Appraiser Information

Everything you need to be an appraiser

For specific tournament information, such as directions to tournaments, maps of the facilities, schedules etc. Please visit the Regional Information page.

2010 Challenges

DIrect Deposit
DI-BOT
You’re Gonna Flip!
Do or DI
Breaking DI News
Rising Stars!® Weighty News
Project OUTREACH: Band Together

Who Needs to Go to Training?

ALL NEW APPRAISERS MUST ATTEND THE FULL TRAINING.
A full day of training is mandatory (9 AM—3:30 PM) for all appraisers assigned to:
Challenge A (DIrect Deposit), Challenge B (DI-BOT), Challenge C (You’re Gonna Flip!), Challenge D (Do or DI), Challenge E (Breaking DI News), and Instant Challenge Appraisers.
If you are assigned to our Primary Rising Star Challenge (Weighty News)- a morning ½ day training is mandatory (9 AM—12:30 PM). You will be finished before the other challenge trainings—plan any carpooling accordingly.

Experienced Appraisers that are attending only the afternoon session should check in at 1PM and the session will begin at 1:30.

What Do I Bring to the Appraiser Training?

Bring your challenge. (Please have read it over several times) Bring a pen or pencil. Bring lunch. (Coffee, beverages & dessert will be provided) REMEMBER.....DRESS CASUALLY. Be comfortable.

A Copy of your Challenge

If you are an Instant Challenge appraiser – you will NOT receive a copy of your challenge now. Otherwise, your challenge is attached. Please read it over before you train and bring it with you. It may seem overwhelming but you will be working with a team of appraisers and you will have one specific job to do.

Are You Working at Your Child’s Tournament?

Remember, If your child is performing at the tournament you are assigned -you will not see their performance.

Can I go to either training?

YES, but if you can try to make the assigned training, you will meet your head appraiser and other team members. TRAININGS ARE IDENTICAL AND YOU MAY ATTEND THE ONE THAT’S MOST CONVENIENT. BRING A LUNCH. (Dessert & Beverages provided)

Where are the trainings?

Holliston High School
February 6, 2010 9 AM—3:30 PM Check-in begins at 8:15 AM. (Afternoon session check-in begins at 1pm)
We urge appraisers from the following tournaments to attend this training:
West Springfield, Ayer, Whitman-Hanson, Sudbury, Medfield, and Dennis-Yarmouth.

Triton Regional HS
February 13, 2010 9 AM—3:30 PM Check-in begins at 8:15 AM (Afternoon session check-in begins at 1pm)
We urge appraisers from the following tournaments to attend this training:
Beverly, Chelmsford, and Byfield.

Visit the directions page for turn-by-turn directions to the venue.

Choose your job preference when you register online:

Remember—There is complete training for all of these positions.

The Central Challenge Appraising Team is made up of the following positions:

Head Appraiser (Regional Challenge Master)

Oversees the Appraiser team, presents scores to the team managers, sets up the site, and prints all paperwork needed. Assigned by the Regional Director. Not a choice online but if interested contact your RD.

Challenge Official

Scores one part of a challenge during the team’s performance; technical or performance based items. After each performance, you will interact and talk to the teams to better evaluate their solutions. This person should interact well with kids and be able to speak to kids on their level of understanding. Training required.

Prep Official

You must be outgoing & friendly person who greets the team and gives the team instructions. Checks over a team’s paperwork, answers last minute questions and relaxes the team. REQUIRES AN EASY GOING PERSON WHO IS GOOD WITH DETAILS & EXCELLENT WITH KIDS. Training required.

Timekeeper/Announcer

Gives directions to teams in the Launch Area and introduces the team. Keeps audience entertained between performances, crowd control, and keeps track of all timed elements in the challenge. This person is a “HAM” and enjoys performing to an audience. An upbeat and loud voice – A MUST. Training is required.

