What follows is a list of suggested best practices for MQs, I.E. "Master Qs", I.E. "Site Qs" in F3 Lake Norman. Some of the focus is admittedly Huntersville / Cornelius, but other sub-regions in LKN can refer to this as well.
We recognize that we don't always formally train new MQs. This is an attempt to at least level set some MQ best practices. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your 1st F Q.
General and Continuous Best Practice Suggestions for MQs:
- Encourage quality and diverse workouts at your AOs (Area of Operations)
- Some best practices for filling up the Q calendar for your AO include:
- 1) Ensure it is tracked somewhere. The website calendar is HIGHLY encouraged so that all Pax can see it.
2) After you work out with someone a few times, follow him on Twitter. He will most likely follow you back! And, he becomes someone you can ask to Q at your AO.
3a) Unfortunately, the Q calendar doesn't typically fill itself, you will need to directly ask Pax to Q…
3b) …the good news is there is no shortage of willing Qs in LKN! You just have to ask!
4) An effective way to ask is over Twitter DM. For example: "Hi [Pax Name]. Curious if you can Q at [AO Name]. The following 2 dates are open: X and Y. Please let me know".
5) Typically, they will agree or suggest another date where they can Q.
6) Rinse and repeat ^. From personal experience, this works best when you have the next 3-4 weeks already filled; and are asking about dates after that. Some prefer to fill the calendar even further in advance, that comes down to personal preference. - Be prepared to Q in an emergency, I.E. if your scheduled Q cannot make it.
- It is perfectly reasonable to ask any Pax to Q once a year at your AO. There are enough Pax so that you shouldn't have to ask anyone to Q more often than that.
- Do not feel like you can only ask the "regulars" at your AO to Q. Anyone in your sub-region can Q at any AO in your sub-region. And, most Pax would consider it an honor to be asked to Q somewhere! Note: There may be exceptions here, I.E. some Pax may not be comfortable leading an all running workout.
- Other helpful tips to increase excitement about your AO:
1) Sometimes it is helpful for attendance purposes to announce at COT who has the Q the following week, just to plant a seed in the Pax heads about returning for that workout.
2) Tagging some of your regulars on the preblast always seems to help reel some of those guys in, too.
3) Never seems to hurt to try to add something unique to your workout, too, whether it is doing a particular WIB once per month (a la the Horseshoe, the Wilderness' first Thursday Challenge, the new "Samson Suicides" monthly WIB, etc.) or Night Ranger tacos/beer/whatever. Get creative and find something to reel in guys who are looking for a "workout plus."
4) Selling your workouts after the fact can also be helpful. Get the post workout chatter going on Twitter and give the pax who FS'd some FOMO so they'll get their butts out of bed next time.
Additional Best Practices BEFORE each workout:
- Ensure any changes to workout location or time are wll communicated, ideally as far in advance as possible.
- Encourage high attendance for any VQs (Virgin Qs, I.E. First Time Qs) at your AO. I.E. via "extra retweets", COT mentions in advance, etc.
- Double check with your scheduled Qs in advance to ensure they will still Q (I.E. haven't forgot!) It is recommended to do this 2 days in advance, so that if they are unable; the MQ has time to find a replacement.
- Encourage your Q to Tweet a "Preblast" the day before their scheduled workout. The proper mechanics include using @f3LKN and the hashtag #PB. They should also include the hashtag #[AOName] as well as start time and location. It is recommended you follow up with your Q if you don't see a Preblast Tweet, say by 2 PM EST the day prior. (For a night workout, the timing would vary but the concept is the same)
Additional Best Practices DURING and AFTER each workout:
The usual workout etiquette and best practices should be followed, including:
- Ensure each Q gives a proper disclaimer.
- Ensure the Q has the safety of the Pax in mind, I.E.: Pax are well lit if running on roads, someone looks out for the 6, careful of uneven terrain and icy conditions, etc.
- Ensure each workout ends with a COT (Circle of Trust).
- Ensure your Q writes a Backblast. (And as MQ, comment on them!) If you don't see a Backblast written by the end of the day, follow up with your Q the next day and offer help if needed. The proper mechanics include using @f3LKN and the hashtag #BB, with hashtag #[AOName] and a link to the backblast.
- Note: We recognize not every sub-region or AO utilizes backblasts. The point of this pre-blast is definately NOT to debate backblasts, so please take into consideration that this is intended primarily for the Huntersville / Cornelius AOs; the majority of which utilize backblasts.
Thank you to the following MQs, current and former, who kindly offered suggestions on the above:
- The Force
- Turncoat
- Swing State
- Don Ho
- Crocs
- Apologies if I left anyone out.
Suggestions and comments welcome.
Thanks,
Turnpike (A former 1st F Q for Huntersville / Cornelius – circa 2018)