[nycfem]

Yes, we do have the same people repeatedly drop out. If it becomes too glaring, I bring it up either on the thread if it seems appropriate or 1:1 if not. Sometimes I think the people who always drop out don't even realize that they always drop out. I've never had anyone I've directly addressed it with come back at me in anything but a kind way (maybe because I also approach them in a kind way).

I definitely don't think anyone who dropped out in one project should get to sign up for the next, but that's usually not how it works. They know to keep a distance for a project or two or more and then reappear. It's hard because we are a friendly group, and they may happen to be our good friends. But I think it needs to be called out when it happens repeatedly.

We have two type of drop-outs:

1) People who are completely new to the thread and they sign up for something and then disappear

and

2) People who occasionally turn in a project but often don't. Sometimes these people are great artists and their work is enjoyed but when I see their name on a list, I clench up a bit, knowing what we may be in store for, and also knowing that fairly new people don't know that this person is not that reliable or consistent.

On a positive note, we also have a decent size group of people who are very reliable.

I think it's very much about being open and direct. People who constantly make excuses don't always realize they do. I've never had someone who I've confronted in a nice way, challenge me and say: "I'm signing up anyway." If we get too specific in our rules, we risk people getting around the system (e.g. if they just have to skip one project, then they will be back and do it again.). That being said, if someone has dropped out twice, whether in order or not, they're usually not reliable in my book.