Dear CTOM Community,
When we sent our original notice that the Tournament was canceled due to SCSU venue restrictions, we included our entire community - over 900 people. We knew it would evoke an array of emotions and we appreciate your efforts to manage the disappointment of your teams, given the shock of the current situation.
This note focuses on a more practical issue – refunds. Therefore, its distribution is limited to coaches and town coordinators. You may have read our full
refund policy
which outlines the amount of the refund, refund recipients and timing. Some of you have reached out for more information.
Today’s communication provides clarifications to the existing policy. Given this unique situation, it also includes additional actions which the Board approved immediately following our announcement. As a non-profit, we are working to balance our financial responsibility to the organization while also recognizing the financial commitment made by our teams.
The original policy:
For most teams, the total refund will be $175. This is the $225 registration fee, minus $50. Per the original policy, CTOM retains this amount to help defray unrecoverable costs. These are primarily related to coach training, judge training, the Odyssey Day workshop and administrative fees.
Additionally,
the CTOM Board voted to refund all late registration and late payment fees as well as missing judge fees previously paid by teams.
The e
stimated loss as a result of the tournament cancelation exceeds $10,000 with invoices for merchandise still coming in. Some of this loss might be offset once we open our e-Commerce site for merchandise sales. Future emails will address how teams can purchase items to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments this year.
Some teams have asked if their team or organization could decline their refund to help defray CTOM’s unrecoverable costs -- thank you! We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Others have wondered if the fees paid for their 2020 registration could be deferred towards their 2021 registration.
To ensure that CTOM processes each refund, donation or deferral correctly, please help us by telling us your preference via
this form
. CTOM will take action in the order in which we receive your feedback, so please don't delay. If we don't hear from you by April 10th, we will process a refund to the original payer.
We appreciate your continued patience as we implement this refund process for the first time. Your continued generosity and commitment to this fantastic educational opportunity is an inspiration.
Sincerely on behalf of myself and the rest of the Board,
John Sayour
CTOM Treasurer
CTOM is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
Odyssey of the Mind in CT
