Though working at an event is a requirement for working memberships, most jobs are not complicated.
You meet lots of new people, learn more about the sport and can have a ton of fun.
These are some of the ways you can help make our events happen.
Job Category Index
Click on the categories below to go to that section.
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Club Member Jobs At The Trial |
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Volunteer Trial Worker Positions |
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This is a list of the primary team members that make events happen for CATS. Some of these jobs may be combined and completed by one person or are great positions for a "Co-" worker type of arrangement where responsibilities are split up or a chance for another person to gain experience. |
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| EVENT COMMITTEE | The Event Committee is the club's primary planning and coordination group for trials. Many of the key trial team are on the Committee. The Committee handles planning details such as the class offerings, fees and policies. The Event Committee also functions as the Disciplinary Committee if required at a trial. The Committee prepares the Trial Report and comments for submission to the sanctioning organization. |
| EVENT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON | The Event Committee Chairperson heads up the Event Committee. The Chair schedules meetings, delegates tasks to the committee and club members, and ensures the planning and coordination processes are on track. The Chair is responsible for notifying the general membership of event recommendations, plans and updates. The Chair also works with the Club Treasurer on event financial matters, event income and payments. The Event Committee Chairperson may also function as a Trial Chairperson. The Event Committee chairs the Disciplinary Committee. |
| TRIAL CHAIRPERSON(S) | Trial Chairperson(s) may be appointed by the Committee to be responsible for the overall planning and coordination of a specific trial. The Event Committee Chairperson may fill this position and it's a great position for Co-Chairs to split up the responsibility. The Chairperson is responsible that the event is planned and executed, but many of the specific tasks can/are delegated out to members of the team. A great team can make great events happen. The Chairperson generally is the primary contact with the Judges and Trial Secretary, ensures event applications and paperwork are completed before and after the trial, and keeps track of the many tasks that need to happen for a successful event. |
| TRIAL SECRETARY | The Trial Secretary is responsible for the majority of the "event paperwork": trial schedules, premiums, group emailings, confirmations, registration paperwork, collection of fees, tracking of class results, and submission of data to the sanctioning organization. With the increased complexity of event paperwork and growth in the size of the trials, CATS has hired a Trial Secretary. |
| CHIEF SCOREKEEPER (Optional) | The Chief Scorekeeper is responsible for all scoring at the trial. It is imperative that the scoring is accurate and fast, that the paperwork is completed properly and that exhibitors are treated well by friendly, knowledgeable scorekeepers. CATS has hired the Trial Secretary to oversee the scoring and prepare the paperwork for submission to the sanctioning organization. |
| SITE MANAGER | The Site Manager is responsible for the overall planning/coordination/setup of the trial site. The Manager works with the Committee and develops site and ring maps. The Manager handles electrical, utility, security, parking, RVs, signage, trash and other physical concerns at the site and is the club liaison with the site owner/manager. |
| EQUIPMENT MANAGER | The Equipment Manager is responsible for making sure that all the agility ring equipment needed for the trial is available, meets sanctioning group specifications, is in good condition and is at the trial site. The Equipment Manager is a member of the Equipment Committee and works with the Chairperson to ensure the Judges' course equipment requirements are filled. |
| WORKER SCHEDULE COORDINATOR | Do you like telling people what to do and where to go?? This position is responsible for the preparation and distribution of the worker's schedule and works closely with the Trial Chairperson and the Trial Secretary. The Chairperson provides a class schedule and the Secretary forwards the completed worker forms to the Schedule Coordinator. The Coordinator develops a plan for staffing the various volunteer jobs needed on the day(s) of the trial. Some basic computer skills can make this assignment easier. The schedule preparation can be done at home and is completed prior to the start of the trial. The Coordinator is not responsible for changes and schedule conflict resolutions at the trial since this will be handled by the Ring Managers. |
| PUBLICITY MANAGER | Do you like to share info?? The Publicity Manager is the primary interface with the general public - the press, the spectators, etc. Primary responsibilities include promoting the trial to handler teams and the general public to encourage spectators. Tasks may include making posters, distribution of flyers and premiums, arranging news coverage, press releases, and group emailings to promote CATS events. |
| CONTRACTS MANAGER | Want to feel important?? You will need to arrange the rental of the most important and most used items at the trial,….the porta-potties!! Don't worry, cleaning them is not part of the job! This job is done in advance of the trial. The Manager researches and then arranges contracts for the rental of tents, vehicles and porta-potties. |
| VENDOR COORDINATOR | Have you ever dreamed of managing your own shopping mall?? Well, this may not be that big of a deal, but the Coordinator will be the club's point of contact for vendors at the trial. We require that vendors be pre-registered prior to the trial and you will arrange for them to check-in with the "parking police" and receive a vehicle permit. You also make sure that they understand their obligations for contributions to the workers' raffle and collect the items. |
| HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR | Are you outgoing, warm and caring, or can you fake it pretty well?? This person's primary responsibilities are the care and comfort of the Judges. In addition, this is the club member that exhibitors should contact with questions concerning lodging, etc. The coordinator researches information about lodging and provides this data to the Chairperson(s) for updates in the premium. The Coordinator may be tasked with arranging lodging for the Judges and Secretary and may assist with travel arrangements. Obtaining gifts for the judges may be part of the job. |
| TROPHIES and AWARDS COORDINATOR |
Are you organized and enjoy working with pretty awards?? This person is responsible for everything associated with awards at the trial, from ordering of ribbons, to arranging for their presentation at the trial. This person works closely with the Trial Chairperson and works with info concerning the schedule of classes, heights and levels offered, and any special classes and/or tournaments. Coordinators for all of the events should complete their orders for the year by the beginning of February so that we can take advantage of the serious discounts offered for early pre-season orders. |
| The Ring Managers and Chief Course Builders are part of the CATS Event Team that really keep the trial on schedule and moving efficiently on the day of the trial so that we can all go home before the stars come out for the night. Both of these positions can be "Co-" positions so that other people can become familiar with the jobs and to also help spread out some of the work. |
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| RING MANAGER(S) | Are you a "take charge" sort of person and like challenges?? This person(s) is responsible for the overall "running" of a ring during the trial. One manager (or a team of two Co-Managers) will normally be assigned to a specific ring. Responsibilities include training of ring crews as needed, posting/distribution/management of a worker's schedule on the day of the trial, ensuring smooth flow of paperwork to/from the ring, hospitality, and other issues concerning the efficient operation of the ring. The Manager(s) ensure that builders and workers are called to the ring, briefing and walkthroughs are announced promptly and gaps in the worker schedule are filled. All workers assigned to the ring work for the Manager(s). And you even get to hand out raffle and meal tickets to workers. |
| CHIEF COURSE BUILDER(S) | Do you look at the course maps or the "Construction Zone" before anything else in Clean Run magazine?? A Chief Coursebuilder will normally be assigned to each ring. Chief Coursebuilder(s) work with the Equipment Manager on equipment issues and work for the Ring Manager(s) on the day of the trial to coordinate efforts and ensure the ring classes switch over quickly and smoothly. The Manager needs to watch for any safety concerns with equipment and have the equipment ready to go for the next course change in advance. The ring Course Builders work for the Chief Coursebuilder. The Judge will give the Chief Coursebuilder a personal set of course maps for the day and walk the course together to tweak any changes. |
| The Food Manager and Raffle Coordinator are key members of the CATS team that help keep the volunteer workers happy. | |
| FOOD MANAGER | Want to run a small restaurant with a very limited menu for a day or two?? The Food Manger plans and provides drinks and snacks for the ring workers at the trial. The Committee and Chairperson will provide input and set a budget for the refreshments. CATS hires a food vendor to provide worker lunches at the larger trials and will also use a vendor at the smaller trials in 2005. One big hint: Don't ever run out of cold water for the workers on a hot trial day. |
| RAFFLE COORDINATOR | Do you like shopping and consider finding a great deal on a dog related gift the highpoint of your day/week/month?? Then this is the job for you!! The Raffle Coordinator is responsible for everything associated with raffles at the trial, from ordering of raffle prizes to arranging for their presentation at the trial. This person works closely with the Trial Chairperson to make sure there are attractive and appealing rewards for the volunteer workers. CATS may also sponsor special raffles such as a poop raffle or special awards such as the "Judges' Choice Award" which may be the responsibility of the Raffle Coordinator. It's a great chance to get creative!! |
| These are "day of the trial" jobs filled by club members and do not require prior preparation and/or planning before the event. | |
| EQUIPMENT MOVER | Got a reasonably sound back?? Knees still working?? Help to load, unload and move equipment to/from the show site. Many hands certainly lighten the load, especially when it comes to putting the event to bed, which by that time is where we all would like to be. Sometimes an extra pick-up is helpful. |
| REGISTRATION WORKERS | Are you an Early Riser?? Do you have a high level of tolerance in the morning?? Registration Workers are needed on Friday evening for early registration (if offered) and on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The Trial Secretary will give you loads of paperwork to be distributed to handlers and you will check in the handlers as they arrive prior to the start of the trial. You will be done prior to the judges' briefing in the morning. |
| PARKING POLICE (aka CARCOP) |
Another job with a chance to tell people where to go!! This is a Friday evening and early Saturday morning job. You will make sure vendors and campers are checked in and give them a CATS' permit for the vehicle. You will have the keys to the field gate at Wheelock Park so that vendors can unload their wares. |
