Association Culture ...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We are considering some major changes in our rating system. We are considering not allowing new junior varsity officials (first year, second year, maybe third year) to rate varsity officials. However, they should probably stick around to observe the varsity guys, even if they don't have to rate them, they might learn something.

Some things are cultural: JV officials staying for the first half of the varsity game, for example. Others are actual expectations that are spelled out in writing: not showing up for varsity games in jeans, for example.

As for the reliance of your rating system upon officials coming way early or staying way late:
1. Why do you have JV officials rating varsity officials? That seems like a waste of time. Do any varsity officials actually take such critique seriously?
2. Why not leave it up to the JV officials to request and schedule their evaluations? That's how we do it, and it works. All officials are expected to get three evaluations per season, and it's up to us to contact evaluators ahead of time so they come early.
3. Every time I get a chance, when I know there's a respected official watching any portion of my game, I ask "Did you see anything" (or something to that effect). This gives me a lot of informal feedback.

This system doesn't require varsity officials to get there obscenely early every single game (which as Rich points out, wouldn't be possible for most of them to do).

Here's an example of cultural expectations that should be passed down:

My first season in a different association, I got assigned as the driver to a road trip. I drove and didn't think twice about it.

At the next meeting, we had "break out" sessions with "dilemmas" to go over, and one of the groups was given the following "dilemma." "The driver to your out of town game is given a mileage check, but doesn't buy snacks and drinks for the road."

I got the message, but it would have been nice to avoid that embarrassment to begin with.