NExT Region, CPSO - Frequently Asked Questions

BACK TO FRONT PAGE

What is the Team Travel Guide?

There are definitions of all of the officials at the tournament, procedures for check-in for each challenge and IC, a detailed explanation of scoring, examples of how to help a team focus on completing the challenge in the time remaining and ideas for celebrating with the team afterwards.

You can view the Team Travel Guide here. (Available around January 1st)

Can I replace a team member?

You can't actually "replace" a team member. Once a team member - Always a team member. You can continue adding members up to a total of seven.

There are an exception or two (i.e., if someone hasn't ever worked on the team's selected Team Challenge, they aren't considered a member.)

For NExT Region CPSO's interpretation of the National Destination Imagination^TM Team Formation rules, click here.

If under the rules you are permitted to add a member and you have already registered with NExT, YOU MUST contact a NExT Regional Director before January 15:

John Stromp (jstromp1@swbell.net) 214-316-0300 or
Barbara Barker (barbara_barker@allenisd.org) 972-727-0370 Ext. 202 wk

Is there a DI awareness presentation?

If you missed all the awareness meetings and would like to know more about DI, you can download one of the PowerPoint presentations here. Be patient though -- it's a big file! (1.4MB) You can advance and back up the presentation using the right and left arrows on your keyboard.

What is the Tournament registration deadline?

The 2007-08 sign-up deadline is January 15. The Early Bird Registration Fee is $55 if you sign up by December 1, and $75 from December 2 to January 15, 2008.

After the January 15th deadline teams must receive special permission from the regional directions to compete in the tournament (based on available slots). If permission is granted, tournament registration will be $100 starting January 15th.

Please note that it is rare for teams to sign up in January and do very well in competition. Experience has shown that teams must be working hard together long before the January final sign-up deadline in order to be successful at the tournament.

There is new information about Rising Stars Registration. Find out more here.

Where can I find full problem descriptions?

You MUST REGISTER this year before you can see the full Team Challenge descriptions. Summaries, however, can be seen here.

This year's Rules of the Road and other Guides can be downloaded without registration soon from the National Guides page.

What if I can't find a volunteer appraiser?

Appraisers are tournament judges.

Getting appraisers is one of the most difficult tasks in staging a tournament. It is therefore critical that you identify and recruit a responsible person who will help us by appraising on tournament day. We will take good care of them and treat them well -- we promise!

Without appraisers, unfortunately, there can be no tournament! If you cannot find an appraiser, try asking your teachers and/or principal for help. If they cannot do it themselves, they should be able to help you find someone. Also ask your friends, neighbors, and business partners. They may agree to help this year and then get hooked!! If you still cannot find anyone, please contact your district representative or one of the NExT board directors.

Where can I get good coaches' training?

You've come to the right place!! Training for all levels of team managers will be held throughout the fall and early spring. Check the web site for dates & times!

Where can I get registration forms?

Registration forms will be available at each of the Team Manager Training sessions. Printable copies will also be available from this web site by October 1st.

Where can I get books or tapes to help me?

Some of you have asked about video tapes that may be available. Tapes and other great resources are available for order from the National DI organization. Click here to see what they have to offer!

How are competition levels determined? (Updated 10/05/2008)

Teams in Texas DI may use either classroom grade or the age of the oldest team member to determine if a team competes at Rising Stars!, Elementary, Middle, or Secondary Level. Use the chart below to determine the level at which your team may compete. If the two methods of making the determination give different results, the team may decide at which level they will compete using either the age or grade level method.

Level	Grades (US) - OR -	Age
Rising Stars!	Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Elementary Level (EL)	Kindergarten – 5th Grade	No student reaching age 12 by June 15, 2008
Middle Level (ML)	6th – 8th Grade	No student reaching age 15 by June 15, 2008
Secondary Level (SL)	9th – 12th Grade	No student reaching age 19 by June 15, 2008

Please consult the Rules of the Road, for the eligibility requirements for University/Military Level teams.

Are the Region's financial reports available?

Yes. We are required to make available copies of our financial reports, at reasonable and actual expense, to any member of the public who wishes to obtain them. You may request a printed copy of these documents by sending a legal size, self-addressed, postage-paid envelope with a check for one dollar (to cover duplication costs) made out to NExT Region CPSO to:

    NExT Region CPSO
    c/o Jim Norris, Treasurer
    4013 Brewer Dr.
    Plano, TX 75024

Is a sign required for the competition?

Each team must display sign during their challenge presentation.

The sign should include: The team name used on the team's DI Passport, the individual passport number, and the competition level (Primary/Rising Star, Elementary, Middle, or Secondary Level.)

Do I need a sign for the award ceremony?

This year, as in some past years, there will be a processional, or parade, at the beginning of the awards ceremony. To show team spirit (and to help team members locate their team), many teams create a banner or sign to carry and display. Some teams simply use school banners. Some create special signs for the ceremony. Others simply use the signs they created for competition.

A sign or banner is not required, but many coaches find them to be helpful.