[GeorgeTheEng]

I hope that you will find that the vast majority of teams are not like this. Look at the comments made in the Unsung FIRST Heros area. There are a number of great mentors and great teams. Look at the number of alumni that return to teams or go off and start new teams. Your experience is definitely NOT typical. But it is sad.

Is the team lead a mentor from you major sponsor, A teacher, Or a student?

I assume by some of the comments in your post that you are a student and that you are not the only one who feels this way. Has anyone brought this issue to the attention of thier parents or the main contact at the school?

If you advisor isn't willing to change the situation, then maybe it is time to bring these issues to someone in the school administration.

I hate to see a team run in a way that is deterimental to the students involved. I'm sure you will get a number of responses from folks much wiser then myself. All I can say is that if the situation is bad, you have to work to change it. If that means you can't meet a happy medium with your team's organization, see if there are other teams somewhere in the area looking for new members.

Hopefully someone here will give you advice that will help.