Information sources for Event Officials-Scottish Orienteering

Information sources for Event Officials

This page provides links to various sources of information and guidance for event organisers, planners and controllers.

The British Orienteering website now has a page with links to all sorts of information for event officials. Links on the left of that page take you to items that are relevant to the role you’re taking on.
Many clubs have their own procedures and checklists; some lists are easier to work with than others, and to a certain extent this is a matter of personal preference. Listed below are various additional and alternative sources of help and guidance.

Organisers

Some clubs run courses for new organisers; these can also be run by the National Centre, locally to clubs or at Glenmore Lodge. Organisers are not (yet?) required to attend a course, but few of us would deny that it’s easier to do a job when you’ve been given a bit of training.

Many clubs also have their own procedure documents and checklists, reflecting their own particular way of working. (It’s probably a good idea to list roles/names/contact details separately from these documents, so updating when people move on is easy.) Some examples:

One important document required (to a greater or lesser extent) for any event is a

Rescue Plan or Emergency Plan. We all hope never to need one, but it’s essential.

The British Orienteering website has lots of important stuff:

including an extremely full checklist for organisers of National events which is probably a bit much for local events.
All organisers should be familiar with the BOF Rules, Guidelines (esp. A) and Appendices (esp. E and G) – not necessarily in detail, but to understand what duties fall to them – there could be a few surprises! Access the Rules from the volunteer support page mentioned above.

and elsewhere:

Robin Strain has provided links to SI and Emit information.
You might need to swot up on Route Gadget

Planners

We strongly recommend that new planners should attend a proper course. Too many misunderstandings are perpetuated by people simply copying what is done in the events they attend. You’ll find it helpful to understand why things should be done a particular way. Some clubs run courses for new planners; these can also be run by the National Centre, locally to clubs or at Glenmore Lodge. I can supply the Powerpoint presentation for the course if you wish; the course should be delivered by an experienced and competent tutor who also has appropriate technical knowledge. If you can’t attend a formal course, you should seek guidance from an experienced colleague – preferably a qualified controller – when planning your first few events.
If you look at nothing else, you absolutely MUST study Appendix B of the Rules

There’s lots of other useful reference material:

The original and highly regarded guide for planners by G Nilsen
More recently, Barry Elkington (also well regarded) produced planning guidance which was printed in CompassSport and is now available on the BOF website.
You must be familiar with the Rules - remember these changed at the beginning of 2010 so don’t rely on an old printed version
and Appendices especially A, B, F and I
and Guidelines especially A.
For help with Condes, courses are run from time to time, and there’s the On-line User Guide .
If you’re using OCAD for course planning, Ecko have a handy online tutorial

Controllers

Controllers are required to attend a recognised course in order to become qualified. Courses are co-ordinated by the SOA Controllers Administrator, Marjory Craig via the Contacts page .
See under the “Planners” section above for items of common interest; Controllers must also be familiar with the Organiser’s role.

This fairly minimalist checklist suits smaller events.
British Orienteering provide some support documents
A post-event review is always a good idea; the 2009 Controllers’ Update Sessions suggested controllers of level 2 events should complete forms similar to this template, to form the basis of useful discussion of the year’s major events in Scotland.

All these links are supplied in good faith; some are outwith the control of Scottish Orienteering Association so we cannot be held liable for content.

Photo of author Posted on 18th Sep 09
by Hilary Quick - Development Officer

Filed under: Fixtures/Events • Documents & Forms • How-to • News • Resources •

Scottish Orienteering