Girls on Teams

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by 1073girls

We're looking for ways to improve our girl:guy ratio. Have any suggestions?

Developing the girl/guy ratio on the team can sometimes take a while. The way to help it develop is for the girls that are members on the team to enjoy their experience. They will market and promote the team by expressing their enthusiasm.

Another way is to develop a program of recruitment and orientation at the beginning of the year, working with the school administration and teachers. Visit classes for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on what the teachers will allot you and make a presentation regarding the team and what you do. Don't just visit science and technology classes, visit liberal arts classes. That is where you will find writers and artists that will help in areas like the Chairman's, the Woodie Flowers, promotion and marketing, and spirit.

If you have any questions, PM me and I'll share our recruitment/orientation program with you.

Also, Molten's post is a wise one to think about. I'm not sure there are stereotypical jobs on FIRST teams. There may be teams made up of individuals who have that mindset but as teams develop, it becomes - who is the best person for the job.

If you have 2 or 3 or 5 girls on the team, celebrate that and help it grow. The 2008 team is not the 2007 team and won't be the 2009 team. Every year is a new year and a new opportunity for growth and development as a FIRST team. It's very cool.