Introduction

Techno Wolves FRC Team 5518 is an eleventh-year robotics team. Our mission statement is "to enrich the minds of high school students by promoting an innovative learning experience with our community - such as local businesses, schools, and mentors - via the exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through the exposure of robotics and business management principles." Even if you are still unsure about joining the team, please share information about Techno Wolves and its website (http://technowolves.org) with your parents/guardians. If you would like to know more about the team, please email any questions to boosterclub@technowolves.org.

FIRST Overview

FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit organization founded "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989, FIRST seeks to promote a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration among engineers and encourages competing teams to remain friendly, helping each other when needed, expressed through its values of Gracious Professionalism^®, and Coopertition^®.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build STEM skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life skills including self-confidence, communication and leadership.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

Starting from 1992, FIRST has allowed high school students to actively participate in robotics. FRC is "the varsity sport of the mind" where teams are given six weeks to build a robot based around a seasonal game that typically starts in the first week of January. After this "build season" has ended, teams compete with other teams and advance if their robot does well. North Carolina and many other regions follow the district model in which each region is split into several districts. Teams are required to attend a minimum of two districts events. If teams collect enough ranking points from the first two district events they attend by winning matches and gaining awards, they advance to the state championship and then the FIRST World Championships. Currently there are more than 3800 FRC teams worldwide throughout 34 countries.

Member Responsibility

Eligibility

To be eligible to join the team, a student must:

• Be of high school age (14-18)
• Have a good behavioral standing with his/her school
• Commit to the team and its mission
• Commit to the minimum attendance requirements outlined in the Meetings section
• Commit to payment for the student dues as defined in the Student Dues section
• Be ready to learn new things without hesitation

Eligibility does not automatically mandate a member to be accepted to the team.

Requirements

To remain a standing member of the team a student must:

• Meet all the eligibility requirements
• Complete all necessary registration with the team and FIRST including paying the student dues as defined in the Student Dues section
• Wear the appropriate dress code to team meetings and events as outlined in the Dress Code section below
• Attend all compulsory/necessary meetings events during offseason and Build Season
• Send a notice if you will be absent or tardy to any of the meetings - three consecutive unexcused absences will result in a parent/guardian-student meeting per the Consequences section
• Show respect and demonstrate appropriate behavior (e.g. productivity, safety) at all team meetings, events, and social media
• Regularly check and respond to his/her team messages in email, Discord or other messaging platforms as needed
• Participate in at least five fundraising football games in the Fall. 

Failure to meet these requirements will result in action outlined in Consequences defined in the Code of Conduct & Policies by the team leadership and/or Booster Club.

Dress Code

At team meetings, everyone must wear close-toed shoes and safety glasses in the  workshop area. At competitions, the team members must wear the current team competition t-shirt in addition to close-toed shoes and safety glasses in the Pit area. At the Robot Unveiling Ceremony, all students and mentors are expected to wear semi-professional or professional clothing with a preference of dark pants, a white dress shirt, and a red or dark tie for men. At any other team events, wearing the team shirt and close-toed shoes is required.

Individual Costs

Although sponsorships and fundraising efforts are essential in reducing the team’s expenses, members will still have to devote some financial responsibility if he/she wishes to join the team. The team annual budget averages about $27,000 and can range as high as $50,000 depending on the number of students on the team and how far the team progresses in competitions. A team must cover competition fees ($6,000 for 2 district events and another $4,000 for state championship), robot fees (approximately $4,000 for a competing robot), tools, transportation for the robot and members, and other team events such as the Robot Unveiling Ceremony and End-of-Season Celebration. Costs will fluctuate in accordance with gasoline prices, inflation, and competition locations.

The team will be devoted to raising as much funds as possible to reduce costs passed on to individual members. Student dues cover personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a single pair of safety glasses and gloves, two competition t-shirts, and any other gear necessary. With student dues, members can expect to individually cover:

• Personal safety glasses if one assigned is lost (~$5)
• Parent carpooling – volunteer drivers pay for gas and possible tolls
• Potluck dish and/or supplies for beginning of season team social
• Potluck dish and/or supplies for Robot Unveiling Ceremony after Build Season
• Gifts for mentors and advisors (~$10), supplies, and/or potluck dish for End-of-Season Celebration
• FIRST Events (rough estimates before applying raised money):
  • (2) District Competitions – transportation and lunch (~$10-$20 per day)
  • State Championship – transportation, hotel, and food (~$275)
  • World Championship – transportation, hotel, and food (~$450)
  • Offseason events/competition (i.e. THOR, workshops) – lunch (~$10-$20)

Student Dues

The first student dues are a mandatory payment of $200 due at application submission. The second student dues are also a mandatory payment of $200 due in November. The third payment is due in January but may be waived if the student obtains sponsor funding of at least $500 or reduced depending on other funding raised. If the student does not find a sponsor, he/she is responsible for paying the third student dues by the end of January.

