first time tounament director any advice?

[powder pig]

I've got the permits in place and the dates set. so that monkey is off my back. I am now getting into the computer end of it and I'm using a program called tounament keeper,it seems a little confusing at best are there other programs that might be rookie proof?

[burleytog]

Know that you can't please everyone.  And learn the difference between a spot and a largemouth.   :-X

[powder pig]

Thanks, I think.....

[CJ]

I'll check with one of my TD's and see what he uses. If he's using a program, it's gotta be a simple one.

BTW, you must live near the Powder River. Never been there, just a big Chris Ledioux fan.

And, Welcome to Bass Resource!

CJ

[Shad_Master]

When I first joined my club the guy who was President had a saying that has become famous in our crowd - it will all work out at the ramp - after fishing with the club for 5 years now and for 2 1/2 years as calcutta series director I now know what he was talking about - it's fishing have some fun!

[powder pig]

Thanks CJ and Shad Master. I am looking forward to the season but it's a ways out here in snowy wyoming. I realize things will shake out when it's time to blast off and I know there's not much I can do with conflicts prior to my position, do you have a lot of drama at the ramp with your guys? seems like there is a lot of whinning and flashlight throwing at our morning meetings,ain't fish'in supposed to be fun.another thing is there are a lot of out of state guys trying to join your clubs to qualify? Seems the flood gates are open here.

[CJ]

DQ the first ones that show unsportsman like conduct after you have posted rules that state "there will be no unsportsman like conduct". The deal is everybody wants to fish and will follow basic rules to do so. You are the TD, that means your the "MAN". If anybody breaks the rules, DQ em'. Don't matter who it is. Treat them all the same.

On another note, the TD I told you about doesn't use his own program. The organization he works for takes care of it. But, I would reccommend finding a program. This trail has had problems in the past keeping everything straight.

[Zel]

I was tournament director for my bass club for around 7 years. Yeah, planning, permits, and reporting sure is fun, isn't it? I did my Tournament Results and Y/T/D Standings on a self-created MS Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet would have been too hard for people in the club to maintain. When I had to resign from the club and the T.D. position because of an injury, I presented the club with info on 3 different Tournament Director software programs, and can't recall which they picked. One thing that I changed early on, is I made any tournament issues - not the decision of the tournament director, but rather the decision of tournament committee, which comprised the 6 club officials (or as many were at the tourney as long as there was a quorum) sure made life as a tournament director much easier. My district at the time liked what I did for my club, and the Dist. President was talking to me about taking over the District T.D. job right before I had to resign. If you need any info or advice, you can always PM me. Good Luck!

[Tin]

Know that you can't please everyone. And learn the difference between a spot and a largemouth. :-X

Yup, I like that spot/largie comment Burley lol. Also stick to your guns and don't bend rules for ANYONE.

[Matt Fly]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd like to thank you and other Directors for giving us guys who seek the competitive side of bassin an outlet for the "weekend warrior" types.    For the guys who punch a clock 40 hours a week and make livings the honest old fashion way.

You might contact some other directors that run large trails here in Texas and inquire on programs.     i do know that all they are waiting on to post results are the actual weights.      Media Bass normally posts all results by evening same day.      I'm sure other directors would have that info and more unseen issues that could arrive.

Thanks and welcome.

matt

[Sam]

Suggestions.

1.  Be ready for some flack from some of the guys no matter what happens.

2.  Be very, very, very familiar with the rules.

3. Enforce the rules even though you are best friends with the guys breaking the rules.

4.  Stay your ground.  Once the tournament schedule is set it is set. Only the blast off times and weigh in times can be discussed by the Club.

5.  Corrordinate your tournaments with the Federation and holidays. Be careful not to schedule a tournament on either Mother's Day or Father's Day weekends.

6. Be sure to check the tide charts when fishing tidal rivers.

7.  Set a meeting date and deadline for anyone to challenge the rankings. Once that date has past, then the rankings are final.

8. Be sure to have in your tournament rules the option of calling a meeting with the tournament members and the Club's officers to discuss any problems.  It is up to the Club if the officers have any votes but you may need their support in case of a problem.

9.  Other things to put in your Club's tournament rules include what to do in case of inclement weather; how to contact everyone in case of a cancellation or postponement; cell phone numbers for emergencies; how to handle boats that fail and moving the fishermen into other boats; and any other disaster you can think of that you may need to address.

10.  If you have a pot be sure to know who is in the pot so someone not in the pot cannot claim their share of the winnings.

Otherwise, have a good time!!!

[Sam]

And one more thing.

If your Club mandates all boaters have current liability insurance on their watercraft please let the Club secretary collect and manage the policy collections and renewals.

You do not want to chase the guys around to get the information or to have them send a copy of the declarations page to you.

Let the Club secretary do this and give you a list of who has not provided the necessary proof of insurance so you can then tell the guys they cannot fish in any club or federation tournaments when you pull for your tournaments.

They can not get angry with you as the Club secretary has been the one chasing them for the information and you are only enforcing the tournament rules.

So you can see how your best friends in the Club can get mad at you due to their own ignorance and procrastination.

Being a Club tournament director is like being a lighting rod on a tall barn in the middle of an open field.

Otherwise, have fun.