Presentation: Tournament Procedures

This is a presentation by Josh Diamond on Tournament Procedures, last updated in 2019. All Team Managers are encouraged to review this, as it will help you and your team have an excellent Tournament experience.

Presentation: Handling Difficult Team Situations

This is a presentation by Josh Diamond designed to help Team Managers learn how to handle tough decisions, behavior issues, and other difficult team situations. It was originally presented on November 29, 2018.

Difficult Team Situations

As a team manager you may encounter various difficult team situations. Use this guide to help you avoid common pitfalls, and handle breakdowns when they occur.

Check-in and Prop Handling Procedures

In order to ensure that the Tournament runs smoothly, and that we care appropriately for the host venue, we have instituted the following rules which apply at all NYDI Tournaments:

Presentation: Top 7 Tournament Secrets

The Tournament can seem daunting to new Teams, new Team Managers, and Spectators. It shouldn’t!  Because we have lots of great tips on how to have a great time at the tournament without developing an ulcer, high blood pressure, or having a panic attack.

PTA Presentation

This is a sample presentation to pitch a DI program to a PTA or similar organization.

Champ Pack Directions

Team NY Champ Pack Information

All NY teams which advance to Global Finals are required to purchase a Team NY Champ Pack, which includes the following for each team member: An NYDI T-shirt: This is our official uniform, and is worn by team members at the Global Finals opening and closing ceremonies. A basic set of NYDI trading pins: It has been said that, beyond the Challenges, pin trading is the social glue which binds teams from all around the world together at Global Finals.  

Tools and Rules

This presentation on working with DI teams in the workshop was created by Bennett Macaluso, a multi-year NYDI Team Manager and Appraiser.

Scavenger Hunt / Field Trip Activity

Introduction A fellow TM suggested I post the scavenger hunt idea I used with my team last weekend. We visited four types of stores: craft supply store, hardware store, fabric store and office supply store for 30 minutes each. The kids were armed with a list of questions to answer in each store, with the end product being a list of materials and supplies from which they can draw ideas when they are working on their solution during the year. Many of the questions used in this scavenger hunt actually came from Rich Safris, the author of “The Winning Edge,” who included them in his book as a list of Instant Challenges. The kids can team up in pairs if they desire. I offered a …

Team Member and Parent Contracts

This is an example of a contract / ground rules, which the Team Manager can have Team Members and their Parents agree to and sign.

A Team First-Aid Kit

Contributed by:Malinda Lindstrom,ATD North Dakota As a former ER nurse, I know how important it is to be prepared for ANYTHING!! On my first day of training, an ambulance radioed in that they were bringing in a trauma victim. With the details from the ambulance in mind, the nurses quickly prepared the trauma room. (This was in the OLD days before we were a full-fledged trauma center.) They set out EVERYTHING the doctor could possibly ask for according to the details of the injuries. I was SO impressed with the staff and how prepared they were. Of course, we didn’t use a lot of the supplies, but we were prepared for ANYTHING!! So with my ER background in mind, you’ll understand why my suggestion to …

Presentation: Introduction to Being a Team Manager

This introductory presentation for Destination Imagination Team Managers was created by Dan Boniello, NYDI Affiliate Training Director. It was originally presented at the October 18, 2014 NYDI Eastern Region Team Manager training session, and is updated annually.

Team Manager Training

Congratulations on being a Team Manager!  We thank you for your commitment to bringing the Destination Imagination experience to your team. Now that you are here, we would like to help you be the very best Team Manager you can be!

Program Materials

Destination Imagination official Program Materials include: Team Challenges – the rules for a team’s selected challenge Rules of the Road – the definitive reference for the rules of DI (applies to all Team Challenges) Roadmap – a guidebook to help Team Managers manage a team from their first session all the way to a tournament Travel Guide for Teams – a detailed guide describing what teams can expect at the tournament (usually published in January) Click Here to Download Program Materials New versions of the Program Materials are published annually.  They are available only with a valid Team Number for the current program year. If your team has a sponsoring organization (school, district, booster club, etc.), your coordinator should be able to guide you to the Program Materials. If you are a new organization, or …

