I have been a student judge with the Australian Orchid Council for about 2.5 years now. We have a system where you start as a student judge (normally about 2 years) and then go to Associate Judge (3 years) and then Judge.

Well they didn't promote me at the annual general meeting last night.

To say I was upset was an understatement........I quit the judging group and told them I won't be back.

When I asked why they just said "we're not promoting anyone this year" but didn't really say why.

Oh well.

((SIGH))

:therethere: I am sorry to hear that. We need young people to take up the reigns of the aging orchid community.

Indeed, Tadd, indeed.
A common thread here is that society members tend to be older. They're missing the boat in you're neck of the woods, if you ask me.
One of the things I have noticed in my short stint at NHOS is that we have a pretty variable age representation. But I am still one of the youngest, and I'm 33! (come on give me 24 more hours...)

At any rate, very sorry to hear, not only your disappointment, but your discouragement with an orchid society. I'm sure you are very frustrated. :?

Bummer!

Sorry to hear that.
I've always been good friends with my local judges and constantly "reminded" to join the group, but always found a reason not to be able to join. Seems too much like work to me I guess, and I've always been the kind of person that finds the easiest way to get burned out from a hobby is to do it for a living.
We do have a VERY friendly group of judges here, and I think they are that way because when they started, judges were like the ones you mentioned, and they wanted to start a new center to get away from that kind of judging. They've told me a lot of stories much like you told or worse, but they are not all like that...I hope you find a good one.

Jon

Jon, you must be in the Cincinnati center. From what I have experienced, they indeed are a great bunch.

Bolero, please don't be discouraged or quit. It was indeed a disappointing blow, but apparently it was not directed at you personally. Human nature is sometimes strange, apparently no matter what part of the world you live in.

That is sorry to hear that, Bolero. Your organization does not know what they are missing! Also, they certainly gave a poor answer.

Perhaps there are other organizations in your area that you can join? (I don't know how it works.)

Bolero

That's got to be a pain -

Another year of not being obliged to attend orchid shows anything up to 200 kilometres away for little or no pay. Man I feel for you :evil:

Seriously - don't quit unnecessarily - EDOS has two (count them) just two qualified judges who are members. S E Qld apparently has a fair number but it's not considered "fair" to tap in to them. Stay in the game please mate.

Cheers
Stephan

I say start your own orchid society! That way you get to decide what plants get awarded and can make a fair judging system. Plus, you can declare war on the old society and force them to pay tribute to you.

As for me, orchid societies are scary. I'm 23 and so far have felt extremely out of place at the two paph forums I have attended.

--Stephen

That is disappointing, especially after such a long time in training

It's weird not being the youngest one here, I still remember my first judging at about 15 and must say it was a VERY positive experience. You're right phragfan, it is the Cinci judging I'm talking about, and one judge in particular was really wanting me to join then and I'd only been growing orchids for a couple of years.

Our local society and judging center are the main reasons I've stuck with this hobby so long There's a lot of great people in this field and it's a shame it's not that way at all societies. Orchid people have got to be some of the best people I've ever known, so hopefully there's another society reasonalby near you with more to offer. And if it's just one or two people causing problems, maybe you could split off and start your own center.

Jon

errr, would it be nortie to ask which soc it is so I don't join them....

for whatever it's worth, remember that you're still young and have plenty of time to have your chance to become a wonderful fully fledged judge... so bide your time... and then take over the world.. bwahahahahahhah :evil:

cheers
tim

Don't worry, it's in Victoria.

Where I was the ONLY student judge until last night.

;-)

Don't worry, it's in Victoria.

Where I was the ONLY student judge until last night.

;-)

errr... were those judges were living up to the name Victoria Bitter! hehehhe

sounds like u need to move north... with the better Paph growing conditions!!!


cheers
tim

I would but the best paph and phrag growers in Australia live about 20kms from here...........;-)

Ouch! That stinks. At my orchid society there are mostly older people, there are about 5 people that are in their 30s or younger. I think it's very important for any organization to see the big picture and protect their future by enabling younger people to step up to the plate. The younger the better, because when you are their age, you will have even MORE experience. It is sad they would cut off their own nose...

