How to Start a Program
Additional Information
How to Start an Odyssey of the Mind Program
Like with all Odyssey of the Mind problems, there is no one correct answer to this question. Each school and group has its own guidelines for clubs and organizations, its own degree of involvement by school associations, and the amount of financial support or sponsorship, and some do not. However, the following steps are some you might consider in getting started:
Talk to the school administration about their familiarity with Odyssey of the Mind. Find out whether your school already has an Odyssey of the Mind team, coordinator or membership. If so, all you need to do is to contact the school Odyssey coordinator and ask them to include you in any communications regarding Odyssey of the Mind. If not, ask what might be required to start a program: sending flyers home, having a meeting for interested parents and students, enlisting a faculty sponsor. Also, note that in many high schools and some middle schools the Odyssey of the Mind program is run as a club, so you and/or your student may need to check into the procedures for starting a club at your school.
If your school can not support an Odyssey of the Mind team. Check with other not-for-profit organizations, such as the local Rotary Club. Any not-for-profit organization can purchase a membership so long as the organization was not formed for the purpose of supporting Odyssey of the Mind teams. Home School teams can also work if there are more than 4 students. Please check the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide, section II, About your membership, for guidelines https://www.odysseyofthemind.com/downloads/programguide.pdf
If you need help finding an organization in your area please contact the Regional Director through the Contact Form on the Home Page of this website.
Talk to the PTA/PTO about Odyssey of the Mind. If the funds are not available from the school administrator ask the PTA for funding. Odyssey of the Mind in some schools is funded by GATE, Site Council, or other dedicated funding.
If the program is not financed by the school, examine methods of financing. While schools and/or PTAs may provide the funding for National and State and memberships, Regional Tournament fees for each team, and possible seed money for each team, many schools require the teams to provide their own ongoing funding. Some teams use this funding piece as part of the team problem-solving process. Some teams assess a fee to each team member to fund this program.
Determine who will be the "School Coordinator" to help form teams and disseminate information to coaches and teams. This can be anyone willing to be the point person. Provide initial support to coaches by giving them information about training, copies of the rules and the problems, and the school's membership card. Make sure all coaches are on the Region’s mailing list. If you are the first team for the school, there need not be a coordinator.
Subscribe to the SF Bay Region Odyssey of the Mind mailing list. (This will be your primary information source to assure you receive training and tournament information for the local region.)
Request Presentation/information. Contact the SF Bay Regional Director to answer questions and to set up a time for a representative to come to your school to talk with students, teachers, and or parents, using this link.
membershipdirector@norcalodyssey.org
Plan an information meeting. In the Fall, invite interested parents, students, teachers, and administrators to attend. Tell them about Odyssey of the Mind and how to form teams. The information about this meeting can be sent by school website or email group, flyer, PTA newsletter, and/or announcements over the PA system. You may wish to distribute additional information (program overview, problem synopses) at the meeting.
Determine who will coach the teams. Coaching is an excellent way for parents to become involved in their child's education in an informal and fun environment. When recruiting coaches, explain that a team cannot be formed without a coach. (Some schools have had much success by requiring that each team parent have some responsibility, either as a coach, assistant, team volunteer, spontaneous coach, judges, etc.)
Have students sign up and juggle their interests, ages, and available coaches to form teams. All interested students should have the opportunity to participate in Odyssey of the Mind!
If there is inadequate school administration interest but there is enough parent interest, you can look to a community organization to sponsor your team(s) in their name. The Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide gives guidelines regarding what types of organizations qualify. In the past, we have had teams sponsored by Lions, Rotaries, and the India Community Center.
If there is inadequate parent/student interest: We encourage you and your student to invite as many of your friends from school as you can find to attend the Regional and/or the State tournament. Perhaps you will then be able to drum up interest next year after people see how awesome the program is!
