Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way

(RACINE, Wis.) — The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), in cooperation with the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) will conduct a one-day association leadership program this Saturday, June 21, in Portland at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. This event precedes the "Successful Officiating 2003" Conference hosted by NASO in conjunction with the National Federation of State High School Associations.

More than 40 high school officiating associations from Oregon and Washington are participating by sending a representative to the event. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude by 4:00 p.m.

"We are very pleased and proud to work with the OSAA and WIAA on this event," said NASO President Barry Mano. "The commitment by both to provide this kind of program to its association leaders demonstrates their dedication to improving officiating throughout the state."

Called "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way — Leadership for Local Associations," the program includes welcomes from OSAA Executive Director Tom Welter and WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese, followed by a keynote address from Mano titled "Leadership Officiating."

Following Mano will be sports attorney and official Alan Goldberger addressing numerous legal issues affecting local association management.

NASO Communications and Development Manager Bob Still will conclude the morning sessions with a program titled "What You Can Do to Recruit and Retain Officials."

During lunch, sponsored by the OSAA and WIAA, NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira will tackle the subject, "Sportsmanship Begins Right Here! Right Now!" Pereira will focus his remarks on how local associations must work with their members to emphasize enforcement of sportsmanship rules and more. Pereira, a longtime advocate for sportsmanship, is a perfect exclamation point for this high-powered day on leadership.

The afternoon sessions will continue the theme of leadership management.

Nora Stransky, president of Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc., will conduct a 45-minute presentation on insurance needs and services for association leaders. Her presentation will breakdown the confusing industry terminology and help association leaders understand the risks of managing an association.

Following Stransky, Welter and Colbrese will update attendees on issues impacting their respective states and answer questions.

Reid Evans, president of The Arbiter, a leading officiating software manufacturer, will present a program on how association’s can improve assigning systems by embracing the newest technologies.

Marcy Weston, NASO chair, will conclude the meeting with remarks challenging the audience to embrace their leadership role in order to make a difference for the profession.

The one-day program will "open the minds of association leaders," according to Mano, "and give them plenty of ideas and perspective on how to improve their officials and the management of their organization."

For more information on the program, contact the OSAA at 503/682-6722.