[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Monochron

I would guess that FIRST hasn't implemented something like this for the same reason that you didn't indicate how exactly it could be done. That reason being that it is incredibly hard to execute a plan like that where teams are able to be matched with "high quality" mentors. How do you vet out a "high quality" mentor? What do you do with all the "mediocre" mentors that come to FIRST wanting to help?

I would suggest that you work on one of the other bits of advice that FIRST often gives. Reach out to local teams / local mentors. Like 20, at least. The people with the skills you are looking for exists, and they are working on the successful teams around you. For instance, it took our team months of trying to figure out who to write grants before we found out that a mentor on an old team in our area is a teacher who is hugely successful grant writer. If I had bothered to write an email to NCFIRST, our regional director, or senior mentors I could have had the person's contact information in a matter of days.

First in Michigan matches every rookie team with an experienced mentor team.