for each competition, there are a certain amount of robotics related hours, community service hours, and fund raisers
each team member needs to have in order to go on a trip.
This year, for example, in order to go to both regionals (our local one (UCF) and out-of state one (Denver)) and the championship event, a student needs to have dedicated at least 90 hours to the robotics team itself (either helping design and assemble the robot, working on chairmans award or on the spirit comittee, or whatever), 10 community service hours elsewhere (its his/her choice), and needs to have participated in at least 7 fundraisers this year. if a team member has participated less than those requirements, then they may only go to one or both regionals. it really just depends on their hours, dedication, and attitude.
sure it may seem a little harsh to impose restrictions on who can do what even though they are interested in FIRST, but it ensures that the people truly involved and dedicated are allowed to have fun, and gives the slackers something to work for.
(honestly, its not that hard to rack up hours. i've only got 152 hours (okay i have the most out of everyone on my team so far) but that doesnt count hours i've spent working on the robot/chairmans award that i never really bothered to count.)