WHAT TEAM MEMBERS GO TO NATIONALS

[AmyPrib]

Originally Posted by Kyle45

On my team everyone is able to go. We have to pay around 200-300 dollars though. About 10-15 people get a "free ride" from Delphi where all they have to pay for is food. It's a great idea to look at...

-Kyle

Actually, last year we based it on a points system. There are so many meetings, and work days, and other activities that go on throughout the fall and build season. The students received a number of points for each activity they attended. Anyone wanting to go to competitions had to pay a deposit for their travel, but at the end of build season, we had 3 ranges of points. Highest points (to a certain break point) had travel pretty much paid for, middle bracket had half (or some amount) paid for, and lower bracket had to pay for themselves.

Also, we will not allow students to travel if they have any school grades below a C-, regardless of what points bracket they are in. So not everyone always gets to go.

We also have some fundraising that can get applied to a students "account", which can help them pay for some travel if needed.

Having it based on their activity level is a pretty good way to make travel decisions. If everyone is equally involved and interested with the program, then decisions can be tough. We do our best to have everyone go to the competitions with us because we think it's exciting and valuable for every student to attend. We don't like leaving anyone behind. But the manner in which they get there is not always the same.

[Kyle Love]

Thanks for correcting me Amy.

[Chris Fultz]

We work hard to be sure everone who is eligible to attend can attend every event.

Students are required to attend 80% of the meetings, maintain a defined gpa, and be passing all classes at the time of the trip (teacher leaders make sure of this.). Students are also expected to get small sponsors. Anyone who is not contributing to the team during the build season is dealt with then, not before travel time.

I think it is important for everyone who was a part of the team to travel with the team. The trips are the real reward for the season and how a team comes together as a group. Rookie team members can learn so much from being at the events that it is worth a lot of extra effort to get them there. You never know which student will get the super inspiration!

Two years ago we qualified for the Championship after attending 2 regionals. The funds were very low to cover even a portion of the team traveling. We ended up asking each student to contribute a little more money (students have to pay a fee to be a part of the team) and everyone was able to go. We stayed at a cheaper hotel, rented vans, and did picnic lunches everyday. It was great to be there and have the whole team with us.

So - some ideas to get the team there -

More fundraising.
Stay at off-site hotels, especially suite hotels with 5 to a room and free breakfast.
Ask students to put in some (more) money.

[Julia Magoolia]

We have a few ways of doing this. First, we have a system that tracks how many hours everyone's been at meetings. We use this to get a basis of how much they COULD have contributed, but it's not always that effective. This year, we're having each student write a list of what they've contributed to the team.