The NYSOMA Board held its second meeting of the program year October 15 in Rochester.

Refer to the NYSOMA web site (www.nysoma.org) for important dates, registration information, coaches training locations and dates, etc. This information will be updated as it becomes available.

Jackie Otte represented NYSOMA at the Association Directors meeting. One of the areas of discusses was the changes to this year's program guide. Not all changes are highlighted. One of the changes for this year will allow coaches to receive a copy of the team’s master style sheet. An opportunity for coaches to get a copy of the master style sheet will be provided at each tournament. Since the style scores are completely subjective there will be no discussion of the scores.

The ADs were also informed that this would be the last program year for which CCI will provide liability insurance. Starting with the next program year all associations will be responsible for obtaining their own insurance.

Odyssey of the Mind was the recipient of a $463,000 (over 4 years) grant from Microsoft. Odyssey of the Mind was selected by Microsoft (Odyssey of the Mind did not solicit the grant). Microsoft’s selection criteria was based on innovative problem solving, being a program that embraces 21st century learning, a program that has sensitivity to differences in the student population and a program that has shown long term stability. The grant will be used to develop curriculum/tools/strategies to train teachers to teach differently. NY teachers that currently use Odyssey philosophy/activates in their classroom are being sought to provide input. Please contact the State Director.

The NYSOMA Fall RD meeting was held on Friday October 14. Jackie reported that all but 2 regions were represented. The Spring RD meeting will be held June 9, 2006.

Head judge/ problem captain training will again be held this year in Binghamton at Broome Community College on January 7. The session for new head judges will again be offered in the morning before the start of the training session. Invitations will be mailed in November.

The Board discussed methods to help simplify the membership registration process. We will continue to work with CCI to develop a process that allows the New York registration and fee payment to be included with the National registration and fee payment. This will allow those wishing to, to register once and pay both fees to do so. An effort will be made to make this process available for the next program year. The board also discussed eliminating the State tournament fee and raising the New York program membership fee to compensate. This results in the Membership fee being raised to $100.00 but eliminates the need for each State finals team to pay a tournament fee. This simplifies the registration process for the teams attending State finals.

The Marketing committee presented designs for this year’s NYSOMA pins. The board, based on the committee’s suggestions, decided on items to be purchased for sale and on items to be provided for consignment sales to the regions.

The Summer Camp to be held in Region 14 (Canal View School in Spencerport) has been scheduled for July 29, 2006. The location and date for the Summer Camp to be held in Region 5 has not been determined. Continue to check the NYSOMA website for updates. Criteria for Regions wishing to host a summer camp have been established and are available in the RD area.

The Board discussed past and possible future recipients of the Friends of NYSOMA award. Stay tuned for this year’s recipient to be announced at the Sate tournament.

The next board meeting will be in Binghamton on January 8, 2006.

Jim Hoelscher, Chairman of the Board, October 18, 2005