Application To Join A Team

[JustAThought]

Today, my girlfriend's little brother went to inquire about joining a FIRST Robotics Team. When he talked to the sponsor, he was informed there was an application to be filled out and turned in by June 6th.

I personally have no problem in having an application for statistical use or to keep a students goals for themselves documented. However, when I was shown the application, I was quickly appalled by what I saw.

The application was 6 pages long, the first three talking about the teams regulations and the application process. One of the lines read,"You will be contacted by email if you are selected to join our team." This is what began my investigation deeper into the application. No student, under any circumstance, should EVER be denied a chance to be on a FIRST robotics team. I thought that was the point of FIRST, to spread the STEM fields to the youth of our country, not just those who you think keep the image of your team you want.

I decided to keep reading, to see if it was just a misunderstanding. I was quickly reassured that my initial reading was, indeed, correct. The teams then began to list reasons why you can be dismissed from the team. Behavioural and grades were two of the things on there. This is expected on any team or organization in an academic environment. Then it began to list certain things such as being involved in other sports that may cut into the teams schedule, not being able to make it to summer training sessions, missing a single fundraiser. The list then went on and on. I was stunned that a team could have the audacity to deny a child who has other interests. During my involvement with FIRST as a student, I played golf as well. To think I could have been cut from my team simply because I wanted to do other things is simply unacceptable.

Another reason for termination, not being able to stay the entire session after school during build season. As a mentor now, I completely understand when kids have to leave early. Granted, sometimes it can become tedious, however I would never remove one of my kids from the team because they could not stay the entire time. Most of the time, they don't want to leave but they must. To punish a child because of their parents or prior obligation is a slap in the face to FIRST. Which brings me to my next point, the parent's section of the application. The parents section pretty much asks,"How much time are you willing to take out of your life so your kid can join our team?" I grew up with a single mom, who worked full time, normally over 40 hours a week, sometimes even two jobs. She couldn't be involved with the team as much the application would of liked. Why should a student, who wants to learn, be denied access onto the team because they have a hard working parent? I now work 40 hours a week myself, on top of Undergraduate Research and coaching Tee Ball, I can see where helping my team is becoming more and more difficult. But for a child to be denied because of that, is simply ungracious.

Finally, the fees. On our team, if you want to go to an event, you paid your way. Either through fundraising or out of pocket. The choice was yours. If the team wanted something in specific, we did a fundraiser for it. These techniques teach kids a good work ethic. However, a team fee does not. In a public school, how dare you put a fee on joining an EDUCATIONAL organization. The kids on your team are NOT I repeat are NOT a fundraiser. To exploit them for more money is simply outlandish. Children should have the opportunity to further their education in high school, middle school, etc tax free. No team has the right to turn down a child who is seeking out a better education for themselves because they can't pay a fee, or because they can't stay the entire time during build season or any other similar reason. If they are willing to work hard for the team, it should be left at that.

So I want to know, what is your views on team application and the refusal of team members?

P.S. No, I will not release the team that I am affiliated with this OR the team who created the application that sparked this thread.