[Al Skierkiewicz]

Teams have had this issue from the very beginning. It is true in scouting, little league or soccer (fill in your own activity) as well. Some parents lose sight of the final goal. I work hard to get students to recognize that advanced education is the key to having a happy life and getting to do something you really like. The robot is merely a tool to get there, but it is very effective. I can only point to the Chairman's Award for guidance. When a team looks to working for this award, decisions made on an interpersonal level melt away. You start to think, "A Chairman's team would never do that." It is obviously distressing for me to hear that a team is splitting for any reason.
If the intent of this program is to get students pointed at advancing their education, why would a team reject new members? Our only reason would be our team structure. We are a class in our school district and that brings certain other factors into team membership.