[Chris Fultz]

While there might be some that take advantage of specific situations, I think the majority of people and companies that play multiple roles work hard to separate them and avoid any perception of a conflict.

Many of the judges, referees and other volunteers at an event are also a part of another team. They may have others teams they especially like or dislike for some reason, but they leave it at the door when they come to volunteer. The events are better with people who play multiple roles because they can bring a perspective that someone totally independent from a team can bring.

As with everything in life, there will some who appear to get special treatment - the teachers kid, the coaches daughter, the sponsors team, but I would say most of the time that is really not the case.

As for the cost - I can't say if it is too high or not. We were just at the Phoenix Regional. FIRST had to rent the facility for at least 5 days - 1 to set up, 1 for practice, 2 for competition, and another to clean up and leave. Everything had to be shipped there and to the next stop. There were computers, video cameras, projectors, volunteers to be fed, medals to purchase, and on and on. None of it comes cheap and often facility rules will dictate what volunteers can do and what must be done by paid facility people.