Has it only been a month since the last update? It feels like it's been a whole year! In this month's newsletter we cover what's been going on since our last email, as well as important information about upcoming events and scrimmages, giveaways and things to look forward to. Check it all out below!
Operating at Alert Level 2
As part of uniting against COVID-19, we are following all the recommendations of NZ Government as well as working with groups to make sure our events feel safe. While the 10 person restriction is in place, we will not be operating any scrimmages, however are still going ahead with planning for events so we can run them as soon as the restrictions are eased (fingers crossed that happens next Monday!).
In the meantime, we are working on the finishing touches of a system to support easy contact tracing and event RSVP's, all appropriately encrypted and set up to make sure your data is securely stored and making sure our events are kept within capacities to allow for social distancing and easy contact tracing. For a full update, check out this link >> Read more
Game Rules and Strategies
VEX recently held a webinar with Global Competition Manager, Grant Cox to go through tips and tricks of the new IQ and VRC games. With scrimmages postponed so far in NZ, we are running our first nationwide live game chat, hosted by our very own George Gillard. This is an opportunity to chat rules, strategies and have a Q&A with us on all things about the game. No need to register, just head to the link in the calendar invite below!
Details Sunday 24th May at 5:00PM NZST | https://bit.ly/VEXGamesWebinar2020
Kiwibots Store Upgrade
It's great to see so many of you using the new store and providing helpful feedback about some of the features and placing orders as you begin building.
One of the main things to point out is that you must make a new account. When we moved from our old store, we completely changed platforms to update your experience meaning your login from the old kiwibots.nz store will not work here. Note that the store account is different to your account for the forum on our website (the store is actually a completely separate website despite the URL!) We're sorry for any confusion caused so far of people who have not had any success logging in with old accounts. Do feel free to reach out as well if you have any other issues. Check it out here if you haven't already!
Regional Coordinators
Our programme is growing and so is the team - we are so excited to welcome on our new Regional Coordinators to the team - George Gillard (AKL), Hamish Carr (BOP), Garry Venman (BOP), and Andy Kerrison (CHC). Many of you may have seen them at scrimmages and Nationals - make sure you say hi to them when we're up and running as they take their volunteering to the next level.
Giveaways!
The last couple of months have definitely been strange and saddening for many as we find ourselves physically distanced from our teammates. It's not quite the way we would've wanted to start our season, so here at Kiwibots we've been thinking about ways to keep up the excitement even if we can't run scrimmages just yet. Keep an eye out on our forum, Facebook and Instagram for announcements of mini competitions that we'll be running with great prizes! Follow us if you haven't already to make sure you don't miss out.
Awesome Alumni!
Have you seen the latest from the amazing Mikayla Stokes?
Alumna of the Kiwibots programme, she is one of the Young 25 Women to watch featured on Stuff and The Spinoff. We are so proud to see what she's achieved and what robotics opened up for her - check her work out on the links above!