Fun Match Volunteer Information

Thanks for your interest in volunteering! Nothing happens at NOCI without volunteers.
 

Arrival

Arrive by 6 pm and make your way to the Check-in Table. Sign in on the Worker Sign-In/Out Sheet and pick up your name tag (be sure to return it when you’re done).

Find your ring and introduce yourself to your fellow workers. Tell the others if you are new—they will be happy to explain your duties.

Then, find the kitchen and get something to eat. We know you probably haven’t had time for dinner so we’re providing a light meal and snacks. Pop and water are free for workers.
 

Workflow

The actual fun match starts at 7:00 pm. Fun matches usually end around 9:00 pm—but that’s an estimate. When your class/ring is finished, the Table Steward will coordinate with Shawn and see if your ring will be taking over any of the remaining dogs from another ring. If your class still has several runs to go after another ring has finished, the Table Steward will coordinate with Shawn and see if you can transfer some of your runs to the other ring. There are extra Table Sheets available in the office to help split the remaining runs in an organized manner.

When your class is completely finished, make sure to do the following:

• Turn in your Name Tag to the main Check-In Table.
• Help restore your ring for normal everyday use.
• Return table & chairs to storage.
• Set up the ring gates for the next day’s activities.
• Collect all supplies and return to the Worker Check-In Table. (Clipboards, pens, booklets, binders, rule books, etc.)

 

Worker Assignments

Assignments are NOT first-come, first-served.
We have to find the right balance between jobs, experienced workers, and new volunteers. Keep the following in mind:

• Newcomers are welcome. We train new people on-the-job.
• Volunteering does not guarantee you a worker position.
• We try to rotate who gets assigned each month so more members get a chance to earn service credits.
• Worker Assignments will be emailed to you no later than the Tuesday before the Match.
• If you’re new, the other stewards in your ring will help you get started.
• We reserve the right to choose volunteers who we think will best enable us to conduct a smooth, professional, enjoyable and successful fun match for all.

 

Managing Conflicts – Human and/or Canine

Stay alert for potential dog conflicts.
If you see a dog about to get into trouble, follow these steps:

1. Remind the handler to “Watch your dog!”
2. If the handler does not appear to know how to manage things, remind them that dogs cannot be allowed to stare at each other.
3. Tell the handler to interrupt the dog’s behavior.
4. Redirect the dog’s attention to focus on the handler—“Watch me!”

It’s always INTERRUPT, then RE-DIRECT. If you think the situation might escalate, alert your fellow Stewards to the issue and find the Fun Match Chair immediately.

If you observe any kind of human conflict, find the Fun Match Chair and alert her to the situation.

If you witness an accident of ANY kind, alert your fellow Stewards to the issue and find the Fun Match Chair immediately.

 

If You Bring Your Own Dog

New volunteers, we recommend that you work at least one match before you bring a dog to a fun match.

Dogs who are disruptive barkers or exhibit excessive disruptive behavior need to be removed from the building. Some volunteers prefer to leave their dog at home rather than having to worry about their crated dog.

 

Help NOCI Shine!

NOCI has earned a reputation for providing a friendly and encouraging environment for visitors, students, competitors and members alike. As a NOCI Volunteer-Worker you are the face of the club. Please treat everyone with kindness, respect, encouragement and good humor. Help us keep our rep as a first-class training club.

Your Fun Match job requires your attention in the ring—you need to wait until later to visit with your friends. We all somehow manage to have fun doing this—but it’s still a job.

The entire NOCI membership thanks you for your volunteer work! We cannot accomplish anything without our volunteers!

 

Cancellation

If you need to cancel your work assignment, immediately contact fun match chair, Shawn Hacker at 815-790-1799, so we can find a sub for you.

Fun Match Volunteer Benefits

 

Free Runs

Volunteer-Workers are allowed two free runs (AKC-style only) with their own dog.
Do not fill out a fun match entry form for your worker runs. Just indicate on your volunteer sign-up form that you want to take your free runs.  No run-registration is necessary.
 

Worker Runs take place between 6:15 – 7:00 pm.

As soon as each ring is ready to go, they will announce the start of their worker-runs. Coordinate your runs with the other workers at your ring and the ring you are running in. This sounds complicated, but it always works out just fine. If worker-runs end early, those rings with handlers ready can start their fun match runs.

It is important that all workers not running a dog during worker-runs report to their ring so we have enough personnel to conduct these runs.

Worker Meals and Snacks

Food and snacks are provided for workers in the kitchen.  Help yourself.

Earning Service Credits

Fun Match Job Descriptions

We train beginners! Don’t be shy about volunteering to work a fun match for the first time.

Judge

Must have earned an Obedience Title to qualify to judge for that level class and below.

• Review the AKC Obedience Rules if necessary.
• If any UKC runs are in the class, the judge should review UKC Rules, if necessary. Shawn will notify you in advance of any UKC runs.

Do your own worker runs as early as possible. Setup your ring ASAP and start Worker Runs.

• Regular runs start immediately after with handlers who are ready – or by 7:00 pm at the latest.
• Introduce yourself to workers in your ring and be sure everyone knows what their assignments involve.

Keep the class moving along.

• Judging fun match runs is NOT a time for private lessons.
• QUICK tips to help the handler improve are generally recommended.
• If handler has a LOT of questions, refer them to their instructor.
• It is at your discretion to let a handler repeat an exercise. Be mindful of how much time is being spent.

Since this is a FUN match, this is considered a training opportunity.

•  Handlers can request to deviate from the standard pattern as long as they don’t go overboard on time allowed.

