Hi! This is Devyn and Nathan, your Chicago Robotics Invitational event co-directors! Thank you so much for signing up to volunteer at CRI! The event started in 2018 and we could not keep it running this long without all of you. Our amazing volunteers are what has enabled us to keep this event running and grow it from 20 teams originally to 38 teams now hailing from all over the world! A special thank you to the members of our planning committee who have put in a lot of hours prior to CRI to make it so amazing!
Below you will find information regarding:
- The time to arrive & position specific meetings
- Tips for the day, Parking, Food
Volunteer Arrival Times
Note: If you would like to arrive earlier than the posted time, please feel free to do so! This is just the time we would like you in the venue by. If you won’t be able to make it by the posted time, please let us know asap at [email protected]
| Volunteer Role If you don’t see your role or have additional questions, please let us know | Saturday, July 25th | Sunday, July 25th |
| Event Director Hospitality Coordinator Check-In | 6:30 AM | 6:30 AM |
| Lead Queuer Lead Robot Inspector (LRI) FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) Judge Advisor (JA) Technical Director Pit Admin | 6:45 AM | 6:45 AM |
| Inspector Control Systems Advisor FIRST Technical Advisor Assistant (FTAA) | 7:00 AM | 7:45 AM |
| Judge | 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Queuer | 7:00 AM | 7:45 AM |
| Practice Field Attendant | 7:15 AM | 7:15 AM |
| Photographer | 8:00 AM | 7:45 AM |
| Head Referee Production Director Game Announcer (GA) Field Supervisor | 9:00 AM | 6:55 AM |
| Referee | 9:15 AM | 7:15 AM |
| Scorekeeper AV Crew Field Reset | 10:00 AM | 7:30 AM |
Event Volunteer Meetings:
| Saturday | Sunday | What’s Happening? | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | 6:30 AM | Doors Open for Volunteers | Food will be available in the volunteer lounge |
| 7:00 AM | 7:00 AM | Key Volunteers Meeting | Location: Volunteer Lounge (Library) Who: Saturday: JA, LRI, FTA, Lead Queuer, Pit Admin Sunday: All Key Vols |
| 7:10 AM | 8:00 AM | Judges Meeting | Location: Judges Room (Room 282) Who: JA, Judges |
| 7:45 AM | N/A | Inspectors Huddle | Location: Playing Field Who: LRI, Robot Inspectors |
| 9:30 AM & EOD | 7:30 AM | Referee Meeting | Location: Playing Field Who: All Referees |
| 10:30 AM | 7:30 AM | Show Meeting | Location: Playing Field Who: A/V Crew, GA, Emcee |
| 7:30 AM | 7:45 AM | Queuers Meeting | Location: Volunteer Lounge Who: Lead Queuer, Queuers |
What to Bring / Wear?
- Yourself & excitement for an awesome and fun filled day!
- Water Bottle
- Comfortable closed-toed shoes, most positions will be on their feet throughout the day and walking around
- Light sweatshirt in case you get cold
- We will be providing volunteer shirts for everyone to wear and polos for judges
Set Up:
Set-up will primarily start at Noonish on Friday, if you would like to join us earlier, you are more than welcome to, please just give us a heads up. The primary part of set-up will continue until 5ish, when teams are allowed in the venue, but aspects of setting up the competition field area will continue until 8pm when the venue closes for the day.
Food:
On Friday, we will have pizza for volunteers joining us for set up.
Saturday / Sunday Breakfast: Breakfast sandwiches, bagels, parfait bar, fruit, muffins, assorted pastries
Saturday Lunch: Fajita Bar
Sunday Lunch: Portillo’s (a Chicago favorite) consisting of Pasta, Italian Beef, Chicken Tenders, Hotdogs (both beef & plant based), a Salad Bar and Chocolate Cake
All Day Snacks & Drinks (Water, Soda, Hot/iced Coffee) will be provided!
Have dietary restrictions? Please do not worry! Our meals & snacks accommodate a wide range of dietary limitations and allergies.
Volunteer Social:
Like previous years, we will have a Volunteer Social on Saturday night. After the event ends for the day, you can find us at:
Galway Arms
2442 N Clark St (a few blocks north of the venue)
The reservation is under Nathan Satterfield and we have the private room upstairs.
We are not covering meals or drinks – you are responsible for your own orders. If you are under the age of 18, you will need a parent or guardian to attend with you. We hope you can join us for a fun time after a long day with good food, drinks, and company.
Parking & Arrival
Address:
Francis W. Parker School
330 W. Webster
Chicago, IL 60614
The entrance is on Clark Street between Clark/Webster & Clark/Belden
For those driving, the volunteer parking lot can be a little hard to find. The entrance to the lot is through the alley on Belden Street (just North of the school’s entrance). The alley is on the South side of the street directly across from the “LPP” Preschool. The approximate address for the alley is 316 W. Belden. Go all of the way straight down the alley UNTIL IT DEAD ENDS and turn left into the lot. You will then have to walk around the block to enter the school from the clark street main entrance. You may park in the lot off of Webster, but space will be limited.
IMPORTANT: If you are parking in our lots, you need to put a piece of paper with your name / phone # in your windshield. All lots will be closed and locked when the venue closes so you must leave with your vehicle.
