Welcome! New Partner

Training

Time Topic

8:45 Ice Breaker

9:00 FIRST, FLL and the FLL Partner

9:15 Planning Committee

9:40 Team Recruitment & Retention

10:10 Break

10:25 Tournaments

11:10 Communications Model

11:40 Financial Model

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Where are all the Resources?

1:30 Volunteers

1:45 Tournament Discussions Continued

2:15 Break

2:30 TRE Training for New Users

Introductions

NameWhere were you born?Where do you currently live?Where do you currently work?Something unique about yourselfIn the event of a robot uprising, who is the first person you would call?

FIRST®History. 1992, 28 teams, New Hampshire high-school gym. 2011, close to 250,000 young people, FIRST Championship, Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri.

Vision. "To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.“ - Dean Kamen, Founder

FIRST is a nonprofit organization made up of four programs:FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®)FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®)FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®)Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL™)

FIRST ValuesGracious Professionalism TM

A way of doing things that encourages high-quality work and integrity, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.

Coopertition TM

Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.

FIRST® LEGO® League

The LEGO Group and FIRST partnered in 1998 to create FLL

Based on MINDSTORMS® NXT robotics

FIRST creates the program and designs the Challenge with experts, LEGO creates the product

In 2011, 19,800 teams expected worldwide

Volunteer-run program

Friendly competition, focus on the kids

FIRST® LEGO® League

Hands-on exploration of science and technology

Theme-based, theme changes each year

Kids address REAL WORLD issues using creative problem solving while learning life skills

Up to ten kids with at least one adult coach

Three main program components - Robot Game, Challenge Project, Core Values - define What We Do and How We Do It

Ages 9-14 in US and Canada, 9-16 outside of US and Canada

Say “FLL” not “LEGO League”

Say LEGO bricks, pieces and elements – not “LEGOs”

Who is the FLL Operational Partner?

Provides vision, leadership and management

Embraces the mission and Core Values of FLL

Participates in the Partner community

Maintains quality standards on tournaments & administration

Can identify needed roles and delegate responsibilities

Has exceptional communication skills

Sets goals with FIRST & LEGO for growth and program direction

Offers a tournament experience for teams

Primary point of contact for FLL in their region

Time Topic

8:45 Ice Breaker

9:00 FIRST, FLL and the FLL Partner

9:15 Planning Committee

9:40 Team Recruitment & Retention

10:10 Break

10:25 Tournaments

11:10 Communications Model

11:40 Financial Model

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Where are all the Resources?

1:30 Volunteers

1:45 Tournament Discussions Continued

2:15 Break

2:30 TRE Training for New Users

FLL New Partner Training

The Planning CommitteeDan Maggio

Your FLL Planning Committee…

Is worth the time it takes to assembleHelps the Partner run the program and/or the Championship TournamentIs a group of dedicated, passionate key volunteersShares the workloadLeverages everyone’s expertiseHas members who are talented and knowledgeable about their position

Qualifying Tournament

Liaison

Marketing & Education

Volunteer Coordinator

PR & Media

Administrator - Liaison to

FIRST or LEGO

Liaison to Regional FIRST

Committee

Jr.FLL Coordinator

Head Referee*

Fundraiser

Judge Advisor*

Team Liaison

Operational Partner

* Should only serve in this role

Planning Committee Makeup

Planning Committee MembersWhere do they come from?

Colleagues, Science Centers, Museums, K-12 Teachers, Higher Ed, Other FIRST Activities, Local Businesses, Nonprofits with a similar mission, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, College StudentsOpen House. Invite members from the above groupsInvite an FLL team if possible. If not, Skype one in with the help of a veteran Partner!Promote FLL, explain your mission, layout the roles, ask for volunteers to join the cause

Planning Committee

For smaller regions, some roles can be combined Larger regions need to distribute the tasks and roles to make them manageableThe more you distribute the workload, the better and stronger your region will beInitially, your Planning Committee may serve as the Tournament Committee

Planning v. Tournament Committee

Planning Tournament

Head Referee X X

Judge Advisor X X

Volunteer Coordinator X X

Team Liaison X X

Fundraising X X

PR & Media X X

Marketing & Education X

Qualifying Tournament Liaison X

Administrator X

Event Manager X

Facilities Liaison X

Technical Manager X

Food Manager X

Jr.FLL ? ?

