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District Committees

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD (DEAB)

Anchor 1

The District Executive Advisory Board (DEAB) will be responsible for strategic and financial support, and
for the promotion of all FIRST programs in its region.


This Board will develop a strategic plan and goals for fundraising and sponsorship of events and teams to
ensure the long-term stability for the programs. They will develop relationships and partnerships with
businesses, government, education leaders for sponsorship, mentors, etc. The Executive Director will
facilitate the development of a business plan for the area and identify funding needs and potential
sponsors based on targets that include all FIRST programs and events.

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The DEAB should consist of (5) five to (15) fifteen high-profile state or regional personalities. They can
be CEOs, public figures, media or well-connected local organizers. Their main function is to utilize their connections within the community to allow FIRST to raise funds for both the events and team support.


FIRST has found it to be most effective when fundraising or promoting programs if the introduction can
be made at a high level in a company, university or foundation. This is best done by personal contact.
They can also use their influence to promote the FIRST programs with other VIP’s. The DEAB should
function to support all the FIRST programs, FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge
(FTC) and the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and Junior FIRST Lego League (JFLL) programs. The types of persons to be invited to join the DEAB are the ‘movers and shakers’ in the local community. If appropriate, one individual may be asked to be the Chairperson and can then invite others to join.


Typically, the District Executive Advisory Board would be comprised of individuals from some of the
following:


• CEOs of locally based businesses
• University Presidents or Deans of Engineering
• Presidents of Foundations
• Local radio or television personalities
• Local sports figures
• Well-connected local personalities


It is not necessary for the DEAB to meet as a group, although it is most effective if one to two group
meetings are held each year. Their function is to make telephone calls, or write letters to their peers and
contacts recommending that they support FIRST by sponsoring the event or a team. The Executive
Director and the appropriate Planning Committees will provide follow-up.


The DEAB works most closely with the Executive Director and the District Operating Committee (DOC).

DISTRICT OPERATING COMMITTEE (DOC)

Anchor 2

The District Operating Committee (DOC) will be responsible for coordinating the development
(establishing the groundwork) and growth (expanding numbers of participants) of all FIRST programs in
a designated state or market. It will be chaired by the Executive Director and will include
representatives of the FIRST Robotics Competition Planning Committee, FLL Operational Partners and
the FTC Affiliate Partners. The DOC will be responsible for ensuring that FIRST program events held
within the District are conducted in accordance with FIRST program standards. The DOC will provide
input to the DEAB.


The DOC should meet monthly to communicate plans, opportunities, challenges and general activities to
all planning committees. The DOC will look for collaboration to best coordinate fundraising between
programs. They will develop a state or market cohesive marketing and public relations plan to ensure a
unified presence in the state or market.


In some cases, there may be two or more Operating Committees within a single District. These will be
defined by a geographical area characterized by a community of interest regarding education, economic
development, or workforce preparation or a geographic area that enjoys the attention and support of a philanthropic community. Examples of these are, California, which will have a northern and a southern
operating committee, Pennsylvania, which will have eastern and western operating committees.

DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEE (DPC)

Anchor 3

The District Planning Committee (DPC) will be responsible for organizing and executing the District
Events in cooperation with FIRST, and for supporting local teams. Building a committee of the right
people is critical and will be the function of the Chairperson. FIRST strongly recommends that within the
DPC, each member be assigned a specific area of responsibility in the district planning process as shown
below. Sub-committees of two or three people are recommended, where possible, for most functions.
The DPC will work closely with the Executive Director and FIRST in organizing and staffing these and
other competition-related areas. FIRST recommends that district planning meetings begin no later than
September, although July/August is preferable (see FRC Regional Planning Calendar – Section 17).
Monthly meetings usually suffice through December, but bi-weekly are better in January and February.

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  • Committee Chairperson(s)

  • Sponsor Recruitment & Development

  • Finance & Budget

  • School/Team Development & Support

  • Judge Advisor

  • Volunteer Coordinator

  • University/Higher Education Coordinator

  • Event Manager

  • Public Relations/Media Coordinator

  • VIP Reception Coordinator

  • Team Social Coordinator

  • Program Book Coordinator

  • Local Kickoff Organizer

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The DPC Chairperson should issue, and keep updated a directory of the DPC members with their contact
information and sub-committee assignments indicated. Ensure that all committee members enter their
contact information in the on-line FIRST Volunteer Information and Matching System (VIMS); the
Committee Chair will enter a committee position assignment for each committee member. VIMS has
the capability to produce a roster of committee members.

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