| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| I Have a Question |
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QUESTION:
HOW DO I GET RECERTIFIED AS A USSF LICENSED REFEREE?
ANSWER:
Annually, over a dozen In-Service Training Clinics are offered throughout the State. Check the State Referees Web Page or attend the Monthly Howard County In-Service Clinics.
Howard County Referee In-Service Clinics
Starting August 2011, local USSF Instructors will offer In-Service Clinics on a monthly basis to count toward recertification for 2012. These clinics will covered topics and situations facing referees officiating games locally in Maryland. The clinics run from 7pm to 9pm and the two hours (2) will count toward the annually required five (5) to recertify. All Referees are encouraged to attend and every referee in Maryland is invited. ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AS SPACE IS LIMITED BASED ON THE FACILITY THE INSTRUCTORS CAN SECURE. Terry Miller and Craig Proffen will be some of the Instructors. We welcome your input on the topics you would like most to have covered. The next session will be held on Monday January 16, 2012 in Columbia with the topic coming from your email requests to Craig Proffen or Terry Miller .
Remember, all USSF Licensed Referees need to recertify yearly participating in at least five (5) hours of In-Service Training and successfully passing a written exam. These 2012 In-Service Training Clinics held in Howard County are on Monday Nights and run from 7pm to 9pm with the location(s) to be announced by the Referee Yahoo Group. The recert test will be given online for 2012 starting August for those referees who have already attended at least two (2) of the Monthly In-Service Training Sessions. Previous sessions were held at Covenant Park in the SAC/HC Administration Building 4560 Centennial Lane off Route 108 Ellicott City, Maryland. To register for the training referees need to send an email to Craig Proffen with "Howard County In-Service Clinic" as the subject. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER AND GET A CONFIRMATION REPLY FROM CRAIG PROFFEN. Referees should include any special needs in the registration email request.
NEED TO GET RECERTIFIED? At this point, over two dozen sessions have been held statewide for 2010. We are now working on recerts for 2011. Details and dates can be found here or under the "Classes" Tab. Those who did not recert for 2009 or 2010 will need to attend a recert clinic immediately to recertify. Additionally, those who have not recertified for 2008 or before and wish to begin officiating again will need to contact an Regional Instructional Coordinator. Emailing Craig Proffen with "Recertify as a USSF Referee" as the subject is the first step. Then attend the sessions for your required hours of In-Service Training is the next step.
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| How Do I Get Important Announcements? |
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QUESTION:
How do I get current announcements on classes, assignments and/or tournaments?
ANSWER:
The Referees Yahoo Group! Exclusive to all Licensed USSF Referees, this Group is designed to be a valuable resource site for referees. Joining is quick and easy and at no cost. Simply go to www.yahoo.com and select "Groups". Then type in MarylandSoccerReferees, all one word with an "s" on the end, and request free membership. You MUST included your full name in the Profile Section so that Craig Proffen, Yahoo Group Administrator, can verify you are a Licensed USSF Referee. You do NOT have to have a Yahoo Email Address to join. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation by email and start to receive announcements on Classes, Tournaments, In-Service Clinics and much more. The other option would be to regularly check here at this web site for new information.
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| Look Along the Left Column |
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QUESTION:
Where do I go to get assignments or view the schedule?
ANSWER:
There are two places you can go to view the Schedules and Referee Assignments for local matches in Howard County. First, there is a link here to the CSRA Web Site where all the schedules can be found. That includes NCSL, WAGSL, and SAC-HC Recreational. Dario Brocollino assigns all those matches except CMSSL schedules which Craig Proffen assigns. Second, you can click on the tab here marked "Assignments" for details on the CMSSL and Youth Tournament Schedules which are currently listed here and on the Referees Yahoo Group.
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| How Do I Find Out About Weather Cancellations? |
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QUESTION: How do I find out if the fields are open or closed?
ANSWER:
WEATHER RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS can be found in several places. First, assignments received through CSRA are normally on Howard County Park Fields or Board of Education Fields. Both the Parks and Board of Ed have their own weather phone numbers to call and see if they have opened the fields. Dario usually posts an announcement on the CSRA Web Site when he knows. Additionally, Craig Proffen records and announcement on his Voice Mail for games he assigns.
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