# content
1.5       Spirit of Volunteering

Message from the Global Volunteers

Welcome– we're excited for you to discover this season. We’re even more excited to see what you and your team can achieve this season and at the almost 200 events worldwide this season.

FIRST is made possible by our volunteers

Volunteers are the driving force behind the delivery of all FIRST programs including the FIRST Robotics Competition. Each year it takes thousands of volunteers donating their time, energy, and enthusiasm to ensure that every FIRST Robotics Competition team has the opportunity to achieve its goals. FIRST volunteers come from a diverse set of backgrounds and are united by the same goal: to provide the best possible FIRST experience for all participating teams.

We encourage everyone in the FIRST community to join in the fun and excitement of events by participating as a volunteer.

Why Volunteer?

·         Witness capable students learning and growing

·         Forge meaningful friendships with other awesome volunteers

·         Be part of the magic that brings events to life

·         Share the wonders of FIRST with those who are yet to discover it

·         Bring invaluable event experiences back to your team

·         Learn and grow beyond your usual circles

FIRST Alumni and Graduating Students:

You’ve experienced firsthand the impact of FIRST in your life, the opportunities it has provided, and the excitement of participating. Your FIRST experience does not have to end after you graduate – being a volunteer or mentor gives you the opportunity to continue learning, growing, building a community, and having fun at FIRST events. Your experience as a student in a FIRST program is invaluable to helping ensure future students have an amazing experience. There are volunteer roles for every skill level, background, and level of commitment – everyone is welcome!

Learn more and sign up as a FIRST volunteer on the FIRST website.

FIRST is about you

Volunteers eagerly donate their time and efforts to make it possible for you to participate and have fun! We strive to demonstrate the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition in every interaction – in return, we ask the same of you. If for any reason you feel like our volunteers could have done a better job, we want to know about it – talk to a mentor, trusted adult, other event volunteer or staff member, or report it to FIRST via customerservice@firstinspires.org.

Join us for the 2026 season and be a part of the incredible journey that is FIRST Robotics Competition! Your involvement is key to our collective success. We look forward to welcoming you!

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, your 2026 Global Volunteers:

Global Field Supervisors – Ayla DeLaat & Bryan Herbst
Global FIRST Technical Advisors (FTAs) – James Cerar & Mark McLeod
Global Head Referees – Aidan Browne & Jon Zawislak
Global Judge Advisors – Cindy Stong & Allen Bancroft
Global Lead Robot Inspectors – Chuck Dickerson & Alida Mendes-MacCracken
Global Lead Scorekeepers – Alex Herreid & Andrea “Duckie” Tribo
Global Volunteer Coordinators – Laurie Shimizu & Sarah Plemmons

# contentMap.en
1.5       Spirit of Volunteering

Message from the Global Volunteers

Welcome– we're excited for you to discover this season. We’re even more excited to see what you and your team can achieve this season and at the almost 200 events worldwide this season.

FIRST is made possible by our volunteers

Volunteers are the driving force behind the delivery of all FIRST programs including the FIRST Robotics Competition. Each year it takes thousands of volunteers donating their time, energy, and enthusiasm to ensure that every FIRST Robotics Competition team has the opportunity to achieve its goals. FIRST volunteers come from a diverse set of backgrounds and are united by the same goal: to provide the best possible FIRST experience for all participating teams.

We encourage everyone in the FIRST community to join in the fun and excitement of events by participating as a volunteer.

Why Volunteer?

·         Witness capable students learning and growing

·         Forge meaningful friendships with other awesome volunteers

·         Be part of the magic that brings events to life

·         Share the wonders of FIRST with those who are yet to discover it

·         Bring invaluable event experiences back to your team

·         Learn and grow beyond your usual circles

FIRST Alumni and Graduating Students:

You’ve experienced firsthand the impact of FIRST in your life, the opportunities it has provided, and the excitement of participating. Your FIRST experience does not have to end after you graduate – being a volunteer or mentor gives you the opportunity to continue learning, growing, building a community, and having fun at FIRST events. Your experience as a student in a FIRST program is invaluable to helping ensure future students have an amazing experience. There are volunteer roles for every skill level, background, and level of commitment – everyone is welcome!

Learn more and sign up as a FIRST volunteer on the FIRST website.

FIRST is about you

Volunteers eagerly donate their time and efforts to make it possible for you to participate and have fun! We strive to demonstrate the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition in every interaction – in return, we ask the same of you. If for any reason you feel like our volunteers could have done a better job, we want to know about it – talk to a mentor, trusted adult, other event volunteer or staff member, or report it to FIRST via customerservice@firstinspires.org.

Join us for the 2026 season and be a part of the incredible journey that is FIRST Robotics Competition! Your involvement is key to our collective success. We look forward to welcoming you!

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, your 2026 Global Volunteers:

Global Field Supervisors – Ayla DeLaat & Bryan Herbst
Global FIRST Technical Advisors (FTAs) – James Cerar & Mark McLeod
Global Head Referees – Aidan Browne & Jon Zawislak
Global Judge Advisors – Cindy Stong & Allen Bancroft
Global Lead Robot Inspectors – Chuck Dickerson & Alida Mendes-MacCracken
Global Lead Scorekeepers – Alex Herreid & Andrea “Duckie” Tribo
Global Volunteer Coordinators – Laurie Shimizu & Sarah Plemmons