I hate when people tell you they're committed to something, and then drop out at the last minute (for non-emergency reasons) and screw over everyone else.
Our dragon boat team division requires 14 people on the boat, 4 women must be on the boat and we're allowed only one alternate (so, a team of 15, tops). Before we started practices, and I already sent in the non-refundable payment, we had at least 7 women and 18 potential paddlers. Now we've had 2 practices, no more than 9 people at a practice (people keep "forgetting" or dropping out literally at the last minute), maybe 3 women (the 4th one is still making up her mind) and we may-or-may-not be under the required 14 people on the boat. I hate the people who were telling me all winter and spring they were "excited" for dragon boat season, and then at the last minute decide they don't want to commit to the 8 practices. What's even worse is that practice is an hour long, and they all live within the 5 boroughs so they're a fraction of the distance from the lake. I captain the team, so I have to drive into Flushing from central Jersey every week, not to mention make baby-sitting arrangements because Mr. Z is also on the team and Li'l Z is too young to take onto the boat. And I don't even require them to make every single practice if they have vacation plans! Just be there for Time Trials and Race Weekend. Arrrrgghhhh!
But I also don't want to screw over the people that have been showing up every week. They've been committed and they're really into it. And race weekend is incredibly fun. I just want to make sure their efforts aren't for nothing.