[JRutledge]

I belong to a couple of associations that are "multi-sports" associations. In one of those associations we have run what we call "New Official's Classes." We felt there was a need to discuss some issues that newer officials often do not get addressed in the general meeting. I ran the classes and came up with topics from everything like "How to get games" to "What to do before a game." I would cover these things from a new official's perspective and tried to make it very interactive so they would feel comfortable to participate and to get their questions answered that veterans would often role their eyes at.

Our general meetings are mostly rules presentations which if I had the power, we should get away from that because they tend to be self-explanatory and the presenters tend to read the information rather than present the information.

Our association also instituted a mentor program where we match up younger officials with veteran officials above the level of the younger official so they can be evaluated and just help out the young official anyway the mentor sees fit.

Peace