Question #1 – Where is a good place to find 14-17 year old candidates? Track Meets? Clubs? Children of Current officials?

Yes to all of those. If you have watched video and read the materials…we have a natural pipeline of possible participants within our USATF membership already. The published materials alluded to the fact that all Associations have a Membership Chair tasked with keeping track of all Association Members. Membership Chairs, as new with USATF Connect for the Certification Chairs can run a list of total members by dates of birth, contact information, and identify those in the 14-17 year old age bracket. As Certification Chair for the State of Indiana…I have ran off a list of that age bracket and currently have a list of over 400 - 14-17 year old’s who are already active members of USATF Indiana. That will be our starting point to send our brochure and actively pursue those adolescents to become JOP participants. The JOP Committee discussed open recruiting in the schools and felt that pursuing that as a means of recruitment would not be of benefit. We have a direct pipeline…let’s use it.

Question #2 – For the non-driving mentees, will it be up to the mentor to provide transportation to meets?

The direct answer is NO – that is not the mentors’ responsibility. SafeSport has taught us much about the perils of misconduct and responsibility. Mentors are not tasked with the responsibility pf transportation. If you take time to read the Participant and Parent/Guardian Handbook that is also available on the JOP Program site…you will find that the transportation of JOP participants is the responsibility of the parent/guardian…or whatever arrangements that they make. Some of the 16-17 years old may already have a valid drivers’ license. Obviously, parent who are officials will be transporting their own children.

Question #3 – We host a youth and open/masters Track and Field meet each year and some years a regional meet. I can see an athlete that is competing maybe already at the meet and can therefore observe when not competing. What are some suggestions for transporting children to meets to be mentored.

Good Question and Good Observation.

Part of the JOP Program hinges on the participation of athletes when they are finished competing to observe and work at the different venues that the JOP Study Guides layout. (Please read through the different study guides if you have not yet done so.) As for suggestions…please see the answer to Question #2 above. Parent can car pool, etc. might be a valid suggestion.

Question #4 – Keeping SafeSport in mind, will the mentee be able to volunteer at a level that does not require a background check?

Excellent question. Duke was correct in his statement that no person by law, under the age of 18 years of age are not allowed or required to have a background screen or a SafeSport Certificate. Rumblings are being sharing that the SafeSport “people” are creating/developing a “Youth SafeSport” training module(s). If that comes to fruition, my guess is that all youth involved in USATF may have to complete such training. If that happens, then we will cross that bridge when it happens.

Question #5 – Are they asking them (the JOP participants I presume) to observe or participate once they are trained? Since the mentee is not certified, how much will they be permitted to do at the meet.

Duke gave a very credible answer…”Responsibilities will include, but not limited to: raking pits, shagging implements after they have been thrown (This is not an activity that will be performed by any JOP Participant, in that the USATF and NOC have already degreed in the program creation that there will be not THROW EVENTS covered by this program- See related materials where this has been posted), assisting with block/hurdles placement, setting the heights of hurdles, hurdle set-up and removal, water stations, water to athletes, etc.” There is no set areas of what the responsibilities entail. What is the important phase of the training/activities for the participants and facilitated by the mentors, is that the mentors follow the Mentor Checklist of the required skills and behaviors that are necessary for the JOP Participant to acquire before the JOP participant can be checked off as having completed any of the study guides as listed. Please see the Mentor Forms on the http://noc.mach2K.net website for a complete list of the Mentor Checklist for each Discipline listed in the any of the Plan A, Plan B, or Plan V study guides. The Mentor Checklist is where you will build your list of activities to be done by the JOP Participants.

Part of the above question states…”how much will they be able to do”…please see the JOP Mentor Handbook page 4 that states:

“Junior Officials will not be allowed to serve as competition officials at USATF National Championships but will be allowed to assist, at the discretion of the (LOC)Local Organizing Officials Coordinator (Association meets, etc.) and under the leadership/mentorship of an approved certified official.” Depending on the Mentors recommendation and observations…participants could “work the clock”, sit across from a certified official who is helping…”throw the flags”/”call the toe board”…possibly even call a “flight”…it is up to the mentor to determine of the participant is capable of whatever the duty assigned. Some of the participants will surprise you will their abilities. You have to keep the participants motivated and involved…just coming to meets and moving hurdles every meet won’t do that. Let them try different activities, encourage them to challenge themselves…It is up to you to prepare them to become fully certified when they reach 18 years of age.