Meetings

Members will be required to attend a minimum number of meetings and at least four outreach/fundraising events to qualify for Pit Squad, Drive Squad, and team leadership. Attendance requirements, as outlined below:

Offseason (July - December)

• 1 meeting per week for all members

Build Season (January - February)

• Every Saturday is mandatory plus any 3 additional days for all members

Competitions & End-of-Season (March-May/June)

• 2 meetings per week for all members

Communication

Members will be responsible for regularly checking various services for any communication regarding Techno Wolves. The team often communicates via email, Discord, Remind, other messaging platforms, and occasionally via text message or call if necessary.

 

Code of Conduct & Policies

Expectations

All members on the team are expected to serve as role models to other members as well as to the community. Members must demonstrate a positive attitude at ALL times, reliability by coming to team meetings and events on time, and responsibility by helping in cleaning up the workspace while also going beyond to assist others when needed. Additionally, members must show responsiveness and leadership skills in doing tasks to their fullest quality possible when asked by the appropriate lead or mentor.

The following guiding principles are instrumental in creating a positive and supportive environment for the students and the community. Techno Wolves should be a fun, positive, and safe place for all members of the team.

Gracious Professionalism

Every member of the team is expected to display Gracious Profressionalism at ALL times as well as promoting the ideals of FIRST such as demonstrating:

• A positive attitude
• A clean vocabulary
• A friendly and polite attitude towards all people at ALL times
• Respect for the feelings, opinions, and choices of other members
• Respect for facilities supplies, tools, and equipment
• Good sportsmanship

Consequences

Members who fail to demonstrate respect towards their peers, neglect to show up to meetings without prior notice, refuse to fulfill their responsibilities and carry out their assigned tasks, not meeting the requirements, and/or carry out an action detrimental to the environment of the team WILL be issued a warning. Any warning will be dealt with the following procedure:

1. The first warning will be issued via a written notice to both the member and his/her parents/guardians.
2. The second warning will result in a parent/guardian-student conference with the coaches to resolve any issue. Depending on the severity, a lead may be considered for dismissal from his/her position.
3. Failure afterwards or failure to respond will result in the member's dismissal from the team with a formal notice.

Parent Interest Meeting

The Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club will host a parent informational meeting at a time and date TBD. This meeting is an opportunity for parents and students to learn about the team, meet some of the members, and to ask questions that may arise.

Submitting the Application

The application must be fully completed and turned in. Please submit the completed digital copy and if required, upload or email the write up to: boosterclub@technowolves.org.

This form is due September 6th at 11:59pm.

Authorization
This health history form, including prior pages, is correct and accurately reflects the health status of my student to whom it pertains. I hereby grant permission to provide routine health care, adminster prescribed medications, and seek emergency medical attention for my son or daughter. I agree to the release of any records necessary for insurance purposes. I give permission to the Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club (TWRBC) to arrange necessary related transportation for my child. In the event that the contact(s) listed above or I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give permission to the adult mentor selected by the team to secure and administer treatment, including but not limited to hospitalization for the person named above.

Release
There are inherent risks in participating in team events, including risks in the construction of robots, in working with electrical connections, traveling to and from events, and participating in public competition. These risks also include the risk of bodily harm (including, without limitation, death or similar traumatic injury) and property damage or loss. Being fully cognizant of the risks of participating in an event, I hereby accept those risks. Except to the extent due to gross negligence or willful misconduct of Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club (TWRBC) and the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, I HEREBY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION which I may now or hereafter have against the TWRBC arising in connection with my participation in any team event, presentations by the Techno Wolves at any time during the year and/or arising from unofficial FIRST programs and events offered by others. I hold harmless the TWRBC, against all claims resulting from such participation, including, without limitation, bodily injury, claims for compensation, defamation, invasion of privacy, or other infringements or violations of any personal or property rights whatsoever. I understand that this form involves a release of legal rights.

For students under the age of eighteen (18) years listed above: "I hereby consent and agree to the above as the child of the Parent/Legal Guardian whose signature appears above, in which case 'I', 'me' and 'my' as used herein shall refer to the said minor."

