The right to complain seems inherent among officials. Officials complain about game fees, coaches, dressing facilities and their local chapter. No official should be denied the right to complain — everyone else does it; so why should officials be denied that inalienable right?
Along with the right to complain comes a set of responsibilities necessary to properly and successfully exercise that right. Consider the following responsibilities when calling for change in your local chapter:
• When registering a complaint, a person has the responsibility to accurately identify the problem in specific terms to assist the board of directors in implementing corrective action.
• To ensure the complaint is accurately communicated, it should be in writing. A verbal complaint leaves a wide margin of error in interpretation, often resulting in an unsuccessful solution, or perhaps no solution.
• Whenever possible, solutions should be suggested as possible remedies.
• Be courteous and respectful in registering a complaint to avoid becoming part of the problem rather than the solution. Don’t let the complaint turn into a personality conflict.
Remember, one function of a chapter’s board of directors is to address all issues — good, bad and controversial. The chapter directors have volunteered their time and effort, with no compensation, to work for the betterment of their chapter, provide officials to local schools and improve the officiating skills and educational opportunities for their members. Constructive complaints from members are important to identify problems before they become crisis situations. Irresponsible complaints hinder progress by preventing the board from spending valuable meeting time on more pressing issues.
Complaints often act as a catalyst for positive change. Pick a spot, identify the problem and communicate it to the appropriate person with a proposed solution or other corrective action. Remember the old axiom, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Present the complaint in a positive manner and the results might be a pleasant surprise. |
