How to sell people on the idea of devoting

thousands of hours to a thankless task, constant

abuse in all kinds of weather, for little pay or

recognition.

Recruiting Football Officialsor:

What’s not to like?

What’s it all about??

The game can’t go on without us!

Recruitment of Officials is Serious Business

Without sufficient, qualified officials....

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....and the result isFatigue

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivation

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivationIncreased chance of injuries

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivationIncreased chance of injuriesIncreased levels of “retirement”

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivationIncreased chance of injuriesIncreased levels of “retirement”Increased chances of injuries for athletes due

to officials operating at less than 100%

A Shortage of officials =

Officials work more games than they want to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivationIncreased chance of injuriesIncreased levels of “retirement”Increased chances of injuries for athletesLess energy and resources to facilitate

recruitment initiatives

A Shortage of officials =Officials work more games than they want

to because they have to....FatigueLoss of motivationIncreased chance of injuriesIncreased levels of “retirement”Increased chances of injuries for athletesLess energy and resources to facilitate

recruitment initiativesPotential to limit growth of sport

EFOA Case Study

In 2005 the EFOA officiated approx 500 games

Average 4 officials per gameNet total = 2,000 “person games”33 “active officials” availableAverage 61 game per officialMajority of games during 10 week period,

8/15 to 10/30

EFOA Case Study

Winter 05/06 members gave feedbackMany demanded decreased workloadProjected increase of teams in 2006 pointed

to 525 to 540 games played x 4 officials = 2,160 “person games” required to service workload

Average number of games per official estimated to reach 70 games plus

SITUATION CRITICAL!! Action was required.....

First Steps?Assess your current situation by

demographic

First Steps?

First Steps?Decide to get serious about

recruitment!!Make someone responsible!!!!

First Steps?Assess your current situationMake someone responsible!!!

Let them knowNO SUPRISES!

First Steps?Assess your current situationMake someone responsible!!!

Let them knowMake the choice appropriate (Death Star

maniacs need not apply!)

First Steps?Assess your current situationMake someone responsible!!!

Let them knowMake the choice appropriateNeed an energetic, smooth, knowledgeable

and presentable person

First Steps?Assess your current situationMake someone responsible!!!

Let them knowMake the choice appropriate (introverts need

not apply!)Make them accountable by setting goals,

short and long term

First Steps?Assess your current situationMake someone responsible!!!

Let them knowMake the choice appropriate (introverts need

not apply!)Make them accountable by setting goals,

short and long termBare MinimumOptimal

First Steps?Provide a budget!

Printing of postersPrinting of brochuresUpgrade or establishment of website

Redesign of FOA logoRecruitment is an investment in your FOA’s future

Your BrandYour logo is part of your brandYour “brand” speaks to who you are and

what you’re all aboutYour brand is critical and should be used at

all timesYour brand should reflect your activity,

your city, your spirit

Your Brand (you may have to spend a couple of bucks on this)

Logos that leave something to be desired....

EFOA Brand

EFOA Brand

Recruitment ToolsPostersBrochuresTV spots/videoRadio spotsNewspaper slugsWebsite built to full potentialIn person presentations to HS, Junior, Univ.Personal contacts

Mobilize your membership

Recruitment Tools

TV spots/videoShoot footage and interviews, edit down to

30 second spots and longer features Radio spots

Supply spots or scripts to local stations

Recruitment Tools

Posters

Recruitment ToolsPostersBrochures

Place posters in bars, restaurants, schools, community clubs and workplaces

Place brochures At SchoolsFitness clubsArenasGames....permission from the University and Pro

team if applicable

Recruitment ToolsNewspaper slugs

Design ad in MAC format or .pdf and deliver to all local papers....they may run on a psa n/c basis

Website built to full potentialInformation on officiatingHow to start, date of next classRewards, financial and otherwiseOfficials profilesLOTS OF PHOTOS!Easy contact mechanism...FAST REPLY!!Put prospects on your email list immediately

Recruitment Tools

In person presentations to HS, Junior, Univ....you’ll need to seek these out!

Personal contactsMobilize your membership, ask all members

to supply one good prospect name

“Wojtek’s Army”

In 2006, EFOA proposed to CDMFA that officiating ATOM level football could be handled by parents

Designed to take load off EFOA with a minimum of disruption

CDMFA’s alternative, by VP Wojtek Wojcicki, was for each time to supply one trained parent/older sibling to work side

Recruitment CAN work!

Since EFOA committed to a recruitment effort in the spring of 2006, our numbers have grown. Chart reflects active officials (EFOA) at season’s end......

Final Thoughts....

Retention of existing officialsAre you doing everything possible to retain

the officials you have?Tendency to forget the “bird in the hand”Survey members on potential improvementsOpportunities for newcomers to advance?Justice for members?

Final Thoughts....

It’s not about the money....but it’s about the money!Pay rates, compare to other OA’sGas subsidiesIntermittent payment vs. Year end whopper

chequeUniform incentives for new officials ($150)Don’t be afraid to get tough (but fair) with

leagues you serve

Final Thoughts....

Don’t be afraid to celebrate your OA!Humans are social animals“All work and no play.....”Spring social/number presentationMid season eventYear end wind up

Officiate Hard, Play Hard!

Words of inspiration

Words of advice

Words to LIVE by!

Football’s National Initiative