[Clem1640]

We lost our teacher/mentor in 2008 and ultimately went independent. I do not recommend this approach (it's really rough and requires very high adult personal commitment), but we have made it work, at least so far (sustainability is always an issue).

Our founder and head mentor was forced to leave the team and teaching for health reason in the middle of the 2008 build season. We had a "sit and watch" replacement for the remainder of the 2008 season, but after this we needed to find a new home. We tried but failed to recruit a teacher/mentor to replace our founder. We had school board and school administration support in this effort, but it failed anyway.

Since then, we incorporated. We hold our own liability insurance. We rely on donated space (and we move frequently as a consequence - last time between Christmas & New Years (Yikes!)). The FRC team is competent (making it to Einstein for the first time this year). We've grown our program, operate 6 FLL teams and last year hosted an FLL scrimmage and qualifier.

The team retains a very close relationship with the local school board and school administration. They appreciate but do not (and can not) support us.

But this is a hard road. Work with your school if you can.