Frequently Asked Questions
There are many reasons why someone should become a JAM member!
First and foremost, we all share a love and passion for dance and dance team. Our membership is made up of people with different backgrounds and we embrace those differences. Our membership includes former dance team members, current and former professional dancers, former dance team parents, former coaches and the list goes on. We enjoy sharing and learning from each other.
Another perk is that JAM is the association that most coaches and athletic directors use to hire dance team officials. JAM will only schedule members who have attended training for any officiating positions. Because the MSHSL doesn’t offer judging training, host schools know that JAM officials have the background and training necessary to judge fairly and accurately.
We are always looking for new members to share their passion of dance and dance team with our association. Please consider joining our association!
First and foremost, we all share a love and passion for dance and dance team. Our membership is made up of people with different backgrounds and we embrace those differences. Our membership includes former dance team members, current and former professional dancers, former dance team parents, former coaches and the list goes on. We enjoy sharing and learning from each other.
Another perk is that JAM is the association that most coaches and athletic directors use to hire dance team officials. JAM will only schedule members who have attended training for any officiating positions. Because the MSHSL doesn’t offer judging training, host schools know that JAM officials have the background and training necessary to judge fairly and accurately.
We are always looking for new members to share their passion of dance and dance team with our association. Please consider joining our association!
Our membership fees are varied depending on your membership level, when you register and submit your payment.
Our annual registration period usually starts in early summer and goes through early fall. You are required to re-register each year.
Yes. Former dancers, coaches, parents and current fall coaches may officiate as outlined for each JAM level listed in our membership levels.
Conflicts of interest or recent affiliations are managed appropriately so that you will not judge for a particular team(s) or class(es).
Conflicts of interest or recent affiliations are managed appropriately so that you will not judge for a particular team(s) or class(es).
All JAM officials need to be registered with the Minnesota State High School League each year. To become a new official, use this link: http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/sofficials/newuser.asp
Once you have registered with the MSHSL, you will be able to login to the Officials Corner portal. Your annual Online Rules Meeting and Rules Test, as well as Concussion Training and other tools can be found in this portal.
Once you have registered with the MSHSL, you will be able to login to the Officials Corner portal. Your annual Online Rules Meeting and Rules Test, as well as Concussion Training and other tools can be found in this portal.
In the early fall, the Scheduling Team will send the master meet list to our members and ask members to respond with their availability and interest. As additional meets are added throughout the season, we follow the same procedure on a smaller scale.
After the Scheduling Team receives the responses back from our members, officials are scheduled and the meets are confirmed via our online scheduling software. Meets are scheduled one month in advance unless otherwise noted.
After the Scheduling Team receives the responses back from our members, officials are scheduled and the meets are confirmed via our online scheduling software. Meets are scheduled one month in advance unless otherwise noted.
With the exception of trial judging and participation in the mentoring program, you will get paid.
JAM has fees and guidelines that host schools use to determine necessary payment.
The various officiating positions have different fees and in some cases, schools will pay mileage to officials who are travel to meets in greater Minnesota. While receiving payment is considered a perk of officiating, most officials consider their love for dance as the reason for becoming involved with JAM.
JAM has fees and guidelines that host schools use to determine necessary payment.
The various officiating positions have different fees and in some cases, schools will pay mileage to officials who are travel to meets in greater Minnesota. While receiving payment is considered a perk of officiating, most officials consider their love for dance as the reason for becoming involved with JAM.
Probably not. New members are more likely to gain officiating experience by doing the following:
1) Sign up for as many meets as you are available to do. You can sign up for multiple meets on one day. You will not be double booked.
2) Sign up for meets in greater Minnesota. We have fewer officials located in those areas so your willingness to travel will help you get more meets.
3) Sign up for as many positions as you are qualified for. Signing up to "only judge" will limit your availability. Be sure to indicate tabulating and kick counting/timing if you are confident in those areas of officiating.
1) Sign up for as many meets as you are available to do. You can sign up for multiple meets on one day. You will not be double booked.
2) Sign up for meets in greater Minnesota. We have fewer officials located in those areas so your willingness to travel will help you get more meets.
3) Sign up for as many positions as you are qualified for. Signing up to "only judge" will limit your availability. Be sure to indicate tabulating and kick counting/timing if you are confident in those areas of officiating.
To maintain your credibility as a JAM member, you must avoid canceling unless in an emergency. Treat the meet assignment like a job. If you habitually cancel, it will limit the meets that you are scheduled for in the future. If you must cancel due to an emergency, you must immediately contact the Scheduling Team.
OTHER PAGES IN THIS SECTION
JOIN JAM
ANNUAL TRAINING
TRIAL JUDGING & MENTORING
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
CODE OF CONDUCT