Introduction
Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem solving competition
that holds annual international competitions know as World Finals. For
this World Finals, as well as Local Regional and State competitions,
regions, states and teams create pins displaying their creative talents.
The trading of these pins is an excellent way to meet new people and
make new friends.
A. The Problem
The problem is to identify and collect as many team, region, state
and country created pins as the problem participant finds desirable.
These pins will be collected and shared in groups and individually,
in any way the two participants of the trade wish. Remember, all trading
must occur entirely without the exchange of money.
The creative emphasis of this problem is in the delivery of the request
and the display of your "trader" pins.
The Spirit of the Problem is for each party of the trade to feel accomplishment
and joy in the trade, additional points will be given to trades in which
one party goes out of their way to complete the others collection.
B. Limitations
- General Rules: Read the Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide. This
manual includes basic limitations for all problems. Limitations pertaining
to fair play, sportsmanship and safety all apply to this problem.
- Problem Clarifications: There are no clarifications for this problem.
- The time limit for this problem is the life of the participant.
- The cost limit for this problem is available resources of the participant.
Remember that food, mortgage payments, etc. are important, and it
is suggested that pin purchases be limited so as to allow those obligations
to be met.
- The participant must: (a) bring one or more pin(s) for trading,
(b) keep a good attitude at all times, and (c) deal fairly with all
other participants.
- Trading must take place at reasonable hours, though reasonable
hours are determined by the participants. Trading with a judge during
World Finals competition times is discouraged as is trading in a performance
site during a team's problem solution performance. Trading in a "No
Trading" posted area is not allowed. Violations of these rules
will result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.
- Contacts regarding trading can be made by any means agreeable to
the participants.
- General trading parameters are pin part for pin part, but this
is by no means a firm rule. A pin or pin set one party finds very
desirable can be traded at any exchange rate agreeable to the trading
parties. "Hot" trading pins and international pins may require
more than one pin for a successful trade.
- It is generally unrealistic to try to obtain every pin available,
successful strategies include the "one pin from each state/country"
strategy, the "any pin with OMER" strategy, the "multi-part
pin sets" strategy, the whoever I meet till I run out of pins"
strategy and many others. Any strategy is acceptable if it brings
you pleasure and you have fun performing.
- This problem is a trading problem. Purchase of pins should be limited
to purchases from Regional, State/National and Odyssey of the Mind
International sources.
C. Site, Setup and Competition
- Pins should be displayed in a manner that allows others to see what
you have available for trade.
- Pin display material can be anything the participant desires, Odyssey
of the Mind makes pin towels available in the souvenir shop. Placemats,
pieces of felt and hand towels are also effective as display/storage
devices. Chosen item(s) should be able to protect pins from scratching
each other, from becoming detached and be able to be gathered quickly
(such as when your team bus is pulling away from the curb, without
you on it).
- When two parties are making a trade, it is unfair for another trader
to interrupt the negotiation. If the original traders cannot agree,
then others may make counter offers to either of the original traders.
- Pin trading can cause traffic jams to quickly occur. Be observant
of these potential safety issues and, if possible, move the competition
out of traffic flow. Especially proficient traders can attract large
crowds to observe their collections and trading style.
D. Scoring
- Acquisition of desired pin(s)
.
50 - 51 points
- Presentation of pins to others for viewing
..
49 - 50 points
- Development of 1 (one) positive trading story
...
50 - 51 points
- Presentation of one (or more) pin(s) to rookie trader
.
49 - 50 points
E. Penalties
- Unfair advantage - Taking advantage of a new, unseasoned trader
is not allowed. Kids some adults are new at this and not as accomplished
as you. Bear with them and explain techniques and methods as you see
needed.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct - Rudeness, "high pressure" techniques
and deception are strictly forbidden.
F. Style
- Creativity of the display of your trader pins
...
.
. 1 to 10 points
- (Free choice of Participant)
1 to 10 points
- (Free choice of Participant)
1 to 10 points
- (Free choice of Participant)
1 to 10 points
- Display of enjoyment shown completing problem
.
.
. .1 to 10 points
G. Regional, State, National and International Organization
will provide.
Pins suitable for trading. These pins must be purchases, see B.4 above.
Locations at Regional, State/National and World tournaments for traders
to meet and
perform this problem
H. Competitor Must Provide
Towel or other devise for holding, displaying and protecting trader
pins and those that have been collected. Positive attitude and desire
to meet and make new friends from other states and countries.
I. Tips Regarding Trading:
- "Hot Traders" - No one really knows what pin or pins will
become "Hot Traders." The chances are that if you really
like a pin, then others will also. Pins are usually easier to obtain
earlier in the week. You may want to trade for extra pins that you
really like and use them later in the week to trade for those hard
to get pins you are searching for. Pins from states with small delegations
are sometimes hard to find and could potentially become good traders.
- Trading for Traders - A lot of pin collectors will trade for more
than one of a popular pin or pins and use them later to trade. This
will help if you are trying to trade with someone that already has
the pins you have brought to trade.
- Non OotM Pins - Usually, non-OotM pins do not trade very well.
However if you like one of these pins, then trade for it. As long
as you are happy with the pin, then it's a good trade. Remember, you
may not be able to trade the non-OotM pins to someone else later.
- Your Trading "Stock" - Always keep a good number of your
trading pins with you. You never know when a trading opportunity will
present its self.
- Label Your Storage System - Be sure that your name, address, team
name, long-term problem, and division are on your pin storage system.
If you become separated from your pins, someone may return them to
you or to the lost and found. If you should happen to find someone's
pins, please return them to the person or to the lost and found.
- Establish Your Trading Goals - There are so many trading pins present
at World Finals that it is unrealistic to try and trade for all of
them. Set a reachable goal. For example, some traders try to get one
pin from every state and every country. If you are successful in meeting
your goal, then set a second goal such as getting all OMER pins. Whatever
the goal, it establishes some guidelines to follow that should aid
in your trading experience.
- Displaying Your "Keepers" and Your "Traders"
- A lot of pin collectors will keep two separate storage systems.
One system is used to store your "Keepers." These are the
pins that you do not want to trade but keep for your collection. The
second storage system is used to display your "Traders."
These are the pins that you will display to other potential traders.
This approach will lessen the chance of you trading away a pin that
you really wanted to keep.
- Give-A-Way Pins - A lot of pin collectors (especially adults) will
keep a few or a lot of pins to give to young or inexperienced traders.
It will warm your heart to see the smiles on those sweet young faces
when you give them a pin and don't expect a trade in return. Try it
yourself. You will gain a lot of sweet memories.
- Pictorial Pin History - For those of you who would like to see
the history of Odyssey of the Mind pins, there is an on-line Pictorial
Pin History site you may want to visit. This site has over 2000 Odyssey
of the Mind pins that spans the years 1989 until the present. There
are pins from almost every state and country that have attended World
Finals during those years. To see the Pictorial Pin History click
here.
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