how often does your team meet during build season?

[JaneYoung]

FRC 418 typically meets:
Monday - Thursday, 3:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

There is usually one teacher workday and we meet a good part of that day, time arranged depending on our teacher's schedule.

We have met on Fridays and have worked late into the night but only when deemed absolutely necessary. Instead, we try very hard to set realistic goals for each sub-team per week and stick to them.

This year, we are talking about forming a tutoring/study group within the team. If anyone has suggestions on how to do that, please send me a PM. It would be very helpful and appreciated.

Regarding mandatory meetings: we require service hours. Because the team has grown so much this year, we will be changing the amount of hours required in order to qualify for travel. During build, the lead teacher will call a 'few' mandatory meetings of the team leaders, sub-team leaders, and mentors. He will call one or two team meetings and he will call one parent travel meeting toward the end of build. If a student steps forward to assume a lead position on the team, it is the expectation that he/she will be there consistently. If they can not be there, they are to notify the lead teacher and/or the mentor they are working with. If a sub-team leader can not be there, it is their responsibility to tell their team leader and/or project manager. The project manager, who is often the team leader, will have weekly meetings with the sub-team leaders. Students who work on the different aspects of the build, including the Chairman's Award and the Woodie Flowers submission, are expected to attend as much as they can but not to the detriment of their classes/grades. School comes first on our team. It is very sad to work hard on the build and then have a failing 6 weeks - unable to travel. Time management is a big plus in having a successful build and competition season.

Edit: during design phase, the design teams meet on their own and during that week, the whole team meets from after school into the evening hours for 2 nights.