Re: Subject: Re: AIS: Symposium/soap box #9

Glenn Grigg wrote:
> 
> Jerry Snyder stated that AIS members should become judges and "be of service
> to the Society". 

I believe I said "become an asset to your region," and really meant
"become a greater asset to your region," but your restatement is close
enough.

(BTW, you have so many G's in you name--can't I have just one? -- Gerry 
:)

> Jerry: I am no longer a AIS Judge as some 10 years ago
> after a bad experience judging a flower show (ethics of show officials), I
> dropped my judgeship.

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. Although I expected to be
interested only in garden judging myself, I have now judged a little
over a dozen shows and have thoroughly enjoyed each experience, and
learned from it.

> If AIS had allowed me to continue to be just a garden judge, I would still
> be "jumping through the hoops" as you stated. However my blood pressure
> could no longer stand the pressure that some local clubs place on judges
> just so they can win a few ribbons!

That pressure is clearly wrong, but fixing it would not be simple. I
suspect few would choose to be "show-only" judges under those
circumstances.

> 
> I think that garden judging is so much more important than show judging that
> a seperate catagory should be established for those who want no part of the
> show mindset. It is far more important to assist hybridizers in the
> selection of trully unique flowers for introduction than to award ribbons to
> each other!

I agree with your point more than a little. The following is not arguing
with you, but just showing the other side. Shows are important. Many
people get hooked on irises from seeing a show. Some show entrants would
not bother, or would not do nearly so much, if it weren't for the chance
of winning ribbons, medals, etc. Therefore shows are better because they
are judged (at least to some extent in some places. I know well that
there are some advantages to non-judged ones.) Better shows have a
better chance of attracting new irisarians.

So to me, ultimately, show judging is for the public, not for the
entrants.

> 
> As to the "hoops" the process of becoming and maintaining a judgeship is
> much too complicated. Our Region, as are most, is so far below the allowed
> number of judges that we all should be trying to simplify the process to
> gain judges!

I fully agree. Specific suggestions are welcome. I have already got the
board to make one small improvement. It used to be required that a
prospective judge had to take the Awards and Ballots JT as an apprentice
in order to advance. More than one apprentice, even though having taken
A&B while a student, has had to wait one or two years beyond meeting all
other requirements to become a judge. Now A&B counts if taken by a
student or an apprentice.

As to your other point, you are not the only one preferring separation
of show judging and garden judging. But I have no idea what percentage
would rather maintain the status quo. Tough problem.

Gerry, with both feet and my left hand stuck in the tar baby.
-- 
g*@attbi.com
Gerry Snyder, AIS Symposium Chair and Director, Region 15 RVP
in warm, winterless Los Angeles--zone 9b-ish, Sunset 18-19

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Will You Find True Love?
Will You Meet the One?
Free Love Reading by phone!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/7dY7FD/R_ZEAA/Ey.GAA/2gGylB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index