In the Garden of Eden, Adam got in trouble when Eve took over the leadership and ate the poisoned apple. Kind of a case of listening to the wrong person for advice; i.e. the snake.
King David (in the Old Testament) got in trouble when he exerted bad leadership and had an adulterous affair. His problem was that he didn't correct his leadership and murdered someone to cover up his affair.
Bill Clinton obviously showed glaring lacks of leadership and wisdom--otherwise, we wouldn't have Monica Lewinski's stained dress...
President Hussein Obama shows a new brand of failed leadership in his inability to properly vet those he recommends for appointments. Hopefully he can correct his leadership skills before we get further into the pits...
TENNIS OFFICIATING LEADERSHIP
In the tennis officiating world we are constantly calling for leadership, calling for training in leadership, and frequently complaining about the leadership we are getting. And rightly so...
Since we are now being paid a viable wage, it is time to demand (and expect) more leadership at every level.
At the local level, we should have leaders who lead and give direction to our new officials. They are new to our world and we have elected local leaders to guide them in their new paths. In Texas, I think our local leaders are doing a fantastic job!
At the state level, we most definitely need leaders who are willing to take stands, give direction to the Officials Committee, share a vision for our state, and deal with difficult issues when they arise. At this level, the leadership mantle falls on our Sectional Chairman. I will reserve my personal opinion at this level...
At the national level, we expect our leaders to give direction, vision, guidance, and provide us with the proper materials that we need. I think they are doing a fine job but perhaps could be a little more attentive to new and inovative methods being introduced throughout the country.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW LEADERSHIP
There is a great opportunity for our state and national leadership to show they are willing to step up to the plate and take leadership--and that is in the area of providing an additional school (or more than one) somewhere in the state for those that were unable to make their original school in their area.
This makeup school does not have to be taught in February since all officials are already certified for 2009. It could be taught anytime before October 15, when the data cards are due. The school (or schools) could be taught in centralized locations which are easily accessible by officials. There isn't a week that goes by that I don't hear from officials wanting to know where they can make up their school that they missed.
To overcome the cost of the schools, the participants could be charged a fee to pay the certified instructor and his expenses. In years past, we have held these additional schools in Houston and Dallas and they have worked very effectively. The issue is not who gets the credit but that we get more officials certified.
Our state office has done well in finally putting the schools calendar and other items on the website--hopefully we will see them instituting some MAKEUP SCHOOLS this year...
We would appreciate hearing your comments on this vital issue.
2 comments:
Sure sounds like somebody in Texas needs to get with the program--or be removed.
The school in Midland was cancelled. That is going to leave a big gap in West Texas. There are officials in Midland, Odessa and Ft Stockton that need to be served. I know there aren't many, but not providing required training is probably going to make that number drop even more.
Just a comment: If the tests and videos get much longer, it will have to be done over two days instead of one. As an old college professor of mine once said: "The mind can only absorb what the backside can stand."
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