1. RECRUITING and RETENTION Best practices
Genny Kimbel Laura Razzolini CGBD NOVA VA Swimming Swimposium September 30, 2017

2. Recruiting: Strategies that have worked best
Attend parents’ groups’ or membership meetings at the beginning of the year
Hand out the top 10 reasons to become an official
Post advertising posters around the pool

3. TOP TEN REASONS
10. You get free food and a free heat sheet. 9. You don’t ever have to work as a timer. 8. The meets go much faster when you are busy. 7. It’s cooler and less crowded on deck.
6. You won’t have to decide what to wear to a swim meet.
5. You meet new and interesting friends.
4. You may be able to deduct travel expenses on your taxes.
3. You get to see your child swim up close and personal.
2. You have the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to your child’s swimming efforts.
1. All teams need to provide officials in the meets we participate in, or the meets can’t happen.
NOVA is seeking parents to train as Strokes & Turns judges.
Training session is September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at NOVA.
Contact Laura Razzolini at with questions or to RSVP.

4. TO BECOME A NOVA OFFICIAL
Training session September 25, 6:30 p.m. at NOVA
Contact Laura Razzolini at with questions or to RSVP

5. Your NOVA To-Do List… Turn in Medical Form to Business Office ASAP
Visit the Virginia Swim Shop to check out all the great new items
Sign up to become a NOVA official – Training date is 9/25 at 6:30 at NOVA

6. Put it on your To Do List…
Sign up to become a NOVA official
Put it on your To Do List…
 NOVA is always looking for new officials.
It’s a great way to get your volunteer hours
and gives you a front-row view at meets!

7. BE A SUPER HERO TO YOUR KID… Become a NOVA official
Training session coming to NOVA soon…
September 25 at 6:30pm
Contact Laura Razzolini for more info or to RSVP

8. Recruiting: What works?
Frankly, modesty apart: it is me…..
I AM the recruiter with
My attitude
My showing that I am having fun
My being friendly
My smiling on deck
My talking about officiating all the time to other parents

9. Recruiting: What works?
Not just me, though.
My next best weapon are people like….. Anne VanLenten, Emily Fagan….
The newly recruited officials
when they talk/reach out to their friends
They show that they have fun

10. Recruiting: What works?
But really the most important factor is US
WE make the difference in attracting and retaining officials!

11. Recruiting Fun Communication
Personal approach: coaches and parents, both, should look for new officials

12. Finally: GET the COACHES INVOLVED
They are key persons in recruiting officials
They are central to the lives of both the swimmer and the swimmer’s parents
Invite coaches to participate in officials clinics
allows them to know what new officials have been told
allows them to be able to tell parents what to expect

13. They quit after working a couple of sessions
RETENTION
Why is Retention so Important?
What is the worst that can happen?
It took a major investment to train an official
They attended clinics
They shadowed another official on deck
They quit after working a couple of sessions
They never finish the certification
An unhappy official who quits can have a negative impact on recruitment of future officials

14. RETENTION
Leadership Quality and Recruitment/Retention... A recent study (interviewing over 10,000 “high value” employees) of why employees quit indicated: Manager’s quality is the single most important factor in career decision
People do not leave their company – they leave their boss!!
Did our officials leave because of the leaders or who they see on deck?

15. RETENTION: What works? An important retention tool: RE-RECRUITING
The first law of building a relationship is spending time with the person
Get to know your people - your fellow officials
Let them know how you feel about them
Let them know that they are making a difference
Pay as much attention to those you have recruited years ago, as those you are recruiting now

16. RETENTION: What works? An important retention tool: COMMUNICATION
The first law of building a relationship is talking to the person
Send announcements out about deadlines, meets, needs of your team and of other teams
Let them know how things are going: problems and successes
Ask for suggestions, send and seek feedbacks periodically

17. RETENTION: Best Practices
Treat ALL officials equal and with respect
Be sensitive to their needs and other responsibilities
Be flexible and accommodating
Be patient and allow time for an official to develop, suggest National certifications
Provide opportunities for your officials to advance
Pay attention to the workload of your officials
Pay attention to their expirations dates and # sessions worked
Hold social functions: Holiday or end-of-year parties
Use incentives: services award or t-shirts

18. FINALLY….
Referees, Starters and Chief Judges should always thank, praise and help/correct the officials on deck
Encourage officials to work in other LSCs
Welcome visiting officials from other LSCs