From Connie Walton

Midwest Local Board Chair

You are part of US Lacrosse and the Women’s Division Officials Council that is the governing body for Women’s Lacrosse Umpires. The Midwest Local Board includes officials from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky and is part of the Great Lakes Region in Super Region V.

For the 2004 lacrosse season, the Local, Region, and Super Region Chairs are as follows:

Now that we have "chairs" in place, our next step is to fill the various officers’ positions (secretary, treasurer, ratings chair, or vice chair) for our Super Region, Region, and Local Boards. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions, please contact Laurette, Lissa, or me.

All umpires MUST complete the following 5 tasks:

1. Attend a locally "scheduled" Rules Interpretation Meeting (see rules meetings section below). Attendance at the National Convention does not count as attending a local rules interpretation.

2. Pay Dues (see dues section below).

3. Complete a US Lacrosse, Inc. Membership Form (see membership section below).

4. Pass a Written Test (see written test section below).

5. Pass a Practical Test (see practical test section below) when rating expires.

All umpires are REQUIRED to attend a Rules Interpretation Meeting that is given by a District or National rated umpire who attended the 2004 National Umpire Convention. There are meetings "scheduled" throughout the Midwest that may be attended by any umpire in the Midwest. Check the listing below.

US Lacrosse and the Midwest Board collect dues annually. US Lacrosse dues supports the operation of US Lacrosse and provides umpires with the rulebook, manual updates, insurance, and "Lacrosse Magazine." Dues paid to the Midwest Board helps offset the expense of recruiting and training officials, sending members to the National Lacrosse Convention each year for rules interpretation training, and the general operation (phone calls, printing, postage, etc.) of the Midwest Local Board. First year officials receive a slight financial break for "start up" expenses.

Return officials must submit a credit card # to US Lacrosse when renewing your membership online (see the membership section below). You will be charged $50 for your annual dues to US Lacrosse. You will then pay your $35 Midwest membership dues (by cash or check) at the rules interpretation meeting.

First year officials, unlike return officials, must become members to US Lacrosse through the Midwest Lacrosse Board only --- you will be unable to become a member as an official of the women’s game directly through US Lacrosse (all first year officials across the country must go through the Local Boards). Your clinician will help you through this process. You will then pay your $10 Midwest membership dues at the first year officials’ clinic or rules interpretation meeting.

All umpires must complete a new membership form annually. As of December 2003, memberships will expire December 31 of each year.

Again, be prepared to pay your Midwest Board dues (cash or check made out to: Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Association) at the rules interpretation meeting.

For the first time, the Written Test is available on the US Lacrosse website. All return umpires need to complete the Written Test prior to the Rules Interpretation Meeting. Test answers may be emailed to the Rules Interpreter for your area prior to your Rules Interpretation Meeting or you may bring a hard copy of your answers to the Rules Interpretation Meeting. Each year, each umpire who has previously had a rating must pass the Written Test at the level of his/her current rating or, in the event of failure, must re-take (and pass) the written test. Passing scores are as follows:

Apprentice Rating = 80%

Local Rating = 86%

District Rating = 90%

National Rating = 92%

US Lacrosse provides two levels of the Written Test. First year officials take the "apprentice" test. All other officials take the "regular" test (unless otherwise determined by your rules meeting interpreter).

Youth Officials (those under 18 years old) interested in officiating need to contact the area representation listed at the end of this newsletter. She or he will help you through the officiating process.

Make plans to attend one of the opportunities listed below for your "Practical Test". If you must renew or upgrade your rating (Apprentice or Local) contact Lissa Fickert (Dayton/Cincy), Linda Strapp (Columbus), or Connie Walton (Cleveland/Toledo). Mary Brainard (Kentucky), Darla Davis (Northern Indiana), or Candi Parry (Central/Southern Indiana). If you must renew your rating (District) or upgrade your Local rating to District contact Lissa Fickert. If you choose to renew your rating via the "Written Assessment Checklist" (WAC), follow the instructions in your manual. Renewal by WAC is available to Local, District, National rated umpires and may not be used for consecutive renewals.

New Recruits: If you know of anyone interested in officiating, encourage them to contact one of the area reps. We need officials!!! That’s all for now! Mark your calendars for the rules interpretations meetings and ratings sessions. Renew your memberships and take the written test. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Connie Walton – Midwest Board Chair

if you have any questions or concerns, contact your area contact person listed below:

Cleveland area = Connie Walton H: 330-342-945

Dayton/Cincinnati area = Lissa Fickert H: 937-435-4899/ W: 937-297-5330

Columbus area = Linda Strapp H: 614-436-4720/ W: 614-252-0781

Northern Indiana = Darla Davis H: 260-482-4755

Central/Southern Indiana = Candi Parry H: 317-254-0714

Kentucky = Mary Brainard H: 859-276-4049