[EricH]

Originally Posted by JNelson

Code Red has been an open book right from the beginning. We sent details of team formation to national FIRST in New Hampshire and to FIRST in Michigan in November and December 2008. We provided full disclosure of who, what, why the teamed formed.

Even as recently as mid-February, we communicated with FIRST in Michigan about our team status and roster. We also posted that info on our website so that everyone would know. In their reply, FIRST advised us that we qualify as a Rookie team, and that we could choose our status, rookie or veteran.
[...]
We gained strength only because the vision of the team, set by the students, was an attractive one. The kids felt good about asking their friends to join a team that stressed character development and fun while learning engineering side of things. After our first four veteran students started the team, four more former 288 students joined the team. Again, we notified FIRST in Michigan right away. We are a rookie team, but I know many teams are telling us we don’t act like a rookie team.

It looks like you guys followed all the proper steps in this situation. Contact FIRST and FiM, and when things change, contact again and follow what they tell you, is the way to go in this case. They told you you could choose, and a number of vets told you you were a rookie. So, you formed as a rookie. I can't say that I'd do differently.

If you object, this is not the proper place to do so. Contact FIRST and FiM directly. Guess what, you've been beaten to it.

To 2771, good luck in your upcoming competitions.