The Ref portion isn't in me, but have only so far volunteered at events my team was present and competing in a few times in the machine shop. Then last year signed up to just tend the practice field in Las Vegas (often help assemble and disassemble the field also).
Well, we arrived last year (my eldest Son was FTAA so we arrived together), and set up the field Wednesday night. Thursday morning I was helping set up the practice field elements, get the sign up sheets ready, and that lasted a whole 5 minutes...Then I was collared & elevated to Field Supervisor. Given a crew, lucky I knew the game. Most of the crew didn't, but we met, gave them a quick rundown, and we went at it. (I do fairly well supervising people, so it was a good fit).
Being that close to the field gives anyone a new appreciation for the game, the FTA and FTAA, and all the others that make the show go on, and allow it to go live, then you are in it up to your neck.
While you never forget your team, there are not problems w/ the element of conflict of interests...You are flat too busy for any of that stuff (and there are plenty of others around to check any actions that would lean that way). You do your job, and do not ever play favorites either.
The game required all outbound balls to get returned very quickly back to the closest HP of that color alliance, and it doesn't matter what team that was, or whether my team was playing against them or not, they were returned to each alliance as quickly and safely as humanly possible. (Half the time, I didn't really notice my team was even on the field until the match was over...I was just too busy! And the rest of the time my team in the stands were sitting right behind me, so we communicated often).
You pay attention to your job (but you must understand when wearing that FIRST Volunteer shirt, you personally & directly represent FIRST, and you do the best job for FIRST as an organization, that you can in performing that job....Period.
I personally enjoy the volunteer duties tremendously no matter where I am put (in any organization), but I really enjoyed that position the most so far. I was closer to most of the action than the students behind the glass. Though not the Refs or HP's.
And for a near sighted guy...It was perfect. It was a job, I was pretty sore for a week as it was also a real workout, and the nights were a lot shorter than normal, as it was virtually non-stop Wednesday afternoon, until late Saturday night when the truck pulled away w/ the field.
In the future I want to try one when not with the team also. It is fairly hard not cheering outright for the students you directly mentor...LOL. (At least I tried not to personally). So, I just cheer for them all.
