JUDGES/REPRESENTATIVES

These officials must be on the AWTA approved list of judges. The individual Trial Chairperson will select a Judge except when this is the Chairman’s first trial or the Chairman has previously been on suspension. In such cases the AWTA may make the appointment. The Judge, in addition to his judging assignment, will officially represent the AWTA and will submit a full report to the AWTA Trial Secretary on the Judge’s Trial Report form, within 7 days following the trial. If the Judge finds any infractions of the AWTA rules or procedures, the Trial Chairman will be held responsible for correcting the infraction and the Trustees will take disciplinary action. The Judge must refuse to allow the trial to proceed unless all AWTA rules and procedures are properly enforced.

Judges are allowed to charge for the following expenses:

1. Per mile expenses for travel to and from the trial on a direct route at the rate currently approved by the Trustees.
2. Tolls
3. Public transportation charges. This should be the most reasonable form of transportation based on time and cost factors.
4. Time missed from work (must provide verification of wages lost).
5. The Trial Chairman is to provide, at not cost to the AWTA, lodging for the judge with the chairman or a tiral committee person, at-home meals for the judge when overnight lodging is necessary, and lunch at the trial for the judge.
6. Judges must estimate their expenses when contacted about the assignment. Chairmen should then cross-check the estimation.
7. Judges are not to charge any additional fees.

Judges should hold an orientation, just prior to judging, with first-time handlers and interested spectators at the judging area to go over the rules and procedures and answer questions.Following the judging, the Judge (or someone appointed by the Judge) should hold a training clinic for novice dogs and their handlers.At any given trial all final decisions are the responsiblity of the Judge/Representative who will see that all AWTA rules are enforced.If a Judge/Representative is in violation of any AWTA rule it is the responsiblity of the Trial Chairman to report it to the Trustees withing two weeks following the trial. Any AWTA member may report to the Trustees any violations or misconduct of the Judge or Chairman within two weeks following the trial.

At the end of the trial the Judge/Representative will meet with the trial committee to discuss the operation of the trial, give an evaluation of the trial, and review in a positive manner any aspect of the trial that might be improved in the future. The Judge will count all entries and submit a full report to the AWTA Trial Secretary on the Judge’s Report form within seven days following the trial.

AWTA JUDGES APPROVAL PROCESS

OBJECTIVE: It is the objective of the AWTA Judging Approval Process to provide participants at AWTA events with judges who are well versed in conducting den trials and other sanctioned events and are experienced in hunting with working terriers and dachshunds and who can apply that experience in evaluating dogs entered under them.

Judges will be able to act as a field representative of the AWTA at events and to serve as a mentor and liaison with the Event Chair and Secretary.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING: When, according to the Applicant’s records, they have met the requirements, he or she shall submit a request in writing to the Trial Secretary requesting approval as an AWTA Judge. If the Trial Secretary finds the letter to be in order, it will be forwarded to the Trustees.
Minimum requirements:

1. At least five years of verifiable experience in hunting with working terriers and/or Dachshunds in the field against natural quarry.
2. The attainment of a Working Certificate issued by the AWTA to a dog owned and handled by the Applicant.
3. At least two consecutive years of membership in the AWTA.
4. Recommendation by two AWTA members in good standing who are not residents of the same household.
5. Possess the physical ability to carry out a judging assignment.
6. Serve as an Apprentice Judge in two AWTA events under two different approved judges who have held that status for at least three years and obtain a favorable report from these judges on the Apprentice Judge’s performance. The Trustees may, at their discretion, approve an applicant who has served as an Apprentice only once.

In addition, the Applicant should have at least two of the following additional qualifications:

1. Serve as an Event Chair or Event Secretary at an AWTA event or demonstrate by other means an in-depth knowledge of event administration, record keeping and reporting.
2. Judging approval from another organization recognized by AWTA that sponsors similar events.
3. Significant experience as a handler at working terrier/Dachshund events, verifiable through titles and/or certificates earned.
4. Documented experience with the working characteristics of multiple breeds of dogs eligible to compete at AWTA events. Such experience need not include ownership of those breeds.
5. Participate in an interview with a Trustee or other person designated by the Trustees regarding the Applicant’s knowledge of AWTA Rules.

FINAL APPROVAL:
A unanimous vote of the Trustees is required for final approval. Thereafter the Applicant will be notified of such acceptance and their name along with their contact information will be added to the list of judges that is published in Down To Earth.