Planning Committee ExamplesArizona has an 18-member planning committee for FLL, • Regional tournament directors• Key volunteers, such as our state

Judge Advisor, Head Referee and Volunteer Coordinator.

• The committee meets via teleconference year-round, but at least weekly during FLL season.

• Key decisions are approved through the Planning Committee,

Virginia/DC’s committee includes a Technology Director, Judge Advisor, Coach Advisor, Referee Advisor, Marketing/Public Relations, Outreach, Volunteer Coordinator, Jr. FLL Advisor, Members-At-Large (4-H Outreach), FLL Administrator, FIRST Senior Mentors

Michigan has a Planning Committee made up of smaller committees handling • Judging• Refereeing• Ambassadors (outreach

and recruitment)• Coach Workshops• Tournaments• Tournament Registration• Web Presence• Teams• Jr.FLL

FLL New Partner Training

Team Recruitment & RetentionKathy Levine and Rebecca Parks

Veteran Partner Presenters

Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational OutreachRebecca ParksAlaska Operational Partner, Juneau Economic Development Council

Notes from Ohio

Ambassador Teams do demonstrations and outreach in their communities

Coach workshops hosted by local tournament organizers and team robot programming workshops hosted by successful teams

FLL Kick Off Events include activities related to the Project, Robot Game, and Core Values; and more!

FLL Camps help jumpstart new teams

Quality tournament experiences create word-of-mouth program endorsements

Notes from AlaskaApril/May - ideal time for school outreach Principals have end-of-year funds they have to spend Early summer, meetings for principals &

superintendents

Reaching under-served groups. Not always in the right communication circles Targeted effort Who is getting get grant money for outreach efforts Meet with the program coordinator to present FIRST

Vendor events - state fairs, music festivals, farmer's markets Thousands of people in a short period of time Great activity for a team

Recruitment Presentation Tools

Teams sell the FLL program best

FIRST PowerPoint Presentation

FLL/Jr.FLL PowerPoint Presentation

Get in the Game on YouTube

An actual Field Setup Kit if one is available

LEGO NXT robot or kit

Body Forward Robot Missions video

Any number of YouTube videos showing the Robot Competition or Project Presentation

FLL Marketing Materials

Additional videos

Program Costs

15-30 minutes with items above, then time for Q & A

FLL New Partner TrainingTournaments

Lynn Crockett, Kathy Levine, Rebecca Parks, Colleen Shaver

Food Manager

Technical Director

Volunteer Coordinator

PR & Media

Jr.FLL

Facilities Liaison

Head Referee*

Fundraiser

Judge Advisor*

Team Liaison

Event Manager

* Should only serve in this role

Tournament Committee Roles

Veteran PartnersLynn CrockettSouthern California Operational Partner, LEGOLAND®

Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational OutreachRebecca ParksAlaska Operational Partner, Juneau Economic Development CouncilColleen ShaverMassachusetts Operational Partner, WPI Robotics Resource Center

Tournament Experience? - NoKathy and Rebecca1. How many teams do

you expect to have?2. Getting Started3. Tournament

Committee4. Head Ref and Judge

Advisor5. Choosing an Event

Site6. Tournament Prep

Guide

Tournament Experience? - YesLynn and Colleen1. How many teams do

you expect to have?2. How was your

tournament experience last year?

3. What are your immediate concerns for next season?

4. Improving your tournament experience

5. Are you close to needing qualifiers?

FLL New Partner Training

CommunicationsDan Maggio, Kathy Levine, Jeff Rosen

CommunicationsDon’t underestimate the impact of communications

Communicate with … Teams/Coaches, Planning Committee, Tournament Committee, Volunteers, Qualifying Tournament Hosts, General Public, Media, FLL HQ, Regional FIRST Steering Committee

Who is in responsible for each?

Means of Communication? Web, surveys, phone calls, e-mails, mailings, face to face meetings

Websites are a powerful means of communications

Can occur all year long. Schedule in advance!

Comfortable with technology, organized and use a calendar!

