US Referee Availability Form

[Greg_D]

Hi All,

If you are a rated referee in the United States and wish to work at a NAC, JO's, or Summer Nationals this year, the referee availability form for 2005-2006 is now available on the FOC website. The location is:

http://www.fencingofficials.org/

In an attempt to be obscure, the specific link on the website is on the left hand side under "Referee Availability Form."

While there you might also want to double check your ratings and other information (Division, etc.) by clicking on the "Referee Ratings" link a few lines down.

Please note that filling out this form only lets us know that you would like to help. Make sure to give us your email address so that we can contact you. Also, if you are planning to fence while at the competition please list the events in which you will be competing.

The invitation process works as follows:
1: You have a rating.
2: You fill out the form giving all the necessary details. If you don't include your email address on the form it is unlikely that you will ever be invited to anything.
3: The FOC Domestic Committee Representative in conjunction with the FOC Assigners for that competition review all of the people who have expressed interest and prepare a list of people to invite.
4: Referees are contacted to determine if they are, in fact, able to help at the event. If so, they are instructed to make necessary travel arrangements.
5: FOC Domestic Committee Representatives inform the USFA National Office of who has been invited.
6: If necessary, Referees make their travel arrangements.
7: If necessary, the National Office approves the travel arrangements and makes hotel reservations.

If you have any questions feel free to send me a private note.

Yours,

Greg

[fencergal33]

Any chance you could give us a list of when to take the test? My husband was re-certified at Summer Nationals and I would like to get my certification so we can travel together. Thanks!

[oso97]

Thanks Greg!

Nice to know the FOC is as responsive and proactive as it should be.

[oiuyt]

Any chance you could give us a list of when to take the test? My husband was re-certified at Summer Nationals and I would like to get my certification so we can travel together. Thanks!

If you go to the FOC website you can find a list of examiners.

To paraphase Greg:
"In an attempt to be obscure, the specific link on the website is on the left hand side under "FOC Examiners."

:)

Talk to some local examiners about when/where you can be tested/observed. There's a requirement that all sectional championships have an FOC observer (not universally fulfilled this past season), in general there should be at least someone who can administer tests at those events. Likely at many larger regional events (either big senior events or RYC events).

-B :)

[fencergal33]

Great...there's only one person in the NC Division.

Question then......how come other people I know of, althought rated referees, are not on that list, but still "giving the exam". Is that kosher?

[oiuyt]

Great...there's only one person in the NC Division.

Question then......how come other people I know of, althought rated referees, are not on that list, but still "giving the exam". Is that kosher?

That's the list of authorized examiners. Hopefully (and presumably) the FOC only accepts ratings updates from those people.

Again, most larger regional events and sectional championships should have someone capable of administering the exam present. Certainly at least the written exam can be offered at any NAC, JO's, and Summer Nationals. Most parts of the country, including those with large numbers of examiners (eg the Northeast) that's still what someone needs to do to get certified.

-B :)