While it’s a good thing to have officials associations experience membership growth, it’s equally important to know what to do with those new members. Because eventually they may land new full-time jobs or possibly decide that officiating is not what they thought it would be.
As is the case with all new members, the association’s goal should be to deliver proper training so that the new officials are put on the right games and the mission of the association — serving the schools properly — is not harmed.
With that in mind, here are some suggestions to help retain new members.
Good training. Think back to your first game and the feelings you had of being confused and unsure. Those feelings are the same for pretty much every official. But several good clinics at the start of the season, followed by a couple of supervised scrimmages or exhibitions do a lot to help the confidence (and therefore, enjoyment level) of a new official.
Proper goals. Former longtime NCAA basketball referee Ed Hightower once said that he’s amazed by the number of first-year college basketball officials who are disappointed when they aren’t getting to the third- and fourth-rounds of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament.
Explain to new officials up front that there is a process for learning officiating and gathering enough good experience to be qualified to work a playoff game. If a newer official incorrectly assumes that a full varsity schedule or a playoff game is coming, it can lead to them quitting or worse, becoming a problem member when that doesn’t happen.
Mentoring. Assign a committee of veteran officials to mentor newer ones. That can be done by actually working lower-level games with them, or by just being there to answer questions and offer solid guidance. Avoid giving newer officials the feeling that they are on an island and have to figure everything out on their own.
Reward. When newer officials meet or exceed expectations, make sure there is a reward system in place. Find a way to get the top newer officials a chance to work at the next level. What would be considered “just another varsity game” to a veteran is a rewarding opportunity for someone who hasn’t worked at that level before.
Finish their first year strongly. Whether it is an end-of-season get together or recognition at the final meeting, make sure new officials leave with a positive final moment. If they feel appreciated, they are more likely to return. If they leave feeling unwelcome, they might never come back.
Don’t abandon them. Just because the season is over, it’s no reason for the friendships that have developed to take a break. A quick phone call, email or invitation to dinner can help foster the relationships that a lot of veteran crews have with newer officials. Make newer officials feel like they are important to the group and they stick around.
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