A naive question about referee hiring protocols

[HDG]

Forgive my naivete, I'm a new ref (at the national level anyway). I filled out the availability form at the beginning of the season, and didn't hear anything until I got a confirmation from USFA in today's mail stating that I've been hired to ref at the NAC-E.

Is a month the norm in terms of notification?

The confirmation only shows one of the days (3/08); does that mean that I've been hired for that one day?

[AndrewH]

Yea same here, got an email asking about my availability and nothing until I got a letter saying I'm hired.

Since I haven't worked a national event before I'm not sure of the protocol. How should I go about making flight/hotel reservations?

[dcrocket]

1) Where did it list 3/08 on the letter that you received?
2) To make airline reservations, contact Polk Majestic Travel, janet@polkmajestic.com
3) Contact Christine Simmons regarding hotel arrangements
4) Be sure to make the Ref meeting on Friday the 7th

[dcrocket]

BTW....you generally recieve an e-mail asking if you are available, to which you reply...this was a little different, at least for me...I assumed that I was not going to Rosemont until today...7-8 weeks notice is the norm...

[HDG]

1) Where did it list 3/08 on the letter that you received?

The very top of the page. I'm in my office right now, and don't have it handy.

Also, under events it said ref (obviously), but then for some reason listed my fencing rating rather than my referee rating.

[Damon Scaggs]

Normally the protocol would be to contact you via email to confirm that you are still available. This normally happens 1-2 months in advance of the competition. You would normally receive an email confirming your hire. You then need to make your travel arrangements. Someone else posted an email or you can call them. There is no need to contact the national office for hotel arrangements unless there is something unusual about your hire. Things like you are fencing and not available for the entire tournament or you need a single room might be reasons to contact Ashley or Christine. Do make a point to be at the meeting at 7:45 on the first day of the competition.

If you have filled out the availability form but haven't heard anything, try sending an email to the head referee for the competition expressing an interest. Depending on their needs, that may or may not get you hired, but it doesn't hurt to express an interest directly.

If your higest rating is less than a 5 and you are interested in a Div I or JOs, it's a big of a long shot to get hired. If you are interested in a Div II/III and your higest rating is less a 6 you are also a bit of a long shot. If you don't get hired, don't tatke it personally. The head referee may know nothing about you. Work at the sectional level and try to get that rating increased.

[HDG]

Thank you Damon; it seems like the present situation doesn't quite fit this general model, however. I never heard a peep from anybody until getting a confirmation packet from USFA.

I have emailed the head ref (Peter Burchard) for clarification (actually did it before starting this thread).

[pokey]

The very top of the page. I'm in my office right now, and don't have it handy.

I'm not reffing, I'm competing. But if your notice of confirmation looks anything like ours and the top says "3/08 NAC (E) DV2/DV3/VET/CHR ROSEMONT", I'm guessing that refers to March 08 rather than a specific day.

[HDG]

I'm not reffing, I'm competing. But if your notice of confirmation looks anything like ours and the top says "3/08 NAC (E) DV2/DV3/VET/CHR ROSEMONT", I'm guessing that refers to March 08 rather than a specific day.

Thanks; 1 question down...

[KD5MDK]

Also, under events it said ref (obviously), but then for some reason listed my fencing rating rather than my referee rating.

That's standard. I suspect it's because the confirmation letter system is integrated with the membership database, which tracks classifications but not referee ratings. I also believe it just shows the foil classification for referees and staff, because I always show up as "Ref U" and I have sabre and epee classifications.

The other reason to contact Christine or Ashley is to state your roommate preference, if you have one.

[Ordway]

Glad to see this thread. I am in the same position (this will be my first NAC to ref at). I also got the packet out of the blue. (Confused me at first: "Wait a sec, did I register for a NAC and forget about it?")

How deadly is it to miss the ref meeting? I cannot be there on Friday (because of work, absolutely unavoidable) but I can ref Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I am assuming this will be OK, based on talking with an experienced ref today. (I am not fencing, only reffing.)

[KD5MDK]

Do you know what you're doing? Are you generally familiar with how the National Way is done? Can you have someone who was present tell you the rules du jour? It's not like someone can be completely reformed and altered in a 15 minute lecture.

[fencerbill]

You should make it clear with the head ref that you can not be there the first day.

That may make a difference between whether they will continue to want you there or not.

If there are too many referees that can't make it on Friday, then they may have to reconsider who they want to hire. No reflection on you, they otherwise would not have enough bodies on Friday.

And as referees who are working their first NAC, you may be the people who get dropped.

If they still want you to work, they can give you a quick run through of what they went through at greater length on Friday. Because of the smaller audience, it won't take as long.

But your arrival for Saturday should not be a surprise to them.

[notalent]

Do you know what you're doing? Are you generally familiar with how the National Way is done? Can you have someone who was present tell you the rules du jour? It's not like someone can be completely reformed and altered in a 15 minute lecture.

She knows what she is doing, and is familar with NACs from the fencing side of it. Think of how much better (y)our reffing would be if we were able to be reformed and altered in a 15 minute lecture

[KD5MDK]

Ahh, but what about 2 contradictory 15 minute lectures? Would we be twice as good, or left unchanged?

[formerfencer]

Ahh, but what about 2 contradictory 15 minute lectures? Would we be twice as good, or left unchanged?

Sorry... I was focusing my ears

[HDG]

Ahh, but what about 2 contradictory 15 minute lectures? Would we be twice as good, or left unchanged?

Worse I suspect.

[Ordway]

Hm. Given that it's my first NAC to referee it might be wise to see if I can manage to get there on Friday after all. Might be do-able if I plan ahead.

[epeemike81]

Sorry... I was focusing my ears

LMAO!

rep added.

-m

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

There is no need to contact the national office for hotel arrangements unless there is something unusual about your hire. Things like you are fencing and not available for the entire tournament or you need a single room might be reasons to contact Ashley or Christine.

Are you $H1TT1N6 me? Do they put Refs in DOUBLE ROOMS? What, do they think an NAC is a high school field trip??