Get Involved

Watch competitions!

Be an Attendee @ Practice Meets (MRI and Minne Mini)

Purpose – Support the students at a practice meet. Have fun! Learn about competitions.

Summary – Come cheer on our team at a practice event using last year’s robot. Gracious professionalism only! It is a great time to learn about team and event etiquette which is different than most sports. Cheer on the team in the stands, or talk to other teams about their robot in the pits

Time Required – As little or as much as you want. Up to 9 hours

Pre-Season – Mid October & Mid November

Be an Attendee @ Week Zero Competition

Purpose – Support the students at our practice meet. Have fun! Learn about competitions.

Summary – Join in as we take pride in hosting this pre-season event at Irondale HS with the newly designed robot and replica game board. Cheer on all the teams troubleshooting their own new robots in real matches.

Time Required – As little or as much as you like. Up to 7 hours

Pre-Season – Late February

Be an Attendee @ Regional Events

Purpose – Support the students at a qualification meet. These are the FIRST competitions where midwestern teams from our region compete and attempt to qualify for the world championships.

Summary – Come sit with the students and use the cheers you learned in the practice and pre-season competitions. If we qualify here we can go to Champs (aka Worlds). These are exciting competitions.

Time Required – 1 to 3 days (depending on the event).

Competition Season – March

Abilities Needed – Transportation required. Often a regional is held in the Twin Cities. Others can be 2+ hours drive each way (Duluth, MN; Lacrosse, WI; Cedar Rapids, IA, etc.). An overnight stay is necessary for more than one day attendance. Severe winter weather during travel is possible.

Attend our reveal night

Purpose – Come support the students as they wrap up pre-season by presenting the robot they’ve worked on for 6 weeks.

Time Required – 2 hours

Pre-Season – Late February / early March

Come to the Year end banquet

Summary – A night to celebrate the end of the season, honor our teams accomplishments; recognize those who’ve achieved academic excellence during the year, thank mentors, and honor graduating seniors. We also introduce our new leadership team at this event.

Time Required – 2 hours

Post-Season – May

Volunteering – one day at a time

Many parents are hesitant to volunteer time to their student’s organizations. Sometimes you don’t know exactly what you are getting into. You volunteer for a simple task and all-of-a-sudden you have more responsibility and time commitment than you asked for. To combat this we’ve tried to tightly define our volunteer roles and responsibilities and give our best estimates of how much time each role will take. You can volunteer as a one and done, or just when it works for your schedule. We welcome you to get involved and recognize all families have busy calendars. That’s ok, we’re glad to have your help when you can.

What follows are a list of what volunteer roles are available during the robotics season.

Ridesharing / Carpooling

Purpose – To help students who may not have access to transportation to our outreach events or practice meets or even meetings. If you have a car and are bringing your student to an event already, consider offering to rideshare with a student in your area who needs a ride.

Time Required – As long as it would take you to get there anyway, plus a little time to pick up / drop off another student

All Season – various all year

Abilities Needed – Minnesota driver’s license, insured vehcile and room in vehicle for one or more extra students

Reports To – Slack, rideshare channel

Background Check / Application Required – No

January – Build Season – Saturday lunches

Build Season Lunch Coordinator

Purpose – Feed the students, mentors, and volunteer parents on build season Saturdays so they can keep working the entire day.

Summary – The build season lunch coordinator creates sign-up opportunities for parents to provide dishes during Saturday meetings. Then, the coordinator ensures that serving utensils and spaces are ready for meal prep, serving, and clean up.

Time Required – Approx. 4 hours/Saturday during build season + 30min/week for form creation

Season – Saturdays during build season (1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 for 2023)

Abilities Needed – Organizational abilities, food preparation

Reports To – Advisor/slack channel as needed during the day

Background Check / Application Required – No

Build Season Lunch Donators

Purpose – Support the Lunch Coordinator in feeding the students, mentors, and volunteers.

Summary – The build season lunch donator responds to the needs relayed by the build season lunch coordinator and follows up by bringing an assigned lunch food (e.g. chips, drinks, salad, taco meat, etc.) to contribute to the team build season lunch on Saturday meeting dates.

Time Required – 1-2 hours

Season – Saturdays during build season (1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 for 2023)

Abilities Needed – Food preparation.

Reports To – Build season lunch coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

January – Build Season – Saturday field construction

Week Zero Field Build Coordinator

Purpose – Coordinates field element builds and construction during Saturday meetings

Summary – KnightKrawler volunteers build a complete competition field primarily out of wood for teams to compete on at the Week Zero practice event. The Build Coordinator coordinates the volunteers to make this happen.

