The Trial Crew

There are many ways to organize crews and divide work, so what follows is a snapshot that presents a general idea that can be customized to suit individual needs.
A Short Preamble About Organizing Trial Staff When sitting down to consider who will be doing what, skill level and personalities are the two key considerations. The first consideration is apparent to all; however, the second can get lost in the shuffle. While most folks are more than willing to do anything asked of them, it is wrong to ask beyond someone's capabilities and unjust to allow someone to volunteer past their ability to deliver - no matter how well intentioned the offer of help or how desperately help is needed. Matching the right person to the right job is crucial to organizing a successful trial. Personality matches are equally important - some jobs require very specific personality types in order to function well within a work group. Asking someone uncomfortable with making decisions or providing direction to do a job that requires them to take charge and lead can only result in hardship, as can placing a born leader into a position that requires them to silently follow the directions of others without opportunity for input. The same goes for asking conflicting personality types to work together cohesively; unpleasant or awkward working conditions (whether real or perceived) adds stress to an already stressful situation. Excessive stress causes cracks - cracks lead to breaks. The most important part of the equation? Combining the two.
Trial Host	Generally speaking, the Trial Host is the one that offers up their ranch or facilities for the purpose of putting on a trial. The Host works closely with the Trial Director to ensure that the trial location is properly prepared to stage a trial. Responsibilities may be as simple as allowing use or as detailed as arranging for tents, restrooms, concessions and the like - it all depends on the agreement between Host and Director. The Host and Director may be one and the same or not (see Trial Directors below).
Trial Director(s)	The Trial Director is the individual, or representative of a club or association, in charge of the trial in a "big picture" fashion, and is the one responsible for the following tasks either personally or via delegation: Trial site location Stock contracting Setting trial date(s) Appointing Officials Selecting crew bosses Establishing work crews
Officials	Officials work on par with the Trial Director and are normally charged with very specific jobs such as course direction, judging, pointing, timing, flagging or clerking. Aside from the Trial Host and Trial Director, no one more directly affects the perception of a trial than the officials. Therefore, proper and thoughtful selection is of paramount importance. Those selected should be perceived by the majority as extremely knowledgeable, experienced and fair-minded, barring those with personal agendas or axes to grind.
Crew Bosses	Crew bosses have two basic responsibilities - the first, of course, is to lead a crew; the second is to act as a liaison between the Trial Director/Officials and trial crews. To be effective in both roles, crew bosses need to possess master level skills in relation to the lead position they are selected for, in addition to being capable of working cohesively with others. An example would be a set-out crew boss. The Trial Director will do one of two things - either explain exactly how they want the cattle handled in the pens and when and where they want the cattle set or ask the crew boss to propose a suitable plan for same. The crew boss' job then becomes coordinating the set-out crew efforts to realize the agreed upon goal the best way possible.
Crews	Crews are charged with performing specific work and/or the organization of specific work or trial activities and are vital to each and every trial put on. However, at the risk of sounding a bit harsh, in order to be vital, chosen crewmembers need to have the ability to take direction without question; to do as asked without debate, argument or insistent suggestions. The consequences of the decisions made fall squarely on the shoulders of the crew boss, and those directing the crew boss, therefore, deference to those decisions is imperative. Now, with that being said, these same crewmembers should be able and willing to constructively contribute when called upon to do so. It's no easy task to find the delicate balance. The number of crews and crewmembers should be adequate to ensure the seamless and efficient production of the trial. To do this, it is important to make sure that there are ample hands available to allow for short breaks as well as blocks of "free time." When changing crewmembers, overlapping work time best addresses the issue of continuing performance in the same manner throughout the entire trial. For instance, if a new crew member is to rotate in, they should be paired with a experienced crew member for an amount of time that allows the new member to become comfortable and "experienced" in the capacity they will be serving in. In this way, questions can be answered and concerns addressed, all the while ensuring the seamless and efficient trial production mentioned above. A sampling of crews that might come in handy are as follows: Admission Set-out Exhaust Livestock Care Hospitality Parking Admission Raffles Concessions Vendors Practice Pen