How to change a team's mentality in less than a year?

[MercBenzAMG]

Team 151 has been having some slight issues. In the years after we won chairmans, we have sort of had a "falling off." in more recent years, theres been heated debate about changing the mentality of the team, and re-energizing it as a true chairmans team, whom other should look up to.

is there any advice to assist in changing a teams mentality, who for the past few years has been more focused on the project of the robot than the spirit of first?

PS~ although its sad to say we'll be losing a few good mentors and a few good seniors, theres hope that with the proper training and teaching, the replacements can embody the spirit of first, and bring that to the student body of the team.

Please, we need responsiveness in this issue to help and old team get fresh legs, and a fresh new mindset

[Tottanka]

I would simply suggest you guys to let the new guys you recruit to your team know that FIRST is more about Gracious Proffesionalism and inspiring the community then it is a about producing a good machine...
Then, you will probably recruit people with minds of donating and giving to the community and not people who are just into programming and building.
We have had a semiliar problem and i will give you one main advice: Each big change starts with a small step. Go aead and make it.
Wish you all best, Liron

[Alexa Stott]

This was one of the things that we wanted to focus on this year. We won CA at NJ last year, and we did not want to become one of those teams who simply falls off the face of the earth.

Try and come up with several outreach projects you can do. Volunteer at community events. This year, our team has volunteered at numerous senior citizen events, as well as the Heritage Day Festival. Even a car wash will help get the word out about your team to the community, and it will help to remind them that you're still there.

As for FIRST community outreach, have some of your students volunteer at local off-seasons, Vex events, or FLL events. This is a great way to help out other teams, and not just FRC teams. ALWAYS be willing to mentor new teams. Set up an entire sub-committee for rookie support if needed (Check out my team's RINOS page--link is in my signature). Try to be as friendly as possible to all teams, especially those that travel far to attend your home regional. As a team who has traveled to places such as Vegas and South Carolina, it is really nice to feel as if the home teams are really happy that you're there. Make up goodie bags filled with things that FIRST teams use at events (small whiteboards, pens, pencils, highlighters, notepads, etc.).

One thing to do is always keep your team looking towards the future of FIRST. Remind them that even after they're gone, there are going to be students like them joining the team to find their passion in science and technology.

[DonRotolo]

I agree with Tottanka, just focus on the mantra "It's not about the Robot". You don't need team members who only want to build a great robot - if they get upset and leave because that's not the team's focus, then the team will be better for it.

On the other hand, too much focus on non-educational non-robot stuff might not attract enough people to the team. But if you wanna play with robots, you also have to mentor the Vex and Lego kids, demo for the Girl scouts, pick up trash on the roadway, play pinochle with the veteran's group....

Don