Always be mindful of the time you’re spending per run. There will be a lot of people waiting for their turns. No one should feel like they are being hurried through their run – but on the other hand, don’t let handlers take advantage of you and spend a lot of extra time in the ring.

Table Steward

Table Stewards usually learn on-the-job while working a few fun matches as a Ring Steward. Make sure to report to your ring upon arrival and introduce yourself to the judge and the other stewards at your ring. If you’re doing worker runs, be ready to run your dog as early as possible. Coordinate with your fellow workers so everybody gets a chance to do their runs before 7:00 pm. After your worker runs, take care of your dog and then get back to your ring ASAP so your ring is ready to start on time.

Be sure the Table Sheet (running order) is on a clipboard and a few pens are available. Your ring will have a notebook including the AKC Obedience Rules. Get familiar with the running order.

Handlers first check-in at the main Check-in Table and then AGAIN with the Table Steward at the rings they’ll be running in.

Clearly indicate the following on the Table Sheet:

• Who has checked-in at your ring.
• Which runs are completed.
• Who are your NO-SHOWS.

You can mark up the Table Sheet any way you want to keep track of what’s happening and keep things organized for the entire evening. If you’d like to use colored pens, they are available in the office.

You are responsible for having the next two handler-dog teams at the ready, ringside while the class is in progress:

• These two positions are generally known as (1) “On Deck” and (2) “In the Hole”.
• If a handler has not checked in with you, confirm with the Check-In Table to see if they have arrived at all. If they’ve checked in, find them.
• If handlers have a conflict with another ring, calmly figure out how best to accommodate them. We don’t want anyone to feel “hurried.”
• If that means you have to change the running order to accommodate them, so be it.
• Do your best to be sure everyone gets their runs in without feeling pressure to hurry.

When your class is completely finished, turn in your Table Sheet to Shawn at the Check-In Table.

Novice Class: Alert handlers that the 1st set of Sits & Downs will be done at 7:45.

• The 2nd set of Sit’s & Downs will be conducted IMMEDIATELY after the first set.
• Be sure to announce when each group of Sits & Downs will start so handlers have time to get their dogs ready beforehand.

Work with your Ring Stewards to get everyone lined up – in Number Order – so they can enter the ring as soon as the current handler’s run is finished.

• Work with your Ring Stewards to keep the group lined up in an orderly fashion.
• Reasonable aisleways must be maintained so traffic can continue to move back and forth.

Once Sits & Downs are done, the first group of handlers are free to leave if they desire.

Ring Steward

We teach these duties on the job. Generally, you will take directions from the Judge and assist the Table Steward as needed.

Beginner Novice Ring Steward – One Worker
Keep the aisle-way clear – no crowding at the gate. Shawn will explain further. Check with the Table Steward to keep track of the running order.

Novice Ring Steward – One Worker
Depending on the judge’s preference, you might need to take the leash from the handler and set it on the gate just prior to Stand-for-Exam. Be sure to pay attention to the run in the ring and be READY when the judge needs you. Assist the Table Steward with getting handler-dog teams lined up for Sits & Downs.

Open Ring Steward – Two Workers

• Worker #1 – adjusts Broad Jump for each run.
• Worker #2 – adjusts High Jump for each run.

The Table Steward will know the jump height for each dog. There is a Jump Height Chart on the Table to help figure out height changes. This job requires a lot of moving around to change jumps (bending & light lifting) and walking in and out of the ring.

Utility Ring Steward – Two Workers

• Worker #1 – adjusts one jump and sets out Scent Articles for each run.
• Worker #2 – adjust the other jump and sets out Gloves for each run.

Handlers bring their own gloves and articles. The Judge will explain which scent article to NOT TOUCH and how to set out the articles on the floor. This job requires a lot of moving around to change jumps and set out scent articles and gloves on the floor (bending, squatting, stretching & light lifting) along with walking in and out of the ring.

Check-in Table and Hospitality

We try to combine these two jobs into one worker assignment. If covered by one person:

• Start at 5:30 for food set-up in the kitchen
• 6:15 – main Check-In Table duties
• 7:30 – end Check-In and start kitchen clean-up
• About 8:00 – duties done

Check-In Table:
You are the first smiling face newcomers meet when entering NOCI. Please be welcoming by greeting people entering the building and offering help as needed.
New people need to know where everything is—rings, bathrooms, potty area, where they can sit and/or crate, etc.
Let people know we do have some kennel space available for both visitors and members on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Clean kennels after use
• Let them know where cleaning supplies are located.
• Check-in handlers as they arrive
• Indicate arrivals on the Table Sheet with a checkmark.
• Tell handlers they need to check-in again at each ring they’re entered in.
• Have handlers take their Running Order LABELS.
• This job runs from 6pm to 8pm. Please be Friendly—you represent the entire Club.

Hospitality
You have a budget of $75.

• Save your receipts to turn in after the match.
• Submit a Request for Reimbursement to the Treasurer.
• Forms are on the wall by the class clipboards.

Plan enough food for 14-15 workers.

• Prepare or buy something easy to eat while walking around.
• Include at least one vegetarian option.
• Include miscellaneous finger-food/snacks.
• Water and pop are free to workers.
• These are purchased and stocked in the kitchen by someone else in the club.
• Napkins, plates, cups, flatware are also provided by the club and stored in the kitchen.

Plan to set up food in the kitchen at 5:30 pm.

• Start clean-up at 7:30.
• Pack leftovers in to-go containers (stored above fridge).
• Encourage workers to take leftovers home.