus is on recruiting, supporting, and expanding FIRST programs at the local level.

The FIRST Senior Mentor role has a limited time commitment (about 10-15 hours per week). FIRST Senior Mentors work closely and collaboratively with local Program Delivery Partners in their area. In their service, FIRST Senior Mentors have many opportunities to provide critical support to FIRST in their region. Many FIRST Senior Mentors support local FIRST programs by identifying and recruiting volunteers to be mentors, coaches, and event volunteers while supporting existing teams, mentors, and coaches.

FIRST Senior Mentors are recruited through a nomination process that occurs locally at the recommendation of their local Program Delivery Partners because of their previous relationships with FIRST Programs and their general understanding of the culture of FIRST. Most FIRST Senior Mentors have an existing relationship with FIRST as team mentors, coaches, or event volunteers.

FIRST Senior Mentors serve under an annual contract which can be renewed each year, contingent upon the FIRST Senior Mentor being in good standing with the program. FIRST Senior Mentor contracts typically start on July 1^st and end on June 30^th each year.

How does someone become a FIRST Senior Mentor?

FIRST Senior Mentors are recruited through a nomination process that occurs locally at the recommendation of their local Program Delivery Partners.

Field Responsibilities

Build relationships with volunteer recruitment resources such as companies, professional associations, educational institutions, and other nonprofit organizations for support of FIRST Programs;
Recruit, support and recognize volunteers to serve as FIRST team mentors, coaches, or as event volunteers;
Support teams, mentors, and coaches within their geographic area;
Link, where possible, new volunteers into the existing network of FIRST teams, and to assist in coordinating training and support for new teams, mentors and coaches;
Facilitate and/or conduct presentations and/or skills-building workshops for potential and current mentors, coaches, event volunteers, and teams;
Work within FIRST programs to assess and meet the support needs of volunteers, bolster volunteer motivation and retention, and facilitate volunteer recognition.

Administrative Responsibilities

Develop an annual service plan in collaboration with their local Program Delivery Partners in the areas where they serve
Submit regular member impact data reports and expense reports in compliance with submission deadlines
Participate in teleconferences, web conference meetings, and other trainings (usually twice monthly)

Qualifications and Attributes

The ideal candidate will possess the following professional qualifications, and personal attributes:

Experience as a FIRST volunteer, especially as a team mentor with FIRST^® Robotics Competition, FIRST^® LEGO^® League, or FIRST^® Tech Challenge is strongly preferred
A demonstrated commitment to the FIRST mission and goals
Experience in volunteer recruitment, screening, training, motivation and recognition
An understanding of office and internet technology and the ability to utilize systems
An ability to effectively handle interpersonal situations, including tactfully handling feedback
Flexible, and self-motivated
Highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards
Cross-cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse communities
An ability to travel locally, when needed

Benefits of Service

Each FIRST Senior Mentor is eligible to receive a monthly honorarium payment. This payment is taxable, and the project will not withhold taxes from these payments. The FSM is responsible for paying any and all taxes on these payments.

Each FIRST Senior Mentor is provided with an expense reimbursement allowance to offset FIRST-related expenses, as detailed in the FIRST Travel and Expense Policies
Training and support

FIRST® Senior Mentor Program