FTC Volunteer Policy - New for 2026-2027
FTC Team Event Volunteer Requirement Policy
Purpose
To ensure adequate volunteer staffing for Chesapeake FTC events while encouraging all teams to contribute to the success of the program.
Volunteer Requirement
Each FTC team is required to provide one (1) adult volunteer for one (1) FTC event during the season.
Coaches will acknowledge and agree to this requirement during the team registration process in the registration application.
The volunteer does not need to be an official team member, mentor, or coach.
Volunteers must meet all event volunteer requirements and complete any required registration processes.
A team’s provided volunteer does not have to fulfill their role at an event in which the team is competing.
Volunteer Eligibility and Fulfillment
To satisfy the team volunteer requirement:
The volunteer must serve the entirety of their assigned shift unless otherwise approved by the event's Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteers who leave early, fail to complete their assigned responsibilities, or are otherwise unable to fulfill their commitment may not be counted toward the team's requirement.
A single volunteer may only satisfy the requirement for one team during the season and may not be claimed by multiple teams.
Volunteer Sign-Up Process
Initial Sign-Up Period
Volunteer Representatives must submit their volunteer information through the designated Google Form by November 25.
The form must include:
Volunteer name and contact information
Team number being represented
Event(s) selected for volunteer service
Reminder Process
Chesapeake will review submissions and identify teams without a volunteer commitment.
Reminder communications will be sent to those teams by November 15.
Additional reminders may be sent prior to the November 25 deadline.
Event Attendance Tracking
Pre-Event Coordination
For each event week:
The DVC will compile volunteer assignments from the sign-up form.
The DVC will provide each VC with a list of volunteers assigned to their event.
Post-Event Reporting
Volunteer Coordinators must report attendance for assigned volunteers following the event.
Attendance reports are due by the Tuesday following the event.
Team Notifications
Each Wednesday following an event:
Teams whose volunteer requirement was successfully fulfilled will receive confirmation.
Teams whose assigned volunteer did not attend will be notified and provided another opportunity to sign up for a future event.
January Sign-Up Opportunity
Following the completion of December events:
Chesapeake will send a communication to all teams that have not yet fulfilled their volunteer requirement.
These teams will be offered the opportunity to volunteer at January events.
The deadline for January event sign-ups is January 4.
Championship Setup Opportunity
After the January 4 deadline:
Teams that still have not fulfilled the volunteer requirement may be offered a final opportunity to satisfy the requirement by assisting with FTC Championship event setup.
Availability and assignments for this opportunity will be determined by Chesapeake based on event needs.
Non-Compliance
At the conclusion of the season:
Teams that have not fulfilled the volunteer requirement will be flagged within the registration system.
These teams will receive lower priority during lottery-based event selection for the following season.
Event Host
Event hosts do not need to complete the form as they have met the requirement by volunteering to run an event.
Rookie Team Exception
Rookie FTC teams are expected to participate in the volunteer program and should make every effort to fulfill the requirement.
However:
Rookie teams will receive a one-year grace period.
Failure to fulfill the volunteer requirement during a team's rookie season will not result in lottery or registration penalties.
