How Can You Help?
There are many roles available at an RECF drone or robotics competition. This article provides a brief summary of each role. More specific information about each role is at RECF Resources > Volunteer.
Emcee
Description: Provide play-by-play during the tournament and informative program knowledge between matches. Add enthusiasm and energy, as well as a high level of engagement and understanding, for all event participants.
Activity Level: High (physical), constant standing or walking.
Experience Level: Advanced. Experience is preferred but not required.
Skills:
- Outgoing and charismatic communication style to engage and energize the audience
- Work as a team with other volunteers
- Think quickly and improvise
Field Reset
Description: Accurately reset the competition field after each match and assist other field volunteers as needed. Note: Students with high energy and younger children do well, if they're able to follow directions.
Activity Level: High (physical), constant standing or walking.
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience is needed.
Skills:
- Ability to review field diagrams to place game objects in correct locations on the competition field
- Move quickly around the field
- Good listening skills
Head Referee
Description: Organize, train, and oversee scorekeeper referees, and coordinate with other head referees if an event has multiple. Interpret and consistently enforce the rules of the game to score each match upon completion. Act as the final authority for any disputes or rulings. Act as the final authority if questions arise during drone/robot inspection.
Activity Level: High (physical), constant standing or walking.
Experience Level: Advanced. Certification required. Must be at least 20 years old for ADC, ADC Pro, RECF Achieve, and RECF Inspire, and at least 16 years old for RECF Engage events.
Skills:
- Apply knowledge of the game and rules
- Lead a team effectively
- Interact positively with students and coaches
- Arbitrate disputes fairly and quickly deescalate arguments
Inspector
Description: Conduct inspections to verify that drones and/or robots comply with the rules and specifications outlined in the game manuals.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Intermediate. Basic knowledge of the drone and/or robot parts rules is helpful, but not mandatory.
Skills:
- Collaborate with others as a team
- Attention to detail
- Follow inspection checklist
Judge
Description: Evaluate student teams through interviews and notebook/logbook reviews, and observe on-field performance. Present awards as needed.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Intermediate. Some RECF judging experience is helpful but not necessary. Must be at least 21 for all college events. Must be at least 20 years old and not part of a team for ADC Pro high school and RECF Achieve events. Must be at least 18 years old and not part of a team for ADC and RECF Engage events. Volunteers ages 16-17 may be Judges at ADC and RECF Engage events if paired with another Judge who is 18 or over.
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Impartiality
- Communicate effectively
Judge Advisor
Description: Train and assist volunteer Judges as they evaluate student teams through interviews, review team notebooks/logbooks, observe on-field performance, and present awards as needed. Facilitate the deliberation process for judged awards, and serve as a Judge as needed.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Advanced. Previous Judge experience is strongly recommended. Certification required. Must be at least 21 years old.
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Impartiality
- Communicate effectively
Pit Admin Assistant
Description: Serve in a customer service role by assisting teams and guests with competition- and venue-related questions.
Activity Level: Low (mostly sitting).
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience required.
Skills:
- Ability to troubleshoot issues and find help as needed
- Communicate effectively
Practice Field Official
Description: Oversee practice fields and ensure that all teams have access to practice time and proceed in an orderly fashion.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience required.
Skills:
- Monitor students and keep order
- Communicate effectively
Queuing
Description: Assist with staging teams for upcoming matches.
Activity Level: High (physical), constant standing or walking.
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience required.
Skills:
- Communicate effectively
- Attention to detail
- Stay organized in fast-paced environment
- Follow instructions
Scorekeeper Referee
Description: Record scores using a mobile app or paper score sheets. Verify recorded scores with other scorekeeping referees and/or head referees as needed, and with the student drivers after each match. Discuss possible rule infractions with the head referee after the match. Ensure the field is reset and drones and/or robots are ready for the next match.
Activity Level: High (physical), constant standing or walking.
Experience Level: Intermediate. Experienced volunteers are preferred; however, Scorekeeper referees can be new volunteers and can be trained quickly. Must be at least 15 years old for all events.
Skills:
- Apply knowledge of the game and rules and be impartial
- Attention to detail
- Work effectively as a member of a team
- Interact positively with students
Team Check-in
Description: Welcome teams as they arrive. Verify teams, hand out materials, and collect team notebooks/logbooks. Answer basic questions about the facility and event.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience required.
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Communicate effectively
- Comfortable using a computer
Volunteer Check-in
Description: Welcome volunteers and guests. Verify schedule, hand out materials, direct volunteers to appropriate locations. Answer basic questions about the facility and event. Can be a fast-paced role.
Activity Level: Moderate (mix of sitting and walking).
Experience Level: Beginner. No experience required.
Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Communicate effectively
- Comfortable using a computer