How To Get Started in Massachusetts
Destination ImagiNation

MADI has operated as a school and community based program for over 25 years. Although we hope memberships remain connected to these established educational facilities, there is a membership category open to anyone that wants to try ONE team. Whatever membership category you choose, the steps to get started are the same.

Step 1: Who You Need to Start Your DI Team

A maximum of 7 students who want to work on a creative solution. (Teams may have less than 7 - minimum number is 2)
One adult (Over 18) to become the TEAM MANAGER. (We offer full training) We recommend 2 Co-Managers if you are just starting out.
One adult to act as a Contact Person in which all our info and materials will be sent to.
One adult to be your team's volunteer appraiser if your team wishes to participate in a state sponsored tournament. (This is a 2-day commitment - one Saturday for a complete training and one full Saturday at the tournament.) Each team must provide one appraiser.

Remember: You need more than interested kids - you need adults with a sense of commitment too.

This program is unlike any other program your children have been involved in. It is totally a volunteer run program and we need the help of each membership to operate. Please hold an informational meeting and determine how many parents are willing to become Team Managers and tournament volunteer officials. Each membership must provide these key people. Consider this carefully before you form a team.
Don't go it alone - try to get others interested in joining as well, especially school administrators. We provide MADI PowerPoint Presentations! We have lots of information available on our web site - we have sample letters to parents, sample letter to kids, and a student contract.

Contact Barbara Mann at massdi2003@yahoo.com for some colorful brochures and set up a date for her to come to speak to your group of interested adults and kids.

Bring parents, potential team members and school administrators to view our spring tournaments or volunteer to experience the program by training as an official the year before.

Step 2: How to Budget For a DI Team

Read the How to Budget PDF for a complete overview of expenses.

The Membership Fee (that you purchase at www.shopdi.org) gets you your program and challenge materials and makes you a member of MA Destination ImagiNation, however if you bring a team to a tournament, there is also a Team Registration fee of ,$60.00 later in the year.

If your school is not supportive, we suggest:

Funding through a PTO or PTA Group
Find a local sponsor in the business community for your team.
Get a group of kids together and start your own independent team.

Step 3: Get Your Team Number and Materials

Your team/s membership is easily purchased online at www.shopdi.org
The Membership Fee: $135.00 fee for a single team and materials, $390.00 fee allows up to 5 teams (called a 5-PAK).
Non-profit organizations and schools may apply for a 5 PAK or a SINGLE membership.
Other individuals wishing to participate may only join as a SINGLE membership.
Make a note of your team number/s. You will need the number to register your team for tournament on this web site.

What You Receive from the International Office once you join:

You will be mailed a booklet and CD that contains:

All 2009 Challenges
The DI Rulebook, "Rules of the Road"
A Team Managers Guide & Parents Guide
Coordinator's Guide
Instant Challenge Set (practice challenges)
Charting Your Course and Travel Guide for Teams

What You Receive from the Massachusetts DI Affiliate:

A Notebook with all of the procedures, necessary forms and paperwork. (You get this
when you attend a Fall Coordinator's Meeting held at several statewide locations)
Information on the Team Manager Café Training scheduled for November 1, 2008 at Grafton HS.
Newsletters and any other updates needed throughout the year.

Remember: We are readily available to answer your questions and assist anyway possible.
Our phone numbers and email addresses are posted here on the website www.madikids.org.
Click on Contact for the number or email of the regional director closest to you.

Step 4: Attend State Trainings & Meetings

Come to a Coordinator Meeting this fall for Important Information

There are many sites and times scheduled for a short evening meeting held statewide.
Someone from your membership needs to attend. If you are an individual that has taken a membership without a connection to a non-profit school or program, YOU must attend. Coordinator Notebooks with information and forms for the entire year will be distributed.
Teams may not be able to register competitively in the spring if your membership does not have a representative in attendance. We want this year to be successful for THE KIDS and we need well-informed adults to reach this goal.
Check our website for a list of Coordinator Meeting Dates and Locations.

Let MADI train your Team Managers
Come to our Team Manager Training this Fall

Every fall the MADI Board comes together to offer a complete training for managers, parents, and administrators who wish to run a successful DI program for their kids. We call this training The Team Managers Café because we offer a full menu of workshops on how to form, organize, and work with your new team. We focus on creative problem solving techniques and team building skills as well.
We want all the kids involved to have a positive, successful experience and we feel that this is best accomplished when all adults involved understand our goals and philosophy. You will not only be served a variety of workshops available to attend, but you will also receive a Team Managers Notebook containing handouts from all the workshops offered. If you are new to our Program…this is a must. We also offer another Team Manager Café in January to get you and your team ready for the spring tournaments.
Register early and reserve your spot.

To register for the Team Manager Café. Simply fill out the Team Manager Café Reservation Form.

Step 5: Register your teams for a tournament.

By mid-December, you need to register your team and your team appraiser on the MADI website at www.madikids.org. (Last deadline to register is 1/10/2009)
Let us know what challenge and level your team is.
Let us know who is representing your team as an appraiser (official) at your tournament.
Attend the Regional Meeting in February to learn all about your tournament site and schedule.

How To Get Started in Massachusetts Destination ImagiNation