Code of Conduct for IRO; The use of Social Media

On the ISAF website a couple of minutes of the annual conference were published in which I was particularly interested. I wrote about this already on Tuesday, 4 October 2011 in post ISAF November Conference 2011. On the agenda was a subject which has a direct influence on my ability to blog in conjunction with being an International Race Official.

Of the four subcommittees dealing with Race Officials - Race Officers, Judges, Umpires an Measurers - only two discussed the use of social media by IROs;

In the Minutes for the INTERNATIONAL UMPIRES SUB-COMMITTEE meeting on 05 November 2011 at the ISAF PUERTO RICO CONFERENCE this was noted:

(c) Code for the Use of Social Media
The development of a set of guidelines for the use of social media by international umpires during and outside events was discussed. Draft proposal made by Jan Stage will be presented to ROC with recommendation that ROC appoints a working party to develop guidelines of use of social media. Should ROC appoint a working party to work on this, Alfredo Ricci will represent the IUSC.

And in the Minutes for the INTERNATIONAL JUDGES SUB-COMMITTEE meeting on 06 November 2011 at the ISAF PUERTO RICO CONFERENCE the following was published:

(e) Charley Cook requested the development of a guideline for officials on blogging and using social media, balancing freedom of speech with personal interest and confidential information. A working party will prepare a draft for all ISAF race officials. 

The other two sub committees did not discuss this subject, or at least there's no mention of it in their minutes.

The Race Official Committee - under which these four subcommittees reside - has not yet published its minutes, so I don't know if this subject was discussed there.


I hope it was on their agenda, but fear that, if the same outcome as in the subcommittees was reached, only a working party was appointed. And you know what happens if it goes to a sub-sub committee working party. It will take six hundred years to get out again....


I've been working with a set of guidelines that were written by the chairman of a Grade 1 event, I went to last year, to have a little backing. But sometimes the line what to write and what not, is very blurry.

I hope this working party will at least publish something for this coming season, but fear it will take another year at least.
The guidelines that should come out, are not meant only for bloggers like me, but also for all International Race Officials who use Facebook, LinkIn, Twitter and all those other Social Media we have now. And according to my Facebook page - a lot of IRO already use them in abundance...


To all of them, I say: Next time you speak to your MNA's representative to ISAF, ask how things are progressing with these guidelines?

J.

ISAF November Conference 2011

I've been going over the papers that have been published for the November Conference. Partly to have an idea about the changes that are coming in the 2013 - 2016 rules, but partly also to see if some of them will already have an effect next year. There are a few that might "make" it.

For instance late submissions 270-11 and 271-11:
The first one adds the measures or equipment inspector to the list in rule 62.1(a) so if they make a mistake or omission a boat is able to request redress for that. I'm all in favor and hope it will be incorporated in 2012 already.

The second one is an answer to a question that came out of the Olympic Test Event. I wrote about it in this post: Do You Have a Pen?
The Q&A Panel has not answered the question that was sent in, but instead made sure there was a submission to change the rule:

Reporting Committee – Racing Rules; Other Committee – Race Officials
Late Submission: 271-11 Racing Rules of Sailing; Rule 62.2
A late submission from the Chairman of the Racing Rules Committee

Purpose or Objective
To correct a problem that can arise because of the omission of certain requirements in rule 62.2.

Proposal
62.2 The request shall be in writing, identify the incident, including where and when it occurred, and be delivered to the race office no later than the protest time limit or two hours after the incident, whichever is later. The protest committee shall extend the time if there is good reason to do so. No red flag is required.

Current Position
As above.

Reasons
In discussing a question recently sent to the Q&A Panel, the panel identified an omission in rule
62.2. Nowhere in that rule or in any other rule is there a requirement that a written request for
redress identify the incident on which the request is based, nor is there a requirement to state
where and when the incident occurred. Many such requests include that information even though it is not required by a rule.

