Joining a Different Team

[anonymous0]

I (an FRC student who will be a high school senior next year) am thinking of leaving my school team and joining some other school's team. Is this generally possible, and if so, how would I do it? Please don't ask me why I want to leave my current team.

[Rion Atkinson]

First of all... I do believe creating fake accounts for reasons like this is against the terms... (I really don't know... I never actually read them....)

But I might as well answer your question. It's rather simple. Have a friend on another team nearby? Ask them if you can join. If not, find teams in your area and ask them if you can join. Most should take you in. Though without back ground on the reason you are leaving (AKA: It's because your always acting out of breaking rules) they may be skeptical. Finding teams in your areas should be to difficult. TBA should help. Then find someone here on that team and send them a message. I would recommend looking for a mentor over a student.

-Rion

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by anonymous0

I (an FRC student who will be a high school senior next year) am thinking of leaving my school team and joining some other school's team. Is this generally possible, and if so, how would I do it? Please don't ask me why I want to leave my current team.

Well...

You're gonna wanna start off by actually thinking it out. This other team might be further from your location, and might not work in the same manner. Furthermore, your senior status implies that you have some skills that you have mastered, and would like to eventually take a semi-leader role in some way. Also, don't forget that how comfortable everyone else will be with you. Teams are tight-knit groups, so don't expect you to switch over and everything to be dandy.

After you're sure that you want to switch over, the first step would be to ask the team. You want to make sure that you ask the team leader and the lead mentor.

And then you probably want to tell your team. I'm sure they're expecting you back next year.

I can't say that you're doing the right thing, but I wish you good luck in whatever you are trying to do.

- Sunny

[Dkt01]

In my area there are 5 teams from our sponsor. Three of those are open to anyone from any school (the other two are limited to one school, but I don't know why). In fact, I am not on the team based out of my school. I joined the team from another school in my school district because I was invited by others who joined that team from my school. So, you too can probably join a team that isn't from your school. Just check with the team you want to join. Good luck.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Dkt01

In my area there are 5 teams from our sponsor. Three of those are open to anyone from any school (the other two are limited to one school, but I don't know why).

It may be because of school policies. I know that we're not allowed to have students from out of the district on our team because of tax/liability issues.

There is no rule from FIRST saying that you must be on the team that is sponsored by your school. Contact the team that you are interested in joining and ask about it. As long as the team that you would be joining is fine with it - and their school doesn't have any policies against it - you can join their team. Keep in mind that, although you are a senior FRC student, you will not receive as much respect on the new team as you will have on your old team. Be absolutely positive that you are allowed to join the new team before you completely sever ties with your old one - otherwise, you'll be in a pretty bad situation.

Best of luck.

[Rion Atkinson]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

And then you probably want to tell your team. I'm sure they're expecting you back next year.

I can't say that you're doing the right thing, but I wish you good luck in whatever you are trying to do.

- Sunny

I'm not even sure if my team knows I wont be there next year... Hahaha...

Really the right thing is all in the eye of the beholder with things like this. It really depends on the reason. I know when people hear my story they agree. But I know other stories would not be so bad. In order to either agree or disagree, one would have to hear his story.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

First of all... I do believe creating fake accounts for reasons like this is against the terms... (I really don't know... I never actually read them....)

One person creating multiple CD accounts is not allowed, according to the rules. You can post on the FIRST-A-Holics Anonymous thread if you want to be discrete

Some teams won't accept students from schools that have their own team. The perception of "raiding" other schools for team members can create unwanted tension between teams. Be sure to be up-front with any team you approach and explain why you want to switch.

[Chris is me]

There are no FIRST rules even tying teams to high schools. 1714, for example, is associated with Thomas More High School, but is itself somewhat autonomous, pulling students from several neighboring schools.

Switching teams is a last resort, but is not necessarily a bad move if you very carefully and calmly think things through, or talk things through with a trusted friend or real life mentor. Doing this because of friends, the other team is more competitive, etc. is just silly. Doing things because your current team is taking a psychological toll on you, is not inspiring you, or is otherwise fundamentally robbing you of a good FIRST experience is a much better reason.

Ask around if other teams will be willing to take you. Many would with good reasons, but be sure to explain why you are leaving your old team. Perhaps the new team may sense that the source of conflict was partially your doing, and they could use the fair warning if this is the case.

[Vermeulen]

Since I don't know much about your situation, I can't give a specific answer, but I can give some advice. If I were in your situation, I'd talk to my parents about it, since they currently drive me to meetings. Changing teams so that the new build site is much farther away is a big deal. Of course, I don't know about your situation, so there may be another team across town, or even a new team that's started closer to you, but I'd talk to my parents first, anyway.

Second, as others have said, think about why you are changing teams. If there is a personal issue with another student, or even a mentor, it might be easier to fix that than to change teams. Try talking to some of the team's adult leadership. I know that my team tries their hardest to retain members, and your team might change something to make it easier for you to stay.

Overall, my advice is to think about it, since if you leave, your old team might not want you back, and it takes time to build new relationships with a new team. Since you're a senior, you might not have enough time to become accepted by the new team.

[anonymous0]

Originally Posted by Vermeulen

Overall, my advice is to think about it, since if you leave, your old team might not want you back, and it takes time to build new relationships with a new team. Since you're a senior, you might not have enough time to become accepted by the new team.

Well, as long as the people on the new team aren't openly hostile to me, it is unlikely to be worse than my current team (note: my current team likes me - that's not the reason I want to leave).

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by anonymous0

(note: my current team likes me - that's not the reason I want to leave).

What is? If you'd rather not say in public, feel free to send me a PM.

[GaryVoshol]

OK, this thread has gone on long enough. Please submit the question to FAHA ( http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=124 ) if you wish to discuss things anonymously.

Closing.