Map for Team Managers

A concise map to help Team Managers find the information they need. Definitions: What is DI? What is a Team Manager? What is Interference? Getting started: Start a Team – how to get your Team Number, Program Materials, etc. NYDI Regions –  region-specific instructions on how to create a team Register Your Team – register your team for the tournaments Program Materials: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PROGRAM MATERIALS Team Challenges – the rules for a team’s selected challenge Rules of the Road – the definitive reference for the rules of DI (applies to all Team Challenges) Roadmap – a guidebook to help Team Managers manage a team from their first session all the way to a tournament Travel Guide for Teams – a detailed guide describing what teams can expect at the tournament (usually published …

Gear

Presentation: The Engineering Process

This is a presentation by Josh Diamond on the Engineering Process, tailored for DI challenges. It was originally presented at the December 2, 2015 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: Technical Elements

This is a presentation on technical elements for DI challenges. It was originally presented at the December 11, 2012 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: Team Building

This is a presentation on how to build great teams, with a section on what Appraisers want at the Tournament. It was originally presented by Corrinne Collett — veteran Team Manager and Appraiser — at the October 18, 2014 NYDI Eastern Region Team Manager training session.

Presentation: Interference

This is a presentation created by Dee Urban and Cheryl Druding on interference. It was presented at the December 3, 2012 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: All Things IC

This is a presentation by Dee Urban, former NYDI Affiliate Director and Affiliate Training Director, on how to train for Instant Challenges. It was originally presented at the November 14, 2012 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: Creative Problem Solving Tools

This is a presentation by Dee Urban, former NYDI Affiliate Director and Affiliate Training Director, on tools for creative problem solving. It was originally presented at the November 29, 2012 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: The Creative Process

This is a presentation created by Dan Boniello on The Creative Process. It was originally presented at the January 5, 2016 Team Manager training webinar.

Presentation: How to Read a Challenge

This is a presentation created by Dan Boniello on how to read a DI challenge. It was originally presented at the November 7, 2012 Team Manager training webinar.

Online Training Portal for Team Managers

Excellent online training modules for Team Managers and for Appraisers are available at Online Training Portal for Team Managers.   These have been newly revised, and are recommended both for new and for returning volunteers.

A Typical Tournament Day

So, what exactly happens on the day of the tournament? There is detail in the Travel Guide and in Rules of the Road – but here is a quick primer.

Forms & ID Sign

There is always paperwork.  Here are some hints and guidelines…

Team Choice Elements

Team Choice Elements (sometimes called Side Trips) are often 40% of the team’s total score.   They are a great way for the team to show off their talents, and do something which isn’t prescribed by the challenge.  Here are some thoughts on how teams can build great team choice elements to complement the rest of their solution.

Interference – Yes or No?

REMEMBER – It’s Their Solution! But, exactly where is the boundary?   This guide will help you find it!

Why We Do This

I cannot imagine a greater way to stay close to my kids, have fun, and encourage other kids. There was never anything like this when I was a kid, and if there was I wouldn’t have been able to be involved. I have had jobs all my life, and extra-curricular activities in school were very few, because I had to work. So, when my kids started getting involved, I swore I would let them do what they wanted and be encouraging them all the way. After some disappointments with coaches, we started to coach a lot of different teams and sports. Then we found CPS–we were hooked.

Dream DI Teams – Overcoming Team Problems

Alone we can do so little,Together we can do so much.— Helen Keller Dream Teams Managing the “Dirty Dozen” Universal Problems Most team managers want to experience the pure joy of working with harmonious teams that sizzle. Having had the privilege of coordinating/coaching/managing 51 lively teams, all with unique personalities, I know that certain issues are consistently present with most teams. Learning how to manage these issues is invaluable. The following outline of challenges is designed as a framework for a brainstorming session. If Destination Imagination leaders collaborate and use this list in the beginning of the school year, it can serve as a launching point for building a shared vision. {autotoc} Process: The group facilitator might begin by introducing each issue, discussing the already …

Improvisation

Some hints on how to teach your team the improv skills they need to succeed in the Improv challenge and in Instant Challenges.

Roles in Instant Challenge

It is helpful, especially for younger or inexperienced teams, for each member to have a designated role when solving Instant Challenges…

Instant Challenge

De-mystifying Instant Challenge – and providing some hints on how teams can be successful there.