However, some requests do not include that information, and when that information is omitted, it is impossible for the protest committee to properly notify all the parties to the hearing of the hearing’s time and place and to allow the parties to the hearing reasonable time to prepare for it, as required by rule 63.2.
The proposed change in rule 62.2 solves this problem by establishing a requirement for written
requests for redress that is essentially identical to the requirement in rule 61.2(b) that applies to
written protests.

This submission should definitely be approved and the rule should be changed as soon as possible, in my opinion

On a side note:  The Umpires Sub-Committee has the use of social media (like my blog) on the agenda, but the Judges Sub-Committee has not, nor the Race Officials Committee.......

7. Conflict of Interest/Code of Conduct,
(c) Code for the Use of Social Media
To discuss development of a set of guidelines for the use of social media by international umpires during and outside events.

Break's over

Right, break's over.

I've been hard at work at my new assignment - commenting on an upgraded App for Android and iPhone called You Tack! You can find a link in the sidebar. As soon as the new version becomes available I'll post about it more extensively. If there are any current users among readers of LTW - feel free to give me pointers on improvements.

I've also been studying the Match Race Call book because of my umpire test - next week. Trying to get in the right mind set. Tests are different than on-the-water umpiring.

To unwind a little, I've begun to have a look at all the submissions that are scheduled to be discussed at the ISAF November conference. There are several interesting improvements being submitted.This one for instance:

Reporting Committee – Racing Rules
Other Committee – Race Officials
Submission: 143-11
Racing Rules of Sailing
Rule 14

A submission from the Chairman of the Racing Rules Committee
Purpose or Objective: To remove the contradiction that a boat can break a rule and not be penalised.

Proposal:

14 AVOIDING CONTACT
A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room or mark-room 

(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room, and

(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage or injury.shall be exonerated if she breaks this rule and the contact does not cause damage or injury.

Current Position
As above.

Reasons
Replacing "shall not be penalised" with "shall be exonerated" simplifies the rule and makes it consistent with the principle that a boat breaking a rule shall be exonerated or penalised.
This submission was prepared by the ISAF Section C Working Party.

I agree with the proposed change in rule 14. It always was strange that you could break this rule as a right-of-way boat and still were not DSQ-ed. 

What is your opinion?

International Umpire Sub Committee Minutes 2009

Like last Sunday, I would like to go over the IU-Sub Committee minutes from last Novembers Conference with you. To see what is in store for the coming year. I won't repeat the issues that already were on the agenda of the IJSC meeting. The following I found new and/or interesting:

• New damage policy document is being considered, with a regards to the number of hours it takes to repair a damage.The final draft will be considered by the IUSC and then distributed.
• The mentor system does not work very well. The IUSC suggested some changes in that Mentor and Mentee are appointed to the same event by ISAF. And perhaps that the Mentee should be able to choose a Mentor instead of beng appointed one. 
• There are not enough group 1 umpires. The IUSC is considering accelerating the grouping process and developing athletes into umpires.
• We can expect rewritten Match Race & Team Race Manuals by the end of the year.
• Perhaps we are going to wear bibs in the next Medal Races...

That's it actually. Not much new things I'm afraid. You can check by reading the complete minutes: IUSC Minutes November 2009

Committee-meetings in Busan | part 2

News about the submissions. One of the committee members send me an update about how the RO and RR-committee voted. They still have to be approved by the council. For the list of submissions go to this post: Committee-meetings in Busan 

Below is his message, thanks Jon!

Jos,
I was reading your blog today and thought you might be interested (for your readers) to know the some of the recommendations made by Committees at ISAF Conference. They are only recommendations to Council, which can still decide otherwise. These come from the recommendation papers produced by each Committee following their meetings which are public documents.

Events Committee (I didn't see their paper but heard about this)

Voted to abolish redress in the medal race apart from giving help.

Race Officials Committee

010-09 was withdrawn

All the tracking submissions were recommended for rejection or deferral

Voted to abolish redress in the medal race apart from giving outside help

Identified the need to develop documents for education on conflicts of interest and a general code of conduct for ISAF Race Officials. ROC will host an ISAF Race Officials Conference to develop and deliver such documents.

