Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 29, 2020) – The USA Ultimate Spirit, Officiating and Rules (SOAR) Committee is looking for smart, dedicated individuals to join the Observer Working Group (OWG). With esteemed members Keith Temple and Laura Meyer moving on from the OWG, the committee is taking applications from the community for four available vacancies: one new Elite Athlete and three other at-large positions within the group.
The OWG determines official USA Ultimate guidelines for observing, including current standards for USA Ultimate competition, as well as training materials and methods. The OWG also periodically discusses and implements any changes to Observer roles and practices, and also oversees and assists in conducting Observer training clinics.
Meyer was certified as an observer in 2009. Consistently one of the top observers in ultimate during her tenure, she was heavily involved in writing observer tests and curriculum. She has also served as the head observer for several Youth Club Championships tournaments, and she has participated in almost every College Championships and National Championships since 2010. In 2020, she was instrumental in spearheading the new rules certification for observers.
Temple was one of the first certified observers, receiving his certification in 2005. He made major contributions to the development and evolution of the observer manual as well as the observer training quizzes. Along with Meyer, Temple has participated as an observer in almost every College Championships and National Championships over the last decade, including being the head observer for the 2009 and 2014 National Championships.
In addition to the three open positions, the OWG is adding an Elite Athlete component to the group for 2020. Given the level of interaction observers have with athletes, the OWG saw it imperative to have an athlete’s perspective on the role observers play on the ultimate field.
Please email your completed application, including responses to all questions, to Mitch Dengler, National Observer Director, at observer_comm_chair@usaultimate.org.
In order to fulfill their fundamental role of helping players uphold the Spirit of the Game, our observers must be able to provide a neutral perspective when engaging players of all backgrounds, especially players from underrepresented communities. We strongly encourage women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and those from other traditionally marginalized communities to apply.
