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Every official wants his or her association to be successful. Is there a magic formula for success? Where should the focus lie in the association to be successful? Like many things, there is no single entity that generates success. It is a combination of symbiotic processes and efforts that come together and form the elusive target called success. Definition of success. Before you can be successful, you have to define success. Is success more membership? A larger budget? Better officiating? More clinics and meetings? It is critical that the associationRead More

As a leader of an association, you must be aware of what is happening within the membership. That is particularly vital if you sense some unrest between members or between the membership and the association leadership. Recognizing that dissension exists within the association is the most difficult part of the entire process. There are several actions that will help you recognize possible dissension. Be aware. During meetings and social events, make a conscious effort to be aware of points of conflict between members or among the membership toward the associationRead More

Organizing meetings to keep them on track, informative and short is a tough job. Having a guest speaker at your meetings can help with the informative part. It can also help keep members interested and help your attendance. Of course, if you don’t get the right speakers, it can also hurt your attendance. Some have a tendency to run long and might not stay on track. Here are some ideas that may help you in choosing your guest speakers, and keeping them on track. Step 1 — Understand needs. You mustRead More

It’s important to cut down on distractions and stay on point during your executive board meetings. Never have a meeting on couches. Count on this rule: The softer the seats, the less effective the meeting will be. Another dependable rule: When elbows are on the table, people get down to business quicker. Always sit around a table. People will stick to business and they’ll be able to handle their papers better. Use the correct table. A round table is best for committee or board meetings. Everyone has equal positional statusRead More

Are you missing opportunities to become a leader in your association? Remember, leadership comes in many forms. Don’t think that treading a single path will get you to a leadership post. Don’t let a job description restrict you. Instead of defining what people do, job descriptions often define what they don’t do. If you’re the association “computer guy,” you’ll always be the computer guy unless you show you have other skills valuable to the group. Join the recruitment committee or the fundraising committee for a season or two. Showing yourRead More

Banquets at the end of a sport or officiating season can be a nice way of capping off a season of hard work. In order to pull off a successful banquet, it must be planned for. Some basic questions need to be answered. Where should the banquet be held? Who, other than members, can attend? Spouses or just members? Will food and drink be served? How will the expenses for the banquet be covered? By the association or those who attend? Once those questions have been answered, you can takeRead More

Mentoring is the buzzword for business, youth organizations, officials associations and just about every other organization or corporation. Officials associations see it as a way to develop new and inexperienced officials quickly, maintain the second- and third-year officials that have struggled and satisfy the more experienced officials when their physical abilities begin to fade. Many organizations that decide to start a mentoring program find out that it is not easy. But it can work with the right steps. Here are recommendations to start down the right path to developing aRead More

Without meetings, your association would be a just a loose-fit group of officials. Meetings are where the association is able to function like a real group. In order to get members to attend the meetings, they need to know when the meetings are — well in advance of when they actually occur. Start out by contacting your state association or governing body to find out deadlines for registration and dates of sport specific rules interpretation meetings. They are usually available online or by calling your state association. Record those datesRead More

An officials association can maximize its effectiveness when it understands the needs of the various governing bodies that it services. At the interscholastic level, that boils down to understanding the needs of leagues and using your association to better serve the league. Leagues deal with the familiar. The same teams play each other over and over, year after year. Familiarity and memories build up. Interpersonal relationships and personal skills are the order of the day. Leagues need their officials to meet the ideal standards of the officiating profession, but individualRead More

Does your association conduct a training camp or clinic to improve the educational experience of your members? Do you reach out to the community to offer training for non-association members? Do you offer training programs to new officials? For some associations, providing a basic training program or an advancement clinic can be profitable. It cannot only enhance your association’s credibility in the community, but increase your revenues through registration fees and even new memberships. 1. Determine Your Own Abilities Take an inventory of your skills and those who might also beRead More