TEAM FALLING APART! HELP!

[Brandon Holley]

Kim and Roger have this pretty locked down.

One thing I would also advise is not to approach the administration until you've reached a stalemate with all other solutions. Going above someones head often leads to a very abrupt change which could create even more tension.

Good luck.

-Brando

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

One thing I would also advise is not to approach the administration until you've reached a stalemate with all other solutions. Going above someones head often leads to a very abrupt change which could create even more tension.

A little late for that advice, Brandon. The administration is already involved. Hopefully they can simply act as a mediator/moderator (which can help facilitate talking).

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by EricH

A little late for that advice, Brandon. The administration is already involved. Hopefully they can simply act as a mediator/moderator (which can help facilitate talking).

I indeed did see that. What I was referring to was to take the approach Kim proposed involving a direct discussion between the two parties before having to interact through a mediator/moderator (administration).

[pyroslev]

Like everyone, I've seen what one person can do to lead to the downfall of a team. I think you guys are in a position that if you act properly and most importantly, fast, you can still pull the situation out of the fire. Everyone's advice thus far is mostly spot on. General strike won't work given the time you got left and the situation. Kims and Roger are pretty much on the mark. Here is how I'd handle it.

Go up to the highest school level supporter you have. Principal up to the School Board.
Take as many people as you can but insure that they are level headed. Those that are not, get their feelings and grievances in writing. (Bad timing in an outburst of emotion is a nail in the coffin.)
Bring the mentors, those still with you and those that have walked, into it similarly. (adults listen to adults)
Another avenue would be to bring the state/district level FIRST group in. Example would be if you were in Virginia to get in touch with someone in VirginiaFIRST. (Help from people in FIRST isn't a bad thing.)
Another local, parent or child team's support too would be great. (teamwork.)

I hope that you can get this issue resolved soon. I've seen to many good teams fall victim to politics, be it from one individual or a group. Good Luck and stay strong.

[2544HCRC]

I saw this post this morning and now that I have a chance to respond I can only wish that my response would have been as good as Kim and Rogers advice. In my experience in schools you will not get ahead by stirring the pot with administration. If you become a problem, what don't they solve by making you go away? Understand that everyone wants the same thing, you just need to figure out how to get there together. It isn't easy to be the bigger person sometimes, that's why it's called being the bigger person.

[Conor Ryan]

I have been in a similar situation and honestly, it is terrible. I completely feel for you.

Do your best to keep your team together, keep their heads high, I have been through a very similar situation and they get fixed, it just takes a lot of time and people.

My best advice I can give you is find a way to do some team bonding outside of the team meetings, I know its build season and people are all wound up around that, but get a movie night at someone's house on a Saturday night will keep the team together. Show some leadership and rally the troops around this adversity.

Some of my best friends I have ever made came out of some of the worst team situations I have ever been in as a student.

[aeniug2]

My team has been in a very similar situation for the last two years, and it sucked. We were cutting c-channel holding hack saw blades with our bare hands because we weren't allowed to use "dangerous" tools, and it was all we could sneak in...

We just kept on trying to have a positive outlook, we kept doing whatever we could to have a positive presence in the school. And eventually, the principal found out that we existed!

We met with various teachers, and eventually one agreed to help out.
He's the graphics design and the wood shop teacher, which means we have gone from using broken hand tools that we smuggled in, to using CNC machines and drill presses.

The best thing you can do is just keep trying to make it better, bit by bit, just keep showing everyone that you'r still alive and kicking... If you can hang in there things can always get better.

Now, I don't personally know your teacher person, so this might not work for you... But I would recommend just standing up to him and letting him know what FIRST is really about.

Like many others have asked, where are you located? I'm sure my team would be more than willing to lend a helping hand.

Also, Kim's advice is great.

[roveout]

I hope things work out, but if they don't.... is there another FIRST team nearby? It's not unheard of to have a 2 school Team. You might be happier and better served by combining with another team and working in their space. It's not good to work in a toxic environment.

Jeff

[Wizzard of Izz]

Truth be told, our team experienced a situations which was similar, but not as severe. Our captain got suspended because he tried to speak out against it. This might not be the absolute best thing for you to do, but try to explain in the most level-headed way that this is impeding forward progress. I agree with Kim that you should listen to your mentor's logic, first.
Our situation actually only died down after we followed our mentor's instructions, and he realized that the teams that were doing better were doing what we had wanted to do. One of the best ways to convince an engineer of something is to tell them it's already been done successfully another way.
I hope the situation is resolved soon. Good luck to you.

