During the course of a normal week I get about 50 to 75 emails and posts about tennis officiating around the state and nation--as well as 500 or so hits on our blog--so I thought I might offer some random thoughts for your consideration.
I would make the following recommendation for your rumination:
That we allow the Metroplex Tennis Officials to give direction to the top half of the state and the Houston Tennis Umpires Association be given the bottom half of the state.
The reasoning behind this recommendation is the following:
1. They both have highly developed new officials training programs (including teaching on rules, shadowing, and on court training). They both have been implementing these programs for years so they don't have to have committee meetings to talk about doing them.
2. They both offer specialized training for working pro tournaments. Line and chair clinics are regular functions of these two associations.
3. They both have intensive new member enlistment programs. Noone does it better!
4. They both have experienced instructors who are willing to give oncourt training to ITA officials. Any official who desires to work at the ITA level can find training and opportunities in these two areas.
5. They both have committees to deal with complaints. The state and national leadership always refer complaints back to the local associations anyway so why not make it official.
6. They both have the structure to pay officials for their work.
7. They both have elected leadership (Cathy Kennan in DFW and Ginny James in Houston) who are very successful in their leadership. Both Presidents would be able to work in conjunction with the local officials associations in their respective areas. Noone would be left out.
8. They both have access to Chair Academies in their areas.
9. There would not be tremendous expenditures of money to have committee members attend meetings.
These are just a few thoughts for you to ponder... Might be an interesting and new concept!
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