Appraiser Team Organizer (ATO)

Collects, sorts paperwork, checks for omissions, prepares papers for Head Appraiser and score room. This person is well organized and detailed. This person may have to bring score sheets back and forth from the site to the score room. This job does not score teams. Training is required for anyone new to this role.

Instant Challenge Appraiser

Works with one or two other appraisers in a quiet classroom. Each team that enters your room will be given the same challenge, directions and materials. You will score a team’s solution for creativity, teamwork and other criteria. You will set up the room for each team. This person must interact well with children. Training is required.

Additional Appraisal Team Members

SPECIAL CHOICES FOR 2010 that allow you to see your team perform. These will go FAST! SLOTS ARE VERY LIMITED—SIGN UP EARLY.

Sales Table Coordinator
(3 per tournament)

Responsible for the set up and coordination of the sales table at the tournament, this is a full day job. Works with other sales table officials to handle sales of merchandise, process credit card purchases and assist customers. SHORT TRAINING REQUIRED if you are new to this job.

Appraisal Food Coordinator
(2 per tournament)

Responsible for provision of breakfast and lunch for tournament officials. (Approximately 100) This is a full day job. Set up and maintain appraiser lounge. Budget will be provided by MADI. NO TRAINING NEEDED, however you must communicate regularly with the Regional Director.

Tournament Medical Official
(2 per tournament)

Must be an RN, EMT or MD to be on call AT the tournament all day for any health or medical problems. Tournament will provide an appropriate space for treatment as necessary. NO TRAINING NEEDED.

All Day Volunteers—Miscellaneous Job assignments
(6/tournament)

Could be assigned to assist in IC Check in or anywhere needed. NO TRAINING NEEDED BUT MUST WORK ALL DAY of TOURNAMENT.

Additional Information

Each team must have one adult represent their DI team as an appraiser or pay a fee.
Appraising is usually a two-day commitment. One Saturday training in February AND your Regional Tournament in March.
You need no prior MADI experience or knowledge. You will be trained and work with a team of officials.
YOU MUST ATTEND ONE STATE TRAINING held on either the 1st or 2nd Saturday in Feb. SOME Appraising positions DO NOT require retraining. ** Note: If you have previously appraised the Primary Rising Star Challenge, or are an experienced Appraiser Team Organizer – you do not need to attend ANY training but must take an online review.
If you are representing a team and are a parent of one of the team members, you cannot be assigned to your child’s challenge. You will not be able to see their performance and will be assigned a challenge elsewhere at the tournament.
If you are a team manager or team member, you will make a great appraiser but may NOT work in Instant Challenge OR the Challenge you are managing or participating in.
As an appraiser, you can enjoy knowing you have helped provide an outlet for creativity in children. You will also receive an official’s pin, a handy pocketed apron and an official’s luncheon.
You need to review the job choices, the synopsis of the challenges this year, and then complete the Appraiser Registration Form online at www.madikids.org. If you are representing a team, you will need to know your team’s Passport number to register. Incomplete Forms will not be processed. Appraisers are assigned as they register so jobs are assigned as a 1st come -1st serve. Register early to get your choice.
All Appraiser info is due by January 9, 2010. Independent Appraisers not representing a team must also be registered by January 9, 2010. **NOTE: Appraisers registering earlier are MORE LIKELY to be assigned the position they requested. The later you register, the less likely you will be placed where you choose. We will make every effort to assign appraisers based on their 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice.
You will be sent your assignment and all necessary materials and directions on the upcoming training sessions.

Note: * Please take your 2-day commitment seriously. If you sign up, please follow through and attend the Saturday training. This program teaches kids commitment and teamwork. We expect the adults to set the example. Teams without an appraiser must pay a $150 fee by the Regional Meeting in February. Any team whose registered appraiser does not show up at the training will be invoiced for the $150. We have often seen teams hurt because adults did not take their commitment seriously. Please understand that we have this policy only because MADI is run totally by volunteers and we can’t provide tournaments without the help from each team. We would much rather have the volunteers – not the money. Thank you.