[missledojer217]

I feel sorry for your team. my advice would get everyone and to his Bluntly, and strait to the point. It has worked for me with past teachers, and mentors. also thanks if you actually bother to read this I do know it is eather at or near the bottom.
-team 3230

[Stormcloud22]

Originally Posted by nitneylion452

The route you have taken of contacting the principal of the school is a good one, but if that doesn't work, you may need to strike against him. Don't show up to build sessions, don't go to the competition.

I have to disagree here. I agree that asking the principal is a good idea, and you should try to negotiate before giving up on him as a mentor completely.

But please, PLEASE, do not give up on the competition and your robot just because of this obstacle! All a strike will do is cause him to say "Your loss", and give up on the whole thing! You can still build a robot, even if it's in a mentor's garage and even if you have to beg, borrow, or steal (well, maybe not steal) parts and mentors from other teams or area businesses. You can do it, with or without your mentor. It's his choice whether he wants to help you build your robot, but you can do it regardless.

Best of luck!

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by fox46

First of all, the shop is not *HIS*. He is merely an employee of the board- he does not own the equipment and resources in your school. Contacting your administration is the right way to go. What would *I* do next?

Work with your mentors and sponsors. Explain the situation if they are not already aware of it, then move everything - and I mean everything robotics related off-site to your mentor's garage. Have another teacher or the administration let you into the room and collect all your equipment. There is a magical key known as a cordless drill which can defeat nearly any lock! If it can't then it's friend- the bolt cutter, will. Your teacher will quickly get the message and he will then have to make the judgment call as to whether he's with you or against you. In any case, it doesn't matter- you will be free to work off-site as you please.

Keep in mind that (I am making an assumption here) he's not the one who paid the entry fee. You have sponsors who expect to see something for the money they have contributed. Explain to him that you have a duty to deliver a product and his actions have prevented you from doing so. Appologize for removing the equipment but explain that you felt it was necessary in order to continue with the project.

i have to respectfully state that this is really a bad and possibly criminal idea.
Breaking into school facilities and stealing the materials there are criminal acts and would only result in a quick closing of your program. You are putting a school administration in a no win situation for you if you do this.

Being a teacher in a situation where my room was being used to build robots I have experienced some of the issues here...

Cleaning up the room... It is only courtesy to clean up the room you are using if it is being used for other classes/projects

It really makes no difference who paid for your entry fee... the tools and materials belong to the school that the team is representing... not to the students...

Is your Head Coach being paid for this or is he volunteering? I know it can be a TREMENDOUS burden to the coach to do all of the things that are required to make a team work.

I think you have to find out WHY the head coach is acting the way that he is acting. Remember that there is an almost CERTAIN chance that student/mentor actions have prompted his reactions. No one acts for no reason...

I am certainly not condoning your coach's actions... they seem to be unreasonable from your description.

I just know that there are always more than one side to any situation.
Find out what the real problem is...

Again I am not condoning his actions... fighting unreasonable leadership with unreasonable or possibly criminal behavior is not ever the thing to do.

My own opinion is to not confront the teacher with a huge committee of obviously antagonistic mentors and students. Find another adult.. one with good social skills. and have that adult do a one on one meeting... no demands.... just informational on what needs to be done... and then work towards that plan... kindness and respect will do a great deal towards fixing your situation...

I hope things work out for you...
Just please don't make it worse...

Remember it is not a matter of who was right or wrong...
It is a matter of how do we proceed in a way that will allow a robot to be built and programmed ...

[xitaqua]

Hello All,

This is a very interesting thread, and I gotta say I can relate to it as someone that have been in the industry for a couple years. There have been times I have disagreed with my past bosses (just in case my current boss is reading this, I agree with all your ideas, it is just my past bosses I had disagreement).

Although I might have disagreed, and sometimes might have thought their idea was not the best idea, I have agreed to commit and give my best effort, and many times my boss was right.

For those that will be joining the workforce in a couple years, and have been thru this situation with your FIRST team, you will be better prepared when you become a professional in the industry. What does not break you, make you stronger.

Cheers,
Marcos 4:8
BERSDT (Broad Engagement Robotics Spiral Demo Team)
Spiral 11 - Program Manager.

[LemmingBot]

Maybe you should sit the mentor down with your whole team and explain to the fellow what concerns you. He needs to know that the team is not his own personal battalion, its a democratic group that he is only a coordinator for. Give him an ultimatum, if he dosent change his ways you will throw him out of the team. Start contacting local car or mechanical workshops, they will probably be very interested and be better equipped for your build. Don't let this one person ruin what is ment to be a fun sport because he's a jerk.

You cannot sacrifice your time, money and sanity dealing with this guy.

[Djinn74]

Its been about a week. What is the progress on the problem?