No, this is not a story about road trips while officiating. Anyone reading this already has countless such tales of their own stored away for the proper place, time and audience.

Rather, the word “Travels” in the title of this article is not the noun; it’s the verb, and “Officiating” is the subject. For those too busy daydreaming of higher achievements in officiating during middle school grammar lessons, here’s the breakdown in plain English: officiating is transferrable, and we can take it anywhere we go.

That’s one of the beauties of officiating: once you’re in, it’s also within you. Job changes, college graduation and other events necessitating relocation will undoubtedly offer a number of uncertainties, but the ability to continue officiating shouldn’t be one of them.

The new workplace will have different policies, the new home will require a new sense of direction, and new counties and states all have slightly different laws. An official looking to continue working similar levels of their sport after moving, however, will still have the same rules book and mechanics manual.

And, while the scenery and climate may differ, there will still be plenty of schools in every community, with fields and courts providing opportunity. Here are a few dos and don’ts for taking advantage or your unique qualifications and putting them to use in your new locale.

DO . . .

**Contact the state athletic association or visit that state’s website to obtain the registration process, deadlines and requirements for becoming a licensed official. Once registered, find the local association for your sport(s), along with contact personnel who can provide schedules for meetings and clinics, along with procedures and requirements for receiving assignments.

**Contact officiating administrators and board member of your former state association and local association to request records pertaining to your experience level. New states and new associations might conform to a hierarchy of experience, and having your prior experience forwarded from the proper authorities will make for a smoother transition and assist in your quest to enter your new association at the level you’ve earned.

**Provide no more than three solid references from your former affiliations and offer them freely to leaders of the new association. The new powers-that-be may not require them, but it demonstrates a level of commitment and confidence without inundating them with a long list.

**Attend meetings, scrimmages and clinics at the first opportunity. Ask questions, observe and absorb. Keep initial comparisons with your former affiliations to yourself. You’ll soon learn that members in the new group are the same as the old, just with different names. The Rule Book guy, the Hard Worker, the Confident Professional, the Showboater…they’ll all be there. Don’t judge too quickly.

**Find out how games are assigned and adjust calendars accordingly. Free yourself for all levels, from middle school to varsity. That will go a long way in making friends with your assigner, while also affording people the opportunity to observe your work ethic and skill level.

**Compile a list of schools for which the association assigns, and enter them into your GPS device or smartphone. Being new to the area is no excuse for tardiness. Leave earlier than necessary. Find out if people typically carpool and inquire about the dress code for travel.

**Read local prep reports online, watch local newscasts to determine the prevalence of school sports in your new area.

DON’T

**Don’t spout off about your 5-star resume’ immediately after introducing yourself. Your highest level and most accomplished game might pale in comparison. There will be a time and place for old war stories, but not during “first impression” time. Keep this in mind when you feel the urge: 1) no one cares, and 2) it doesn’t count in your new surroundings.

**Don’t form opinions of partners, peers, coaches and schools based on things you hear. Make your own informed conclusions as time moves on.

**Don’t argue about minor mechanics differences. If they differ slightly from what you are accustomed to, work on fitting in. If they badly contrast with what is standard industry practice, raise questions at the association meeting regarding the history of such a deviation.

**Don’t assume traffic patterns are the same as they were in your prior location. Rush hour in one place might not be the same as another, based on shift work, population, weather concerns and a myriad of other factors. Ask your peers and allow excess travel time during your first season.

**Don’t turn back games….WORK, WORK WORK….Word spreads quickly to the people who need to know.

Officiating is a great gift which is transferrable. Bring it with you wherever you go along with the good habits you’ve cultivated throughout your career. An assignor of mine constantly reminded us during meetings that, “If this were easy, everyone would do it.” Knowing you’ve got what it takes in one location already gives you a leg up the next place you go. Utilize your talents wisely.