Time Required – Approx. 8 hours/Saturday during build season and approx. 4-6 hours per day setup/takedown for week zero

Season – Saturdays during build season (1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/24, 2/25 for 2023)

Abilities Needed – Project organization, reading CAD drawings, general wood construction knowledge, ability to pick up and haul supplies

Reports To – Mentors

Background Check / Application Required – No

Week Zero Field Builders

Purpose – Participates in building field elements during Saturday meetings

Summary – KnightKrawler volunteers build a complete competition field primarily out of wood for teams to compete on at the Week Zero practice event. The builders make the field sub-assemblies under direction of the Build Coordinator.

Time Required – Approx. 8 hours/Saturday during build season and approx. 4-6 hours per day setup/takedown for week zero

Season – Saturdays during build season (1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/24, 2/25 for 2023)

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary, but wood construction skills are helpful

Reports To – Week Zero Field Build Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

Week Zero Field Painters

Purpose – Participates in painting the field elements during Saturday meetings

Summary – KnightKrawler volunteers build a complete competition field primarily out of wood for teams to compete on at the Week Zero practice event. Painters decorate the field sub-assemblies under direction of the Build Coordinator.

Time Required – Between 4 and 8 hours

Season – Saturdays during build season (1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 for 2023)

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary, but painting skills are helpful.

Reports To – Week Zero Field Build Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

February – Week Zero Event volunteers

Week Zero Coordinator

Purpose – Coordinates concessions, raffle, parking, and other Week Zero logistics

Summary – The coordinator is responsible for running the Week Zero event. Duties will include (but not limited to) signing up volunteers, making sure concesions equipment is ready, coordinating the event volunteers, and collecting raffle prizes.

Time Required – Varies, duration of Week Zero

Season – Varies, 2/24 and 2/25 for sure

Abilities Needed – Organization skills, event management.

Reports To – Advisor / slack channel as needed during the day

Background Check / Application Required – No

Week Zero Event Volunteers

Purpose – Participates in Week Zero operations including parking, raffle, meal, concessions, float, and runner.

Summary – It takes many volunteers to run this event. Most of the volunteer positions do not require any special skills, but it is helpful to have volunteers who have run concession stands in the past.

Time Required – 4 hour shift(s)

Season – 2/25 (2023)

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary, concessions experience helpful

Reports To – Week Zero Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

February, March, April – Competition Local Chaperone

Purpose – Support mentors in making sure students are accounted for and help those who want to get lunch outside the venue

Summary – This volunteer needs to be present during the competition through lunch time. Enjoy the matches and be available to help a small group of students go find lunch on their own outside the venue. Also, help students remember to return from lunch for any scouting shift.

Time Required – 4-6 hours

Abilities Needed – Ability to attend event for 4-6 hours (bright lights / loud music / cheering). Able to physically get around inside and outside the event center with students.

Reports To – Advisor / slack channel as needed during the day

Background Check / Application Required – No

February, March, April – Competition Travel Chaperone

Purpose – Support mentors in making sure students are accounted for and help a small group of students get lunch during events and remember their important deadlines throughout the day.

Summary – This volunteer needs to be present during the competition, from early morning through lights out. Enjoy the matches and be available to help a small group of students go find lunch on their own outside the venue. Also, help students remember to return from lunch for any scouting shift.

Time Required – 16 hours / day for 2-4 days depending on event

Abilities Needed – Ability to attend event for 8-10 hours (bright lights / loud music / cheering). Able to enter / exit coach bus. Able to physically get around inside and outside the event center, hotel, etc. with students.

Reports To – Advisor / slack channel as needed during the day

Background Check / Application Required – Yes

May – Outreach events

Coming Soon!

July – THAT Conference – chaperones / rideshares

Purpose – Provide transportation to the Wisconsin Dells.

Summary – THAT conference is a tech conference occurring every summer at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. The students and mentors run the kid’s activity room each day of the conference and demonstrate last season’s robot at one of the dinners.

Time Required – 3 to 4 days

Abilities Needed – Can drive for 3 to 4 hours a day and transport students. May have to provide your own room

Reports To – Scott Davis (Mentor)

Background Check / Application Required – No

July, August – Farmers Market

Farmer’s Market Booth Coordinator

Purpose – Transport, setup, and tear down the booth. Also oversee the students during the market.

Summary – The booth coordinator is responsible for picking up the demo robot, all of the booth components, and the boxes of coffee and storing them until the day of the market and sometimes until the next meeting. Duties can also include making sure the robot and laptop batterie are charged

Time Required – Approx 6 hours. (4 hours booth time and 2 hours of prep, transportation, and teardown)

Season – Every other Wednesday during July and August

Abilities Needed – Needs a vehicle with a large cargo capacity. Pickup, transport, setup, teardown, and return booth, robot, coffee and other supplies.

Reports To – Coffee Fundraiser Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

Farmer’s Market Shift Volunteer

Purpose – Oversee the students during the Market. The students should do all the demonstrations and selling, but you should be able to step in if needed.

