How Can I Become Involved?

 

Georgia Odyssey is an all-volunteer organization from our judges to our Association Director and everyone in between! With 30+ years of tournaments and having thousands of kids come through our program, we know the importance that volunteers have from coaching to making our tournaments run like a well-oiled machine. Through the generosity of time and talent, our volunteers are able to contribute their skills, knowledge and interests to provide an amazing experience for kids. Just like an Odyssey of the Mind team, we want our volunteers to capitalize on their strengths when donating their time and energy. Thus, we have a variety of roles to ensure your experience is fun and rewarding!

Our goal is for all participants, whether student or adult, to learn and to have fun while doing so, and we do our best to provide plenty of support to all participants at every level!

 

Tournament Volunteers:

Time commitment: 2-3 hours on ONE SATURDAY, the day of a tournament

Responsibilities: register teams, help with souvenir sales, serve as doorkeepers, etc.

 

Officials (Judges):

Time commitment: TWO SATURDAYS; one day of training in January or February, (5-6 hours) and one day of judging teams (6-9 hours) at regional in February or March. You may also judge at our state competition, but you MUST have already judged at one of the regional tournaments.

Responsibilities:  judge creativity and learn the rules and restrictions for the problem (or for spontaneous problem solving). Give teams scores and feedback the day of the competition.

 

Coaches:

Time commitment: 2-3 hours per week (plus more closer to tournament date), beginning in October or November, plus a Saturday’s coaches’ training (optional but great for all coaches)

Responsibilities: Work with a team of 5-7 students to help them brainstorm to solve the long term problem; teach skills or find someone who can teach them to the team; help the team understand all the rules; coordinate a place to meet; help the team gather necessary supplies; provide snacks; in general, be a cheerleader, a go-fer, and a referee … all while NOT telling the team how to solve any part of the problem they are tackling! All work must be the team’s own, and none may be an adult’s. So a large part of coaching is learning to ask questions to make the team think, providing moral support, and making sure the team stays within the rules and works safely.