Parents' Roles and Responsibilities

Roles

  • Coaches – every team needs two adult coaches, usually (but not always) parents of team members.  Coaches lead the teams, but do not need any particular knowledge of robotics or science.  FIRST provides training for coaches as well as a Coach’s Handbook and Team Meeting Guides.
  • Mentors – teams benefit greatly from parents who help out by assisting the coaches with organizing students and/or providing speciality knowledge such as mechanical engineering, programming, or general science/engineering.
  • Support – teams often need fueling, (snacks), assistance with special projects such as costumes or staging for skits, and other general “help” to unburden coaches. Parents who can’t commit to coaching or mentoring support the team on an “as needed” basis.

Responsibilities

General team support

All parents are expected to work together as a team forms; either to volunteer as coaches and mentors, or to offer their support to the coaches and mentors.  (Helping out with a snack rotation is incredibly useful, for example.)

Transportation

All parents must provide transportation for their student(s) to/from team meetings and other activities including competitions.  Parents are encouraged to seek out other parents whom they trust to form carpools.  Coaches are NOT responsible for any transportation duties.

Competitions and Field Trips

Parents should attend team competitions to support and cheer for the team, and accompany their student on any field trips or other activities outside of team meetings (if arranged by the coach/mentors).

Volunteering

The FIRST programs are volunteer-driven and staffed.  Parents will be offered volunteer opportunities at certain points in the team’s season.  Every parent should plan on volunteering for at least one of these opportunities; the program would not exist except for the caring support of many other volunteers.

Application, registration, and contract

Parents of student team members are expected to pre-register their students, complete a team contract, ensure the student’s contribution to team startup costs is paid on-time (or a scholarship is requested), and complete their student’s official on-line FIRST registration when requested by the coach.

FIRST Code of Conduct for Program Activities

The FIRST mission is to inspire a generation of science and technology leaders who are both gracious and professional.  This FIRST Code of Conduct lists some of the behaviors mentors, coaches, volunteers, team members, affiliate partners, contractors, staff, and other participants should adhere to while participating in FIRST activities.

  • Exhibit Gracious Professionalism® at all times. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.
  • Ensure the safety of all participants in FIRST activities.
  • Not engage in any form of bullying, harassment, use of profane or insulting language, or any actual or threatened violence.
  • Adhere to all FIRST Youth Protection Program (YPP) policies.
  • Report any unsafe behavior to event or local FIRST leadership.

Persons who do not comply with this Code of Conduct may be barred from participating in FIRST activities.

If anyone has questions or concerns about behaviors among persons participating in ARBC-sponsored activities/teams, please contact ARBC.