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.

Download a PDF of information for 2008

2008 Challenges

Obstacles, Of Course!
Hit or Myth
DI've Got a Secret!
CHORIFIC!
Switch!
Rising Stars!® TwisDId History

APPRAISER JOBS: Do you have a preference?
Remember - There is complete training for all of these positions.

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

Head Appraiser

In charge of Appraiser team and presents scores to the team managers. This position is NOT a choice as this person is assigned earlier in the year by the Regional and State Director.

Challenge Official

Works on an appraiser team to score a specific part of a central challenge during the team's performance. There are several Challenge Officials and scores are averaged. You may be scoring technical or performance based items. Audiences are present and teams are usually scheduled at 15 to 20 minute intervals. After each performance, you will interact and talk to the teams to better evaluate their solutions. This person must interact well with children and be able to speak to kids on their level of understanding.

Prep Official

Works as an appraiser on the Central Challenge team. You must be outgoing and friendly person who greets the team and gives the team instructions. This person checks over a team's paperwork, answers last minute questions and relaxes the team. REQUIRES AN EASY GOING PERSON WHO IS GOOD WITH DETAILS and EXCELLENT WITH KIDS. As the 1st official the teams meet, it is imperative you are an upbeat, happy person. You may be greeting teams outside of the performance site. If there are 2 prep appraisers, you will be able to alternate check in and follow every other team into the performance area and become part of their cheering section.

Announcer/Timer

Works on Appraiser team at Central Challenge. Gives team directions in Launch Area and introduces the team. Keeps audience entertained between performances, crowd control, and keeps track of all timed elements in the challenge presentation. This person must be a "HAM" and enjoy performing in front of an audience. Must have an upbeat and loud speaking voice. Training is required. (You may need to fill another appraisal role on your appraiser team in an emergency)

Appraiser Team Organizer

Collects and sorts paperwork, checks for omissions, prepares papers for Head Appraiser and score room. Fills in any necessary jobs. You will also assist the Head Appraiser at the site. This job requires someone who is very organized and detailed and active enough to be able to travel through the school many times bringing score sheets back and forth from the performance site to the score room. This job does not score teams.

The Instant Challenge Appraiser Team is made up of the following position:

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. They have never seen this challenge until they arrive. You will evaluate each team's solution for creativity, teamwork and other criteria. After you have scored the team, you will set up the room for the next team. The team may choose to have one Team Manager present. This person must interact well with children.

Additional Appraisal Team Members

NEW CHOICES FOR 2008 that allow you to see your team perform.
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.

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 Coordinators will need to communicate with their Regional Director and Barbara Mann.

Tournament Medical Official
(2 per tournament)

Must be a certified 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.

Additional Information

Each team must have one adult represent their DI team as an appraiser or pay a fee.
Appraising is 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.
**If you have previously Appraised Instant Challenge, the Primary Rising Star Challenge, or are an experienced Appraiser Team Organizer - you do not need to attend ANY training.
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, you will make a great appraiser but may NOT work in Instant Challenge OR the Challenge you are managing.
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. If you are representing a team, you will need to know your team's Passport number to register. Incomplete Forms will not be processed.
All Appraiser info is due by January 4, 2008. Independent Appraisers not representing a team must also be registered by January 4, 2008.
**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 and 3rd choice.
You will be sent your assignment and all necessary materials and directions on the upcoming training sessions.

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 $100 fee by the Regional Meeting in February and if an assigned registered appraiser does not show up at training the team will be invoiced for the $100. 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.