Association Directors
RESOURCES:
Odyssey of the Mind is a global program and each association -- whether state, province, department, territory, or nation -- relies on the leadership and direction of its Association Director. At the local or regional level, volunteers can include Regional Directors, Tournament Directors, and other officials that help plan, orchestrate, staff, and execute a local competition for teams. The work these volunteers provide is invaluable to the Odyssey experience for students, coaches, families, and fellow volunteers, so Creative Opportunities Unlimited provides several resources to help these directors with whatever assistance they seek. Below, answers are provided to several common questions facing Association Directors and their fellow volunteers. Additional resources are available to registered Association Directors by clicking in the resource box on the right (note: this page is password protected and restricted to registered Association Directors only). If you are an Association Director or considering starting a new association, this page should be quite helpful!
ASSOCIATION, REGIONAL, AND TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS...
Association Directors are the primary point of contact for teams, coaches, and memberships within the association and serve as the liaison between Odyssey of the Mind HQ and local teams, volunteers, and officials. Association Directors are akin to "governors," overseeing the ins and outs of the Odyssey of the Mind program within their association. Associations are independent organizations and determine, typically via elected boards and volunteers, dates and locations for competition, how association pins/shirts will be designed and produced, tournament schedules for the association, and other logistical components of the program that are custom tailored to the needs and resources of that particular association.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR?
Just as an Association Director can be thought of as a "governor," so, too, can a Regional Director be thought of as a "mayor." The Regional Director is responsible for planning and executing a successful tournament within his/her designated region, as determined by the larger association, as well as for serving as a liaison between local teams and the association.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR?
In some associations, the role of the Tournament Director is unique and separate from that of the Association Director and/or the Regional Director. In these instances, the Tournament Director is specifically charged with planning and executing a successful competition, which may include securing a location, selecting a date, recruiting volunteers, training volunteers (or working with a Judge/Volunteer Trainer to do so), obtaining trophies and certificates, setting up competition sites and merchandise tables, and sometimes providing food for volunteers and/or food sales for teams and their supporters. Depending on the size of the association, this role can be included in the responsibilities of the Association Director or can be divided among several people or an entire committe working together as a Tournament Committee.