Time Required – 4 hours

Season – Every other Wednesday during July and August

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary

Reports To – Coffee Fundraiser Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

July, August – Parade Volunteers

Parade Coordinator

Summary – The parade coordinator will create an adult sign-up for the various roles (parade driver, trailer provider, decorations purchasing, candy purchasing) and will ensure that communication and preparation for the parade route is in place for both the New Brighton Stockyard Days and Mounds View Festival in the Park parades.

Time Required – Approx 2-3 hours

Season – Beginning of July-Late August

Abilities Needed – Organizational skills

Reports To – Advisor

Background Check / Application Required – No

Parade Application Coordinator

Summary – The parade application coordinator will fill out and submit the appropriate forms (found on parade websites) for the team to appear in the New Brighton Stockyard Days Parade (deadline for applications is generally mid July, event is generally mid August) and for the Mounds View Festival in the Park Parade (deadline for applications is generally August 1, event is mid-late August).

Time Required – Approx 1 hour

Season – Prior to mid July

Abilities Needed – Organizational skills

Reports To – Parade Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

Parade Driver

Summary – The parade driver will drive the parade route representing our team. The driver will be provided decoration materials.

Time Required – Approx. 2-3 hours per parade

Season – 1 Saturday, 1 Friday (NBSYD and MVFITP parades)

Abilities Needed – Vehicle capable of pulling a trailer, proof of insurance, and a safe driving record.

Reports To – Parade Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

August – Stockyard Days volunteers

Stockyard Days Booth Coordinator

Purpose – Make sure booth is setup and teared down each day

Summary – Pickup, transport, setup, teardown, and return booth, robot, coffee and other supplies. Transporting, setting up, and tearing down happens 3 times. Make sure there is an adult to supervise the students.

Time Required – Approx 5 hours not including drive time

Season – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mid August

Abilities Needed – Vehicle with a large cargo capacity.

Reports To – Coffee Coordinator

Background Check / Application Required – No

Stockyard Days Shift Volunteer

Purpose – Oversee the students during the Market. The students should do all the demonstrations and selling, but you should be able to step in if needed.

Time Required – 3 to 4 hour shift

Season – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mid August

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary

Reports To – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mid August

Background Check / Application Required – No

September – State Fair volunteer

State Fair Robot Transport

Purpose – To transport last season’s robot back and forth to the state fair.

Time Required – 2 hours

Season – 3 weeks before state fair and after the state fair

Abilities Needed – Vehicle with a large cargo capacity. Must be able to fit a 52″ tall robot.

Reports To – Mentors

Background Check / Application Required – No

Volunteers

Purpose –

Summary – Transport students to the fair. Day chaperone duties. Public outreach. Walk in the parade

Time Required – 9 hours

Season – 1 date assigned during the state fair

Abilities Needed – No experience necessary

Reports To – Mentors at the fair

Background Check / Application Required –

Other Roles

Coffee Fundraiser Coordinator

Purpose – The coffee fundraiser coordinator orders wholesale coffee from Mill City Roasting and prints labels to be placed on the bags prior to major team events or the New Brighton Farmers Market. Data collected is relayed to the coffee fundraiser coordinator on what roasts and quantities are recommended to order.

Time Required – Varies

Season – Year-long, concentrated during summer months (New Brighton Farmers Market) and events

Abilities Needed – Organizational skills

Reports To – Advisor/POK

Background Check / Application Required – No

Merchandise Coordinators

Summary – The merchandise coordinator places orders for the students and mentors to receive uniforms by competition season, as well as rally towels, pins, lettering awards, as well as team merchandise (e.g. apparel, water bottles, mugs, etc.) to purchase for events and fundraisers for the team

Time Required – Varies based on need during the season

Season – Varies based on need during the season

Abilities Needed – Organizational skills

Reports To – Advisor/POK

Background Check / Application Required – No

Specialist

Summary – A specialist is a community member who has technical skill or expertise connected with team objectives. A specialist offers these skills or expertise on a temporary/project-based basis with the team in a much lesser capacity than a mentor.

Time Required – Varies, max 10 hours

Season – Varies, less than mentor roles

Abilities Needed – Technical skills

Reports To – Mentors

Background Check / Application Required –

PoK Liaison

Purpose – Coordinate with advisor and mentors on fundraising, travel, and events. Be the first point of contact for parents.

Summary – The PoK Liaison facilitates communication between the parents and the team. This involves meeting with the advisor and mentors to keep apprised of weekly events and to coordinate parent cooperation. You will also be expected to plan and lead several parent informational meetings during the season.

Time Required – Several hours a week

Season – All year

Abilities Needed – Organization, communication

Reports To – Mentors, advisor, parents

Background Check / Application Required – No