MAVO volleyball officials are independent contractors. We work for the individual schools and school systems that hire us through an MPA-approved assignor. In our capacity as sports officials we are not employees of any school, school district, or of MAVO.
- The MAVO assignor is typically our chief evaluator. Your partner can also be an evaluator, especially if they have much more experience, and have been asked by the assignor to provide feedback to him or her from matches they've worked with you, or from those they've observed. Being evaluated critically is the only way you can expect to improve and learn from those who have much more experience as a volleyball official. The idea is to learn from every match you work. and consciously try to improve every time you step on the court
- Feedback from your partner or assignor/evaluator is meant to be positive, and is for your benefit as you learn and strive to improve in all areas of officiating.
- Our goal to help all of our members to become the best volleyball officials they can be, and to properly and professionally serve those who hire us to provide them a unique and special service, while always striving to learn and improve ourselves.
- As a group we work together to provide certified, qualified volleyball officials for most of the "organized" volleyball played in Maine.
- Once certified and accepted as a MAVO volleyball official, members may work one, two, or all three (NFHS, NCAA, USAV) organizations'/associations' matches, depending on their desire, availability, and ability, as well as their registration/membership with each particular group.
- Members must register and pay dues for each association certification EACH YEAR. As independent contractors it is up to each person to make sure their registration/membership/dues/training are up to date within each organization/association they choose to officiate.
- Members are expected to attend scheduled MAVO meetings, clinics, and other events associated with the operation of MAVO, as the official association for volleyball officials in Maine, as well as training. Some of these events may be attended online, while others require your physical presence. We try to schedule events with plenty of advanced notice, so please mark these on your calendar as soon as you are notified about them.
- There are three different organizations for which MAVO members can serve. Each has its own rule set; its own registration; and its own requirements. It is the obligation of the MAVO member to determine which organization(s) he/she wishes to work for.
- Each organization/association has different rates of payment, and different methods of paying their hired officials. If your match was assigned by a MAVO assignor they will be your best advocate if there is any discrepancy, or problem with timely payment for services rendered.
- Most MAVO officials work at least the NFHS (High School) season. Many also work during the NCAA women's volleyball season as First or Second referees; as scorekeepers; or as line judges. While there is no established amount of experience needed to become a college volleyball official, it is usually recommended that new members have at least a few years of high school volleyball officiating experience first before trying to advance on to the collegiate level. Your assignor will be able to help you decide if you're ready for the next level.
- A good first step toward moving up to the collegiate level is to work as a certified PAVO (Professional Association of Volleyball Officials) Line Judge, or Scorekeeper.
- Your registration, certification, and membership in MAVO ARE NOT a guarantee of any assigned matches at any level. Your ability, availability, willingness to travel, work and progress are also determining factors in the number of assignments you will receive. The assignors will try to work with those members who try to work with them. Communication and availability are key factors.
Posted March 5, 2020
updated December 15, 2021
updated November 8, 2022
updated, May 24, 2023
updated November 14, 2023