Fed up with association/assignor...

[WhistlesAndStripes]

As an official, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect an assignor to let you know where you stand. I think that that's what the OP is asking for. Granted, how you go about trying to get that information is important, but it's not an unreasonable expectation.

Different associations have different ways of doing things, different ways of training, and different ways of mentoring. It's important to figure out how the association/assignor do things and adapt to it.

But some responsibility falls on the assignor as well. If an official approaches the assignor asking what he needs to do to improve his schedule, I don't think that's too much to ask. Granted, it may be hard for the official to hear the brutal truth, but if someone really wants to move up, they'll take it to heart and do what's asked.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

As an official, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect an assignor to let you know where you stand. I think that that's what the OP is asking for. Granted, how you go about trying to get that information is important, but it's not an unreasonable expectation.

There is a difference in telling you where you stand and ranking you specifically up against someone else or the group. And if they tell you what they think about you, will you accept the information?

We have a rating system that is statewide that we know what our percentile numbers are listed at. So if you are in the 90 percentile, you are as high as you can go in theory in your ratings. There are people in my state that complain they are not higher and often try to compare themselves against others that they feel they are "better" than. So if they are "better," then they think they should get "better" games an opportunities. Usually this is just about acceptance, not whether it is reality or not.

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

But some responsibility falls on the assignor as well. If an official approaches the assignor asking what he needs to do to improve his schedule, I don't think that's too much to ask. Granted, it may be hard for the official to hear the brutal truth, but if someone really wants to move up, they'll take it to heart and do what's asked.

I know that sounds wonderful, but if you go to a job interview and the company or interviewer tells you that they have 50 candidates and we will call you if you get a second interview or if we hire you, then they don't call or hire you, what is that telling you? That means that they did not pick you over others that were available for the position. They are not going to come back and tell you why they choose other people. At most they might send you a letter thanking you for your time, but they are not going to get into the details. Why as officials do we expect more than any other aspect of life? Also the assignor is telling you what they think of you really by giving you the assignments. So if you want to work varsity and you are only getting JV games, that is your answer.

Peace

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I know that sounds wonderful, but if you go to a job interview and the company or interviewer tells you that they have 50 candidates and we will call you if you get a second interview or if we hire you, then they don't call or hire you, what is that telling you?

That's not the relationship that an official has with an assigner they've already worked games for. I do expect to be able to have a similar conversation about my abilities, workload and what I can do to improve with my boss at work. That is not unlike the conversation the OP wishes to have with their assigner.

[Freddy]

From most who complain about not getting better games or rising to a higher level there exists a telling hesitancy to offer video to establish the allegation that the assigner isn't being fair to them personally. Most times there is a reason. And it's detectable by objective observation or video critique and in many, though not all, cases correctable, but those who prove the injustice seem quite few.
Do I have a point here?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Welpe

That's not the relationship that an official has with an assigner they've already worked games for. I do expect to be able to have a similar conversation about my abilities, workload and what I can do to improve with my boss at work. That is not unlike the conversation the OP wishes to have with their assigner.

But if you are working with someone before, they may or may not tell you why you are getting certain games in detail as opposed to the 100 other officials they have assigned games to. Again this might be area specific, but I know assignors that do not give detailed answers to those kinds of questions. For one they do not want to kill their motivation to work for them on some level and secondly they are not going to tell them, "You are not good enough to work because....." Again, you are not the only one they assign. You should figure out on some level why you are not at the top or working what you are working. My main point you can ask all you like, but they do not and often will not tell you the reason you are looking for. If you do not like what you are getting, then do not accept the games. You are an independent contractor.

But once again, this might be very area specific. Where I live if one guy does not like me, I have many others to turn to for games. Or I suck it up and pay my dues to get to where I want to be with that assignor.

Peace