[waialua359]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

The voting thus far points to loss of mentor/teacher and funding issues as leading causes.

Mentors might leave a team suddenly due to change in jobs or life-events (getting married, having children).

For our Team 359, we have endured losing our main mentors and lead coordinator during our early years. We nearly almost folded as a result. Two of us are the remaining founders of the team and had to learn to readjust our roles in the program, while searching for more volunteers and support.
Those that have done FIRST heavily and successfully with the right mix of mentors, understand what it takes, which makes it even tougher to replace anyone. The best and most common examples of setting up contingency plans that I have personally seen involves former students becoming mentors.

As for having a life changing experience having children, that cannot be stressed enough!! There are days I tell myself its time to give it up....