How to Start an Odyssey Program

There is no single correct answer. Each school and school system has its own guidelines for clubs and organizations, its own degree of faculty involvement, and its own approach to Odyssey of the Mind. Each region has its own procedures and offers various support and services. Some school districts give financial support, and some do not. Some teams join under the membership of a community group, such as a Rotary Club, or a home-school group. However, the following steps are some you might consider in getting started:

1. Talk to administrators of your school or community group about the goals and values of Odyssey of the Mind. The national organization has documented how OotM meets STEM, Common Core and 21st-century skills educational initiatives. Talk to the principal, and get approval. Find out whether the county or city school system already sponsors the program. Explain what might be required in terms of sending flyers home, having a meeting for interested parents and students, enlisting a faculty sponsor, and perhaps soliciting teachers to judge at the Regional Tournament.
2. Discuss how to finance the $135 membership fee*. If the school district doesn't finance the program, examine financing options with the school principal. Also determine whether funds might be available to pay tournament fees or other program expenses. Consider charging each participant a nominal fee to put in a club treasury to cover these costs. If the funds are not available from the principal but he or she approves, ask the PTA/PTSA for funding. Packets with rules and problems start going out in late August or early September.
   * This fee is per school or community group, not per team. In order to participate in Odyssey of the Mind, your school or community group must register with the national organization. After registering, you will receive the year's competitive problems, a program guide, a book of spontaneous practice problems, classroom activities, information on scholarships and other materials. Your membership allows you to enter one team per problem per division for which your students are eligible to compete, according to their grade level.
3. Determine who will be the “school coordinator.” This person may help form teams and disseminate information to coaches and teams.
4. Register for a school or organization membership. To learn more about Membership Registration, visit the Odyssey of the Mind headquarters site. 
5. Invite interested parents, students and teachers to an Awareness Meeting. Tell them about Odyssey of the Mind and how to form teams. The information about this meeting can be sent by flyer, PTA newsletter and/or announcements over the PA system. You may wish to distribute additional information (program overview, problem synopses) at the meeting. Give attendees — both parents and kids — one or two sample spontaneous problems to try.
6. Recruit coaches by explaining a team cannot be formed without a coach. Some schools have had success by requiring that each team parent have some responsibility, either as coach, assistant, team volunteer, spontaneous coach, etc.
7. Have students sign up. Juggle their interests, ages and available coaches to form teams. Some schools have try-outs or other methods of selection, but ideally, all interested students should have the opportunity to participate.
8. Join the region's email distribution list. Provide initial support to coaches. Give them information about training, copies of the rules and of the problems, and a copy of your school’s membership card. Urge them to go to the Home page to join Magic Center's email distribution list to begin receiving training and tournament information. 

Role of the Coordinator

To learn more about becoming a coordinator, check out School Coordinators and Their Role. This guide outlines the coordinators role, explains how to register memberships and teams, provides resources and much more. The guide also includes steps for recruiting teams and coaches, details what happens on Tournament Day and provides necessary forms.