| CLEANUP CREW | Ever dreamed of earning a Good Housekeeping Seal?? No?!? Still, this is an easy but important job!! On the day of the trial, the Cleanup Crew make random walks through the site to ensure that trash is not overflowing, that toilet paper and hand towels are available, and that the site is generally clean. It is not a full time job and can be done as you are available. You can coordinate with other crew members to split up the rounds. |
| These are "day of the trial" jobs that are normally assigned by the Worker Schedule Coordinator based on the competed worker forms from the premium. Workers are club members and nonmembers. Life for the Ring Managers is much less stressful on trial day when the Worker Schedule has only a very few gaps to be filled, so please sign up in advance to work whenever possible. If you want to try a new job and need some training, just make a note on the worker form and the Coordinator will try to make that happen. Don't be bashful on the day of the trial if you want to try a job and listen for announcements throughout the day when workers are needed to fill schedule gaps. The Worker Schedule Coordinator will try to make work assignments that minimize your conflicts with the class schedule, but it's important to accurately enter your dog's info (classes entered, level and jump height) on the worker form. Schedule conflicts do happen and are a fact of life so talk to the Ring Manager for your ring and the problems will be resolved. If you have to leave the trial before one of your work assignments, please let the Ring Manager know. Workers are rewarded with snacks under the club tent, worker raffle tickets and meal tickets. |
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| COURSE BUILDERS | (at least two in addition to Chief Course Builder) If you want a chance to learn how to set courses, setup equipment and read course maps, then this is job for you!! The Course Builders work for the Chief Course Builder and you should be ready to start resetting the course immediately after the conclusion of the class. You have to be able to move equipment (with help) and hustle to ensure a speedy changeover. The Chief Course Builder will assign tasks and help you as needed. |
| TIMER | Are you a timely type of person?? The Timer uses either an electronic timing system or a manual stopwatch to time each dog's run in the ring. The Judge relies on the Timer to keep a smooth and efficient flow in the ring and the Timer is responsible for signaling the next handler team to begin their run when the course is ready. You also get the blow the whistle real loud! |
| SCORERKEEPERS | (typically two) Do you keep an accurate checkbook balance?? This is a job where experience is needed (at least one of the scorekeepers need some experience) and attention to detail is important, however you can always offer to sit in and learn about scoring from others. CATS has held scoring classes (usually with a pizza bribe involved for attendees) before events and this is a great time to learn the skills. There are differences in scoring with the different sanctioning venues and classes may have specific scoring rules. CATS will try to provide rule sheets for the various classes and calculators are available if you are rusty with the math. This job will give you a better insight into how scores and placements are determined and what is required for a qualifying run. |
| SCRIBE | How's your sign language?? The Scribe spends his/her time watching the Judge instead of watching the teams as they run. The Scribe records course faults as indicated by the Judge's hand signals and will also record points as called by the Judge for games such as gamblers. The judge will review their signals with you at the start of the class if needed. |
| ASSISTANT SCRIBE | (optional, but recommended) This is a great learning position!! You can observe the Timer and Scribe performing their jobs and gain experience ringside. The Assistant Scribe usually ensures the Scribe has the proper scribe sheet for the team approaching the start line. |
| SCORE RUNNER | If the Scorekeepers are not near the Scribe's position, the Runner transports the scribe sheets to the scoring position. No special skills are needed. A great job for the new member. |
| LEASH RUNNER | Since the entrance and exit points at the ring are typically different, the Runner quickly transports a handler's leash from the starting line to the ring exit. No special skills are needed. Another great job as it also allows new members to watch while working and learning. |
| GATE STEWARD | Want to meet everyone and learn a lot of the dog's names?? The Steward works at the entrance gate to the ring and ensures that teams are checked in and then ready to enter the ring in the proper order as shown on the gate sheets. The Judge will let the Steward know when they want the next team on the start line and then the Steward will pass this information on to the handlers so that start line delays are minimized. The Steward notifies the Ring Crew of jump height changes. |
| RING CREW | (typically two people) Do you want ring side accommodations, have the opportunity to watch every run in the ring and work on your suntan?? In exchange for these perks, the Ring Crew reset fallen jump bars, change jump heights, adjust the table and aframe as needed, and straighten the collapsed chute fabric. The Judge will tell you if he/she has any special rules on when you can enter the ring and reset equipment. Be ready to reset fallen bars quickly so as to not delay the start of the next run. This is a great entry level position to gain more experience at a trial and learn by watching. You can bring your own chair (or use one of the club's) and have your sunscreen handy. |
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Don't be bashful on the day of the trial if you want to try a job. And there is always someone who could use some help. |
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Many thanks to Mike Grab for his hours of effort to compile this list!
Page last updated 4 January 2005