[Chris is me]

Our team has a fairly simple structure that works pretty well for us. Obviously you can't necessarily copy and paste it, but I imagine it is a good model to adapt. Works for us at least.

Heading the team is the Ultimate Force of the Universe, our mentor Mr. Wittman. He invests a ton of his time and energy into the team, and does everything from helping to line up demos to managing finances to mentoring. If we had to say someone "in charge" of the team, it'd be him, but our head mentor doesn't micromanage excessivly or anything.

We have a Team Captain and Assistant Captain, they also lead the team's meetings to decide the general robot design.

Our team works with a sub-team system we call CDTs (Component Design Teams). Students head one team each (Electrical, Chassis / Drivetrain, Manipulator, Controls, Programming, Strategy, Awards, Finances, etc.). This gives students a chance to direct, make mistakes, collaborate, etc. Assistant CDT Captain positions are given to students under the grade level of the captain of that particular CDT to learn effective leadership skills from them. The CDT Captains, in addition to leading the members of the design team, work with each other and the student team captains in order to make sure all of the robot will fit together.

Students can join as many CDTs as they feel that they can assist with, but most join about 2 or 3. By joining you're expected to be committed to what you sign up for, though more lenience is given to rookie members as they try and find their passion.

Mentors help along the way, joining CDTs like students and working together.