On top of their volunteer work, many team and club administrators are also employed full time. Their time to oversee the league is usually very limited. They must be efficient if they want to use their volunteer time wisely. Here are some ways for them to get more done in less time:
1. Delegate
Pick out key volunteers and delegate tasks to them. Clearly explain the job you need done, set up a date or time to check back in for tweaks and feedback, and then let them run with it. Obviously, this means that administrators should choose people they can trust. Avoid micromanaging them; give them the freedom to do things their way if it works just as well.
2. Divide and Conquer
Divide up the league into departments, such as PR/Fundraising, Operations & Equipment, Coaching Volunteers, and Administration; and put a manager over each department. The managers would be on the governing board of the league.
3. Trust Your Volunteers
Departmentalizing responsibilities allows the league administrators to oversee without micromanaging every decision. This type of hands-off management empowers volunteers to make key decisions and gives them a sense of ownership in the league.
4. Keep a Sports Calendar
Aside from the game schedule, sit down at the beginning of the year and plan out events, deadlines for jobs to be done, and any other duties that must be calendared. Be sure the calendar is visible to every person involved in the processes.
5. Plan Ahead
Prepare league members in advance of the online registration dates. Be clear when online registration starts and ends and tell members how they can register online. Collect member email addresses and don’t hesitate to send email updates about registration dates.
Encourage early registration with incentives, such as a discounted fee. This is great for both parties: the registrant gets a discount and league administrators to get early registrants which means less stress as deadlines approach.
