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By Jeffrey Stern No organization can function effectively without a document that sets forth the objectives, procedures and requirements of the group. When it comes to officials associations, that document is known as the bylaws. Bylaws are written on paper, not carved into stone. That means they may be — and in some cases, must be — amended from time to time. Here are some “must dos” when it comes to bylaws, presented in the form of commandments. 1. Thou shalt review the bylaws regularly. A periodic review of theRead More
By Jeffrey Stern If you’re a fan of “Grey’s Anatomy” or any other medical drama, you’re likely familiar with the scene in which the patient’s heart monitor stop its rhythmic beeping and begins to emit a steady, ear-splitting tone. That means one of two things: Either the star will employ an unusual (sometimes illegal) method to save the day, or the actor playing the patient will not become a cast regular. You don’t have to be a doctor (or play one on TV) to recognize your association meetings are inRead More
In order to have an effective association, members must be “in the know” about the happenings of the group. They must be on the same page as far as critical issues. Communication is the key. Try the following steps to get the word out. Step 1 — Determine what to relay. Get the important news of your association to members. What does that include? Early on, that means you need to provide the bylaws and procedures. Those documents aren’t just important to board members. Rank-and-file officials should have them asRead More
Your association’s charitable donation provides the funds for organizations to research illnesses, feed the poor, help the needy and support other worthwhile causes. If you are considering donating to a charity, follow these steps to ensure your association’s money is well spent. Step 1 — What to Donate. Decide on what type of donation you are going to make. That helps narrow your charity choices. You can donate food, money or your time to different organizations or school districts. Figure out what you want to donate and find a charityRead More
By Carl Smith For the most part, officials are good at their assigner dealings. The “problem children” are fortunately only a small portion you have to deal with. By letting all officials know the expectations up front, it’ll help the season’s assigning progress run more smoothly, and keep that “problem” percentage at a manageable level. It’s also imperative to let new officials know what’s expected of them. Here are some expectations: 1. Be professional (on and off the court and field). On the court and field, always bring your ARead More
Organization is a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it means your association or chapter. As an adjective, it means getting things in order so you can better manage the former. If your organization isn’t as organized as it should be, try these steps. Step 1 — Create a database. The days of an association leader relying on ledgers and stubby pencils to keep track of things are long gone. Any number of computer software programs can be used to track everything from member addresses and phone numbers toRead More
By Tim Sloan This could be a short article. How do you know when your membership is turning on you? When are things starting to go bad? If you run your organization like some are today, you might not have any idea. And it’s hard to take any action, regardless of what the truth may be. So, there’s nothing to talk about. Didn’t I indicate it could be a short article? If you’re a relative greybeard like me, you will remember the days when having meetings was a staple ofRead More
More associations are figuring out how to recruit new officials. In these economic times, all some groups have to do is open the door so new officials can walk in. Then what? How do you keep officials after they figure out officiating is tough and there are a lot of jobs out there where you don’t get yelled at as often? Step 1 — Welcome them From the start, new officials should understand what the camaraderie of being an official is all about. If you see a new official walkRead More
At some time, every officials association faces a crisis. Whether it’s an unscrupulous secretary pilfering funds, a member official messing up a call in a high-profile game or worse, you must be prepared to react quickly, wisely and decisively. Step 1 — Don’t panic. Panic leads to bad decisions and stress, neither of which will help the situation. Take a deep breath and avoid knee-jerk reactions. Some problems will need to be handled with more dispatch than others, but a deliberate approach is still preferred. Step 2 — Get theRead More
By Carl Smith Think of mentorship as an advanced step of training, which gets to be one-on-one, instead of training in a group atmosphere. It involves dedicated, detailed attention to one or possibly two young officials. It is as much a privilege to be a mentor as it is a benefit to be mentored. It is truly a “win-win” situation. Why then is it so difficult to start and maintain a mentorship program? Let’s break it down. Get Started As a member of the board, you must back the program.Read More
Polls
Does your officials association do exit interviews/surveys with members who leave your group?
- Yes (10%, 5 Votes)
- No (90%, 45 Votes)
Total Voters: 50
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