Oregon Destination Imagination, Inc. has facilitated creative problem-solving programs across the state of Oregon for 41 years.

The association was founded in 1980 by a dedicated group of Talented and Gifted (TAG) teachers. These educators, based primarily in the Portland metropolitan area, included teachers from other areas of the state, and received support from the Oregon Department of Education. The program was established to operate under the nonprofit umbrella of the national program, then called Olympics of the Mind (later changed to Odyssey of the Mind).

Through pull-out programs during the class day, TAG teachers recruited TAG and other high achieving students to be team members and taught the creative problem solving process. These teachers recruited parents to take over the teams and work with students to compete at regional and state tournaments.

Karen Clark was the first State Director, serving from 1980 to 1983. The first board consisted of Jackie Buisman, Mike Cullum, Lynn Koller, Karen Lachman, Joyce Lozito, Sue Novotny, and Karen Wedeking. The first two tournaments were held at Portland Community College, Rock Creek Center. Teams from Beaverton, North Clackamas, Hillsboro, Grants Pass, Reedville, Sherwood, West Linn, Scappoose, Eugene, and Portland attended.

Joyce Lozito served as the second State Director from 1983-86. Regional tournaments were held in several areas of the state, and the state tournaments were held at Portland State University. Sandra Howell was the third State Director serving from 1986 to 1988. During her term there were regions in Beaverton, Salem, Bend, Corvallis, and Grants Pass and the state tournament was moved to Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

Karen Anderson became State Director in April of 1988 and continued in that role until 2014. During those 25 years, regional boundaries changed frequently to meet the needs of teams.  From 1988 to 1991, the state tournament continued at Western Oregon University, but when the number of teams statewide expanded, we moved to Oregon State University in Corvallis, where it continued to be held until 2009.

1995 saw major change for the program when tax Measure 5 reduced school funding; ultimately that resulted in a reduction in the number of TAG teachers in the state. The slow loss of many of the program’s major supporters and recruiters, as well as the continuity of a program from year to year, was a huge blow.

In 1999, the National Board of Trustees of OM filed a legal action which resulted in a court ordered split in the national organization: Odyssey of the Mind broke away and became a separate company. Those board members remaining formed a new organization under the nonprofit umbrella, and Destination Imagination Inc. was formed. In October 1999, the Oregon OM Associates Board of Directors voted to offer the Destination Imagination program in Oregon. The first DI tournament was held in the spring of 2000 at Oregon State University. Legally operating as a d/b/a for 11 years, OM Associates Inc. of Oregon changed the name of the corporation to Oregon Destination Imagination, Inc., in 2011.

In 2014, Donna Dreis, the former Metro Region Director, and Simon Dodd, a program alumni and former Affiliate Director of Kentucky, assumed the role of Co-Affiliate Directors in Oregon, and continued in that role through June 2019. Now seen primarily as an extracurricular activity, Oregon DI teams statewide have decreased over the last two decades from a high of 7 regions and 300 teams, to 3 regions (Metro, Southern and Eastern) and about 100 teams. In 2009 the state tournament was moved to Crescent Valley HS in Corvallis, and in 2015, to Sprague High School in Salem.  With a stable core of volunteers, Oregon DI recruits teams, offers training for team members and team managers, and provides regional activities and tournaments, culminating in a state tournament in April. Top state teams compete in an international tournament. The organization has a 9 to 11 member Board of Directors.

A new chapter began in July of 2019 when Brenda Crouser was elected as Affiliate Director. 

Oregon is currently divided into 3 regions for the purpose of service delivery: Eastern, Metro and Southern (see counties served under each region). For questions about regional programs and events, contact your Regional Director or the people listed below. While most teams register for the Regional Tournament closest to them, teams may chose to register for the other tournament if there are schedule conflicts.

METRO REGION includes Clatsop, Columbia, Washington, Tillamook, Yamhill, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, and Wasco counties.

Please contact BRENDA CROUSER (brenda@oregondi.org) if you have questions about this region.

 
SOUTHERN REGION includes Lincoln, Benton, Polk, Linn, Marion, Lane, Coos, Douglas, Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties.

JOAN HLADKY, Southern Regional Director
(jhladky@pleasanthill.k12.or.us)

 
EASTERN REGION includes Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Crook, Lake, Harney, and Malheur counties.

Please contact BRENDA CROUSER (brenda@oregondi.org) if you have questions about this region.

Diversity is the catalyst for innovative thinking. The Organization is committed to the concepts of nondiscrimination and inclusion as an affirmation of our beliefs that the interests of all members are best served when the inherent worth of every individual is recognized and valued. We believe that diversity enriches the educational experience, promotes personal growth and a healthy society, and strengthens communities and the workplace. We seek a diverse and inclusive membership and promote full participation in all activities regardless of race, gender, disability, physical appearance, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, or geographic location.

Our Board of Directors consists of volunteers selected from among Oregon DI’s team managers, appraisers, parents, and other volunteers. The working board provides leadership and guidance for the program and coordinates general operations, development, and programming for the state. Our key volunteers (primarily Board members and Challenge Masters) work with dozens of other volunteers across the state to bring DI to 150+ students each year from every corner of Oregon.

You can learn more about our Board of Directors here.