[EStokely]

There have been great ideas here.

Allow me to add a few of my own.
Look for the dedicated few, is there 1 2 or 3 freshman you can work with?
Grab these guys and concentrate on them. Give them real tasks (as described previously by other posters)
Help them build the drive chassis. Get a moving machine. That is usually a big plus for team spirit.

Keep the lecture positive but I think its a good idea. You may want to say if we don't have a robot then we don't go to regionals.

If nothing else you can set the stage for next year. If you can get a core going they should hold it together.
BTW how are you funded? most teams with this lack of support can't/won't raise the fees needed. If its is outside teh school have the sponser talk to them, what they expect from the team.

Keep us informed and GOOD LUCK