Judge Program Update
from UDE's Player Management Forums
from UDE's Player Management Forums
Mirgraed from the old forums.
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Hello everyone,
I’d like to welcome all of you to the newest addition to the forums, the Judge Program Announcements forum. For now, this will be the official means for me to get out information about the Judge Program at large.
As many of you know, I recently accepted the Judge Manager position here at Upper Deck. I’d like to discuss what I have in mind with the Judge Program and touch on a couple future goals for the program in this post. I am very excited about upcoming changes!
Forums
Among the first things that Scott Elliott and I discussed about the Judge Program, is that we must establish an online community where judges can network and interact with each other in order to continue to gain experience. Judges, who I’ve had discussions regarding the program, also echoed this sentiment. The Judge Forums launched at the end of April for all current rules specializations as well as the player management specialization. The community response to using these forums has been incredible and the forum community itself continues to grow and develop. With this recent addition of a judge announcement forum I hope to further improve communication regarding the Judge Program.
My long term goals for these forums include for the judges to not only establish a community to trade ideas and educate each other, but to take it one step further. I am seeing these forums as sort of a center for judges to log in to view announcements, check policy and even, with proper credentials, download level 2 certification tests so that they can administer them to their local candidates.
Testing process
One of the most common questions I receive is, “I took the L1 test online, how can I test for higher levels?” By the end of July I hope to formalize the processes and requirements for all higher level testing. Yu-Gi-Oh! L3 judges have already seen a rough document of this. I expect to have something posted in this forum by the end of July. In addition to that, I hope to have a few helpful documents with what to expect created so that the process is not as intimidating.
My long term goal is to distribute the work involved in testing for level 2 among higher level judges. Higher level judging will continue to be done by mostly UDE personal to ensure that only the best candidates advance, so that they in turn, certify only the best folks for level two.
Judge Card
The “when will I get my judge card?” question is probably the second most common question that I receive. It is my expectation that new and updated cards will be mailed out to active judges in the fall. In order to prepare for this, I encourage everyone to click here to update their information on file with us.
My long term goal is to establish a process, starting with this fall’s mailing, of mailing out new and updated judge cards yearly.
New tests
In addition to formalizing the progression process for judges to advance in levels, one of my goals is to have a new or an updated level 3 test for each of the rules knowledge specializations as well as the player management specializations by GenCon Indy. This means that every judge is very much encouraged to volunteer at Indy so that they can get certified. Send an email to judge@upperdeck.com about this. You can also find more info regarding specific games in their appropriate rules knowledge forums. Judge volunteer information is usually stickied in each rules specialization forum.
My long term goal is to develop fresh tests for folks that did not pass the test the first time. I understand that it’s frustrating to hear that you can not test because there is no new test available and I hope to fix that.
Sponsorship
I will continue to post all sponsorship opportunities at each specific rules specialization. These are fantastic opportunities for judges to gain experience along side some of the most talented judges in the program. In addition, most high-level testing (level 3+) will take place at these shows. Even if you don’t get selected for sponsorship, I encourage you to volunteer to go to events that are relatively close to you. The experience you gain by participating at one of the highest levels of the Organized Play is definitely worth it!
My long term goals are to double the amount of sponsorship and volunteer applications that I receive. This will allow for larger staff selection and over-all more folks attending each show. In turn, this will ensure that staff at these events has ample opportunity for training and certification.
As always, I very much appreciate feedback regarding any facet of UDE’s Judge Program. If you have suggestions or ideas, please email me at judge@upperdeck.com
Thanks,
Click here to view the full discussion Then feel free to return to discuss the announcement here.------------
Hello everyone,
I’d like to welcome all of you to the newest addition to the forums, the Judge Program Announcements forum. For now, this will be the official means for me to get out information about the Judge Program at large.
As many of you know, I recently accepted the Judge Manager position here at Upper Deck. I’d like to discuss what I have in mind with the Judge Program and touch on a couple future goals for the program in this post. I am very excited about upcoming changes!
Forums
Among the first things that Scott Elliott and I discussed about the Judge Program, is that we must establish an online community where judges can network and interact with each other in order to continue to gain experience. Judges, who I’ve had discussions regarding the program, also echoed this sentiment. The Judge Forums launched at the end of April for all current rules specializations as well as the player management specialization. The community response to using these forums has been incredible and the forum community itself continues to grow and develop. With this recent addition of a judge announcement forum I hope to further improve communication regarding the Judge Program.
My long term goals for these forums include for the judges to not only establish a community to trade ideas and educate each other, but to take it one step further. I am seeing these forums as sort of a center for judges to log in to view announcements, check policy and even, with proper credentials, download level 2 certification tests so that they can administer them to their local candidates.
Testing process
One of the most common questions I receive is, “I took the L1 test online, how can I test for higher levels?” By the end of July I hope to formalize the processes and requirements for all higher level testing. Yu-Gi-Oh! L3 judges have already seen a rough document of this. I expect to have something posted in this forum by the end of July. In addition to that, I hope to have a few helpful documents with what to expect created so that the process is not as intimidating.
My long term goal is to distribute the work involved in testing for level 2 among higher level judges. Higher level judging will continue to be done by mostly UDE personal to ensure that only the best candidates advance, so that they in turn, certify only the best folks for level two.
Judge Card
The “when will I get my judge card?” question is probably the second most common question that I receive. It is my expectation that new and updated cards will be mailed out to active judges in the fall. In order to prepare for this, I encourage everyone to click here to update their information on file with us.
My long term goal is to establish a process, starting with this fall’s mailing, of mailing out new and updated judge cards yearly.
New tests
In addition to formalizing the progression process for judges to advance in levels, one of my goals is to have a new or an updated level 3 test for each of the rules knowledge specializations as well as the player management specializations by GenCon Indy. This means that every judge is very much encouraged to volunteer at Indy so that they can get certified. Send an email to judge@upperdeck.com about this. You can also find more info regarding specific games in their appropriate rules knowledge forums. Judge volunteer information is usually stickied in each rules specialization forum.
My long term goal is to develop fresh tests for folks that did not pass the test the first time. I understand that it’s frustrating to hear that you can not test because there is no new test available and I hope to fix that.
Sponsorship
I will continue to post all sponsorship opportunities at each specific rules specialization. These are fantastic opportunities for judges to gain experience along side some of the most talented judges in the program. In addition, most high-level testing (level 3+) will take place at these shows. Even if you don’t get selected for sponsorship, I encourage you to volunteer to go to events that are relatively close to you. The experience you gain by participating at one of the highest levels of the Organized Play is definitely worth it!
My long term goals are to double the amount of sponsorship and volunteer applications that I receive. This will allow for larger staff selection and over-all more folks attending each show. In turn, this will ensure that staff at these events has ample opportunity for training and certification.
As always, I very much appreciate feedback regarding any facet of UDE’s Judge Program. If you have suggestions or ideas, please email me at judge@upperdeck.com
Thanks,