Odyssey of the Mind Is a Season Commitment
Odyssey of the Mind is a team-based competitive program. Unlike a drop-in club or month-to-month class, each participant occupies a position on a small team whose members build one solution together over the course of the competition season.
For this reason, enrollment in a Society of Wit & Wonder Odyssey of the Mind team represents a season commitment.
Monthly payments are offered as a payment plan for that commitment. They do not make Odyssey of the Mind a month-to-month enrollment.
Withdrawal Before Team Commitment
Before a student has been formally placed on a team and begun contributing to the team's long-term problem solution, a family may withdraw according to the Society's published registration and refund terms.
Any nonrefundable registration, membership, processing, or other costs already incurred on the participant's behalf may be deducted from any refund.
Withdrawal After Team Participation Begins
Once a student has been placed on a team and has begun contributing to the team's Odyssey of the Mind solution, the family's season financial commitment remains in effect even if the student later:
The family's regular OM program payments will continue for as long as that team remains actively participating in the current competition season.
How Long Does the Commitment Last?
For purposes of this policy, the team's competitive season ends when the team:
If a team advances from its qualifying tournament to State Finals, the team's season continues.
If a team advances from State Finals to World Finals, the team's season continues through World Finals.
Why This Policy Exists
An Odyssey team is a small collaborative unit.
Once a participant contributes to the team's solution, the team has built its work, roles, schedule, materials, coaching, space usage, and financial planning around that participant.
Odyssey of the Mind rules may also prevent a participant who contributed to the solution from simply being removed from the team's official roster and replaced by another student.
A mid-season withdrawal therefore affects the entire team.
Continuing the family's financial commitment prevents the remaining families and the Society from unexpectedly absorbing costs created by an individual family's voluntary decision to leave the team.
Advancement Expenses
Regular Society OM program payments and competition/advancement expenses are separate unless the published fee schedule specifically states otherwise.
If a team advances, families may also be responsible for previously disclosed or subsequently approved advancement expenses associated with State Finals or World Finals.
Before significant nonrefundable advancement expenses are committed, the Society will make reasonable efforts to provide families with:
Once an advancement expense has been authorized or incurred on behalf of a participant, that amount may remain the family's responsibility even if the participant later withdraws.
Fundraising
Money raised through Society-sponsored team fundraising belongs to the Society or designated Society OM fund and is used for approved Odyssey of the Mind purposes.
Fundraising proceeds are not refundable to an individual family when a participant withdraws.
Exceptional Circumstances
The Society understands that circumstances outside a family's control can change.
A parent or guardian may request an exception because of significant circumstances such as:
Exceptions are not automatic.
Requests will be reviewed by designated Society leadership using consistent criteria and with consideration for both the family's circumstances and the financial impact upon the team.
Any approved reduction, waiver, or modification should be documented.
Removal by the Society
If the Society removes a participant from the OM program for reasons unrelated to misconduct by the participant or family, future unpaid program fees will ordinarily be canceled.
If a participant is suspended or removed because of serious or repeated violations of Society policies, safety rules, or the Member Code of Conduct, the Society will determine the remaining financial obligation based upon expenses already incurred, team impact, and the circumstances of the removal.
No Guarantee of Advancement
Financial commitment to the season does not guarantee competition placement, awards, advancement, a particular team role, or participation in every component of the team's solution.
Family Acknowledgment
I understand that Odyssey of the Mind is a season commitment, not a month-to-month activity.
I understand that the Society allows my family to pay this commitment in monthly installments for convenience.
I understand that once my child has been placed on a team and begun contributing to the team's solution, voluntarily withdrawing my child does not automatically end my family's financial responsibility.
If my child's team continues competing, regular program payments continue through the end of that team's competitive season, subject to the exceptional-circumstances provisions above.
Participant Name: ______________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________
Date: _________________________________________