Team Leaders, the ceremonial coin has been tossed, the teams have picked their sides, and the Kickoff is about to begin.

Details about the Kit of Parts can be found here:

https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kit-of-parts

Wherever you are attending the Kickoff, there are a few items you need to bring with you.  An adult mentor with a driver’s license will need to accompany the team and be responsible for signing off on the KOP.  That person will need to bring a team roster printed from TIMS because you never know who will be in attendance (i.e., press, bloggers, photographers, etc.).  The TIMS roster assures the Kickoff organizers that team members have signed “Consent and Release” forms.  You will also need a dolly or hand truck to carry out your tote and other KOP items (e.g., AndyMark drive base kit, etc.).  This is especially true for rookies you have an additional tote with robot start up stuff.

When you get back to your shop, make sure that you take an inventory of the materials and report any discrepancies (see link above).

The actual broadcast is on Twitch so make sure that your viewing location doesn’t block that service.  The broadcast can be found at this location (https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kickoff-broadcast ).

Have fun and enjoy the build season.  Remember if you are having problems building or programming your robot, please see this page for helpful resources (https://firstuppermidwest.org/first-community-resources/online-assistance/ ) or write/call with your issues.

Regards, Mark Lawrence
Chairman, MN FIRST Regional Planning Committee