I've just been reading all of this - and just in case some newbie reads it all and it stops them from joining - please give it a go. Try and read the first post in any project you claim in . Do your "1 minute test" to get your settings right first - and welcome aboard.
We are all aware that recording often takes longer than you expect so it is very easy to say - I've got a spare weekend so I'll take that one and that one and that one etc and not be able to do them all - we are all new, and understand, just tell the BCs
We should also be aware that many of our longtime readers have real-life commitments either during the week or every weekend - I usually post reminders and give them a full week to respond or submit before I orphan it - it means I may post before the time has quite run out.
And PLers the same.
For group projects that have really short sections - like poetry recipes quotations etc, I think it is reasonable to set a 1-week deadline.
We are ALL volunteers here.
Anne