Question #6 – Do you anticipate parents having any hesitation allowing their child to go to a meet for training if they (the parent) are not present.

Good answer from Duke…It does all depend on the parent. Each parent will be different in their comfort level. Meeting with the parent and establishing a positive relationship will be a task of the Mentor that mentors cannot take lightly. You need to present all of the information in a concise and caring manner. Explaining the program and the benefits of being a participant is usually a great start. Please read through the JOP Handbook for Parent/Guardians and basically memorize it…it will serve you well in putting that parent at ease and understanding what the program can do for their child. Obviously, there will be great concern, especially from over-protective parent who will not be open to some of the ideas we have discussed. All you can do is offer the materials and sound confident in your presentation stressing that all of the Mentors are certified and Trained Mentors. Sell yourself and sell the program. It’s up to you!

Question #7 – I live near colleges that host indoor meets. Do you anticipate any hesitation by coaching staff to have minors on the infield being trained?

Good Question – Most of us have a great relationship with our colleges and universities. We have worked their meets well forever! Contacting the Track coaches and AD’s, or whomever the Officials Coordinator is it extremely important to communicate with them before the program rolls out or if you are determining if want a JOP participant to experience the college/university meet Who do you contact? I would start with the track coach and the Officials coordinator (if they are different people) and explain the JOP Program for them the where?, the why?, the how? Etc. and inquire if they foresee any problems if there are minors on the field. Some states and some colleges/universities my not allow minors on the field during a competition I do not know! Possibly accepting responsibility for the behavior of the minor may allow participation. If the policy of the college or university does not allow minors on the infield during a competition then we have an answer to this question. We planned the program to basically cover the 4-6 Association meets (Some Associations may have more or less but the Committee planned on at least 4-6 local meets in a year. Association Meets do not have a policy of no minor on the field…It is possible to complete the program using only Association meets. Not only using your local association meets but possibly Regional and nearby Associations. Obviously, Covid19 has had a dramatic effect on our meet schedules. But once we are up and rolling…There should be enough local meets (indoor, Outdoor, cross county, LDR, etc.) to cover the tenets of providing enough meets to cover the needs and requirements of the JOP Program. If there is not…we will adjust. Remember, this is a “living-breathing” program that will adapt and adjust where we need it be.

Question #8 – If minors are being trained at actual meets is a problem, do SafeSport requirements (none at this time) or parental concerns…what are some other options for training the mentees besides clinics.

Good Question. Duke was correct in relaying a major philosophy of the JOP Program…”No training is better than hands on”. Clinics are certainly one way…we have set all of the Study Guides in the Plan A and Plan V to work as an independent approach to any individual to learning the basics. But if we cannot put the learned knowledge into practical application, then the knowledge is not reinforced into an appreciable skill level. As the JOP Committee works to develop more way of content delivery…the expectation is that the Certification Chairs, Training, Chairs, Mentors in each Association will also create and develop additional way of delivering the “goods” and finding ways to help the participants transfer their skills into a “hands-on” learning situation for the participants. We learn by being in the trenches…so the question becomes…how can we create those trenches. We need your help.

Question #9 – Handbook states that participants will be members and SafeSport Trained. Does that refer to mentees?

Given that the premise in Question #4 is accurate (that no person by law, under the age of 18 years of age are not allowed or required to have a background screen or a SafeSport Certificate)…then SafeSport becomes a mute-point. If a new Youth SafeSport is developed…we will make that a necessary requirement for participation in the program. If we are wise and utilize our Pipelines of Membership…the participants will already be members of USATF. Upon completion of the JOP program and when reaching the age of 18…the JOP Participants who will filter into the adult world of USATF will need to acquire a background screening and complete the yearly SafeSport training as we all currently do.

Question #10 – It is suggested that we meet with the mentee regularly. Are you suggesting outside of track meets?

