# Binder

## **The Impact Binder**

The Impact Binder is an optional supplemental resource that teams may provide to judges during their Impact interview. It serves as a way to categorize, organize, and provide evidence of your outreach efforts. Since FIRST emphasizes evidence-based outreach, the binder helps validate and showcase your team’s impact.

### **What to Include in the Impact Binder**

**1. Table of Contents**

FIRST provides official documentation forms to help structure your binder. Each event should include:

* Event Name
* Location
* Date
* FIRST’s Official Definition of the event type
* Type of Documentation (e.g., photos, emails, thank-you cards)

#### **2. Outreach Event Sections**

Each outreach event should have its own page or section that includes:

* Description of the event
* Goals and impact
* Evidence (photos, testimonials, emails, media coverage, etc.)

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### **FIRST Official Outreach Definitions**

FIRST uses specific definitions to categorize outreach efforts. Your team should accurately classify each initiative using the terms below:

#### **Team Support Definitions**

* **Started** – Your team has started another FIRST team if you have done at least one of the following:
  * Funded at least 50% of the team’s registration fee
  * Introduced them to FIRST and helped them register
* **Mentored** – Your team has mentored another FIRST team if you:
  * Provided consistent communication (in-person, virtual, email, etc.)
  * Helped with technical or non-technical FIRST program challenges
  * The mentored team confirms that your team mentored them
* **Assisted** – Your team has assisted another team if you:
  * Provided some form of communication or support (technical or non-technical)
  * Provided funding and/or supplies
  * The assisted team confirms your team helped them
* **Provided Published Resources** – Your team has created and shared educational materials to support other teams. These must be:
  * Published online, in print, or through presentations
  * Designed to help with technical or non-technical FIRST challenges

#### **Event Support Definitions**

* **Ran an Event** – Your team has planned and executed an event if:
  * Team members were responsible for the majority of the planning
  * Team members executed or supervised volunteers throughout the event
* **Hosted an Event** – Your team has hosted an event if:
  * It took place at a team facility or a venue arranged by the team
* **Supported an Event** – Your team has supported an event if:
  * Multiple members participated in planning or executing the event
  * Multiple members volunteered for the entire duration of the event

#### **Community Engagement Definitions**

* **Reached** – Your team has reached someone if they have interacted with or observed your team in some capacity, either digitally or in person.
* **Advocated** – Your team has engaged in advocacy if you have:
  * Met with government officials, community leaders, school administrators, or business leaders to promote STEM/FIRST
  * Developed relationships with these groups to support public policy changes that promote STEM/FIRST
  * Served as a resource for officials and leaders as they create public policy changes related to STEM/FIRST

For more details, visit [firstinspires.org](https://www.firstinspires.org).

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### **Final Tips**

* **Stay organized** – Judges will appreciate a clear, well-structured binder.
* **Use visuals** – Photos, charts, and testimonials help showcase your impact.
* **Cross-reference with your essay** – Ensure consistency between your essay, executive summaries, and binder.
* **Bring extra copies** – If possible, provide a digital version or printed summary pages for judges.