Now that you've been brainstorming all summer, it's time to put your Odyssey Angels project into action! The first year of the program officially started this fall. Here are the specifics:

STEP 1 Find someone or something in your community that you think needs help and find a creative way to fix it. Visit the Odyssey Angel website for brainstorming tips!

STEP 2 Enroll in the Odyssey Angels program. You don't have to complete the project yet. This is just to let us know what your plans are and to make the pledge to help your community. You can enroll online at www.odysseyangels.org. The deadline for enrollment is December 1, 2011. Again -- this is just an enrollment to qualify to attend WF. No further action is needed until you are ready to start.

STEP 3 Implement your plan! In the coming months you can meet with your group, make plans, brainstorm, or simply get to work helping your community. You can work within any timeline you feel comfortable, and your idea could take months or an afternoon! The only limitation is that you help someone or something in your community and that one person in your group is affiliated with Odyssey of the Mind.

STEP 4 Submit your results. The deadline to turn in your results is April 1, 2012 if you wish to be rewarded with a trip to attend World Finals where you will present your idea to others. There will be a simple form online where you will explain the results of your project. After the deadline, a panel will review all of the submissions and choose one group of representatives to come to the 2012 World Finals at Iowa State University as special guests. The selected goup will show others how they helped their communities through presentations at the Creativity Festival. Remember that, as in all things Odysseyrelated, creativity is key!

Odyssey participants are some of the most creative and generous folks around, so we're sure there will be plenty of great ideas and communities that will reap the benefits of them. To learn more visit www.odysseyangels.org or contact info@odysseyangels.org. Everyone's creative problemsolving abilities are sure to help many people across the U.S. and beyond. Good luck!