There is a forum on the web called DINI Groups that has saved numerous TM's from pulling out their hair. The forum is populated be TM's, Appraisers, Directors, etc. If you have a question, this group will certainly give you an answer. Please be aware though that no one but the team can come up with solutions to their Challenge, so don't ask about that. Go to dini@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

You may have heard this before, but read and re-read the challenge throughout the season. It's amazing what you miss the second, and third, and fourth time you've read it.

If your team just cannot make sense of a particular point in the Challenge, ask for a team only Clarification. You must ask for these by February 15th.

If you're inviting the grandparents, make sure they know which challenge and level and school your child is in; the people at registration do not know where individual students are assigned and will have a hard directing them to to correct venue.

• When the Team fills out the Tournament Data Form for their particular challenge, be sure to be succinct and to-the-point. Appraisers oftentimes do not have time to read lengthy explanations of a key point. The team can  explain their skills, etc. when the Appraisers question them at the end of their performance.
• Appraisers also have trouble trying to read really small handwritten print. A good solution is for the team to use the forms that are on the DI website. These can be filled in by the Team on the computer. Check out the Team Forms on the HOME page of this website for a link.
• TMs, let the team do the talking. If a Team Manager starts answering too many questions, Appraisers get suspicious that the team was not the only ones working on the Challenge. Appraisers are very touchy when it comes to Interference.

Every year, we find that there are teams that don't know what a CLARIFICATION is. Sometimes, the challenge Masters have to clarify a vague point in the Challenge; sometimes the Clarification changes an important meaning. Please be aware of these as it will save your team headaches down the road.

Make sure you have all your team challenge forms filled out before the tournament. There is limited time available to do it day of the tournament.

When it is published for the current year, you may want to get your hands on the Travel Guide for Teams. In it you'll find information on what happens at a tournament, and extra tips to get you through tournament day.

What's Interference? ;-)  It's true that the seven (or so) members of the team must come up with their own skit, costumes, ideas, etc., but there is no rule that says you, as a Team Manager cannot push, nudge, encourage the team to think beyond their first idea, or second, or even third idea. Just make sure it is the team's ideas.