Recommended that a rule 42 web library be developed and implemented

Recommended that measurers and equipment inspectors at high level events by appointed/approved by ISAF

Recommended increase in seminar and clinics in 2010

Racing Rules Committee

146-08 - Approve with amendment to the wording

147-08 - Defer

151-08 - Reject

004-09 - Approve with amendment

011-09 - Approve - the Executive has withdrawn all of the proposal except clause 20.6.5 on bibs

012-09 - Approve with amendment

013-09 - Reject

015-09 - Withdrawn

019-09 to 026-09 - Approve

131-09 - Withdrawn by US SAILING

132-09 - Approve and approved by ISAF RRC for urgent implementation on 1 Jan 2010

133-09 - Reject

134-09 - Reject - RRC commented "This issue needs clarification but this submission is not the right answer as it introduces further uncertainties"

135-09 - Reject

136-09 - Reject

137-09 - Reject

138-09 - Reject

139-09 - Approve with amendment

140-09 - Approve

141-09 - Reject

142-09 - Reject

143-09 - Reject

144-09 - Approve with amendment

145-09 - Reject

146-09 - Defer - RRC comments "Agree the principle. Requires further discussion between RRC and ROC"

147-09 - Approve

148-09 - Approve and approved by ISAF RRC for urgent implementation on 1 Jan 2010

150-09 - Approve

151-09 - Reject

152-09 - Approve with amendment

153-09 - Approve and approved by ISAF RRC for urgent implementation on 1 Jan 2010

154-09- Approve with amendment

155-09 - Approve with amendment

156-09 - Reject

157-09 - Reject

158-09 - Reject

159-09 - Approve

160-09 - Reject

161-09 - Approve with amendment

162-09 - Reject

163-09 - Approve and approved by ISAF RRC for urgent implementation on 1 Jan 2010

164-09 - Approve with amendment to delete the words "protest committee" on second last line

165-09 - Defer

166-09 - Reject

167-09 - Defer

168-09 - Approve with amendments

169-09 - Reject

170-09 - Reject - RRC comments "Case 112 is a correct interpretation of the current rules"

171-09 - Approve with amendment

Then of the Calls - all were recommended for approval except:

177-09 - Defer - RRC comments "Agree the principle but diagrams and text need editing"

171-09, 178-09, 182-09, 184-09 and 188-09 - Approve with amendments

Hope that is of interest to your readers.

Best wishes,

Jon


I will do a couple of blogpost on the approved submissions with the recommendation of implementation on 1 Jan 2010 in coming weeks. Let's wait and see if the Council gives the green light, before I start giving you my input how this will change the rules.

Approved

The list of Race Officials successfully approved for ISAF International Race Official status in November 2009 has been published on the ISAF Race Officials microsite:
ISAF International Race Official Renewals And New Appointments For 2009

I had to re-applied for IJ this year and I'm happy to read that I was approved. You will have to bear with me for another four years. My group from the same first year (2005) started with 17 International Judges. Three Two have not re-applied or were not approved. That leaves 14 15 still hanging on. Keep it up!

In this post I also want to congratulate specially all those who were approved as an IJ, IU, IRO or IM for the first time this year. And of course to Chris, Adrian, Luigi, Angelo, Vic, Johannes, Jana, Angeline, Alan and Douglas; well done! Instead of worrying about tests and seminars, you can now start worrying about grouping and ISAF-appointments (Evil Grin)

RYA Conference 2009

Mike send me an email drawing my attention to the 2009 RYA Race Officials Conference.
The presentations are all available on the RYA website.

