Team leaders, here are some more fall activities :

Minnesota Robotics Coaches Association (MRCA)

Here is the information that we are ready to put out for Minnesota Robotics Coaches Association at this time.  Please note that MRCA will be introduced at two events (JUMPSTART for Mentors and Minne Mini Regional).  The official roll-out will happen at JUMPSTART Training at SCSU on December 1st.

The mission of the Minnesota Robotics Coaches Association is to recognize and support mentors/coaches in their quest to provide the best robotics opportunity possible for high school students in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Robotics Coaches Association (MRCA) is organized under the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association (MSHSCA).  This partnership allows for all of the benefits to our members that our colleagues in other sports enjoy as they partner with the MSHSCA.

Membership and Registration: The registration will open following JUMPSTART Training Event on December 1, 2018.  The membership will be good for the calendar year (January 1 through December 31, 2019).

    • Who this organization supports: Mentors/coaches of FIRST Robotics Competition throughout Minnesota. With the advent of the new FIRST in the Upper Midwest, we are looking to include all teams that fall under this organization.
    • What this offers:  A voice for coaches/mentors, liability insurance, access to the Prep Coach Magazine, and recognition for coaches, teams, and students.
    • More information will be released following JUMPSTART for Mentors (Oct 27, 2018) (https://sites.google.com/frc4607cis.com/cis4607/jumpstart/jumpstart-for-mentors?authuser=0 ).

Please note that MRCA will be introduced at two events (JUMPSTART for Mentors and Minne Mini Regional).  The official roll-out will happen at JUMPSTART Training at SCSU on December 1st.  More information on how to register will be forthcoming.

Jumpstart – St. Cloud, Dec. 1st.

Register now for the the 2018 JUMPSTART Training Event at SCSU.  The training event is scheduled for December 1st.  More information and the registration link can be found at this website (https://sites.google.com/frc4607cis.com/cis4607/jumpstart?authuser=0 ).

As always, there is no registration fee.  SCSU will be providing lunch at Garvey Commons.  There are a few new things this year including:

Continental Breakfast (Coffee, donuts, hot chocolate, etc)
Welcome Fair (in place of the kick-off sequence of talking heads)
An FTC League competition (Vermillion League)
Vendor Fair (Local and national vendors)
Over-flow sessions on Friday Night (More hands-on, longer sessions)

Hope to see you there!

Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K)

Looking for a team building activity?  FB4K is a non-profit that collects used bikes, refurbishes and distributes them to kids at Christmas time.  They are looking for volunteers to “wrench” the bikes they’ve collected since October 6th and put them in good working condition.  Specific knowledge of bike mechanics is not needed as they have jobs that range from cleaning to tire changing to fixing brakes.  They are open 7 days a week between now and Dec. 7th.  Three-hour shifts are the norm.   For more information, see their volunteer page (http://fb4k.org/volunteer/ ) or contact them directly at volunteer@fb4k.org .

Regards, Mark Lawrence
Chairman, MN FIRST Regional Planning Committe