Want more games???
The following is revised from an article in Officials Quarterly, Summer 2000:
Have you ever wondered why you're not scheduled more times than other officials in your association? Have you considered why bigger games are handed out to officials who you deem to be less qualified than yourself? Maybe you should consider your relationship with your assignor. It behooves you to know and to understand the methods that an assignor uses to make assignments. Many leagues are now using some computer software package that assists in assigning games. While the software is extremely helpful to put a schedule together, it isn't foolproof. There still exists the need for human intervention and insight on the assignor's part.
Here are "The Ten Commandments" for dealing with your assignor:
1. Thou shall make sure that your assignor has your home, work, fax, beeper and cellular numbers. It is extremely frustrating when you need to reach a member about an assignment and he or she can't be reached.
2. Thou shall make sure that your spouse (or significant other) is aware of your current assignment schedule and can answer questions for you. Anyone can take a message, but it would be great if they knew your schedule and were able to accept assignment changes on your behalf.
3. Thou shall install call waiting or an answering machine on your telephone if you don't already have it.
4. Thou shall commit to being punctual, prepared, polite and positive when dealing with member schools.
5. Thou shall not call your assignor with scheduling problems at the last minute, unless it is an emergency.
6. Thou shall accept assignments graciously, no matter what the mileage or payoff. You must accept the good with the bad. You can't be assigned to every big game right down the street from your home or office.
7. Thou shall not brown-nose to your assignor. It happens, but a good assignor will see right through you. Be nice, but don't go overboard.
8. Thou shall bring scheduling complaints up with the proper people. Usually each local and state association has methods in place for handling grievances or problems with schedules.
9. Thou shall work assigned games. If you regularly miss or turn back assignments, assignors will usually stop scheduling you.
10. Thou shall make yourself as available as possible to work. Those who are available the most get the most games. They also get the games when the games are scarce, as they were the ones who took care of things, when games were abundant.