The FIRST in Alaska Planning Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers that work together to maximize opportunities for students across the state of Alaska, regardless of socioeconomic status, to participate in programs that develop usable workforce skills, increase entrepreneurship, and also inspires interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The group is composed of individuals with expertise in Event Management, Graphic Design, Marketing, Fundraising, and more that dedicate anywhere from 4-20 hours each month to help support all of our teams and reach out to new schools, communities, and organizations. 

All Committee Members must:

  • Be registered volunteers with FIRST and have completed the Youth Protection Program
  • Embrace the Core Values of FIRST
  • Commit to a minimum of one full season on the committee

The Planning Comittee is broken into the following teams:

Strategic Planning & Development Team

Purpose – Develop an overall coordinated plan to support financial, communications, and outreach objectives.  Direct and coordinate the efforts of subordinate groups to ensure actions are synchronized to maximize positive impact on goals and objectives. Provide routine reports on goal achievement.

Composition/Skills – The group will have 3-5 members. Members must have a good understanding of the programs and how they are executed. In addition to program knowledge members should be skilled in various communications media; or skilled in developing and executing activities that promote the programs; or skilled in seeking and developing relationships with current and future strategic sponsors. All of these skill sets must be covered by the overall group membership.

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Produce monthly reports detailing all Development Team activities planned and executed to meet program goals and objectives.

Time Commitment – Members are expected to spend up to 3-5 hours per week on general tasks.  Additional time (3-5 hour per week) will be required to support specified events.

Corporate Partnership Team

Purpose – Coordinate with the EAAC and participating teams to develop and execute a coordinated strategy for fundraising that supports both program and team needs. Support development of relationships with strategic partners for program support across the state.

Composition/Skills – The group will have 3-5 members. Members must have a good understanding of the programs and how they are executed. In addition to program knowledge members should be skilled in various communications media and skilled in seeking and developing relationships with current and future strategic sponsors.

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Produce a monthly report on strategic partner development.
  • Provide other groups with the information necessary to ensure strategic partners are properly recognized.

Time Commitment – Members are expected to spend up to 3-5 hours per week on general tasks.  Addition time (3-5 hour per week) will be required to support meetings with partners.

School Engagement Team 

Purpose – Engage school districts in the full progression of FIRST programs.

Composition/Skills – Experience working with Alaska School Districts, understanding of school curriculum and standards and school funding streams (including BSA and CTE-specific funding), strong communication skills

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Develop outreach strategy and materials to engage school districts in the full progression of FIRST programs
  • Stay up to date on and knowledgeable regarding FIRST education resources
  • Make connections with key district personnel and school board members around the state

Time Commitment – 5 hrs/month with an expected increase in May & September. (Monthly conference calls with statewide committee, individual and small group effort related to outreach meetings, materials/event planning and execution)

Alumni Outreach Team

Purpose – Create and maintain a network of FIRST alumni in and from Alaska and find ways to keep them engaged with the program.

Composition/Skills – Experience with FIRST (alumni preferred), frequent use of social media, strong interpersonal skills

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Develop and maintain a database of FIRST in Alaska Alumni and FIRST Alumni currently living/working/studying in Alaska
  • Engage alumni network with regular communication and events
  • Coordinate with Volunteer Manager on opportunities

Time Commitment – 5 hrs/month, (Monthly conference calls with statewide committee, social media moderation, communication with alumni)

Inclusion and Diversity Team

Purpose – Ensure that FIRST in Alaska is fostering and advancing inclusion and diversity across all our programs and proactively finding ways for underrepresented groups to be included and successful.

Composition/Skills – Experience working with underserved and underrepresented groups in Alaska, strong communication skills

Tasks/Deliverables

  • Offer feedback to other committee members on how to make their efforts more inclusive
  • Develop special programs that help make FIRST in Alaska opportunities more equitable
  • Develop relationships and look for partnership opportunities with key stakeholder groups representing underserved individuals
  • Consider special events that highlight the success of our underrepresented participants and build connections between them and the University and professional community

Time Commitment – 5-10 hrs/month, (Monthly conference calls with statewide committee, individual and small group effort related to outreach meetings, materials/event planning and execution)

Volunteer Management Team

Purpose – Recruit and retain volunteers across the state to be involved at all levels of the program (coaches/mentors, event volunteers, committee members), ensure that the volunteer experience is consistent and positive across all FIRST in Alaska events.

Composition/Skills – Strong interpersonal skills, experience with FIRST events, regular availability via email and/or phone, comfortable with database management

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Identify and build partnerships with key volunteer sources
  • Communicate training and event expectations, develop Alaska-specific training modules when appropriate
  • Communicate regularly with event leads and volunteer coordinators
  • Supply content for volunteer spotlights in FIRST in Alaska newsletter and find other opportunities to show our volunteer appreciation
  • Oversee use of VIMS and VMS, ensure that volunteer contact information is up to date

Time Commitment – 10-20 hrs/month during the season with extra hours in Aug/Sept (kick off) and Dec/Jan (tournament season), (Monthly conference calls with statewide committee, individual and small group effort related to outreach meetings and communication with volunteers)

Coach/Mentor Management Team

Purpose – Support coaches and mentors to maintain high rate of satisfaction and retention leading to a high quality experience for teams.

Composition/Skills – (multiple members) Experience coaching and extensive understanding of FIRST progression of programs (would like one committee member focused on each level of the program), strong written and oral communication skills, and regular availability via email and/or phone

Tasks/Deliverables –

  • Oversee communication with current year coaches;
  • Respond to email and phone questions (either answer or forward for responses)
  • Encourage use of social media and networking between coaches
  • Develop coaching content for newsletters and website
  • Facilitate training opportunities
  • Develop content that can be used for statewide trainings (would be nice to archive online / offer video modules)
  • Provide monthly check-in opportunities during the season (teleconference/webinar)
  • Maintain central calendar of trainings

Time Commitment – 10-20 hrs/month during the season with extra hours in Aug/Sept (kick off) and Dec/Jan (tournament season). (Monthly conference calls with statewide committee, individual and small group effort related to material review, creation, and communication with coaches)