Hi ,

In this week's blast:

⚙️ Express Enrollment / Express Mentor 
⚙️ Drive Base & Black Tote Opt Out 
⚙️ Event Preferencing Resources 

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Express Enrollment/Express Mentor: Lead coaches in the United States and Canada with completed FIRST^® Youth Protection Screenings can take advantage of our express features which provides a simplified experience on mobile and desktop to register and accept youth/mentors to FIRST teams: 

🤖 Express Enrollment can be used for youth members. View Express Enrollment Lead Coach Instructions and the Express Enrollment Parent/Guardian Instructions.    

🤖 Express Mentor can be used to invite and accept mentors and youth mentors aged 13-17. Please note that this application cannot be used to invite lead coach 1 or lead coach 2. View Express Mentor Lead Coach Instructions and Accepting an Express Mentor Invitation Instructions.    

Reminder! Drive Base & Black Tote Opt Out: By default, all Kickoff Kits include a Drive Base Kit & Black Tote, but veteran teams who are “event ready" can opt to receive vouchers instead of the drive base kit and/or the Black Tote by selecting “Drive Base Opt Out” or “Black Tote Opt Out” from the “Team Options” under the “Parts and Products” drop down in the FIRST Dashboard. Teams can opt out until September 23, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. noon ET.  
Note: Event ready refers to teams with two assigned Lead Coaches and, if they are in Canada or the U.S., both must have a completed background check.    

Resources of the Week: Event preferencing begins in less than a month. Teams should check out the Event Preferencing User Guide & Event Preferencing FAQ. These resources help explain the Event Preferencing process and answer any potential questions. As a reminder, Event Preferencing opens next week so make sure to read these to prepare! 

Upcoming Important Dates:

⚙️ Monday, September 1 at 12:01 a.m. ET – 2025 FIRST Scholarship Program Opens 
⚙️ Tuesday, September 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET – Drive Base & Black Tote Opt Out Closes 
⚙️ Thursday, September 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET – First Event Registration - Round 1 Preference Opens