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Been there, done that.
You first have to establish yourself as a person without a personal agenda. Someone who is truly interested in advancing the quality of officiating within the association. At the same time, everyone of your assignments has to be handled as professional as you can possibly make it. You can NOT be critical of even the worst of officials you work with. Be constructive and helpful at ALL times. This will gain you friends, respect and most of all support that you will need to work within the association.
Volunteer for evertything and do a top job at it. I almost guarentee you will find that the majority of the officials in your group really want to bring about change also. A lot of times, when members use the "good ole boys" statement, they really mean that they want to be catered to and don't like it if they aren't getting ALL the good games. And sometimes, it truly is that way.
You have to demonstrate that making the organization better through training and professionalism is more important than personnal gains, without question. Otherwise it will be taken as a personal conquest to gain power for your own "good ole boy network".
You will be pleasantly surprised how many officials that you belive do a bad job, are receptive to help if you approach them with a positive attitude. "Hey John, have you ever tried this mechanic" or "I see your having problems with you timing or strike zone, can I offer some help?"
Then use documented mechanics and rule knowledge to reinforce what you are saying.
Believe me, you are NOT going to do this over night. You will bcome frustrated because some existing officers will resent anything you do beause they dont ever want you to take over their domain. Its a power thing to them. By the same token they are so caught up in it they don't have enough intelligence to utilize your services, to help make theirselfs look better. At some point you just might have to weigh these factors and decide if starting another group is the best thing for you and those that now support you. Otherwise, work within and Good Luck.
"Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies."
--Robert F. Kennedy
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