REGIONAL,
DIVISIONAL,
NATIONAL
SCCA is a national
club that is divided
into geographic
divisions. Those
divisions are then
split into the
individual
geographic
regions. At each
level of SCCA’s
organization, there
are experienced
and dedicated
volunteers who
lead their
specialties.
Over time,
experienced
volunteers may be
asked to devote
some time as the
specialty chief
within the region,
and then divisional
or national
administrator of
their specialty.
These duties
are mostly
administrative –
handling licensing
requests and event
scheduling – but
there is also a
strong element
of leadership
at each level.
Regional chiefs
are responsible
for training and
development of
the individuals in
their specialty. At
the divisional level,
the administrator
is expected to visit
each region to
ensure consistency
and quality in the
specialty, and
to communicate
what’s happening
in the division. At
the national level,
administrators
come together
at the National
Championship
Runoffs, Solo,
and RallyCross
National
Championship
events, and key
RoadRally events
to lead their
specialty in these
premiere events.
particular clothing, and weather
gear are good to ask about.
At the Club race, you can expect to
sign in at registration and receive a
warm welcome from the registrars. You
should be prepared to show your SCCA
membership card and sign the event
waiver. If necessary, the registrars can
help direct you to your specialty chief.
Once you’ve found your specialty,
you will be assigned some tasks, and
it’s likely that you’ll be paired with an
experienced worker in the specialty to
learn the ropes. Don’t expect to be put
in the most exciting or demanding
Mix up your
volunteering to
keep yourself
fresh and broaden
your experience”
positions the first weekend, though a
good chief will make sure to “set the
hook” with some excitement and
reward for the new friend on the team.
Depending on the length and
nature of the event, you might be
offered lunch as part of your service,
and there’s often a party at the end of
the day with snacks or even a full
meal provided. Those parties are a
great way to bond with your new
friends in your specialty and those in
other specialties. Be sure you stay at
your job and stay in touch with your
chief until you’re released at the end
of the day.
At the end of the weekend, you
may have a logbook or other means
of recording the fact that you worked
the event – many regions offer
recognition to regular volunteers that
can range from a nice thank-you
letter to awards banquet tickets and
even to paying next year’s dues for
you. Be sure to ask if your region has
a loyalty rewards program.
A HAPPY VOLUN TEER
It’s well known that SCCA volunteers
invest a huge amount of time and
energy in the Club, and sometimes
people end up suffering from burnout.
That’s easy to avoid if you follow some
simple rules:
• Don’t bite off more than you can
chew. There’s always more that
needs to be done, and while it’s
tempting to try to be a super
volunteer, the reality is that you’re
only one person. Give yourself plenty
of free time to enjoy the racing and
