DI Alumni Task Force:

In late January 2007, the DIAA (Destination ImagiNation Alumni Association) was re-structured in an attempt create an organization better prepared to lead the DI Alumni. After creating new and challenging goals for this year and the future, a few pro-active leaders were put in place to begin the process of transforming the DIAA and executing a reinvigorated plan.

The DIAA currently exists as a Task Force. The Task Force will continue to run DI Alumni activities until a solid foundation for the Alumni Association has been put in place. At that time, the organization will transfer back into its old structure with a governing Board.

The Task Force is made-up of some former DIAA Board members as well as some new members who have been active Alumni in their Affiliates.

Task Force Chair: Lara Morrell
Lara’s creative problem solving journey began 15 years ago when she was in the 4th grade. In her six year competing in DI, she traveled to Globals to represent the state of Maryland four times. After graduating from high school, Lara because an Appraiser and this is her 6th year as a Challenge B Appraiser. In addition, she currently serves as the Maryland Affiliate Web Master, Alumni Rep, and a Regional Director. Lara’s involvement with the DIAA last year when she was elected to the Board in May 2006.

Task Force Member: Sarah Benczik
Sarah’s involvement in CPS programs as a team member for nine years inspired her to give back to DI, first as a team manager and Affiliate appraiser, and now as an Appraiser at Globals (structure!!) and DI Challenge Writer. Her high school team, M.Seven, won three global championships and she represented the DI Globals graduating class of 2003 as ValeDIctorian. Sarah is a former member of the Indiana CPS Board, and will be moving on to graduate school in a new Affiliate this fall. Sarah became a member of the Task Force after her mid-term election to the DIAA Board to fill a vacated seat.

Task Force Member: Jordan Cormier
Jordan’s creative problem solving journey began 19 years ago (1988) when he was in the 3rd grade. Over 11 years of competition, he represented the great state of Massachusetts 3 times at global finales. After high school he started to appraise. Filling roles as Regional challenge masters in IC, structure, and challenge A. this quickly became a state appraise position as co state challenge A and a board position for Massachusetts. DI did not stop there after a job took him to a new state he went on to take positions in Vermont as a co state challenge master for IC and a board member, wail still keeping all of his positions and responsibilities in Massachusetts. Jordan’s involvement with the DIAA started 2003 when he was elected the VP, in 2005 he became the President and 2006 steep down to be a member of the Board.

Task Force Member: Simon Dodd
Simon started participating in creative problem solving 25 years ago, when he was in the 3rd grade. In 11 years of competing and 4 years of being a Team Manager, his teams placed in the top 10 at Global Finals seven times. Simon has been an Oregon and Kentucky DI Affiliate Board Member for 10 years, as well as engaging a two year term as the Alumni Association Vice President. In 13 years of Appraising he has been involved with Structure, Improv, Technical, and eXtreme Challenges, five of which he was an International Challenge Master. He has had the opportunity to work with teams writing Central and Instant Challenges for 5 years.

Task Force Member: David Mitchell
David has been a part of creative problem solving for 20 years now. Currently he is in charge of running the Awards Ceremony at the Affiliate Tournament in Arkansas. This includes recording all of the regional tournaments in Arkansas and creating a highlights tape (similar to those shown at Globals) at the Affiliate Ceremony. Next year David will be and Instant Challenge Appraiser assuming he can find someone to take over his job as video-ographer . Dave was elected to the DIAA Board in 2005 and served as its Treasurer.

Task Force Member: Adam Law

Task Force Member: Andrew Whitmire
At the age of 20, Andrew has been involved with creative problem solving for over half his life. His competitive career spanned 10 years during which he competed at every level, representing Winchester, Virginia at Global Finals 5 consecutive times. In addition to being a Global Champions, his team received a Renaissance Award in 2005 for their Sudden SerenDIpity solution. After graduating from John Handley High School, he stayed involved with DI by appraising at the regional and affiliate level. In 2006 and 2007, after traveling around the world as an Imagination 4 Life camp counselor and director, he has a unique insight into the myriad of programs DI offers. Most recently, at Challenge DIvelopment, he worked on the AEM Construction Challenge which will make it’s debut in 2007. Now, as a member of the DIAA Task Force, he is ready for new challenges.

The DI Alumni Task Force is continuing to look for dedicated and driven members who can help us make the DIAA an active and effective organization. If you are interested in learning more about the DI Alumni Task Force or are interested in helping further the organization, please e-mail us at diaa@dialum.org. We’d love to hear from you. We need to hear from you.