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Unread 14-02-2015, 23:54
MrJohnston MrJohnston is offline
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FRC #0948 (Newport Robotics Group (NRG))
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Re: Team Corruption - Advice Urgently Needed

First, I would suggest that you sit down and categorize all your concerns:
1) Concerns that are clear violations of school rules or the law. (i.e. bullying, harassment)
2) Concerns that are clear favoritism.
3) Concerns that are simply poor management.
4) Concerns that you might be misreading - easy to do if you are already upset about other issues.

Disregard Category 4 completely. The last thing you want is to be seen as "overly-emotional" or "looking for trouble."

#3: These you can't do much about either - One of three things is true: There could be a simple lack of man-power among your mentors to do things well; There could be incompetence at the top; You, as a student, are misreading the situation.

#2: This is tough. Favoritism is very hard to prove and determining who is "best" for a job is often very subjective. The best way to avoid this is to have a decision-maker who is not emotionally attached to a decision as to which student should get which job. The minute parents are involved in decisions about their own child, difficulties arise: Even if the particular child is the best for the job, there are always going to be questions. Many folks believe that if a parent is very involved in a club, that their child should get the "nod" if everything else is equal. Making accusations of favoritism often comes across as "sour grapes." One way to approach this would be to have the "unchosen" student/s go to the "decision-maker" with a question like this: "I know that I didn't make the cut this year, but I want another shot next year. Where to I need to improve my game in order to have a better chance?" This can not only lead to a good, friendly conversation, but will quietly "force" the decision-maker to reflect on the situation. The key is to not be accusatory - rather show maturity, a little bit of disappointment and the desire to do better.

#1 If the person running the club is a teacher, this needs to be reported to the teacher. If not, it needs to go to the school administration. Such behaviors have no place in any school organization and must be stopped at a level above the FRC team. If an adult is the problem, that adult may need to be removed from the team.

Overall, you need to tread lightly, keep your integrity and maintain Gracious Professionalism at all times. Assume the best possible motives for each person involved.... If you do this, then, at the end of the season, once the stress of the build and competition season have ended, talk to the mentor/teacher who runs the team about your personal concerns - bring the other 30 concerned students, too.

I wish I could say that what you describe is uncommon in youth organizations, but it is not. Parents often want their kids to be "the star" and often don't see other students' needs. Money often means power... Etc. Keep your head up and your attitude positive. Good luck.
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