So, about my team . . .

[Hot_Copper_Frog]

Originally Posted by jackedamerican

Disclaimer: I'm not on 3880.

So, my team isn't the best of teams. We're going to worlds but it makes no sense because our teacher decided it would be best to take only four students for the "learning experience". Said teacher isn't even taking any seniors and only taking people "who will benefit the future of our team". I've offered to fundraise for other students but I've been shot down multiple times. I just don't know what to do anymore.

If your team is struggling, then my guess is that your teacher is trying to improve the outlook for next season. They may view this trip to worlds as an opportunity to show younger members of the team what they could accomplish, and give them access to some of the resources at the World Championship. From their perspective, this would yield the highest amount of return on time invested going into next season.

You mention specifically that your teacher isn’t selecting any seniors – so it kind of sounds to me like you might be a senior yourself. I completely understand the desire to attend Championships as a team member before you graduate. When you are talking to your teacher about this, try and put yourself in their shoes and remain calm. Speaking from a place of logic/reason/objectivity will get you a lot further in the negotiation process than being biased and emotional.

If the offer to fundraise has been refused, then there may be other factors that you aren’t aware of because you are a student. For a trip to World’s, there’s often a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiating with the school district, parents, and mentors. By the end of the season, many of you may have missed several days of school for other regionals/districts. Your team may have a hard limit on how many days of school the collective team can be absent, or there may be restrictions for different grades. There’s really no way to know why exactly unless your mentor shares this with you.

I would recommend that you request a meeting with your teacher, any other relevant mentors, and maybe one other concerned (and calm/reasonable) student. Share your thoughts and ask what could possibly be done:

“Teacher, we wanted to talk to you about the planned trip to St. Louis. I understand that we currently have only four slots, and that you decided that they should be reserved for younger students as a learning experience. We respect your decision, but we really wanted to understand why it has to be this way. There are several seniors that were looking forward to attending, and they feel hurt to be excluded without much explanation. If you would be open to it, I have created a fundraising action plan to accommodate XXXX more students. I have also created a list of possible additional chaperones, and ideas for modifying the planned transportation. It would mean a lot to all of us if we could work together to bring more of the team for this experience”.

I really hope it works out the way you like it, but at the end of the day you have to remember that your mentors are trying to do the best for your team with what resources they have. A lot of times, tough decisions have to be made that nobody is satisfied with. Good luck!

[Conor Ryan]

Try communicating via multiple mediums. Talking in person is one way, email will be much more formal. You will probably get more clarity on the situation if you send a well written and thought out email. Additionally a paper trail is helpful if you escalate the matter later.

[GeeTwo]

In addition to missing the trip, having a drive team with no additional pit support sounds rough. We're fortunate enough to be able to send a much larger group (overnight bus, not plane halfway across the Pacific plus halfway across the US). PM me and I'll see if we can't get you a few spare hands for maintenance and such.