[falconmaster]

I feel for you and you are in a very bad position.
I have no way of being able to understand the dynamics of your team and every team is different. All I have is your account and based on that account I can offer a few possible solutions.


1. All students should get to vote for officers, or there will not be complete buy in. Adult mentors may or may not vote depends on your team dynamics
2. There should only be one adult mentor who is the "leader", the face of the mentors, so to speak. They should maintain the goals of the team which should be fun and learning, winning should not be a goal, it is a by product. The leader is responsible for the emotional health of the team as well as making sure that the team goals are maintained in a manner that compliments FIRST's Values. Too many cooks in the kitchen make a bad meal. This leader is ultimately responsible for what the team is. Where you find good teams, you will see one adult leader that stands out.
3. Create team standards for not only students but mentors as well. Mentors should not be able to just walk in.... there should be a process by which the mentor is selected and monitored. This again is the responsibility of the lead adult.
4. Lead adult makes all decisions with student offers. All communication about all team functions, financial, logistical, etc... should be communicated between the student officers and the lead adult. It should be transparent. Major issues should be taken to the team as a whole, presented and voted upon.
5. All team issues are communicated through group email so all can see
6. No disparaging comments or screen shoting, set guidlines for proper communication.
7. Unfortunately the thing you fear is probably what you really need to get all this in place and that is another meeting with the whole team and mentors as well as administration. The goal of the meeting to is correct problems or issues not pick or blame, that wont accomplish anything but get people mad or hurt.
8. You might reach out to a local team that you feel is running well and ask them to sit in on the meeting and give examples of what they do...
9. Lower team expectations about winning for a year to get everything functioning again
10. sounds like you need many team building activities not just for the students but the mentors as well. Movies, parties, hiking, camping etc....
(movie suggestions, Hoosiers, Breaking Away, McFarland, Spare Parts, Rudy, Blind side, October Sky, Tucker, Sea Biscuit)

Far be it from me to be an expert, these are just some of the things that popped into mind after reading what you wrote....Good luck