First do not get so discouraged that you stop pitching your ideas. I would suggest an idea to your team that our team has implemented this year that has been successful. We (being in Missouri
) have enacted the show me method for our team this year. If there is a disagreement between any person on our team we split up and research facts, build small scale prototypes, and develop a boardroom style pitch method for each idea. Then as a team we sit down and discuss what direction we want to go based on what was presented. This method helps bring the louder type A personalities and the quieter type B personalities to be on a closer playing field. Ask you mentors if they want to move the team in this direction and then try inspire your team to develop their presentation skills. I believe that this new method will help our team's students presentations to our judges, sponsors, and community.
I would also suggest that most teenage boys will believe themselves to be right on any decision they have made. The best way to convince them otherwise is to develop strong friendships with them. I can tell that you are dedicated in First by coming on CD and asking the help of the great community available. Use your great dedication to your advantage when it comes to presenting your ideas to your team; if you do that you just might surprise your self. Two inspirational women on CD are RoboMom and JaneYoung. You might want to PM these two to see if they could help you out also.
If you or your mentors would like to know more about the way and the benefits of the "Show Me" system then just send a PM my way. Good Luck for the rest of the build season and for the rest of your First Robotics Career.