Communications Happen Throughout the Year

Planning CommitteeMonthly conference calls throughout the yearQualifying Tournament HostsWeekly conference calls August to NovemberChampionship Tournament CommitteeMonthly calls starting in June, then weekly in the month priorInquiries from the PublicCommunications from FLL HQ

Communications Model ExampleGroup Method of Comm. Who’s

Responsible?

Teams – Incoming questions Email from teams (teams@xxfll.org)

Team Liaison

Teams – outgoing announcements Email teams through TRE or posts to website

Team Liaison or Webmaster

Planning Committee Email, conference call Partner

Volunteers Email, website Volunteer Coordinator

Public – incoming inquiries Email (inquiry@xxfll.org)

Marketing & Education Chair

FLL HQ Email, phone Partner or Administrator

Championship Tournament Committee

Email, conference calls, in-person meetings

Event Manager

Qualifying Tournament Hosts Email, conference call Qualifying Tournament Liaison

Media/Sponsors Email, phone PR & Media Chair

FIRST Regional Steering Committee Email, conference call Partner

Teams and Tournament Hosts – post season feedback

Web survey Partner

Veteran Partner Perspectives

Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational Outreach Jeff RosenGeorgia Operational Partner, Georgia Institute of Technology

FLL New Partner Training

Financial Model - Budget and Fundraising

Dan Maggio and Jeff Rosen

BudgetDevelop a comprehensive budget!Activity: Give examples of budget itemsThis same exchange is necessary within your Planning CommitteeTypes of Expenses: Operating, Championship Tournament, Qualifying TournamentA comprehensive list of possible tournament budget items available will be posted to the New Partner Resources space on the Wiki.

Championship TournamentSample Budget Items

Official FLL Awards Judges Shirts Competition Table Stands

Official FLL Medals Competition Tables Custodial Fees

Food and Beverages- Volunteer/Referee/Judge Venue Rental Referee Shirts

Table/Chair Rental Field Setup Kits Insurance

EMT Services Projector and Screen Cones/Caution Tape/Rope/Stanchions

Volunteer Shirts DJ Photographer

Clipboards Audio Visual - Projectors - Screens First Aid Kit

Timers/Stopwatches Power Supplies Gaffer's Tape or Mats

Robot Tables cleaning and touch-up supplies Communication Devices

Signs and PrintingDirectional signage, event programs, judge and referee sheets, consent and release forms, schedules, team lists,

venue maps

Office Supplies pens, pencils, scissors, staplers, pads of paper, sharpies, scotch tape, masking tape, tissue, markers, big post-its,

printer paper, 9x12 envelopes

General Operating Sample Budget Items

Phone, Conference Call Line Internet

Local Travel Partner Conference Travel

Computers Office Equipment

Office Supplies Marketing Materials

In Person Meetings Website

Partner Salary Team Hardship Stipends

Postage/Shipping Staff/Admin Assistant

World Festival Travel (Partner and team support)

Fundraising

Sources of funding? Foundations, companies, fund raisers, local philanthropic organizations, government grants, Rotary Club, Optimist Club, local business, etc.Making contacts within organization – often, it is about who you knowDevelop that relationshipMake a personal visit with a teamSample letters of requestActivity: Name some specific sources in your community

List Examples Within Your Community

Source Examples

Foundations

Philanthropic Organizations

Companies

Government Grants

Local Business

Fundraisers

FLL New Partner Training

ResourcesDan Maggio

One-stop resource pagehttps://firstlegoleague-newpartners.pbworks.com/w/page/40365284/List-of-Resources

People Resources• FLL Partner

Network• FTC Partners• Regional Directors• Senior Mentors• FLL Staff

FLL Partner Resources

Material Resources• Manuals• Marketing

Materials• Websites• Handouts• Etc.

FLL New Partner Training

Volunteers

Volunteers – The Heart of FLL

Mark Edelman, Northern California

Damian Garcia, New York – Finger Lakes

Laura Melnik, Florida

Zack Melnik, Florida

Cathy Swider, Oregon

o Where do you get your volunteers?

o What training do you offer? Is it centralized? Web based?

o Where do you use volunteers?

o Who manages the volunteers?

o How do you recognize them?