FLL Challenge Coach Conference Call – November 2025
FLL Coach Conference Call-20251113_Meeting Recording
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Meeting notes
Tournament Registration and Event Updates: Mel provided updates on finalized tournament dates, including the addition of the North Pacific qualifier at Columbia Adventist Academy, and explained the registration process for teams, emphasizing the importance of early sign-up and the availability of purchase protection.
FIRST Website Resources and Updates: Mel guided participants through the updated FIRST website, highlighting new resources such as electronic guidebooks, challenge updates, judging rubrics, score calculators, and innovation project materials, and explained how to access and utilize these tools.
Judging Process and Team Evaluation: Mel explained the judging process for tournaments, detailing the evaluation criteria based on process rather than product, the structure of judging sessions, and the roles of coaches and team members during evaluations.
Youth Protection Program and Team Member Registration: Mel detailed the requirements for coach screening through the Youth Protection Program, the process for registering youth team members, and the use of express enrollment links and QR codes, addressing related questions from Jeremy and David.
Professional Development Opportunities for Coaches: Mel introduced available professional development sessions for coaches, including both remote and in-person options, and provided details on upcoming events and registration procedures.
Background Screening Requirements by Location: Mel answered a chat question regarding background screening, specifying that Sterling is required for FIRST, but additional requirements such as fingerprinting may apply in California due to state law.
Student Participation and Team Behavior Management: Laurie raised a question about managing student participation and behavior, to which Mel responded that decisions regarding attendance, commitment, and gracious professionalism are left to individual teams, offering suggestions for handling such situations.
Upcoming Championship and Summer Event Plans: Mel announced that top teams from each region will qualify for the championship in May and shared that plans are underway for a summer event, with details still being finalized.
Follow-up tasks
Tournament Registration and Team Compliance: Ensure all teams register for tournaments, complete Youth Protection Program screening for two coaches, and have all youth members signed up with parental consent prior to participation. (All coaches)
California Volunteer Screening Requirements: Verify and complete additional background screening (including fingerprinting/live scan) for volunteers in California as required by recent state law. (California-based coaches)