Volunteer Welcome Letter.
Welcome to the Aerospace Robotics Competition (ARC)!!
The ARC is a fun, exciting, and challenging competition for high school students. Teaching students valuable pillars in engineering and teamwork: build, code, fly, learn! Additionally, the ARC is about sharing our passion for STEM to our local communities. We want our students, teachers, parents, and volunteers to have an engaging and inspirational experience.
Let us share with you some history and expectations as you take on your volunteer role. For starters, ARC is run by a 501(c)3 non-profit called STEM-ED, inc. This non-profit was founded in Florida to originally connect volunteers to educators -- supporting STEM initiatives. After expanding into DC and establishing a model of outreach that was adopted by the DC STEM Network, STEM-ED members founded and then expanded the ARC.
STEM-ED Vision: "Inspiring a passion for STEM and illuminating the doors that it can unlock"
There are three very important core values that we expect all ARC participants to strive for: integrity, excellence, and respect. Demonstrate honesty and fairness -- to be integrity filled; to strive for excellence in pursuing the competition objectives; to show respect to each other in all facets of our interactions. We must hold each other accountable to these core values while lifting each other up in our joint pursuit of this competition. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassing behavior and/or discriminatory behavior. If you see behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable, from students, teachers, parents, and/or volunteers please reach out to your regional director or the board of directors and we will rapidly work to resolve the issue(s).
As a volunteer we ask you to show up with a good attitude and a willingness to share your passion for STEM. We also expect that volunteers do what they say they will do. If you agree to support an objective, event, meeting, etc. please follow-thru. Your actions will serve as a great role model. Of course, things come up and this is a volunteer role, so simply communicating beforehand a delay or inability to support something is an equally powerful example. Please watch your language, teach through kindness, demonstrate patience, and always know you can ask for help -- we are here for one another.
We want to provide volunteers unique opportunities to engage with both their local community and others at the national level. The following are benefits of being an ARC volunteer:
- Non-profit experience - Mentorship with students
- Letters of recommendation - Volunteer-only speaker series
- Annual volunteer awards - Networking between other volunteers/sponsors - A fun and engaging time with like minded STEM champions
We are so excited that you are taking an active role in the ARC and your local community. This is an amazing way to use your passion and energy to make a real impact on our youth. We appreciate you and your time. We commit to you that we will try our best to make this a rewarding competition and fulfilling volunteer experience. Let’s go be the change we need in our community and society!
Sincerely, STEM-ED Board of Directors