WHAT DOES A REGIONAL COMPETITION COORDINATOR DO? Q&A with Seven Regional Competition Coordinators
W
ith regional competitions in full swing, you may notice a team of dedicated leaders and volunteers working to make regional competition weekends as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. The Regional Competition Coordinator (CC) plays a key role on that team. Though the specifics of the role vary by region, all CCs are in charge of keeping track of many details, communicating with many people, and making many decisions. It’s a big job, but because so much of it happens behind the scenes, not everyone knows what it entails. We spoke with seven former and current CCs from six regions to learn more about this important position and what you need to know if you want to take it on yourself someday: Val Clark, #25; Kathy Dow, #8; Judy Galloway, #13; Alice Mills, #31; Emma Riley, #31; Claire Takacs, #35; and Kellie Welsh, #10.
What are the main responsibilities of the Regional Competition Coordinator (CC)? The CC responsibilities are outlined in SA’s guidelines for regional convention, but they vary depending on the needs of the region. Most echoed the description of the role given by Region #25’s Val Clark: “We plan and supervise the execution of all competition-related activities in cooperation with the Chair of the Regional Convention (CRC) and committee members for the regional competition and convention. That includes scheduling the competition pattern, briefings, performance facilities, stage, sound and lighting setup, supervision of transportation, audiovisuals (including the webcast for regions that have one), tech and backstage crew, and working with the Official Panel Liaison (OPL) to take care of all arrangements for the Official Judging Panel and Trial Scorers.” Dow (#8) and Galloway (#13) noted that in some regions, the CC focuses more on the competition while the CRC focuses on the convention details, but there is usually some
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| April 2020
overlap in the roles, and, of course, communication between all committees is imperative. Mills (#31) said quality control is also part of the job: “It’s my role to ensure that if you step out on the Region #31 stage, you get the same smooth experience on the day — and the same high quality of audio and visual recording — as you would at any other regional convention throughout the world.”
How do CCs interact with the panel chair, Regional Management Team (RMT), etc.? Regional CCs usually meet with their team at least once, often to tour the venue and hotel where the competition/convention will be held. All CCs said that timely, accurate communication with the panel chair, Regional Management Team (RMT), Event Coordinator (EVC), Convention Assistance Chapter (the chapter that helps out with convention) and, of course, choruses and quartets is important both while preparing for competition and on the day of competition itself. Welsh (#10) said, “I hold a joint briefing for the choruses and quartets on Friday morning at 9. The panel chair comes down about half an hour early, and she and I begin to test the sound together before the briefing starts. I also make sure I have a way to communicate with the panel chair while she is in the pit so if I need to deal with something, I can get her attention without having to walk out there and be an interruption.”
What is your CC work calendar like leading up to competition? “Believe it or not, work for the following year begins as soon as the previous convention ends!” said Mills (#31). “The convention team gets together on Sunday of convention to discuss what went
