Should I use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun?

Collective nouns, like team, family, class, group, and host, take a singular verb when the entity acts together and a plural verb when the individuals composing the entity act individually. The following examples demonstrate this principle:

The team is painting a mural. (The team collectively paints the mural, so the verb is singular.)

The team are in disagreement about how to paint the mural. (The people on the team disagree with one another, so the verb is plural.)

The family takes a trip to California once a year. (The family collectively takes a trip, so the verb is singular.)

The family have differing ideas about the annual trip. (The individuals in the family have differing ideas, so the verb is plural.)

Note, though, that since some readers may find a singular verb with a collective noun distracting, it may be best to revise:

The team members are in disagreement about how to paint the mural.

The artists are in disagreement about how to paint the mural.

The family members have differing ideas about the annual trip.