On page 13 of the JOP Certification Chair Handbook the 26 expectations of the Mentor are listed. Please refer to that section of the handbook and make sure that all of your mentors are aware of what is expected to be accomplished.

Number 6 of those expectations delineates to…Call frequently (at least twice a month- minimally). Conservation is an important part of the relationship building process. Don’t we check in with our friends periodically by phone…now by Zoom and Google connections…to see how they are doing…what’s going on in their lives…to encourage each other and show friendship. Why would we not check on a JOP participant, especially if we were their assigned mentor to check on how the experience with the meets are going? what study guide are you working on now?, what can I do to help you with any of the JOP program?, when is your next meet?, can I help you plan a meet to cover study guide #___?...they are endless question and the main point is to connect with your mentee and see if they are learning and enjoying the program and to keep them motivated. If you sign up to be a mentor…be a mentor. We are NOT suggesting to meet outside of track meets and would discourage you from any physical contact other than meets. Remember your SafeSport training.

Question #11 – Is this a mandated program?

This program is under the direct auspice of the USATF and the National Officials Committee and the expectation is that all Associations will comply to the objectives and the implementation of the Junior Officials Program. The USATF and the NOC are instituting this effort to provide the necessary longevity of having outstanding officials to continue servicing our track and field programs nationwide on all levels (Association, Region, National and in some cases, Internationally) and in all disciplines from Youth to Masters.

The objective of the Junior Officials Program is to educate, train and provide opportunities for USATF members to serve as part of USATF Officiating team; and to promote opportunities to encourage our Junior Officials to continue serving as USATF Officials in the future.

Many of our Associations across the country do not have any formal or informal mentoring programs set-up and functioning. (Survey 2018). That scares me! One of the tenets of the JOP program is presenting a nationwide mentoring curriculum that needs to be delivered as a nationwide mentoring component in order to ensure success. We are not only implementing the training of junior officials but laying the ground-work for Associations to develop a successful mentoring program for its own needs for years to come. Take advantage of this material and this time to create a viable mentoring program in your own Association if you do not have one. Those of you with established programs, please look over the JOP materials and how they can become implemented within your current structure. This can be done!

What is the need? We are not getting any younger. I believe Roger Burbage in one of his reports at the recent Annual Meeting noted that are average age of an official is 61-62 for a male and 54-55 for a female. With less than 4000 officials (approx.) in the current ranks…we are suffering from a depleted enrollment within our ranks for a number of varied reasons. Who will carry on the quality of officials that we have? Is that even important to you?

Think of it this way…how are you going to replace yourself in the next generation? Do you care?

Great Mentoring has been a hallmark of the USATF Officials ranks. I can name 25 people right off of the bat who have made a marked difference in my officiating career, as well as my character and the have helped me develop into the person that I am. Let me change that number to hundreds…we not only mentor new officials…we continuedly mentor each other also.

I consciously want to help replace and replenish our ranks with quality individuals who have the skills, dedication and willingness to provide the foundational leadership to make this program a success…that means working with these adolescents to become our future.

It’s not a matter of being mandatory or not…it’s a matter of lead, follow, or get out of the way.

It’s not a matter of do we want to do this or not. We have to do it…and do it right.

Excuses come to easy when you are in search of them.

It’s who is going to sing your song when it’s your time to end your officiating career?

Maybe the idea of “building your legacy” has never occurred to you. Maybe it has?

What does leaving a legacy, your legacy, mean to you?

What do you want your legacy to be as a track and field official? Think about that for a minute?

Did a mentor make a difference in your life?

Will you make a difference in someone else’s life?

What better time than now?

Who better to do this than you?

Obviously, I am extremely passionate about mentoring and giving back through my service to help create a positive legacy for USATF Officiating. Won’t you join me? Won’t you join the JOP Committee? Won’t you join others in the leadership of creating a program that can be of tremendous benefit for the future of USATF officials.

I am not expecting you to become as passionate as me about this program…but wouldn’t that be great! I, along with the JOP Committee, the USATF national organization, and the entire family of the NOC and all the different committees are expecting you to put forth an effort to make the JOP program a functional program that we can all be proud of in knowing that we did our best and gave a great effort to create our legacy.