Here's an article that I wrote a while back for the Domestic Rabbits publication. It gives details on the process of hiring judges . . .
[align=center]Hiring ARBA Show Judges[/align]
[align=center]By: Pamela Nock [/align]
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When proper procedures are not followed for hiring an ARBA judge, miscommunications can result, frustrating the parties involved and leaving show secretaries in a last minute scramble to find judges. [/align]
This article reviews step by step hiring protocol and what actually comprises a contractual agreement between a judge and show committee.
Step 1: Request ARBA judges bid forms from the ARBA office. Although the use of ARBA bid forms is not mandatory, these convenient forms provide a universal bidding system which can decrease the incidence of miscommunication between the show committee and prospective judges. Phone calls, personal contact and/or emails to judges do not constitute an official contract or a clubâs official acceptance of a bid. Many judges use a filing system based on the ARBAâs triplicate colored forms, so âhomemadeâ forms or copies of emails may not be desired by all judges.
Step 2: Properly fill out the bid form and send to selected judges. If not using ARBA bid forms, be certain to include the following information:
Name of Club
Location of Show
Date(s)
Kind of Show: Open - Youth - Specialty
Space for the judge to answer and give their bid (cost of judging) and expenses.
Include the name and address of the club secretary
Step 3: Review the returned bids (the judge keeps the pink copy and returns the white and yellow copies). Judges - please be prompt on returning bid forms whether accepting or denying!
Step 4: The communication breakdown often comes at this point of confirmation to the judge from the show secretary. As noted on the ARBA judges bid form, âThis contract is NOT completed -- and judge has not guaranteed availability - until a copy (of the bid form) has been returned to the judge with authorized club representativeâs signatureâ.
It is advised that confirmation of accepted judgeâs bids be sent out immediately. The yellow bid form should be signed by the show secretary and returned to the judge. If the judge does not receive a confirmation or denial within 30 days of returning his bid, he will assume he has not been hired and will consider that date open on his calendar.
When I receive the yellow form, I staple it to the pink bid form and consider myself officially confirmed and hired for that show. As stated in the ARBA handbook âIf your club chooses not to use any of the judges you have sent bids to, you must also answer these judges and let them know they have not been selected this time.â
There have been times when a club requests an email bid or asks my availability over the phone. Most judges simply consider this an inquiry of their availability. If there is no confirmation mailed from the club, the judge can only assume he has not been hired by the show. It is imperative that a signed confirmation is sent to the judge. Sending out hotel reservation confirmations, plane tickets or a show flyer does not constitute the confirmation of a judging contract.
Also keep in mind that it is recommended a judge not judge more than 250 rabbits per day. I have seen many shows where the numbers are going far beyond that. It rushes the judges and limits their time to expound on comments about each rabbit, which may be a disappointment to the exhibitor who has traveled a long distance and paid their entry fee to hear a thorough assessment of their animal. In unforeseen circumstances of large show entries, judges should be compensated for the additional entries they have had to judge.
As an additional reminder for the judge, be certain to send him the show flyer with directions to the show and show rules. While it would seem obvious to send the judge the rules and directions to the show, there were a number of shows Iâve judged in which I was never sent a show flyer or given directions to the show.
Along with reviewing the above steps, I also recommend that show secretaries obtain a copy of the ARBA handbook which provides invaluable tips that will help to assure a successful show experience for the club, the exhibitors and the judges.
