View Single Post
  #49   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 08-10-2010, 16:14
Mark McLeod's Avatar
Mark McLeod Mark McLeod is online now
Just Itinerant
AKA: Hey dad...Father...MARK
FRC #0358 (Robotic Eagles)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Hauppauge, Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,924
Mark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond reputeMark McLeod has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Registration 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by iCurtis View Post
I'd be curious to see when a team is most likely to disappear, I'd be willing to bet that it is after the 1st, 4th, and 5th seasons.
I did this analysis last year but I don't think I ever published it. It's a little early to do now, it's only been a week after all, but sometime in December I'll run the numbers.

Things really took a turn after I went to bed...
Unfortunately, I've been fighting fires at work this week and I have an intermediate LabVIEW workshop tomorrow I should probably prepare for. Otherwise, I'd enjoy joining Jane's sustainability discussion thread.

SBPLI-LI FIRST has always been a separate organization from FIRST that uses the FIRST programs in its' mission. We do our own Regional fundraising, team development, sustainability, but other than having a bit more freedom we're probably very similar to most FIRST Regional organizations.
Many years back, for a short period SBPLI offered a financial incentive to vets for bringing in and sponsoring one rookie team. That was at a time we were trying to rebuild a critical mass after a die-off of teams due to the loss of a major island-wide team sponsor. I wouldn't say it was a game changer at the time.
After that SBPLI took a step back and recruits a managable influx, averaging 3 rookies each year for the past 9 years or so.

Our vet retention rate is pretty high since the die-off. Our average dropout rate has been at most one team a year, and they usually come right back after a year off.
Our team losses have been due to the loss of district interest/political support, retirement of sole team leaders, and a few really due to school budget cuts rather than sponsor losses. Schools pay at least one team advisor for legal purposes and when that's cut (or that advisor retires) the team is defacto defunct. The solution to an advisor leaving is a succession plan.
__________________
"Rationality is our distinguishing characteristic - it's what sets us apart from the beasts." - Aristotle

Last edited by Mark McLeod : 08-10-2010 at 18:43.