FTC Link

FIRST Chesapeake's Monthly FTC News

Stay informed and connected!

🇺🇸 Welcome to the July FTC Link Newsletter! 🇺🇸

Check out this month's highlights and reminders!

This month's newsletter at a glance:

• Registration
• Qualifier Selection Process
• Volunteer Expectations for upcoming season
• Final Season Schedule
• Kickoff Event Information
• Field Element Orders
• Volunteer Roles Needed
• Virtual Volunteer Training in August- RSVP required
• Stay Connected!

Qualifier Selection Process

Thank you for the community feedback that you all shared after last season's qualifier selection process. In an effort to ensure all types of teams have what is needed to make plans for the upcoming season, the Qualifier Selection Process will be the following:

Prior to Selection (beginning 9/12):

Both FIRST ($295) and FIRST Chesapeake ($450) registrations must be paid and secured prior to selecting your Qualifiers.

***If your school needs an invoice, please ensure that you let Shelly and Phyllis know so that one can be issued.

Final Rosters available for all events by October 1, 2024.

FINAL Schedule for 2024-2025

Into the Deep

This is the final schedule for next season.

This schedule is subject to change.

Kickoff Events

Kickoff is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for September 7, 2024 at noon EST.

We have several locations to choose from this season for a Kickoff experience for your team. RSVP links will be available in the August 1 newsletter.

• Southwest VA at Christiansburg Recreation Center
• Norfolk VA at Norfolk Academy
• Richmond VA at Maggie Walker Governor's School
• McHenry MD at Garret College
• Haymarket VA at Battlefield High School
• Aberdeen MD at Discovery Center
• Washington DC at DC International School
• Laurel, MD at Cap Tech

We Need Your Network!

Alright teams, it is time to set expectations for your students and their families! As you kick off the new season, make sure you let your families know that volunteering at events is expected.

All Teams are asked to supply at least ONE volunteer for an event during the season. We have roughly 260+ teams and if each team has 5 -7 parents volunteer just one time at an event, this would open our volunteer pool up by as many as 1300 volunteers!!

Roles for parents/families would include:

Robot Inspectors

Pit Admin

Volunteer Check In

Queuers

Field Re-setters

So, make sure your team and their families understand this important expectation. Without the support of our community, we cannot hold quality events.

Also, make sure that your former team members who are now Alumni come back to volunteer as well.

Pre-Order Game Element Sets

Don't forget that Andymark is now accepting pre-orders for game element sets. Don't wait until after Kickoff to place your order!

Volunteer Roles Available

FIRST Chesapeake has some terrific leadership roles available!

NEEDED:

FTC District Lead Robot Inspector



Event Leads for Scorekeepers and Inspectors

RECRUITING:

NEW Position! Equipment Manager



Sub District Volunteer Coordinators This position closes on July 30th.

August Virtual FTC Volunteer Training

August 6. Judge

August 6. Volunteer Coordinator

August 13. Event Manager

August 13. Inspector

August 20. Scorekeeper

August 20. FTA

August 27. Referees

Use this link to choose the virtual training you or someone in your network would like to attend and RSVP using the link. Please RSVP by August 2. Zoom links will be sent based on RSVPs. Thanks!

Not on Slack...It is time to fix that!

Join our Slack Community for better communication among teams! This is a great way to connect with other teams, mentors, and FIRST Chesapeake Staff.

Stay Connected!

• Slack Channel
• Team Blasts from FIRST
• FTC Link Monthly Newsletter (Around the 1st of each month)
• Chesapeake Connect Volunteer Newsletter (Around the 8th of each month)
• Office Hours
• Email
• Website

Need to talk? Have a question?

Sign up and stop by for my office hours on Wednesdays between 4-6pm and Fridays from 11am-1pm.

NEW! Virtual Suggestion Box!

Do you have an idea or suggestion that might help us improve?

Share it here!

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Thanks,

Shelly Stoddard

sstoddard@firstchesapeake.org