What to Expect as a Volunteer in the 2022-2023 FIRST ENERGIZE Season

In the 2022-2023 robotics season, FIRST^® ENERGIZE^SM presented by Qualcomm, FIRST^® teams will reimagine the future of sustainable energy and power their ideas forward. From the machines that move us to the food that sustains us to the wireless technologies that connect us, energy plays an essential role in keeping our world running. This season, like all FIRST seasons, is made possible by our dedicated community of volunteers. Your support is needed this year more than ever. We are excited to welcome you back to another exciting season!  

What can I do now to get ready to ENERGIZE the future this season? 

Share your digital FIRST volunteer badge on social or in your email signature, snag the social media covers for your Facebook and Twitter profiles, and outfit your favorite devices with wallpapers designed to inspire and spread the word that you ENERGIZE the future.

If you are new to FIRST, create an account here. 

Get up to date on Youth Protection. 

Check your FIRST Dashboard to see if your background screening is current. Screening is valid for four years. 

Review the FIRST Youth Protection Program Guide. 

Click here for more information on screening or to access Youth Protection Program trainings and resources. 

Click on the Volunteer Registration tab in your FIRST Dashboard or on our Event and Team search page to find events and opportunities near you. 

Check back often as events will be added over the course of the season. 

Interested in exploring technical and nontechnical mentoring opportunities with teams? 

Check out the FIRST Mentor Network page for more information. 

Get equipped with the skills you need by getting a jump start on volunteer training. 

Take our Strategies for Inspiring Success for All training on equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Explore more volunteer trainings you can do now to be ready for the season.  

Check out the FIRST Volunteer Recognition Store for FIRST Volunteer Year of Service pins, FIRST Coach Mentor pins, and alumni volunteer patches. 

When we can see each other in person again, you can proudly display your volunteer service. Grab one for yourself and one for a friend today! 

Many employers will match your financial gifts and volunteer hours. 

Thanks to the generosity of FIRST corporate supporters, employees have the option of doubling or even tripling their donation to the FIRST mission through the Matching Gifts program. See if your employer will match your donation! 

Volunteer Updates by Program 

Events may vary by region and by program in 2022 - 2023. In some instances, we will be pulling forward positive elements we introduced last year into our event process for this season. Please reach out to the FIRST partners in your area for more information and details on events and opportunities near you. 

Season launch materials for FIRST^® LEGO^® League are charged up and ready for teams to begin their SUPERPOWEREDSM journey! Teams will use the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime and Challenge or SPIKE Essential for Explore to build and code a robot to interact with the missions and models in this year’s game. Remember, any prior LEGO Education Robot Set may also be used in FIRST LEGO League. Next stop? Volunteer recruitment! With the return to more in person events this season, we are looking forward to seeing energized and engaged volunteers lead the way for a fun time for all. Improvements to the FIRST Event Hub will help power your events and make volunteering as judges, referees, and other roles a breeze. 

The FIRST^® Tech Challenge season will kick off September 12 with a new game, POWERPLAY^SM presented by Raytheon Technologies. In this new season, FIRST Tech Challenge teams will compete in an energy-driven game and test the limits of performance, efficiency, and endurance as they power their innovations forward. For volunteers, this season will bring updates to our resources for referees, tournament directors, and judges. FIRST Tech Challenge continues to be flexible and provide for fluid transitions between in-person and virtual events if the needs of various regions shift. Local partners will determine whether events are in person or virtual, based on local health guidelines. Stay up to date on FIRST Tech Challenge volunteer resources here. 

FIRST^® Robotics Competition is planning for a traditional season for CHARGED UP^SM presented by Haas. Check the FIRST Robotics Competition Calendar for dates related to event preferences, Kickoff, District and Regional events, and even FIRST Championship. We cannot wait to start working with our event volunteers again! Volunteers will be able to start applying to events in your Volunteer Dashboard by the end of October. We will be sharing more updates over the coming months, so be sure to subscribe to the FIRST Robotics Competition Blog to stay up to date! FIRST will continue to monitor the pandemic and adjust plans as needed. 

Thank you for being a FIRST volunteer!