|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator or Team Coach,
The 2008 North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind competition year is up and running. We are excited that Watauga High School in Boone NC is hosting the Northern Region tournament this year on March 8, 2008.In the event of snow, the tournament start time will be delayed. As March approaches, you will receive an email addressing how the tournament will proceed in the event of snow.Be assured that the main highways coming into Watauga County and Boone , including the road and parking lot of the high school, are well maintained throughout the winter. We have arranged special rates with a few motels; this information will be sent out in a separate email.
This year, Northern Region teams are asked to register as soon as possible online when their team is formed. This gives us an early estimate of how many teams might compete at the tournament. The deadlines for online team registration in the Northern Region area as follows: Early Bird Registration is 1/26/08. Early Bird Registration Fee is $80 per team. Final Registration Deadline is 2/16/08. This Fee is $105 per team. You must register online for any team that could possibly compete. Full registration instructions, including the necessary username and password, are available on the “FAQ” page.
PAYMENT FOR TEAM REGISTRATION:
Make checks payable to NCOM-Northern Region and mail to:
1818 Wellington Rd.
Burlington, NC 27217.
ONLY THE TEAMS THAT HAVE REGISTERED ONLINE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN THE 2008 NORTHERN REGION TOURNAMENT. Please have individual team coaches fill out this registration. This information will be used for planning the tournament as well as insuring we have correct identification badges and other materials. This also gives us direct access to coaches when we have changes that affect their individual problem. (Please note: You must have cookies turned on to register. Make sure your spam filter does not block webguy@odysseyofthemind.com because that is where your email confirmation will originate.)
This year each membership will be required to provide a minimum of one judge plus a second judge or volunteer per team competing. After your team is registered, the coach or coordinator must click on the Judge/Volunteer Nomination Link found in the Members Area to nominate their judges and volunteers by February 1, 2008. ONLY TEAMS FROM MEMBERSHIPS THAT HAVE THEIR MINIMUM NUMBER OF JUDGES AND VOLUNTEERS REGISTERED BY THE DEADLINE, WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO TRAINING OF THE NOMINATED JUDGES ON 2/16/08, WE MUST KNOW THE NOMINATIONS BY 2/1/08. JUDGES NOMINATIONS BETWEEN 2/1/08 AND 2/16/08 MAY BE ASSIGNED GENERAL VOLUNTEER JOBS, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.These nominations are tied to individual teams so make sure you fill out a form for each team. This would be best done by the team’s coach. Judges and volunteer Registration is done online. Refer to the FAQ page found on our Northern Region Website. Make sure that all the judges and volunteers who are registered online provide valid/ current email addresses and phone numbers so that we can contact them with updated information in a timely manner.
SPONTANEOUS FAIR
Spontaneous Fair is an excellent opportunity to 'learn by doing' under the guidance of experienced tournament officials and coaches. The teams and coaches participate in this event. It is strongly encouraged if you are new to OotM or if your team needs help in this area. Our Spontaneous Fair is Saturday 1/19/08 at Elkin Elementary School. PREREGISTRATION BY EMAIL IS REQUIRED. Space is limited. The preregistration fee is $30. This fee covers operating costs. Make checks payable to NCOM-Northern and mail to:
1818 Wellington Rd. Burlington, NC 27217.
You may pay a late registration fee of $40 the day of Spontaneous Fair but you MUST PREREGISTER BY EMAIL your intent to attend. Again, space is limited, so email northernncom@skybest.com to preregister asap. The exact time is to be determined but it will run approximately 9am to 3pm. Lunch will be on your own. There will be space to eat at the school, if your team opts to bring their own lunches.
Information for NEW Coaches:
In keeping with the Odyssey of the Mind philosophy, problem limitations are written to provide just enough guidance to solve the problem without limiting creativity. If the problem does not specify that something cannot be done, most likely it can be done. Often, however, a team may question the interpretation of a limitation, or it may be unsure that an aspect of its solution is allowed or meets the problem's requirements. In addition to general clarifications, which are applicable to all teams, there are team specific clarifications. Check out the coaches guide from NCOM.
General Clarifications:
These clarifications amend or further explain a problem's limitation. Team members may go to odysseyofthemind.org to find general clarifications. If they do not find the answer to their question there, they may submit their question to Creative Competitions Inc (CCI). This may be done either by mail or electronically. All clarifications will be answered by CCI within 7 days of receipt. Teams may also request a complete list of general clarifications.
Resources:
We have tried to supply some resources for new and experienced coaches. Check both the EVENTS page and the FAQ page (especially for forms). The Problem Clarification Form can be found on the FAQ page.