Keeping Potential Casual Crew Committed

[nautical62]

Several times over the years the time previous sailing companions have to sail is less than the total time I have, so sometimes I make up the difference by taking on casual crew. For the most part, this has worked out very well. One has come back to join me 6 times now. However, over the past few years I've had more experiences with "committed" crew canceling at the last minute, making it difficult for me to find a replacement. Usually, it's because they had something else, like a potential job change going on they did not tell me about and were not truly committed.

I'm just wondering if other people here who take on casual crew have come up with some methods to help ensure that crew is vested in the experience and won't cancel at the last minute.