Here it is Monday the 12th of January and I finished the first weekend of winter games with no incidents that I know of (yet). Yes, there were some scheduling issues (a game being canceled while another being moved then possibly canceled but not) however nothing of large annoyance.
And then I check the mail and what do I discover? An envelope with no return address, postmarked Indiana. Hmm, curious, but it doesn't seem to be large enough to carry a bomb or bio-weapon of any sort so I go ahead on and open it. And what a surprise I had. A money order and a note thanking me for the podcast! I am touched. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm not precisely sure who deserves the thanks (though I have an idea -- but I do know of a couple officials in Indiana who listen to the show), regardless I am most honored by the donation.
The next show should be coming along in the next couple weeks. I was hoping to get out and start doing games again to get a couple stories for the podcast but I suffered a set-back in the healing from the vasectomy and it will be a couple more weeks before I can get back on the pitch. I am not convinced doing the older kids is in my best interest (as I haven't been able to do exercise of any kind since the beginning of December), but it should make for an interesting story if I never make it out of the center circle.
Again, my sincerest thank you for the donation to the cause. I am honored and humbled.
Jonathon
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Again with the trauma
I received the schedule for the latest select season last week (and it's a full three month gig, big good times) and have just one minor issue. Not as one might expect the number of matches between this weekend and the end of March, nope. I am having an issue with another administrator in our association.
The way things work: Joe Referee needs to get registered each calendar year (to keep in good standing, be educated and pay fees to cover liability insurance). To this end, someone in each local association collects the paperwork and money from Joe Referee, deposits the monies and sends the paperwork to the state (which then continues the paper trail to Chicago (the National offices)). Said person is also responsible for updating Joe Referee's registration information on the state website and the local website (if applicable).
I once held this position within our association but politics and such made their way in to our little neck of the woods and I have turned the position over to another in 2007. Throughout 2008 I assisted this person in all the responsibilities in order to assure a smooth transition. As I have been somewhat involved in the registration process for referees through 2008, I helped out during Whatcom County's Recertification Day on December 6, 2008, trying to make sure the current Area Referee Administrator (ARA) wasn't overwhelmed by the paperwork and such. The adult soccer association in Whatcom County also held another Recertification Day for officials on December 20, 2008, which the ARA also attended (I was unable to help out at that particular event).
Yes, I am getting to the point.
After I posted the latest schedule, I began receiving phone calls and emails from referees in our association telling me they couldn't self-assign matches through our website as the site didn't think they were registered for 2009. As I don't have any of the paperwork (or subsequent trail), I suggested they contact the ARA to update the website. A couple of days ago I received an email from the State Referee Administrator (I am still included in mass emails for ARAs) insisting the ARAs update the registration files immediately as referees were unable to sign up for the State Cup matches on the State website. I am hoping it is several associations that are creating a problem at the state level, because I am already catching plenty of heck from local officials about not being able to get the matches they want because they weren't updated on the website in a timely manner.
And before you go saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," I've been there, I've done that and I grow weary.
Be sure to check out the Referee POV gear at zazzle.com (the link is to your right) and expect a new podcast in the next couple of weeks.
The way things work: Joe Referee needs to get registered each calendar year (to keep in good standing, be educated and pay fees to cover liability insurance). To this end, someone in each local association collects the paperwork and money from Joe Referee, deposits the monies and sends the paperwork to the state (which then continues the paper trail to Chicago (the National offices)). Said person is also responsible for updating Joe Referee's registration information on the state website and the local website (if applicable).
I once held this position within our association but politics and such made their way in to our little neck of the woods and I have turned the position over to another in 2007. Throughout 2008 I assisted this person in all the responsibilities in order to assure a smooth transition. As I have been somewhat involved in the registration process for referees through 2008, I helped out during Whatcom County's Recertification Day on December 6, 2008, trying to make sure the current Area Referee Administrator (ARA) wasn't overwhelmed by the paperwork and such. The adult soccer association in Whatcom County also held another Recertification Day for officials on December 20, 2008, which the ARA also attended (I was unable to help out at that particular event).
Yes, I am getting to the point.
After I posted the latest schedule, I began receiving phone calls and emails from referees in our association telling me they couldn't self-assign matches through our website as the site didn't think they were registered for 2009. As I don't have any of the paperwork (or subsequent trail), I suggested they contact the ARA to update the website. A couple of days ago I received an email from the State Referee Administrator (I am still included in mass emails for ARAs) insisting the ARAs update the registration files immediately as referees were unable to sign up for the State Cup matches on the State website. I am hoping it is several associations that are creating a problem at the state level, because I am already catching plenty of heck from local officials about not being able to get the matches they want because they weren't updated on the website in a timely manner.
And before you go saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," I've been there, I've done that and I grow weary.
Be sure to check out the Referee POV gear at zazzle.com (the link is to your right) and expect a new podcast in the next couple of weeks.
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