[Allison K]

Not to sound terribly pessimistic, but I'm going to go with politics as the biggest problem faced by FIRST teams.

Although all of the other issues are certainly an obstacle, nothing has quite the destructive power that politics possess. Politics are subtle, unlike issues (like funds, students, etc.) which are out in the open to discuss and solve.

I'd like to be able to think that FIRST (both teams and as an organization) is above the personal agenda, or the grudge, or manipulation, but political questions are some of the most difficult ones to answer. What truly is best for the students? How does one balance the needs of the team/organization with the needs of individual students? How can we (as members of FIRST, or as members of a team) continue to operate as one unified group, while still respecting the thoughts and opinions of the individual?

~Allison