MEETING OF SOCIETY CHAIRMEN, R&R OFFICERS with NEW SOCIETY
SECRETARIES     at Fetcham Park United FC on 30 September 1999

Sutton Society was not represented.

1. CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME
   Vic Rolland opened the meeting by welcoming those present explaining that he and the Secretary had spent a few minutes talking to the new Society Secretaries explaining to them the importance of their role and how they interact with the rest of the RA on behalf of their Society.  Vic went on to outline the evening noting that the last time we held such a meeting was on 27 October 1997 since when some significant progress has been made on items that were raised then.  The County FA web site is up and running and Alan Holmes offered to show those interested what it looks like on his lap-top.
   
   
2. NATIONAL and COUNTY R&R OFFICERS
   The Chairman gave a short situation report saying that the National R&R Officer had resigned recently due to business commitments and that the position has been advertised.  Likewise, the County position is vacant and he asked that those present consider whether there may be a suitable candidate within their Society.  Vic stressed that the position is to recruit and retain members of the Association; it is NOT to recruit referees per se as this is the responsibility of the Football Association.  SCRATOC fulfill this role in Surrey.  The County Officer would be responsible for setting up meetings such as this and to ensure ideas were collated and disseminated to every Society for the benefit of all.
   
   
3. MENTOR SCHEMES - RETENTION
   The Secretary introduced a paper entitled "Guidelines for Mentors" explaining the rationale behind its production.  Earlier in the year, he had collated the methods used by the various Societies to retain referees and had put these together to produce what he hoped would prove to be a useful tool to retain referees.  Obviously, there will be those trained who have no intention of ever refereeing.  These people should be disregarded as far as mentoring is concerned.  It was stressed that the best mentors tend to be the experienced local referees - mentors do not have to be Class 1s or 2s.  The standardised approach being suggested will help the collation of problems, ensure that mentors are making contact on a regular basis and provide an avenue to air problems anonymously at Society meetings in the "Match Incident" slot.
   
   Discussion ensued with a number of Societies saying that finding those willing to be mentors was a problem for them.  It was generally agreed that the mentor should be the pro-active one as it is highly unlikely that the new referee is going to make contact.  The Secretary felt that many new referees did not recognise they had a problem.  Mentors may get a few 'knock-backs' but must be encouraged not to be disheartened and persevere.  Only by doing so will the new referee benefit.  It was suggested that the best way to ensure new referees 'get the bug' is for a local senior referee to take them with him to run the line.  This