[rick.oliver]

First, congratulations and thank you for accepting the challenge to maintain the team.

I see that you are from Chicago - 111 would certainly be a great resource, excellent mentors always willing to help.

Check out 1114 resources on running a team, kit bot, strategies, etc. All excellent resources.

Mentor's guide from FRC site resources, excellent training material for your new mentors.

Make sure that you spend time this fall orienting and enrolling every member of the team. By that I mean, be clear on your team's purpose (mission, vision, whatever you call it). Get everybody on the same page and build a common understanding of your values. Clearly communicate your processes, especially how you will be making decisions. Be sure to engage your students in the process; understand what they want out of the experience and what motivates them.

The common description I hear about healthy, highly-effective teams is "partnership" between mentors and students. Define it, work it, make it happen and you will overcome any obstacles you face.