Judge Applications Now Open!

by Richard "Trep" Treptow, District Director of Contest and Judging

 

Every three years, the Society’s judging categories (three scoring categories and contest administrator category) are open to receive applications.  Applications are now open and must be received between now and December 31, 2007.  For those interested in applying or at least investigating applying, the process, in abbreviated form, is as follows:

 

1.      An application form is submitted to the District Director of Contest & Judging (“DDCJ”) for a particular category (currently that is me, Richard Treptow. Email: RTreptow@...).

2.      Submitted with the application form must be letters of recommendation from TWO currently certified judges in the category to which you are applying.

3.      The application form requires listing five individuals who will be willing to support the application. They do not need to be judges, but should be reputable barbershoppers.

4.      Upon receipt of the application and two supporting letters, the DDCJ will contact the five designated individuals with a brief questionnaire related to the applicant's capabilities.

5.      Upon the returned receipt of the completed questionnaire, the DDCJ will then either accept the applicant or not, with a letter going to the applicant indicating what action has been taken.

6.      If the applicant is accepted by the DDCJ, all of the documents are forwarded to the applicable Category Specialist accompanied by a note from the DDCJ.

7.      The Category Specialist may request additional information after he receives the application.

8.      The Category Specialist will either approve the application or not. A letter indicating the decision will be sent to the individual, with a copy to the Society Contest & Judging Chairman, the Society office, and the DDCJ.

9.      If the person is accepted as an Applicant, the Society office will send a note to the Applicant with appropriate information.

10.  During the early part of 2008, the Category Specialist will give various assignments and written tests to the Applicant.  Upon successful completion of the tests and assignments, the Applicant may be invited by the Category Specialist to attend Applicant School, which is held just prior to Harmony University in July 2008.

11.  If Applicant School is completed successfully, the individual will be deemed a Candidate and allowed to practice as a guest judge for the next two years at Divisional and District contests under the supervision of the official certified panel.

12.  After completion of two years of practice sessions at official contests, the Candidate may be invited by the Category Specialist to Category School in July 2010.

13.  Upon successful completion of Category School in 2010, the individual may be designated a Certified Judge for a period of three years.

 

That's the process.  It takes a special person with commitment to the program to ultimately become a Certified Judge in the Society.  The individuals you will meet by becoming part of the judging program are all terrific people and you will also get the opportunity to travel to other Districts and meet more terrific barbershoppers.

 

It is important to remember that Steps 1-9, above, must be completed by the end of December of 2007 so do not delay.  In January 2008, the categories again will be closed for three years.

 

If you are interested in applying or know of someone who might make a good judge, please contact me.  I will direct the individual to someone from his chosen category to provide some specifics of what is involved in that category.  Contact me at RTreptow@....

 

You may also find complete information regarding this process in the Contest & Judging Manual, which is available in PDF form on the Society Web Site in the DOCS section.  In that manual are all of the steps necessary to become a judge in addition to the category descriptions, forms, and rules.

 

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