[Josh Fritsch]

Hi, our team never really had a problem with this, but maybe I can offer some insight about why we never did and some suggestions so that this problem can be fixed. First off when the students want to participate on the team, they must go through an application process as well as get a recommendation from a teacher. They must sign an agreement saying that if they choose to join they commit to being at all mandatory meetings throughout the season. If they cannot, then they cant be on the team. A team needs support by all its members to be successful, thats what being a team means.

Before the season starts, I would suggest having some mandatory meetings just for team building and to get to know each other. If you really know your team mates and everyone starts to see that coming to meetings is enjoyable, then they will be more willing to come. Make sure everyone on the team has a role, split the team up into different sub-groups. Give them responsibility. If they are responsible for something and know that their time will not be wasted while at the meetings then they will come. A fun thing that my team likes to do is have "theme days". Every Saturday meeting that we have we have a different theme to dress up as. It keeps the team spirit high and they can have some fun with it. Think of different ways to keep the students interested, find out what they want to do on the team and pair them up with a someone who has been on the team before to show them the ropes.

Being a leader for anything is never an easy job. Whether it is FIRST, or your job, the leaders often are doing a lot more things than you ever see to make sure the team is successful.