Appreciate your comments about our proposed USATF By-Laws Amendment. You captured one of the important dilemmas we faced with here in the states, lack of qualified measurers.
Associations are required to maintain a pool of Certified Officials. Officials now referee track, field, combined, race walking, and LDR events. There are regular officials trainings happening across the country. 53 of 57 associations met their accreditation standard for officials. Why couldn’t the RRTC look to the officials as a model to begin a comprehensive program to certify and develop new course measurers?
The USATF official’s model has several important distinctions. They have 5 graduated levels of ranking, http://www.usatf.org/groups/Officials/certification/levels.asp. Each level has clear criteria of accomplishment. Perspective officials know exactly what is required. On the other hand, how many experienced measurers out there currently never get the chance to ascend thru the ranks of RRTC simply because there is no criteria?
After conducting a recent measuring clinic in the Albany area in April, 3 attending measurers have since gone on to measure 3 new courses. Sure these numbers might seem a little insignificant initially, but generally measurers who have committed the time to attend a clinic, buy a Jones Counter, and then measure one course, are very likely to measure another. It is in these regular clinic efforts and with a little follow-up communication willingness to answer questions on the part of the RRTC representatives that will develop future “qualified “ measurers. The Long Island association has invited me down to conduct a clinic this Sunday – let you know the results later.