Looks like a lot of information for us to go trough. I haven't had time to study them, but will try to do that in coming weeks. Here's the list:

Presentation	Given by
1. Course Design	David Campbell James and Peter Bentley
2. Course Data	David Campbell James
3. Rules Submissions	David Lees and Richard Thompson
4. Overview of Mark Laying Courses	Ed Stevens and Drew Stanley
5. Match and Team Racing Management	John Burgoine
6. Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme	Bas Edmonds
7. Working with Volunteers	Jackie Bennetts
8. Dinghy Safety Fleet Management	Roger Wilson
9. Competitor Misconduct	John Napier
10. Rules Changes and writing Sailing Instructions	Trevor Lewis
11. Tactics and the new rules	Chris Gowers
12. Medal Racing	John Doerr

Please don't hesitate to draw attention to highlights if you find them.

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ISAF Submissions 2008 part 4 | Race Officials: COMMITTEE VOTES

The minutes of the meetings held at the Madrid conference are published on the ISAF website. In order to see what has become of the submissions, I had a look on how the committees voted and asked ISAF about the final Council decision. This is what I found:

I used these abbreviations:

IJSC = International Judges Sub-committee
IUSC = International Umpires Sub-committee
IMSC = International Measurers Sub-committee
RMSC = Race Management Sub-committee
ROC = Race Officials Committee
RRC = Racing Rules Committee

Reject = Rejected (or recommended to be rejected by the council)
Appr. = Approved (or recommended to be approved by the council)
Defer = Defer Submission
NS = Noted, No discussion
- = not considered

(All text in Italic are my comments or remarks)

Submission 022-08 to bring the fee for a deputy chief umpire in line with the (increased) responsibilities such as training a new chief umpire.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	APPR.	-	-	APPR.	-

(Fees after 18 November 2008: € 85,- for Umpires & €125,- for CU)

ISAF: This submission was merged with 055-08 and approved by council. CU, DCU and Ump fees are for racing days plus days of required attendance plus 2 days (travel days). We apply from 15 Nov 2009

Submission 024-08 about better representation of the MNA's in the Olympic Jury by restricting the number of times a Race Official can do an Olympic (two times) and asking for 30% new members.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
REJECT	REJECT	-	-	REJECT	REJECT

(Only one Committee noted the possible conflict of interest)

ISAF: Council decision: Rejected

Submission 055-08 to apply the fees for match race umpires to scheduled racing days, not practice days.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	APPR.	-	-	APPR.	-

ISAF: See 022, 055 was withdrawn.

Submission 131-08. This submission, if successful, would incorporate IFDS International Classifiers within the ISAF Race Officials Committee in line with Executive Committee discussions with the IFDS. The intention is that the International Classifiers Sub-Committee (ICSC) would be formed early in 2009 and that the first appointments of International Classifiers under the ISAF would be made in November 2009.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	-	-	-	DEFER	-

ISAF: Defer to Nov 09 to establish proper procedures how to implement

Submission 132-08 proposes that Race officials be recommended by their MNA not only for their first appointment, but also for renewals. Based on the argument that a appointed race official should contribute to their own MNA in sharing knowledge and help with education.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
REJECT	REJECT	REJECT	REJECT	REJECT	-

(No help for MNA's for wayward RO's, I'm afraid)

ISAF: Council Decision: Rejected

Submission 133-08 proposes to bring the deadline for umpire assessment into line with the other deadlines (seminars & written test). [On a personal note; this I could have used in 2007!]

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	APPR.	-	-	APPR.	-

(Practical instead of regulatory, without losing quality)

ISAF: Council decision: Approved, all under ISAF control is now 14 Oct

Submission 134-08 is about correcting an error in the regulations last year. Only umpires who send in their application for first appointment, need to hand in three IUSC Reference forms. Not umpires who apply for renewal.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	APPR.	NS	NS	APPR.	-

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission 135-08 When a candidate for IU has failed the examination twice, this submission proposes that a third attempt may only be done after a positive decision from the chairman of the IUSC and that any subsequent attempt may not take place, within four years the failed third time. And only when all requirements of first application have been fulfilled. Three strikes you're out, but you can start again from scratch.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	APPR.	-	-	APPR.	-

(The period when you can start again will most likely be two instead of four years)

