Step 1: Register

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at an event or in some other role. All volunteers must register with FIRST. You can create a FIRST account here.

If you are a returning volunteer, please sign in here and make sure that your information is updated for this season. There are age or training requirements for some roles, and you will be able to see these after you create your FIRST account, and look at the different volunteer roles.

All volunteers must have the FIRST Youth Protection Program (YPP) certification completed before their volunteer date to ensure that students are protected. This involves a free and easy background check. You are not required to provide your social security number or pay for the background check.

Volunteers help run over 50 robotics events each year and are the heart of our programs! Some events require more than 100 volunteers. You do not need any prior experience to volunteer, just a willingness to learn and – most importantly – to have FUN. As an event volunteer you will join an amazing community who share a passion for STEM and investing in our youth

Step 2: Choose an Event

You can see the list of available events:

You can use the ‘Apply Filter’ on the left side of the page to select specific dates and locations. Click on ‘Volunteer’ to see available roles.

Step 3: Choose Your Role

  • Click on “My Dashboard” in the upper right of the window and sign up or log into the FIRST Inspires Dashboard.
  • Scroll down to “Volunteer Registration” and click on it.
  • Click on Volunteer Registration again.
  • Click on “Event Volunteering”.
  • Navigate to the event you previously chose.

Choose up to five roles that interest you and then follow the prompts.  If you have questions about the roles, please drop a note to volunteering@ortop.org. Repeat this process for each event you’re interested in.

Step 4: Complete your background check form.

All roles require that you complete a free background check every three years to obtain FIRST Youth Protection Program certification. If you didn’t complete the form recently, return to the FIRST Inspires website to do so.

Step 5: Complete the Trainings

A few roles require online training.  Complete any online training before your event date. Some technical roles require additional training, so please give yourself enough time to complete them.

Have I completed everything?

Make sure you have completed all the required tasks before the start of competition season. If you answer ‘no’ to any of the following questions, you have missed a step!

  • Do I have a FIRST account?
  • Is my profile on FIRST complete and is all of my information correct?
  • Have I completed the consent and release forms?
  • Have I completed the FIRST Youth Protection Program certification?
  • Have I signed up for an event?

For more information including screen shots, please refer to the Volunteer Registration User Guide.

Coaches, along with Mentors, are the adults who help guide FIRST Teams of all levels. No matter what your skill set is, your knowledge can help. The 3 leagues (FLL, FRC, FTC) all have different team requirements, please make sure you have reviewed these. If you have additional questions, please visit this wiki page to learn more.

Step 2: Register a Team

From your FIRST dashboard select either ‘Create New Team’ or ‘Returning Team’. After you have selected one, please follow the prompts to the end.

Step 3: Complete the Trainings

Complete any online training before your event date. To coach a team, all volunteers must complete the FIRST Youth Protection Program (YPP) certification to ensure that students are protected. Each team must have two YPP certified coaches.

Step 4: ORTOP

Once your team is registered with FIRST, you will receive emails from ORTOP, the FIRST program delivery partner in Oregon. Please read these emails carefully-  they contain important information about registering with ORTOP, which is required to participate in Oregon events and tournaments.

Have I completed everything?

Make sure you have completed all the required tasks before the start of competition season. If you answer ‘no’ to any of the following questions, you have missed a step!

  • Do I have a FIRST account?
  • Is my profile on FIRST complete and is all of my information correct?
  • Have I completed the consent and release forms?
  • Have I completed the FIRST Youth Protection Program certification?
  • Have I registered my team with ORTOP?

The FIRST Mentor Network is a tool allowing teams and interested mentors to easily find each other for both virtual and face-to-face mentorship. Learn more about becoming a mentor.

A mentor:

  • Can be a person of any age, teaching others what they know.
  • Brings either technical or non-technical expertise to the team.
  • Provides the opportunity for students to learn directly through experiences.

Step 2: Create a Mentor Profile

From your dashboard and select ‘Volunteer Registration’ and select ‘FIRST Mentor Network.’

Step 3: Complete the Screening

After your background check is complete, you can finish setting up your mentor profile.

Step 4: Find a Team

Search teams in your area and choose one or more to offer your skill sets. The team will contact you about next steps in their mentoring process.

Have I completed everything?

Make sure you have completed all the required tasks before the start of competition season. If you answer ‘no’ to any of the following questions, you have missed a step!

  • Do I have a FIRST account?
  • Is my profile on FIRST complete and is all of my information correct?
  • Have I completed the consent and release forms?
  • Have I completed the FIRST Youth Protection Program certification?
  • Have I reached out to a team?

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, ORTOP is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Open seats on the Board, as well as advisory committees, are filled every year, with a focus on selecting members with skills in finance, leadership and governance, and law. People with lived experience in underserved, underrepresented, and vulnerable communities are encouraged to apply. Contact board-chairs@ortop.org for more information or to share your interest in joining a planning committee, etc.

We often need help with special projects.  The projects vary from building LEGO kits to organizing equipment and supplies.  If you’d like to hear about these opportunities when they come up please subscribe to our newsletter.

Final Step: Have Fun!

Each Event or Team has someone that coordinates volunteers and they will reach out by email to make sure you have completed all of the steps and that you have every you need to get started.