Leaving an Officiating Crew?

[jriwen]

I apologize, I previously posted this in an incorrect board.


If you are / would be a crew chief, how & when would you like a crew member tell you they want to leave the crew?

I'm the newest member of a crew (starting my 4th year on the crew) and I just feel like some of the crew members (one in particular) think that being mediocre is good enough. I would like to be a part of a crew that have aspirations of having more than a 1st round playoff game and want to continue to improve.

I want to tell my crew chief before the season starts so he has all season to find someone new for the crew. I'm not sure what to say to him as to why I want to leave the crew and I do realize that I will probably end up being a "free agent" for at least a season because I am not leaving my crew for another one.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[IAUMP]

Personally speaking, I would not want to know during the season.  It could become a distraction as the crew chief would/could be looking to replace you.  And it would be impossible to keep the fact that you were leaving the crew a secret.  I just replaced my back judge this year, but he had the courtesy to tell in Feb/Mar that he was getting out of officiating for personal reasons, nothing to do with the crew. 

As for what to tell the crew chief, be honest.  Tell him that you don't feel like you really fit into the crew.  If he wants specifics let him know.  He may be thinking he same thing, and would rather replace the other member, instead of you.

[jriwen]

Good point that I didn't think of, makes sense to not be a distraction during the season. Plus it will give me a chance to see how this season turns out.

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.

[Cowman52]

You are there now, you need to stay. You have also been in the crew long enough to voice an opinion that maybe we are getting a little complacent, maybe not working hard enough. More important, you need to be up front when the crew has a good game, how that was OUR high point of the season and WE need to improve off that. Officials get in a routine, being able to say we didn't do that very well is not as important as saying we did that right. You will see the crew follow you on that point.  Keep that in mind and I'll bet your view changes toward November

[TampaSteve]

So proposing to leave due to someone else not seemingly not wanting to get better?
Seems maybe the one not wanting to get better should be confronted by those who are of the same opinion as you.

I personally too have seen guys that have worked for years, dont really care, dont study much, and just get their check at the end of the season.  They are everywhere.
Does it stink - yep.
In today's society where Assns run thin on officials it's probably tolerated more than it should.

I was stuck on a crew several yrs ago with two guys that were 'flag-happy so-and-sos' - and one was the R.  I think they each tried to out-duel each other every week.  Now THAT was misery.

[jriwen]

You are there now, you need to stay. You have also been in the crew long enough to voice an opinion that maybe we are getting a little complacent, maybe not working hard enough. More important, you need to be up front when the crew has a good game, how that was OUR high point of the season and WE need to improve off that. Officials get in a routine, being able to say we didn't do that very well is not as important as saying we did that right. You will see the crew follow you on that point.  Keep that in mind and I'll bet your view changes toward November

I understand what you are saying. But, it's difficult to work this when the crew member whom I want to hear my thoughts leaves immediately after the game (without changing) and doesn't come to preseason crew meetings. This isn't something I want to bring up before the game because that is when we should be discussing the game that is coming up.

I'm hoping we have a preseason meeting this year that everyone will attend. But even if no one else will attend, I should probably have a meeting with my crew chief.

[Rulesman]

Based on your last statement, it sounds to me like the problem is just as much with the crew chief's lack of leadership as much as it is the guy who is the issue.

[jriwen]

Based on your last statement, it sounds to me like the problem is just as much with the crew chief's lack of leadership as much as it is the guy who is the issue.

That could be, but because I'm the junior member of the team, I don't think I'm in a place to say anything about it. He invited me onto the crew, so I probably shouldn't call him out.

[HLinNC]

My only question is, why are you pondering this now, with the season roughly two-four weeks away, depending on your location?

You've got two choices IMO- 1) Cowboy up, tell the truth, let the chips fall where they may.  2) Stick it out for another season, do your best, try to influence others with your work ethic as best you can.  At the end of the season, if you feel the same, then give them proper notice that you are moving on.

[TampaSteve]

My only question is, why are you pondering this now, with the season roughly two-four weeks away, depending on your location?

You've got two choices IMO- 1) Cowboy up, tell the truth, let the chips fall where they may.  2) Stick it out for another season, do your best, try to influence others with your work ethic as best you can.  At the end of the season, if you feel the same, then give them proper notice that you are moving on.

...or option 3: all of the above.

[jriwen]

My only question is, why are you pondering this now, with the season roughly two-four weeks away, depending on your location?

You've got two choices IMO- 1) Cowboy up, tell the truth, let the chips fall where they may.  2) Stick it out for another season, do your best, try to influence others with your work ethic as best you can.  At the end of the season, if you feel the same, then give them proper notice that you are moving on.

You are absolutely correct, I should have thought of this earlier and told my crew chief at the end of the last season. I am also not going to quit during the season and leave my crew high and dry looking for a replacement official for all of our games.

It is not in my mindset to go out and mail the season in, it's not fair to the kids or the rest of the crew. Even if I was a "lame duck" official and told my crew chief I was leaving at the end of the season, I'd still give 100%.

...or option 3: all of the above.

I'm thinking #3 would work because then my crew chief has all season to work with newer officials at sub-varsity games and offer them a spot on the crew.

[TampaSteve]

Perhaps a discussion over a cool beverage with the R and any other crew member(s) who are of the same mindset are in order.

[jriwen]

Perhaps a discussion over a cool beverage with the R and any other crew member(s) who are of the same mindset are in order.

That might be the same as our preseason crew meeting.