UOA Mission Statement revised 08/07/05
| United Officials Association (UOA) is a self-governing body whose primary purpose is to provide football officials to various youth football conferences operating in the Atlanta metro area. We also supply officials to local high schools for their sub-varsity contests. We act as a scheduling (booking) agent for our affiliated officials, provide training each summer through a formal training program, and our crew assignments blend our experienced youth and high school officials with our newest officials in an effective mentoring program. Our main "customers" are the youth of the Atlanta area. We provide them with a safe, impartial and sportsmanlike environment in which to play the wonderful game of American football. We strive at all times to present a stabilizing influence over the course of the games we officiate. We endeavor to help keep the perspective for the kids, coaches, parents and other fans that while winning and losing are important, the greatest lessons learned from the game are love of sport, self-reliance, teamwork, sportsmanship and personal courage. Our job is to "blend into the background," yet at the same time, exert strong influences that keep the games fun for all participants. |
| Our affiliated officials (members) work as independent contractors. But all members are expected to work hard to improve their performance on the field, their knowledge of the rules of football and to display a proper attitude and courtesy to everyone with whom we deal. We will not tolerate members who do not exhibit the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. |
| In return for the efforts of our members, we obtain a fair fee for our services. Fees are apportioned equally among all members of the crews assigned. Payments are made on a per-games-worked basis. UOA is a non-profit association. This means that the organization as a whole does not attempt to make a profit. Instead all monies beyond our cost of operations and a small cash operating reserve are distributed to our members for services rendered. |
| While payments for games worked can be a nice source of supplementary income, working youth football games will never be a major source of income for our officials. Officiating any sport at the youth level is an avocation, not another vocation. The primary motivation for being a youth official needs to come from a love of the game, desire to give back to the community or some similar "higher" purpose. Our best officials are not only technically competent, but they thoroughly understand the importance of the organization's service goals each and every time they step out onto the playing field. These are the men (and sometimes women) who rise within our ranks to become leaders in our association and who are picked to officiate our "big games." |
| In short, all this means that we take pride in our work and it shows. Personal satisfaction for a job well done is one of the greatest joys which we can experience. We are constantly looking for ways to improve. We are always looking for like-minded people to join with us as we help provide some of the best life experiences our charges will ever have. Have fun and a great 2005 Season |