I absolutely love Omen's on-line registration system for IPSC match registration. Unfortunately, I'm hearing frequent complaints about no-shows, and the coresponding numbers of frustrated shooters who may feel they can't catch a break on registration.
On the 5 hour drive back from EOHC last night, Mr. Clean and I discussed the matter. Specifically, how can we monitor and possibly correct the problem of chronic no-shows or last minute withdrawls.
Now I recognize that life happens, and people can and do run into valid last minute conflicts. Any change to the current system has to respect that fact. However, I had a few ideas I'd like to run up the flagpole and see if anyone agrees or thinks I need to change the bong water.
What I'm suggesting is that the match directors be given the ability to assign one or two system demerit points to a shooter for late withdrawl or not showing up.
1) Since deadlines are a sad reality, I suggest the latest a person ought to be able to withdraw without penalty be 8pm of the evening before the match.
2) A late withdrawl would incure a one point demerit.
3) A no show would incure a two point demerit
4) At 5 accumulated points in a 12 month period, the shooter would loose the ability to register early for a match.
5) To keep things equal, matches would open for registration on the Monday at 7pm three weeks prior to the match.
6) Shooters with 5+ demerits would not have access until the Monday evening 2 weeks prior to the match.
Another issue that came up is the waiting list, and the likelyhood that a shooter will notice they are on the squad if they move up due to a late withdrawl. If the demerit system was adopted, there would be a risk that shooters could earn demerits only because they didn't realize they made the squad.
My suggestion is that no change be made for the waiting list up until 48 hours before the match. Within 48 hours to the start of the match, having the shooter reply to an e-mail would ensure he's aware of the spot.
And then we have the issue of newbies or folks without computer access. I suggest that allowing the match director to set aside a small percentage of the spots for mail/phone in entrys.
So I turn the discussion over to the board. Do any of these ideas address the areas of concern? Do they make a good system worse or better? Have you got a better idea?
As a match director, would this make your job easier or harder?
On the 5 hour drive back from EOHC last night, Mr. Clean and I discussed the matter. Specifically, how can we monitor and possibly correct the problem of chronic no-shows or last minute withdrawls.
Now I recognize that life happens, and people can and do run into valid last minute conflicts. Any change to the current system has to respect that fact. However, I had a few ideas I'd like to run up the flagpole and see if anyone agrees or thinks I need to change the bong water.
What I'm suggesting is that the match directors be given the ability to assign one or two system demerit points to a shooter for late withdrawl or not showing up.
1) Since deadlines are a sad reality, I suggest the latest a person ought to be able to withdraw without penalty be 8pm of the evening before the match.
2) A late withdrawl would incure a one point demerit.
3) A no show would incure a two point demerit
4) At 5 accumulated points in a 12 month period, the shooter would loose the ability to register early for a match.
5) To keep things equal, matches would open for registration on the Monday at 7pm three weeks prior to the match.
6) Shooters with 5+ demerits would not have access until the Monday evening 2 weeks prior to the match.
Another issue that came up is the waiting list, and the likelyhood that a shooter will notice they are on the squad if they move up due to a late withdrawl. If the demerit system was adopted, there would be a risk that shooters could earn demerits only because they didn't realize they made the squad.
My suggestion is that no change be made for the waiting list up until 48 hours before the match. Within 48 hours to the start of the match, having the shooter reply to an e-mail would ensure he's aware of the spot.
And then we have the issue of newbies or folks without computer access. I suggest that allowing the match director to set aside a small percentage of the spots for mail/phone in entrys.
So I turn the discussion over to the board. Do any of these ideas address the areas of concern? Do they make a good system worse or better? Have you got a better idea?
As a match director, would this make your job easier or harder?
) If the shooter has some really valid excuse for being a no-show, he can explain it to the MD he let down and the MD can go in and repeal the banishment if he feels the excuse is valid.
