Dibs Policy, FAQ, and Training
WHA is a parent-run organization that depends on the volunteer efforts of hundreds of people and thousands of hours to cover operational costs, while maintaining low player registration fees. It is very important that all participants take on responsibility and share the necessary duties. Parents earn points by working at admissions, serving as minor officials for games (running the clock, announcing, scorekeeping and penalty boxes), and facilitating other aspects of running games and events throughout the season, and at times, throughout the year.
Please review the current Volunteer Hours Policy for parent expectations. This document is signed and agreed to during registration.
FAQ
Youth hockey depends heavily on volunteer participation to remain affordable and operational. Last season, one of the biggest challenges the association faced was filling volunteer shifts during tournaments, which are events that are critical to both the success and financial stability of the association.
This season, we are planning to host a tournament at home at each age level. Hosting tournaments will save our families the costs associated with traveling, save the association tournament fees, and bring revenue to the association to help keep player registration costs from rising. However, this means that we will need more help to host the games, which will increase the DIBS requirements by 2 hours per player over last season.
What’s Changing This Year?
- The association will be switching tracking systems, and DIBS will be tracked by hours instead of points.
- Families will be required to complete 36 volunteer hours during the season.
- Of those 36 hours, 6 hours must specifically be tournament-related DIBS.
- Board members and other assigned positions are not exempt from fulfilling tournament DIB requirements.
How Will DIBS Be Released?
DIBS opportunities will be released in phases:
1. Regular DIBS will then open first to families within that player level.
2. Remaining DIBS will later open to all association families.
3. Tournament DIBS will be released first to the tournament level and then to the association.
This structure is intended to:
- Help families complete DIBS while attending their own child’s events,
- And provide flexibility for remaining openings across the association.
Thank you to all the families, board members, team representatives, and volunteers who contribute their time throughout the season. Youth hockey in Watertown depends on the collective effort of many people working together to support the players and keep the program running!
FAQ
Why are tournaments required to be worked by all members of WHA?
Tournaments have historically been the hardest shifts to fill, but they are also some of the most important events for the association financially.
Tournament weekends can generate several thousand dollars for the association. Those funds directly help support the association and reduce pressure on registration costs.
What is the timeframe to complete DIBS?
DIBS will be tallied from June 1 - May 31 of each year with the majority of opportunities available during the playing season. Families should not plan on waiting until the end of the season to complete DIBS requirements, as many of the association’s most important volunteer needs occur during tournaments and key events throughout the year. Additional opportunities may become available later in the season if needed, but availability cannot be guaranteed.
Why open regular DIBS to each level first?
This is designed to help busy families, especially families with multiple children or single parents. By allowing level-specific access initially, parents can often complete DIBS while attending their own child’s games or activities. After that initial period, all remaining DIBS will open association-wide.
What happens if tournaments or events are not fully staffed?
Events must be staffed in order to operate successfully. If positions remain unfilled, families within the hosting level may be asked to help ensure tournaments and events can operate successfully.
What happens if DIBS obligations are not fulfilled (regular or tournament)?
Families with unresolved DIBS obligations at the end of the season will be invoiced for the amount unfulfilled. Players will not be eligible for participation the following season until those obligations are resolved.
Are coaches exempt from DIBS requirements?
League level coaches are exempt from fulfilling DIBS because of the significant volunteer time commitment already required throughout the season, including practice planning, game preparation, communication, scheduling responsibilities, and time spent at team activities.
What if my family is having trouble completing DIBS hours?
If your family is struggling to complete DIBS hours because of scheduling challenges or limited availability, please reach out early to your team coordinator.
The team coordinator will work with the WHA DIBS coordinator to help identify possible solutions that work both for the family and for the association.
ANNOUNCER, CLOCK, SCOREKEEPER, AND PENALTY BOX (MINOR OFFICIALS)
The following videos review the rules and procedures for the minor officials.
Please review this article for additional information on using GameSheets:
https://help.gamesheet.app/article/64-quick-start-scoring
Announcer
The Announcer is a minor official who works with on-ice officials to complete the official game score sheet accurately and completely. Using the facility’s public address system, he or she will clearly announce relevant game information to spectators. This is generally limited to pre-game team roster recognition, point scorers (goals and assists), and player/penalty information, but also includes facility announcements as needed. For league games, he or she shall report to the scorer’s area a minimum of 15 minutes before game time (30 minutes for varsity games). As a minor official and a visible representative of the WHA organization, the Announcer must be professional and impartial at all times. 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Scorekeeper
The Scorekeeper is minor official who works with on-ice officials to complete the official game score sheet accurately and completely and is responsible for accurately and completely entering game stats live online throughout the game for League level games. Prior to game start, the Scorekeeper shall obtain a WHA tablet and load the upcoming game into the Game Sheets app . Throughout the game, he or she shall enter goals, shots on goal, and penalties. The Scorekeeper is present in the official scorekeeper’s area and as such, should not be actively cheering during the game. For league games, he or she shall report to the scorer’s area a minimum of 15 minutes before game time (30 minutes for varsity games). 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Clock
The Clock worker is responsible for operating the score clock, including managing game time, penalty minutes, score, and shots on goal. He or she shall report to the scorer’s area a minimum of 15 minutes before game time (30 minutes for varsity). The Clock Worker is a minor official and as such, should not be actively cheering during the game. 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Penalty Box
The Penalty Box worker is a minor official and manages the traffic flow in and out of the penalty box. He or she shall report to the penalty box 15 minutes before game time. The Penalty Box Worker shall open the door to let in player(s) serving a penalty, attentively watch the penalty clock, and open the door to release the player(s) at the appropriate time. As an off-ice official, the Penalty Box Worker should not be actively cheering during the game nor coaching players in the box. 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Admissions, Security, Facilities
Admissions
The income WHA collects from gate fees is used to pay officials and pay for rink use. Admission workers are the first people fans encounter when they arrive at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena. They are the friendly face and attitude that represent our hockey organization. Admission workers are responsible for collecting gate fees, selling season passes, stamping paid fans’ hands for re-entrance, stocking season and tournament programs, general cleanup and tidying of the gate area, and being a source of general information for fans. This includes bringing the cash box to the gate for opening shift and counting cash and putting a deposit in the on-site drop box at the end of each shift. Admission workers should arrive 1 hour before the start of the game and stay until the start of the 3rd period or until the next worker arrives. 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Security
The following list of responsibilities need to be carried out during the specific game shift. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the game and until both teams have left the ice at the end of each game. Responsibilities include ensure fans are not pushing on the glass (have the announcer make an announcement if needed and ask the fans to stay off the glass); remind fans that appear to be belligerent in violation of our zero-tolerance policy and to show good sportsmanship; ask a belligerent fan to exit the arena when their behavior is disrupting to the game if you feel comfortable performing this; or notify a city worker and then call the Watertown Police Department when needed to report an altercation or to have a fan removed from the arena. 10 points will be awarded for each game.
Facility Support
Facility support is a new position for WHA in partnership with the PLIA staff. The facility support position will provide help to the concessions staff during peak times, monitor the lobby for cleanliness, check bathroom supplies, and take out trash, among other duties.
In assisting concessions staff, WHA personnel will act as a "runner," grabbing drinks, candy, nachos and other items that are not cooked. WHA will also NOT run the cash register. This position may assume further duties as training is provided by the PLIA concessions manager.