MSA Grading Scheme, completely pointless?
Mar 2, 2012 17:22:19 GMT
Post by vanny on Mar 2, 2012 17:22:19 GMT
Beyond the fact that every year since i started marshalling the rules and methods seem to change, is there actually any point in the MSA Grading Scheme if you only marshal at Aintree?
For example, here is the exact wording from the MSA on how to obtain signatures;
• On arrival at post present record card to the Post Chief (or marshal carrying out
that duty)
• The Post Chief reviews comments in record card
• The marshal must be allocated to the duty for which they are seeking an upgrade
in order to gain a signature.
• During the day the Post Chief observes the marshal
• Any adverse behaviours discussed so the marshal can apply any corrective or
improved actions.
• Debrief at the end of the day
• Comments recorded in the marshal’s record card
• Post Chief signs to confirm the attendance
Now as Aintree Track and Sprint events usually go, there isn't a specific Post Chief, if anything the person with the radio is the Post Chief, making me the Post Chief, mmm, I suspect that isn't going to work!
Here is the exact wording for assessment;
What needs to be demonstrated on an assessment day?
Knowledge – does the marshal have the knowledge
appropriate to the grade they are seeking?
E.g. for a track marshal – do they know the hand signals,
do they know the on‐post flag procedures.
Skills – can they actually do the job
Attitude – Have they the right attitude to fellow marshals,
competitors, spectators. Do they respond well under
pressure.
Experience – already demonstrated by the attendance
signatures
Demonstrating 'hand signals' on a track day could be entertaining, i know a few special ones, but while i know the ones there looking for, i doubt i would ever ever use them at Aintree.
Quite frankly the MSA seem to have turned the grading scheme into a bit of a boys club, the few times i've marshalled at 750MC events at Mallory and Silverstone i have most certainly felt like an outsider. The others on the post really don't like having someone new as it messes with there 'arrangement'. If you don't know someone in the club, your not really welcome!
But the MSA scheme doesn't (as best i can tell) cater for, or care about the smaller clubs like ours.
What has got me rather annoyed is that as of this year you HAVE to register with the MSA EVERY SINGLE YEAR. This isn't really a big problem, except they didn't actually bother to tell me!!!!!! Probably not helped that for the last year they have had the wrong address on there system, which I've told them twice, but they didn't bother to change. They've also decided that you HAVE to have your registration paperwork countersigned by a marshals club, which means you HAVE to be a member, again, news to me!
The MSA are a bit like the FIA, amazing at creating paper work, but of no discernible use to the sport.
For example, here is the exact wording from the MSA on how to obtain signatures;
• On arrival at post present record card to the Post Chief (or marshal carrying out
that duty)
• The Post Chief reviews comments in record card
• The marshal must be allocated to the duty for which they are seeking an upgrade
in order to gain a signature.
• During the day the Post Chief observes the marshal
• Any adverse behaviours discussed so the marshal can apply any corrective or
improved actions.
• Debrief at the end of the day
• Comments recorded in the marshal’s record card
• Post Chief signs to confirm the attendance
Now as Aintree Track and Sprint events usually go, there isn't a specific Post Chief, if anything the person with the radio is the Post Chief, making me the Post Chief, mmm, I suspect that isn't going to work!
Here is the exact wording for assessment;
What needs to be demonstrated on an assessment day?
Knowledge – does the marshal have the knowledge
appropriate to the grade they are seeking?
E.g. for a track marshal – do they know the hand signals,
do they know the on‐post flag procedures.
Skills – can they actually do the job
Attitude – Have they the right attitude to fellow marshals,
competitors, spectators. Do they respond well under
pressure.
Experience – already demonstrated by the attendance
signatures
Demonstrating 'hand signals' on a track day could be entertaining, i know a few special ones, but while i know the ones there looking for, i doubt i would ever ever use them at Aintree.
Quite frankly the MSA seem to have turned the grading scheme into a bit of a boys club, the few times i've marshalled at 750MC events at Mallory and Silverstone i have most certainly felt like an outsider. The others on the post really don't like having someone new as it messes with there 'arrangement'. If you don't know someone in the club, your not really welcome!
But the MSA scheme doesn't (as best i can tell) cater for, or care about the smaller clubs like ours.
What has got me rather annoyed is that as of this year you HAVE to register with the MSA EVERY SINGLE YEAR. This isn't really a big problem, except they didn't actually bother to tell me!!!!!! Probably not helped that for the last year they have had the wrong address on there system, which I've told them twice, but they didn't bother to change. They've also decided that you HAVE to have your registration paperwork countersigned by a marshals club, which means you HAVE to be a member, again, news to me!
The MSA are a bit like the FIA, amazing at creating paper work, but of no discernible use to the sport.