Here is a brief description of the tasks to be done on the day of an event. Note that several of the tasks can be shared, such as one person doing registration for half of the meet and another person doing registration for the other half.

Registration

• Meet and greet each person who comes to the event.
• Have each competitor sign the waiver form; if the competitor is not an adult, make sure that a parent or guardian signs the waiver form. for the minor.  Waivers may be applied to all events in a calendar year.  So, you should ask the person if s/he has already signed a waiver to the year.  If they say "yes", look the person up in the "signed waiver list" and simply check him/her off.
• Find out what course the person wants to run. If they are unsure, refer them to the sample maps which are on display..
• Give out maps and plastic bags.  If the control descriptions are not on the maps, give out one of these for the course.  If manual punching is being used, give out a punch card and have the person put his/her name and course on it.
• Collect map fees.
• Loan compasses to any person who does not have one.
• Direct the person to the start (if person is experienced) or to the instruction area (for beginners).  
• To do this task, you must arrive about 15 minutes before the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Start

(Manual Punching)

• Be sure the person starting has an appropriate map and that the punch card is filled out (Name, Course, Affiliation).
• Assign each person/group a starting time.  Try to keep 2 to 3 minute intervals between starts on the same course.
• Record the time on the Courses Log and on the person's punch card.
• Periodically, give the Courses Log to the person working the Finish - not needed if start and finish are together..
• To do this task, you must arrive about 15 minutes before the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

(Electronic Punching)

• Be sure the person/group starting has ann appropriate map.
• If the starter is borrowing an SI card, have him/her sign for it.
• If the person is not familiar with SI cards, show him/her how to wear and use one.
• Enter the person's name, SI card number, course, and possibly club in the computer.
• Make sure the person does a CLEAR and CHECK of the SI card.
• When the person is read (and there has been at least a 2-minute interval since the last start on the same course), have the person put the SI card in the START box.
• Record on the Couses log approximately when the person started.
• To do this task, you must arrive about 15 minutes before the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Finish 

(Manual Punching)

• Record the finish time for each person/group.  Record the time in hours, minutes, and seconds.
• Collect the punch card from the finisher.
• Put the recorded time on the punch card and on the Courses Log.
• Keep alert for people who are overdue for their courses.
• To do this task, you must arrive at the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

• Make sure the person has gone to the Finish and punched there
• Have the person download what is on the SI card
• Give the person the printout
• If the person borrowed a SI card, have him/her return it
• Record roughly when the person finished on the Courses Log.
• To do this task, you must arrive at the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

• Calculate the elapsed time for the person/group and put this result on the punch card and the Courses Log.
• Verify that the punches are correct for the course. Record any disqualifications for mispunching or not completing the course.

Control and Water Put Out

There are always some controls which are not placed in the forest until the day of the meet.  Some of these may also be water stops.  Before the meet begins, a person must place these controls (and water).  Generally, the timing is such that these last controls should be in place one hour before the first start.  This makes it possible for those helping with the meet to go out on a course early, before the regular participants.  To do the task of putting out controls, you have to be given the control flags and a map for their placement prior to the day of the meet.  To do this task, you must arrive about 2 hours before the beginning of the registration time window - we will be using a window of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Generally, this task is done by the meet director.
 

Control and Water Pick Up

After all people have returned from their  courses, the controls for all courses need to be picked up.  This requires staying late, after the close of the event.  It also requires orienteering skill; a person should have completed at least a couple advanced courses before trying to help with pick up.  A map of the controls to be picked up is provided by the meet director.  Controls are to be returned to the meet director, either later that day or at some predetermined date.  Water containers must also be picked up from the water stops.  Generally, used cups and water containers are discarded in the garbage or recycling.  Unused cups may be salvaged for a future event.  To do this task, you must stay about one hour past the last finish time.
 

Signs and Ribbons and Misc.

Most meets have some signs put up to direct competitors to where they should park.  Usually a banner is used to mark the Start or Finish.  Sometimes ribbons are used to direct competitors to the start or to registration.  All these need to be taken down after the meet is over.  The registration site must also be dismantled after the meet is over.  To do this task, you must stay about 30 minutes past the last finish time.