Chesapeake Connect

Volunteer News

Volume 1 | Issue 8

Howdy!


Welcome to the latest edition of Chesapeake Connect!


Newsletter Highlights:

  • District Volunteer Coordinator Introduction
  • Recruiting New Positions
  • Summer Volunteer Celebrations- August 17th
  • FTC Virtual Training RSVP
  • 2024-2025 Season Schedule Volunteer Tips and Reminders


Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more updates! Thank you for your dedication to the FIRST Chesapeake community!


Peace, Love, and Robots,

Shelly, Isaiah, Anne, and Alex

 
 

The Catch-up

 
 

Meet our New District Volunteer Coordinator



Please join us in a warm welcome to Jen Scharl, our new District Volunteer Coordinator. Jen brings a breadth of experience in FIRST volunteers as an alumna, coach, mentor, and veteran volunteer.


She will be helping with our Sub District Volunteer Liaisons who will all work closely together with both the FRC and FTC Directors and event VCs to help manage, recruit, and retain volunteers throughout our District.

 
Learn More & Apply
 
 

NEW ROLE: Equipment Managers for 2024-2025 Season


FIRST Chesapeake is seeking Equipment Managers to join our team to support FRC and FTC events.


The role involves:

  • supporting operational processes
  • executing production plans
  • maintaining high quality for events
 
Learn More & Apply
2023 FRC Champs

Recruiting Event Lead Volunteers Now!


FIRST Chesapeake is working hard to recruit event leads for the upcoming season. These include:

Head Refs

Lead Robot Inspectors

Lead Scorekeepers FTAs

Field Inspectors and Supervisors

Emcees


Interested in being in a leadership role this coming season? Let us know. Contact the FRC Director or FTC Director to express your interest!

 
 

Cheers to You - RSVP and let us know you're coming!


We want to celebrate all that you do to contribute to the Chesapeake Community! We would be honored to raise a toast to you and your dedication to providing accessible STEM programs for students in Chesapeake.


Northern Celebration

  • August 17, 2024 | 12pm to 4pm
  • Silver Branch Brewing Co in Silver Spring, MD


South Celebration

  • August 17, 2024 | 12pm to 4pm
  • Högwaller Brewing in Charlottesville, VA
RSVP North
RSVP South
 
 

FTC Volunteer Training Opportunities


We are excited to announce a round of FTC Virtual Volunteer Trainings this August. If you have ever been interested in learning more about a role, join in these interactive and engaging introductory sessions lead by our talented lead volunteers.

 

Schedule

All sessions will be from 7-8pm.

August 6

Judge

Volunteer Coordinator

August 13

Inspector

Event Manager

August 20

Scorekeeper

FTA

August 27

Referee


RSVP for FTC Virtual Training
 
 
 

We want to meet your crew


Alright Awesome FIRST Chesapeake Community, we need your help! 


In an effort to recruit volunteers in local geographic locations, please send an introduction email connecting either the FRC Director or FTC Director to your local contacts.


When your friends are my friends, and my friends are your friends, the happier we'll be! 

Let's Connect!
 
 

New Volunteer Emails


In order to provide more clarity and streamline operations, we will be switching over all volunteer emails to a new volunteer specific sub-domain.


No action is required and you will receive an email detailing the change process.

2024-2025 Season Schedule

FTC Schedule


November

November 23, 2024

Albemarle High School

Charlottesville, VA


November 23, 2024

DC International

Washington, DC


November 24, 2024

DC International

Washington, DC


December

December 7, 2024

Francis Scott Key High School

Union Bridge


December 8, 2024

Quince Orchard High School

Gaithersburg, MD


December 14, 2024

Glen Allen 1- Deep Run High

Glen Allen, VA


December 15, 2024

Glen Allen 2- Deep Run High

Glen Allen, VA


January

January 11, 2025

Applied Physics Lab 1

Laurel, MD


January 12, 2025

Applied Physics Lab 2

Laurel, MD


January 12, 2025

Cape Henry Collegiate

Virginia Beach, VA


January 18, 2025

Garrett College

McHenry, MD


January 18, 2025

Harrisonburg High School

Harrisonburg, VA


January 19, 2025

Harrisonburg High School

Harrisonburg, VA


January 19, 2025

Herndon High School

Herndon, VA


January 25, 2025

Bassett High School

Bassett, VA


January 25, 2025

Moorefield Middle School WV

Moorefield, WV


Championship

February 8, 2025

Silver Spring, MD

Wheaton High School


FRC Schedule


Week 1

Feb 28-Mar 2, 2025

Deep Run High School

Glen Allen, VA


Week 2

March 7-9, 2025

Chesapeake HS

Pasedena, MD


Week 2

March 7-9, 2025

Churchland High School

Portsmouth, VA


Week 3

March 14-16, 2025

Walt Whitman High School

Bethesda, MD


Week 4

March 21-23, 2025

Blacksburg High School

Blacksburg, VA


Week 4

March 21-23, 2025

Hayfield Secondary

Alexandria, VA


Championship

April 3-6, 2025

Showplace Arena

Marlboro, MD






Attention ALL Volunteers:



  • Save the date and mark your calendars for any events from November to April that you are available for!



  • We are looking to have more cross program volunteering. Want to move into being a referee but were worried about doing it at the FRC level, start with FTC!


  • All events are located on the FIRST Chesapeake website calendar as well.
 

Volunteer Reminders



Update your FIRSTInspires Dashboard: 

Before the season begins, please ensure your FIRST Inspires Dashboard is up-to-date with accurate contact information and preferences. This will help us communicate with you efficiently and keep you informed about the latest updates and opportunities.


Consent and Release Form: 

Safety is our top priority, and in compliance with FIRST policies, we kindly request all volunteers to complete and submit the Consent and Release form. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and essential for the smooth functioning of our events.


Youth Protection Program (YPP) Training: 

As mentors and volunteers, we play a crucial role in providing a safe and supportive environment for our youth. To ensure everyone's safety, please complete the required YPP training. The safety and well-being of our participants are at the heart of everything we do.


Sign Up for Events:

  1. Event sign up located here.
  2. FRC Volunteer Registration begins October 31, 2024.
  3. Sign up for events you know you can attend. You may be assigned to all events you sign up for.
  4. Sign up for the events that you really want. At most, two or three top choices are recommended.
  5. You don't have to sign up for 5 roles even though it prompts you to.


Check out the available resources: 

Stop by the FIRST Inspires website for available resources.




Your contribution as a volunteer is immeasurable, and we are immensely grateful for your continued support. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these bright young minds and foster a passion for STEM that will shape their future.


Thank you,

Shelly, Isaiah, Anne, and Alex


The Chesapeake Connection

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