ISAF: Council decision: Approved with a change to 2 years (instead of 4)

Submission 136-08 about the criteria for International Measurer.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	-	APPR.	-	APPR.	-

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission 137-08 proposes to bring the requirements for first appointment of a race officer in line with the other disciplines by requiring three reference forms.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	-	-	APPR.	APPR.	-

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission 138-08 proposes to have a "recognized" race official who can function in all respects as an international race official, but does not have to meet the requirements in experience. This so that he/she can get that experience in a period of four years and then apply for IJ/IU/IRM - status.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
REJECT	REJECT	REJECT	APPR.	Withdrawn	-

(Most were concerned about the amount of 'paperwork' benefiting only a few, but suggested alternative support ideas)

ISAF: Submission was withdrawn due to lack of support.

Submission 139-08 to bring the hearing process in case of a negative report in line with regulation 51.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	-

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission 140-08 to inform the chairman of the relevant Sub-committee even in case of a "minor" negative report about a race official.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	APPR.	-

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission 150-08 to give the authority to the Racing Rules Committee to deal with the introductory racing rules.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
NS	NS	-	APPR.	APPR.	APPR.

ISAF: Council decision: Approved

Submission D133-07 to rename International Race Officers into International Race Managers on the argument that Officers is to close to Officials.

IJSC	IUSC	IMSC	RMSC	ROC	RRC
-	-	-	REJECT	Withdrawn	-

(Once a name is in use....)

ISAF: Withdrawn by the ROC Chairman due to lack of support from RMSC

ISAF: Another submission of interest for umpires: 116-08, which was approved with very minor amendments.

I haven't had time to study this one. I'll get back to it when I can.

You can read the full minutes on the ISAF Website.

Oh, before I forget, Thanks HC! for your prompt answers.

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Nominations for ISAF Committee members 2009-2012

Every four years at the ISAF November conference all committees are reshuffled.
The nominations for those are published on the ISAF website:
Nominations for ISAF Committee members for 2009-2012

The appointment of committee members is a complex process and they are not finalized yet.
The procedure is:

• MNA to submit their committee member proposal by 31 July
• A list with proposed allocations (made by the old Exec) was published during the November Conference
• The new Exec had to review the recommendations
• The final recommendations are sent to Council for ratification
• Council will approve the list before mid January
• ISAF will publish the new committees in January

I have not yet been able to find new minutes of the judges- umpires- and race officials (sub) committees, so I can't yet report back on all the decisions.
I had hoped to find out by asking the new chairman, but I don't yet know, whom to ask.

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ISAF International Race Official Renewals And New Appointments For 2008

Race Officials News (From the ISAF web site)

The list of Race Officials who have successfully been approved for ISAF International Race Official status in November 2008 has been published on the ISAF Race Officials microsite.

ISAF has a global network of over 650 ISAF International Race Officials who ensure fair and competitive racing at the world’s top sailing events. At the ISAF Annual Conference in November 2008, 53 applicants have been appointed ISAF International Race Official status for the first time, together with 166 successful applications for reappointment.

ISAF Race Officials fall into four disciplines: International Judges (IJ), International Umpires (IU), International Measurers (IM) and International Race Officers (IRO). ISAF International Race Official status is valid for four years (two years for Race Officials over 70), after which time Race Officials must apply to renew their International status.

On the recommendation from its four Sub-Committees, the ISAF Race Officials Committee makes the decision on renewals and new appointments each year during the ISAF Annual Conference. All the candidates for status must fulfil mandatory criteria and meet the high level of standard of competence for each discipline.

To view the list of renewals and new appointments for 2008 click on the links below:
- International Judges - 
- International Measurers
- International Race Officers
- International Umpires

ISAF Race Officials are the central part of one of the most important roles at ISAF. Without them, fair and competitive racing would not be possible. Right around the world ISAF has a network of over 650 International Race Officials who ensure fair racing at the world’s top sailing events.

