Membership Obligation
To help keep Robinson Crew an elite Virginia scholastic rowing organization,
we need every team member to:
Accumulate 7 Volunteer Points
Raise $200 in Fundraising
1. Volunteer your time to accumulate 7 points.
Sample volunteer opportunities:
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RCBC Board Member - 7 points
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Tag Day Driver - 2 points
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Regatta Food Tent - 1 point (per set up or take down)
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Regatta Concessions Stand - 1 point (per regatta)
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Regatta Launch Boat Driver - 2 points (per regatta)
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Swim Test Proctor - 1 point
The Robinson Crew Booster Club (RCBC) assigns point values to each volunteer position based on expected level of effort and time commitment. The RCBC will continuously track and report point totals and will assess team members a fee of $50 per point for any shortfall at the end of the season to ensure every rower’s membership remains “in good standing.”
There is no “buy out” option for volunteering, as our team needs your time in these areas.
Families with more than one rower are only required to earn half points for the second rower.
2. Raise at least $200 profit through these fundraisers:
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Erg-a-thon fundraiser
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RaiseRight scrip
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Corporate sponsorships
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Bundt cake sales
If you are unable to participate, reach $200, or prefer not to fundraise, you have the option to “buy out” and pay the remainder of the fundraising obligation. Team members can buy out, fundraise, or use a combination of both methods to reach the $200 fundraising obligation. These fundraisers are necessary for our program to operate and to keep our registration fees relatively low.
Tag Day is a mandatory fundraising event (all rowers) and is not included in this $200 individual goal.
The fundraising requirement applies to every rower. Families with more than one rower are required to fundraise $200 for each rower in the program.
Robinson Crew Membership Obligation FAQs
Q: Why is rowing so expensive?
A: Robinson Crew is completely self-funded and receives no money from Robinson Secondary School or Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The RCBC has been able to keep registration fees relatively low compared to other local high school programs because of strong volunteering and generous contributions by our community and families like you.
Q: How did the RCBC determine that 7 points and $200 is the right amount?
A: The RCBC used an average of both volunteer and fundraising needs over the past several seasons (considering inconsistencies during COVID) to keep the program operating at its highest levels and still keep registration fees relatively low. The RCBC feels that the resulting membership obligation satisfies those needs and will continue to re-evaluate program needs each season.
Q: When does the season for accumulating points begin and end?
A: The RCBC “membership season” runs from July to June.
Q: If I find a corporate sponsor, does that contribute to my fundraising requirement?
A: Yes – 10% of corporate sponsorships secured go towards a rower’s $200 requirement. Example: a single $250 sponsor would equate to $25 off your requirement, $1000 would be $100 off, $2000 would be $200, etc.
Q: What happens to any extra points I have at the end of next season?
A: Points reset at the end of the membership season in June. Points will not carry over to the next season. In addition, members cannot “gift” any extra points to other members.
Q: What does it mean to be a member “in good standing?”
A: Membership in good standing is defined in the RCBC Bylaws found here.
Q: What is Tag Day? Why is my rower required to participate?
A: Tag Day (door to door soliciting) is a two-day event occurring annually in January/February. Tag Day is the single largest fundraising event of the season, bringing in over $20,000 of donations annually. All rowers are required to participate fully in both Tag Days.
Q: What is the erg-a-thon?
A: For the 2024-2025 season, the erg-a-thon will replace our previous Letter Writing Campaign fundraiser. This year, our athletes will row for donations at Robinson Crew’s first ever erg-a-thon. Our rowers will work together to row on indoor rowing machines called “ergs.” Our Erg-A-Thon is tentatively scheduled to take place in February.