Personal Information
The Techno Wolves will need to share personal information with other members of the team (i.e cell phone numbers and email addresses). This information needs to be shared when attending activities or exchanging information among team members.

Photo Release
The Techno Wolves and associated organizations (e.g. sponsors) may use photographs, videos, or other media publications to promote the team throughout the season. These publications may be used on the team website, newsletters, presentations, or any other form of publication created by the team and acquainted organizations. They may also be used by the news media providing coverage of the team aired on television.

If you are not eighteen (18) years of age, your parent/guardian must sign the following:
"I hereby grant permission to Techno Wolves, its associated organizations, and news media to take and publish photographs and videos of my child, as well as insert and/or reference them in presentations. Furthermore, I authorize the use of such media without inspecting or approving the finished media project."

Transportation
Throughout the season, the Techno Wolves will have team meetings and events that may require your child to have an alternate mode of transportation to be present at one of these events, Some events, such as the FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX, require commercial transportation (travel bus, plane, etc.). If the parent/guardian or the student has prearranged another mode of transportation, a signed notice of acceptance must be provided to the team by the parent/guardian.

Students driving themselves to an event must arrive on time at the start of the event and cannot leave the event early without authorization of the coaches or agreement prior to the event.

Autonomy at Team Activities
Techno Wolves may attend activities requiring out-of-town or out-of-state travel that may or may not require an overnight stay in a hotel. Hotel stays will consist of multiple students of the same gender per room with/without adult supervision in the room.

Techno Wolves team members may need to operate power tools, which is supervised by the adult mentors based on student skill level. Members must adhere to team safety protocols, such as wearing closed-toed shoes and safety glasses at all times and undergoing required safety training.

Additional Release
The mentors cannot be held liable for any action taken by your child without permission or against adult advice. If your child fails to ask permission for activities, violates team rules, or ignores the guidance of the team leadership or mentors, the parent/guardian will be notified and the child may be returned home at the parent's/guardian's expense, subject to FIRST Youth Protection Program guidelines.

References
In order to become a new member of Techno Wolves, please provide two references with your application. At this time, you do not need to provide letters of recommendation, but your references below may be contacted to provide insight as to your character and qualities you can contribute to the team. One should be a teacher, and one can be from any non-family member who is part of the community. Returning members do not need to provide these.

Write-up
To become a member of Techno Wolves, you also have to submit a write-up of why you would like to join the team. This write-up must not exceed 500 words. Please take your time and pay attention to the quality of your work (i.e. make sure it is reviewed and typed, free of grammatical and spelling errors, and demonstrates creativity). Make sure to include any prior leadership experience in the school, community, etc. and any experience that may be transferable to working with an FRC team. Upload your write-up below or email to boosterclub@technowolves.org. Returning members do not have to submit a write-up.

Acceptable Use Form
Techno Wolves provides its members with the ability to access its services/tools via either their own devices or through Techno Wolves property. These services are sometimes needed to allow members to accomplish tasks as a requirement to be part of the team.

These services include, but are not limited to:

• Internet
• Communication (e.g. Email, Google Hangouts, Remind, Slack, Discord)
• Productivity Tools (e.g. Google Drive, Trello, Cisco Spark Notes)
• Social Media (e.g. Fracebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)
• Software (e.g. SolidWorks, GitHub, HubSpot Sales/CRM, WordPress)

Members may not be permitted to use these services for inappropriate uses. Such uses include:

• Attempting to change configurations without consent
• Using language that promotes bullying or hurting others' feelings
• Placing a virus or intentionally disrupting others' network performance
• Accessing inappropriate materials (e.g. gambling, pornography)
• Posting anything detrimental to Techno Wolves and others' reputation

In addition, members may not use Techno Wolves services for too much personal or leisure time, such as playing games. This is done to ensure members stay focused on the team's tasks and the team does not surpass its monthly internet usage allowance.

My parent and I have read the policies outlined above and have included our signatures below to promise I will use Techno Wolves services appropriately.

Statement of Commitment
I have read the entire application with my parent/guardian and understand what is expected of my parent/guardian and I in order to participate as a member of Techno Wolves.

Term
Although the Techno Wolves 2024-25 season formally starts on June 1, 2024 and ends May 31, 2025, this application – including the consent, release, and permissions – become effective on the date of signing this document and is valid for one year unless either a revised consent form is received, a written request to withdraw from the team is received, and/or the student is removed from the team.