How to Find a Successful Local Association

Rookie officials and officials new to an area face many challenges on the road to successful officiating. Possibly one of the most important decisions is which local officials association to join.

Officials associations are like schools: Good ones with quality educational programs, excellent teachers and polished reputations can enhance a career. Poor ones that are disorganized, unprofessional and lack respect in the community can do more harm than good. With that in mind, there are a few things an official should think about before getting started finding a new association.

Identifying groups. One of the first things a new official should do is contact the state athletic association or sport governing body. One of the more overlooked services that most state associations provide is a listing of local officials associations. In some states, local associations must register or be approved by the state group, so it has a good idea of what the local groups provide. State associations will often provide you a list of local associations, key contact people and phone numbers or addresses.

Also, NASO has a list of more than 4,000 local officials associations across the country and abroad. NASO members can contact NASO headquarters for details about those groups.

Another source is local officials via "word of mouth." If you’ve relocated or just started officiating, attend local games and talk to the officials. Ask them about their local associations and make inquiries based on their assessments.

Large or small? Groups that have large numbers of officials can be good or bad. In some cities, the big group has a monopoly on game assignments, training, etc. To join a big group could mean a better opportunity to work more games or more prestige when trying to obtain games yourself. Also, larger groups generally have more income that could benefit members (videotape or book purchases, for example).

Conversely, new officials can get "lost" in a large group, whereas smaller groups allow for more personal attention. The decision is like choosing a college or university: Some people thrive on large campuses, while others need a smaller school for success.

What to look for. Groups that have respected training programs, organized leadership, updated bylaws and a constitution, timely meetings, local or state assigning influence and an enthusiastic, active membership are generally the best.

Some associations are simply social clubs that gather and discuss "war stories." Those are fine if you’re a socialite, but if you’re looking for quality training, look elsewhere.

Also beware of the groups that try to "protect their turf." Sometimes, new officials are not welcomed with open arms because they are viewed as competition for game assignments. It won’t take long to figure out those groups; get out as soon as possible.

Groups within groups. Within many local associations, there are factions of officials. Find a faction that can help improve your officiating. Some groups stay after meetings (or schedule separate ones) to discuss rules, mechanics, philosophy, etc. Finding the right "group within the group" can be extremely beneficial.

Making changes. Don’t be hesitant to try different associations. In most large cities, there are many different groups within a reasonable driving distance. If you’re uncomfortable with your current group, try another one. Another option: Start your own group. Many successful officials’ groups have stemmed from other groups. The experiences an official gains from one group can lead to a more positive experience for the new group.

Looking for a new association can be like buying a new car. Don’t just kick the tires and admire the paint job. Shop around and ask questions before making what could be a crucial decision.

Leadership Officiating Summit — Three Jam-Packed Days

From the NASO Summit keynote address to the last closing session, attendees at this year’s NASO Summit will experience why the 2005 NASO Summit is the premier officiating event. You will be captivated by session content, networking opportunities and people you’ll meet every day of the NASO Summit event. Each day you will see and learn something new.

Saturday, July 30, experience true leadership as keynote presenter Ed T. Rush inspires and influences you. Rush is a longtime leader and supporter of officiating, developing innovative officiating programs during his tenure as NBA director of officiating. Rush was also the NASO chair in 2000.

Featured Sunday, July 31, are secrets of the very best officials working at the highest levels of competition in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and FIFA. You’ll discover the many ways leadership skills carry through your life and how they especially serve you in officiating.

Not sure how to get association members to buy into your vision? Monday, Aug. 1, you will obtain the skills you need to get your staff of officials to follow your lead. The panel members have done it and include NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires Dave Yeast, NFHS Basketball Rules Chair and KHSAA Assistant Commissioner Larry Boucher and NCAA Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials Marcy Weston.

The Summit will be at the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown, July 30-Aug. 1. Attend the Summit and experience three jam-packed days of officiating at its best. To register visit NASO online www.naso.org or contact NASO Special Events Coordinator Tina Sagal at tsagal@naso.org.

Pull Up a Chair ...

Everyone who’s ever stepped onto a field, court or rink to officiate a game has a story to tell. Here’s a heartfelt piece from Portland,. Ore., basketball official Pat Wasp on how she learned a tough officiating lesson. (Do you have a story to tell? Write it down and e-mail to lastcall@referee.com.)

