5 Steps To Get Started
with 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 team category open to anyone that wants to start a team.

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)
An adult (over 18) to become the Team Manager. (We offer full training) We recommend 2 Co-Managers if you are just starting out.
An adult to act as a Coordinator in which all our info and materials will be sent to.
An adult to be your team's volunteer Appraiser if your team wishes to participate in a state sponsored tournament. They have a 2-day commitment - one Saturday for training and one full day at the tournament. Teams without an appraiser must pay an additional $150 fee.

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. We are totally volunteer-run and we need help from each team to operate. Please hold an informational meeting and determine how many parents are willing to become Team Managers and which parents will find your team's appraiser. Each team 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 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.
We have lots of information available on our web site - we have sample letters to parents, letter to kids, and a student contract.
Download our MADI PowerPoint presentations.
If you are new to DI, email Barbara Mann (bmann@madikids.org) and arrange a date/time for her to come to speak to your group.
Too late for this year? You can bring parents, potential team members and school administrators to our spring tournaments or sign up to volunteer as an appraiser this year.

Step 2: How to Budget for a DI Team

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

The Team Fee to DI, Inc.(purchase at www.shopdi.org) gets you your program and challenge materials and makes you a automatic member of MA Destination ImagiNation, but there is also a Team Tournament Registration fee of $80.00 due in early January.

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 team.
Make a note of your team number/s. You will need the number to register your team for tournament on this web site.
Rising Star teams (K-2) do not need a DI Inc number and will be assigned one when they register for our regional tournament. (They do not need to buy a team from DI Inc. if they are in a school that has purchased a team or team pak for older kids) Contact Barb Mann for more details.

What You Receive from the International DI Office once you join:

You will be mailed a booklet and CD that contains:

All 2010 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

Our Massachusetts DI Affiliate provides:

A Fall Coordinators Meeting to receive a notebook with all of the procedures, necessary forms and paperwork for the year. A must for all teams.
Two separate & different Team Manager Trainings (called Cafés) held at Grafton HS
- "Working with your TEAM" Training: October 24, 2009.
- "Preparing for the Tournament" Training: January 9, 2010
A Regional Tournament Meeting in February with your Regional Director.
E-Newsletters and any other updates needed throughout the year.
Regional & State Tournaments for your teams to present their solutions.
Award pins and ribbons for ALL participating teams. Additional awards to top scoring teams.
Scholarships to selected graduating seniors.

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.
Visit our Contact page for the phone 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 TEAM PAK must attend. Teams may not be able to register competitively if your team 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.

Send your Team Managers to our training this October 24th, 2009

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. There is also an Instant Challenge Symposium run simultaneously for experienced Team Managers to attend.
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!

Early team registration ends December 12, 2009 for $80/team.
Final team registration and Appraiser Registration is January 9th, 2010. ($125/tm)
We need to know what challenge and level your team is.
We need to know who is representing your team as an appraiser at your tournament.
Remind your appraiser THEY MUST ALSO register on our website in order to be assigned a job. They only need your team number to do this.
Teams without a REGISTERED Appraiser by January 9, 2010 must pay a $150 fee.
Attend a Tournament Regional Meeting in February to learn all about your specific tournament site and schedule.

After these 5 steps - your teams are ready to learn, perform and have fun!! Your managers are trained! Your appraiser is ready to officiate at the best show in town!

5 Steps To Get Started with Massachusetts Destination ImagiNation