I just sent this in an e-mail to someone, and I figured it was enough info to post here:
The biggest "mistake" I keep seeing teams making is imitating high school FIRST robotics by making the kids specialize in one area, and one area only. The idea of FLL is exposing the kids to all aspects of robotics, from the programming, to the drive train, to the posters, and team cheers. I did this with my two teams, and it went incredibly well. All of the kids have returned willingly for another season. In addition, we have gained another 12 students. The kids learnt a great deal, worked well, and placed very well at the competitions we went to (9th at a local competition, and 11th at the State Finals). Keep all the kids together, no matter what. The kids will figure out their favorites as time goes on. Allow them to switch roles. Whatever you do, don't assign the kids to strict roles. It doesn't take 6 weeks to design a logo, or to even build a robot.
What age students are you dealing with? The school I run my teams at is a K-6. So, my team is made up of 4th thru 6th graders, which makes us one of the younger teams. A really important thing to remember is that age doesn't matter. My best programmers were a 5th grade boy, and a 6th grade girl. My best builders were a 4th grader and 5th grader. And you get the point! Age doesn't matter.
A lot of people say that the parents are important in having a good team. I partially agree, partially don't agree. Our team belief was that this program was for the kids only. Teach them independence. To make their own decisions. Etc. We do appreciate parent support, but we prefer that the parents leave the team to the kids.
Big thing - get the school involved. For the past 2 years, we have had a spring robotics club (try outs for the following season), which is ended by a massive school attended competition, music, awards, everything. Then, at the end of the normal season, before the actual competitions, we have another school attended attended competition. This one actually decided who will go to what FLL competition.
Hope I helped!
Jillian
Jillibean515@aol.com