Hanging By My Fingertips

By Pat Wasp

I stood transfixed as my heart thumped in my ears. I was new to officiating; she was not new to coaching. I was sure she was right about that rule I had just kicked, but I wasn’t going to admit it.

We were a spectacle; two people locking horns on the battlefield of ego. I left the game angry and ashamed of myself for letting a wrong stand because of my own incompetence. I could not shake the feeling for days. I dove into the rulebook searching for the cure for a case of the bush league blues. I would have to sharpen every skill and challenge every action and reaction.

But that wouldn’t be enough. I wouldn’t learn until later that the key wouldn’t be found in the rulebook, casebook or officials’ manual. The key to success was inside me all along. All I had to do was allow the perceptions of others to penetrate my defenses and confront my excuses. What could be simpler?

Early in my career I considered other people’s opinions irrelevant. In every evaluation I was told I was too aggressive and my presentation was "over the top." Self-deception immediately intervened and gave me a number of plausible excuses for my behavior. I reassured myself that my strength was just a misunderstood gift. It did not seem fair that I was required to alter myself just to be more acceptable to others. I hung on to that little ridge of self-deception, but my feet were already dangling over the cliff of awareness.

In my very next game I sold a call so hard I almost blew out my shoulder. To add insult to injury the crowd actually laughed. I could justify the aching shoulder but the public ridicule really hurt. I swayed violently between my refusal to change and the fear I could not. In that moment I was hanging by one arm, and it was starting to burn. As I dangled there consumed with self-pity, a life-saving rope dangled within reach in the form of a 70-year-old evaluator.

Roger had seen it all in officiating. He personified quiet strength, courage and gained my immediate respect. After a difficult game, Roger pulled me aside to say he liked me and thought I was a good official. I was disarmed and unprepared for the next bombshell. He shared with me a conversation he had overheard in the stands. Someone actually said "I would not have that crazy woman in my gym." That "crazy woman" was me, and that comment bothered me at a level I cannot articulate. My arms had finally given way and I was freefalling heading for a major collision with the truth.

There is an old saying the truth shall set you free unless it kills you first. It took me some time to decide if I was dead. In order to succeed I would have to change my basic attitudes and give up a lifetime of carefully crafted defense mechanisms. It started with a smile. Quite literally I began practicing smiling. First, I smiled during free throws and throw-ins, and later during live ball I smiled at my partners. I felt like a complete idiot and it challenged my deepest view of myself.

I altered my mechanics to be less aggressive and softened my presentation. Over time I changed my demeanor with coaches and partners to become less demanding and confrontational. Then a miracle happened. As my basic attitudes changed, people around me were transformed.

I landed on my feet and the only thing I broke was my own ego.

Pat Wasp, Portland, Ore., officiates women’s basketball at the NCAA Division II and III levels. Previously she officiated prep soccer and softball.

They Said It ... NASO-ON is a Great Addition

Whether you have five or 500 members, NASO-ON is a great addition to your local officials association. NASO-ON has member associations in every state. Here’s what some are saying:

"Our officials association was established in 1937. Currently we have over 325 members. The monthly information from NASO-ON in the ONBoard newsletter, ONLine enewsletter and Referee magazine provides immense help as we deal with the current struggles and specific issues of running an officiating association. Our board often references articles pertaining to legal issues that are on our plate. We’ve also utilized the free educational materials provided as an NASO-ON benefit. NASO-ON is a great addition to our official’s association.

– Howard Mayo
Portland Basketball Officials Association
Portland, Ore.

"Our group discussed the NASO-ON program and saw real value in a network of associations established to share and discuss common problems. We’re members because we want to support the overall effort. We think we can offer help; we know we can ask questions and find solutions to our problems. And frankly, the cost is minimal."

– Rocky Bettar
Foothill-Citrus Basketball Officials Association
Alta Loma, Calif.

"Our basketball association has belonged to LOAN (now NASO-ON) since its inception. The educational articles and products have proved to be invaluable in our local meetings and with our members. This alone is worth the price of the membership. In addition, the monthly newsletter provides insight into how other associations across the country are doing things. The climate of officiating continually changes and NASO-ON keeps local associations up-to-date and ahead of the game."

– Mark McDonald
Memphis/Shelby County Basketball Officials Association
Memphis, Tenn.

To learn how to better manage your officials association, visit the NASO-ON website www.naso-on.org or contact Tina Sagal, NASO-ON coordinator at tsagal@naso.org.

To view previous issues of NASO LockerRoom