[gblake]

Scanning through this thread, I haven't noticed anyone asking the students what they want to get from being a member of this team.

Once you answer that, and then ask yourselves how many other ways exist to accomplish the same goals (despite the fact that plenty of people drink the Kool-aid, FIRST is definitely not the only way to enjoy STEM activities or robotics activities), I'll hope that you suddenly realize that the folks you feel trapped by, actually have NO hold over you.

You can find sources of STEM inspiration without them. You can form STEM robotics or software teams, and enjoy excelling without them.

You can form a school club, a 4H club, a neighborhood club, a Scouting Venture group, a Church group, a whatever, completely without needing permission, participation, or support from those other students or adults.

Once you become comfortable with those notions, and you have realized that you aren't trapped - that there are no chains on you - then I suggest you decide what you want to do next.

Life is too short to spend it in a miserable he-said, she-said, die-in-the-ditch fight over demanding respect from anyone whose respect you don't need.

So be gracious, be professional, be confident, be effective and be inspired. Accomplish your goals without painting yourself into imaginary boxes. Pay the price of success in honest effort, and live well.

If doing the above includes improving the internal processes of the FIRST team you are supporting right now, do it for the right reasons, do it quietly, use advice from mature and respected leaders within your community, and do it as a form of paying forward, not to punish anyone.

Blake