Commitment

[smurfgirl]

During our "offseason" period, (September-December, May-June), we meet regularly once a week for two hours, with extra events like fundraisers, offseason competitions, and community activities.

During our "main season", we hold meetings six days a week regularly, with some Fridays (the seventh day). Monday through Thursday are 3-4 hours each, Saturday is 8 hours, Sunday is 5 hours, and the some Fridays are usually 5 hours. This is a total of up to 34 hours a week, not including fundraisers, competitions, and other events.

However, we only require 60% attendance to go to competitions, and we offer opportunities to receive what is, in effect, "extra credit", for attending specific meetings to clean up our workshop, etc. (We try to be flexible, and there are exceptions in extenuating circumstances, such as one kid whose mom died of cancer.)

Despite the attendance requirement, you see the dedicated members at robotics nightly, often with >100% attendance because of our "extra credit" opportunities. I've seen as low as 3% attendance, as well, with the people who you wonder why they stick around on the team.