In addition to the 53 first appointments and 166 reappointments made in November 2008, other appointments may be under consideration and may be still pending subject to providing additional information.

ISAF Race Officials microsite – www.sailing.org/raceofficials

 

Congratulations to all, specially those who have been appointed for the first time! I know how 'nail biting' the last couple of days can be. Hope to see you at an event.

ISAF Conference 2008 MADRID

The ISAF Conference in Madrid has started since Thursday and although this year all attention is focused on Olympic equipment issues, there are also numerous other issues on the table.

Not in the least the appointment of all but a few committee members in this post Olympic conference. Every four years the committees get a reshuffle. Some of the members will stay on, others leave and new people are invited to join the different committees and working parties.

I've had a look at the agenda's of the IJ Sub Committee, the IU Sub Committee and the Race Officials Committee.

Interesting to note in the IJSC Agenda are:

10. DEVELOPMENT.

(a) Grouping of IJs; To receive and discuss ROC guidance on the grouping of IJs. This must be something similar as the already in place grouping system for IU. In that system IU's are grouped in three groups, with subgroups in group 2, to make sure that appointments by ISAF of Race Officials to events is done with knowledge of the skills of the individual.
(Group one is most experienced, Group two is 'standard' or new IUs and group three are all ungrouped IUs)

(b) Education of IJs; To discuss proposal for “refresher training” of IJs. I've heard rumors about testing all IJ also every four years, to make sure they are up to par with rules and procedures.

(c) Rule 42 Education Programme.; To receive a report from Bill O’Hara on the Rule 42 workshops held in 2008 and to review the plans for 2009. Maybe a subgroup for rule 42 Judges?

Also on the agenda the IJ manual:

12. INTERNATIONAL JUDGES MANUAL
(a) Updates; To note the updates to the International Judges Manual
(b) New Sections; To discuss the need to include sections on:
- CAS (Court of Arbitration in Sports)
- dealing with minors (more and more an issue in current sports events)
- define the tasks of a protest committee scribe

This last agenda issue I find interesting. Up until now the scribe was a more or less random choice in panels. Anybody could be asked to do it. As if anybody had the necessary skill to do it correctly all the time. Being a good scribe takes practice and advice from experts. You need to learn how to do it. So including it in the manual is in my opinion a given.

The IU Sub Committee agenda has also a few interesting items:

In 10 DEVELOPMENT the IUSC will discuss the progress in: Support to Ungrouped and Group 2 IUs; To receive a report from Kirk Brown on the progress of the mentor project offered to ungrouped IUs and Group 2 IUs.

I've been part of that program for a couple of months, but haven't been able to get much out of it - part due to the fact I haven't been at an event with my mentor, part because I have not taken the time to discuss issues with him. It is not always easy to put in writing .... Also because there's no program, no syllabus, no specific goals other than the ones you formulate yourself and not much guidance from ISAF. For both me and the mentor.

In the ROC agenda this item drew my attention:

13. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; (a) Guidelines for the assessments
To discuss the draft guidelines to assess conflicts of interest.

Perhaps you've glanced at RRS 63.4? The new rule is:

63.4 Interested Party.
A member of a protest committee who is an interested party shall not take any further part in the hearing but may appear as a witness.
Protest committee members must declare any possible self-interest as soon as they are aware of it. A party to the hearing who believes a member of the protest committee is an interested party shall object as soon as possible.
(my emphasis)

An issue which has certainly been put in the spotlight by this year's FARR 40 protest in the World Championship.

In all three committee meetings the appointment and re-appointment of Race Officials will be discussed:
- To consider the lists of nominations for appointment as International Judge, International Umpire, International Race Officer and International Measurer.

I'm due next year for my IJ-status, so no nail biting for me this year. But I wish those who are up the best of luck!

If you want to read the full Agendas here are the links:

International Judges Sub-Committee Agenda, meeting today,
International Umpires Sub-Committee Agenda, meeting also today,
Race Officials Committee Agenda. meeting on Monday November 10th.

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