Applying for your team?

[Kyle]

On MOE we do have an application, Since we demonstrate at events all year around we hope that they generate interest for students, and adults, to join.We let students know our website www.moe365.org when we go to events that have high school students or 8th graders. Since we take students from any local area or high school, home schools included we needed a way to see who has interest in the team and a way for them to sign up to attend our team kick off in September, we use these student applications * to do that. The applications are mostly for information on what the student is interested in and what type of FIRST related experience(s) they have such as taking a CAD class in school or being part of an FLL team. These are not used to deny or sort students in any way but just a way us to see who we have coming onto the team. We also have a adult application * for the same reasons. Once the students attend our team kickoff in early September we have weekly meetings and run our MOE University
After MOE University in December students are reviewed based on their attendance and attitude during MOE U, I can't remember a student not joining the team after showing up to MOE U other then school/personal reasons.

I like the idea of having some kind of application to join the team just to get a general idea of what a student or adult wants to get from the team before they join. But it should not be the end all of a student being allowed on a team a team should look at involvement and also the experience that the student is getting out of the team.

* Please do not fill out or submit the applications unless you really plan on joining our team.

[Tottanka]

Our team has a big big problem on that very issure, so we happily accept anyone who wants to be on our team.
This year we had 5 constantly coming members, so we had to take a few non-consistent people with us to our one and only regional.

[Kelly]

Team 1418 welcomes any students from our high school or the middle school next door who want to come to meetings. This year, one of our most active non-seniors was a seventh grader.

[JaneYoung]

This thread is great. It shows one aspect of the diversity of FIRST.
418 has traditionally been open to everyone. Overall, the mentors' philosophy lead by our teacher, Mr. Bertucci, is that we don't know who we are reaching, when we are reaching them, or how they are being reached. There isn't a time line for inspiration. Many of our students come in from the sci tech classes but not all of them.

Of course as you grow and develop as a team, you find what works for you and there is always room for tweaks and improvement. We're in process of becoming more organized in several areas but our team will remain open to those who walk through the door and stay.

[4throck]

Wow, making people apply seems like it would be a put off. I guess if you were swamped with applicants that might be something to consider, but I would recommend spinning off another team were that to be the case, assuming you can afford it. We have no requirements, other than in order to go to regionals, you must pay for your hotel room and work at least 20 hours on the robot. And that last part isn't rigidly enforced.

[4throck]

Also, if anyone cares, the issue of applications for teams dealing specifically with grade requirements was discussed here:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=57245

[vivek16]

nope no application this year. although next year that might be nice just to get some contact information in the beginning.

-vivek

[laurenlacy]

Originally Posted by 4throck

Wow, making people apply seems like it would be a put off.

I think for some teams that is somewhat desirable. For teams who are just building themselves up, it's probably not the greatest idea, though there are always exceptions. However, many teams don't have the mentor support to handle large numbers of team members. For us, it's not about the number of students, it's about the inspiration each student gets... and we decided that to support the FIRST program goals we'd have to limit membership. While it's a tough decision, I don't think the application process some teams have deters those students who will benefit most from the program from applying, and in many cases it has a very positive effect on teams.