3. Introductions Name Where were you born? Where do you currently live? Where do you currently work? Something unique about yourself In the event of a robot uprising, who is the first person you would call?
4. 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™)
5. FIRST Values Gracious Professionalism TM Away of doing things that encourages high-quality work and integrity, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. Coopertition TMCoopertition 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.
6. FIRST® LEGO® League The LEGO Group and FIRSTpartnered 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
7. FIRST® LEGO® League Hands-on exploration of science and technology Theme-based, theme changes each year Kids address REAL WORLD issues using creative problem solvingwhile 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”
8. 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
11. Your FLL Planning Committee… Is worth the time it takes to assemble Helps the Partner run the program and/or the Championship Tournament Is a group of dedicated, passionate key volunteers Shares the workload Leverages everyone’s expertise Has members who are talented and knowledgeable about their position
12. Planning Committee Makeup Head Referee* Liaison to Regional FIRST Committee Judge Advisor* Administrator - Liaison to FIRST or LEGO Volunteer Coordinator Operational Partner Jr.FLL Coordinator Team Liaison Qualifying TournamentLiaison Fundraiser Marketing & Education PR & Media * Should only serve in this role
13. 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 Students Open House. Invite members from the above groups Invite 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
14. Planning Committee For smaller regions, some roles can be combined Larger regions need to distribute the tasks and roles to make them manageable The more you distribute the workload, the better and stronger your region will be Initially, your Planning Committee may serve as the Tournament Committee
27. Jr.FLLVirginia/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
28. FLL New Partner Training Team Recruitment & RetentionKathy Levine and Rebecca Parks
29. Veteran Partner Presenters Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational Outreach Rebecca ParksAlaska Operational Partner, Juneau Economic Development Council
30. Notes from Ohio Ambassador Teams do demonstrations and outreach in their communities Coach workshops hosted by local tournament organizers and team robot programming workshopshosted by successful teams FLL Kick Off Events includeactivities related to the Project, Robot Game, and Core Values; and more! FLL Camps help jumpstart new teams Quality tournament experiencescreate word-of-mouth program endorsements
37. FLL New Partner Training TournamentsLynn Crockett, Kathy Levine, Rebecca Parks, Colleen Shaver
38. Tournament Committee Roles Head Referee* Jr.FLL Judge Advisor* Event Manager Volunteer Coordinator Facilities Liaison Food Manager Team Liaison Technical Director Fundraiser PR & Media * Should only serve in this role
39. Veteran Partners Lynn CrockettSouthern California Operational Partner, LEGOLAND® Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational Outreach Rebecca ParksAlaska Operational Partner, Juneau Economic Development Council Colleen ShaverMassachusetts Operational Partner, WPI Robotics Resource Center
40. Tournament Experience? - Yes Lynn and Colleen How many teams do you expect to have? How was your tournament experience last year? What are your immediate concerns for next season? Improving your tournament experience Are you close to needing qualifiers? Tournament Experience? - No Kathy and Rebecca How many teams do you expect to have? Getting Started Tournament Committee Head Ref and Judge Advisor Choosing an Event Site Tournament Prep Guide
41. FLL New Partner Training CommunicationsDan Maggio, Kathy Levine, Jeff Rosen
42. Communications Don’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!
43. Communications Happen Throughout the Year Planning CommitteeMonthly conference calls throughout the year Qualifying Tournament HostsWeekly conference calls August to November Championship Tournament CommitteeMonthly calls starting in June, then weekly in the month prior Inquiries from the Public Communications from FLL HQ
45. Veteran Partner Perspectives Kathy LevineOhio Operational Partner, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Educational Outreach Jeff RosenGeorgia Operational Partner, Georgia Institute of Technology
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47. FLL New Partner Training Financial Model - Budget and Fundraising Dan Maggio and Jeff Rosen
48. Budget Develop a comprehensive budget! Activity: Give examples of budget items This same exchange is necessary within your Planning Committee Types of Expenses: Operating, Championship Tournament, Qualifying Tournament A comprehensive list of possible tournament budget items available will be posted to the New Partner Resources space on the Wiki.
51. 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 know Develop that relationship Make a personal visit with a team Sample letters of request Activity: Name some specific sources in your community
