RESOURCE LIBRARY

The FIRST mission is to inspire a generation of science and technology leaders who are both gracious and professional. This FIRST Code of Conduct lists some of the basic behaviors mentors, coaches, volunteers, team members, affiliate partners, contractors, staff, and other participants should adhere to while participating in FIRST activities.

• Exhibit Gracious Professionalism^® at all times. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.
• Ensure the safety of all participants in FIRST activities.
• Not engage in any form of bullying, harassment, use of profane or insulting language, or any actual or threatened violence.
• Adhere to all FIRST Youth Protection Program (YPP) policies.
• Report any unsafe behavior to event or local FIRST leadership.
• Persons who do not comply with this Code of Conduct may be barred from participating in FIRST activities.

We encourage anyone participating with FIRST or attending FIRST related activities or events to report concerns to FIRST. Click on the “Report a Concern” button below to access the FIRST Reporting Portal which provides a confidential platform to report youth protection concerns, medical incidents, or other issues. All reports are reviewed by trained staff and reporters will receive a follow-up response as long as contact information is provided.

In the United States and Canada there are laws that require individuals working with youth to report known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect. You can find a complete list for the USA and other contact information on the Child Welfare Gateway website State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers. The contact information for reporting suspected child maltreatment in Canada can be found on the Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal under the Provincial and Territorial Assistance page. For other global locations, you can find information on the ICMEC Education Portal.

Anyone participating in FIRST should be familiar with our Youth Protection policies and training. The Youth Protection Guide and Youth Protection training below cover the fundamental guidelines and requirements for all participants.

• FIRST Youth Protection Program Guide
• Youth Protection Training Videos

This training is intended to enable adults working with FIRST teams to recognize situations that may pose a threat to team member safety and take the actions necessary to prevent and report injuries. We also encourage anyone participating with FIRST to take this training to better understand how to protect themselves and our youth participants. The training consists of a series of short videos; each video is no more than 5 minutes and the entire series can be completed in 40-50 minutes.

More information regarding the Youth Protection screening and clearance process and what to expect:

• U.S. Screening Process Step by Step
• Canadian Screening Process - Sterling Backcheck EConsent User Guide
• Canadian Screening Process - Learn about the Sterling Backcheck ID Verification
• Frequently Asked Questions

These resources are designed to support individuals managing events or attending events as volunteers.

• Emergency Response Template
• Youth Protection Program Handouts: Postcard | Flyer | Event signage

Team Safety Meeting Resources for All

• Team Safety Meeting - Youth Protection Program (YPP) Segment

Team Safety Meeting Resources for Ages 6-10

• Traffic Light Activity
• Surprises vs. Secrets Activity
• Buddy System Activity

Training Videos:

• Team Safety Meeting Video – Middle School Version
• Team Safety Meeting Video – High School Version
• Keeping Kids Safe – for adults working with youth

Parent Resources:

• Consent Team Travel Form
• Notification Guidelines Parents Form

As part of our commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community for all our participants, we have partnered with leading organizations to create complimentary trainings and resources on how you can inspire the youth voice, create a sense of belonging, and more. Training and resource topics include:

• mentor and coach training
• youth member training
• gender equity
• disability inclusion
• language assistance
• and more

The volunteer trainings below can help those new to volunteering with FIRST (or need a refresher) learn more about volunteer roles and expectations. More information for volunteers can also be found on the Volunteer page of our website.

• Volunteering with FIRST is an introductory learning module for mentors, coaches, and event volunteers that explores what FIRST is and what it means to volunteer with FIRST.
• Remote Mentoring with FIRST is a brief simulation training that explores the fundamentals of remote meetings for mentors and coaches.
• Mentoring and Coaching with FIRST is a cross-program training module designed for new and prospective mentors and coaches that will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of the expectations of the role and where to find support.