Has anyone attempted to start an Assoc.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by REFVA

They told me out right, they don't have enough officials due to camps, vacations, other sports etc. Plus they are not my home base association. They want me to become an official in their association as well as my group. But dues and 10% does not make it worth for any of the officials. Since we have to do some travel to NO. VA.

Competition is great. Except if you are the group that has the "lock" and now some upstart wants to cut in on your turf. With better service. Better officials. Maybe even lower fees.

The situation in your area is nothing like in mine. The associations (for the most part) do the recruiting and training of new officials and continuing education for the rest of us. They have nothing to do with assigning -- although it sure helps if the key assignors also are members of your association.

I read with interest the inner workings of assigning in this region. If these exisiting associations are able to keep such a tight leash on both officials and organizations and keep competitors out (presumably by refusing to assign games to officials who work for these "renegade" outfits), then you have a lot more to worry about than insurance and fees.