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

[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.