Apparently there are others unhappy with the decision not to promote me and they are arguing for my promotion.

I have resigned but if they change their decision I will go back.

It's looking a little bit more promising anyway......... :mad:

At least you have some back up!
Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

That is disappointing news Bolero, but I'd hang in there if you haven't burnt the bridges too bad. I have run into some judges that were in training for quite a long time too for various reasons. Also as noted several times, there is getting to be a big age gap in the jusdging ranks, and new judges are needed.

Why should you go back? To invest more time some they can get you and hit you the next time? I think you were given a sampling of the pain and actions you will be suffering from now on. So why the grief? Go with your instincts. Do not go back.

Caminante se hace camino al andar.

If this is a national suitation -then we are going backwards .How do you keep the quality of awards if Student judges aren't encouraged to go foward ? so sorry to hear I too am dissapointed ?
Billie

hmmm... yes, what a pity! And what incentive does that give to others to try and join and help and contribute...

although, I wonder what the other centers around Oz are doing... will have to check on that...

cheers
tim

Too many states very .In 1997-8? The A O C made Judinging Panels Autonomous.They can not be attached to Societies or State STROS (State & Terr.Regional orchid Societies.) only the A.O.C.-through the State' or Terr s Register of their own state or terr. Judging panel . Billie

That's true, they are autonomous.

;-)

Even though I have people on my side at the moment I don't think the decision will change otherwise I would have heard by now I think. Oh well.

Note also - OSCOV may in time actually take over judging in this state, they aren't affiliated with the AOC unfortunately so I don't know what will happen to the AOC Judges if they do take over all judging here.

oooh.... just love this political haggling :poke:

however, if there is another group who also do judging in Vic, and you are able to go through their process and learn as you were doing with the other group, then all the better for you...

cheers
tim

A question to all judges...Australian, AOS or otherwise..

What got you in to judging?


It is clear is not the pay :wink: , ther requirements in time spent and preparation are a pain , the politics of promotion can be frustrating ( and I am generous here) and at the end the work you do is , many times misunderstood and worst not appreciated by a number of your orchidists peers.

So again, the question begs... Why?

The reason I got into was to gain a better understanding of what constitues a "good" flower.......to learn more about their culture and growing requirements and also as a social experience.

Judging panels have a wide mix of strong personalities and it's interesting spending time with experienced judging and gaining their insight into different plants and how to judge them.......how they should look and how they should be grown.

I must admit I learnt a lot about culture that might have taken me years longer to gain, especially about plant types I don't grow.

Darren

P.S. Having access to the sales bench plants before the general public was also a bonus........lol

P.S. Having access to the sales bench plants before the general public was also a bonus........lol

Okies we hav an honest one :twisted:

Let me play the devil's advotate (again)

So I take it that your experience has been that those in the Judging community have more knowledge regarding culture , a better sense of aesthetics regarding form, color and quality than those outside the judging community and you joined the judging community to learn more????

Is this true for all other judges?

I am an AOS judge, and was encouraged to join as a student several years ago by other judges that had noted my interest in the judging system and my knowledge of certain genera. I had been the president of the local orchid society for 3 years, and being of a curious nature, I sought out more knowledgeable people to learn from. My interest in the judging system derived from the thirst for knowledge, and the more time in the system, the more your realize you don't know.

Some judges are quite expert in their specific area, some are great growers, some have great ability to discern quality and some are politicians. Many are good in all of these qualities, and all are very devoted to their service as judges. Our region covers a very large geographic region and a LOT of traveling to shows and the monthly judgings. There is a high level of commitment.
For the most part, these are people of character and ethics; if they were not, they should be purged from the system.

Our region is always interested in qualified and interested students. So, if you are interested, please let us know.

:Party:

Hi guys,

The end result has been that there was some confusion over the time I've served. I received a call a couple of days ago and they have changed their decision not to promote me.

Therefore I am now an associate judge. 3 years to go........

I'm happy now.......I guess I was a bit anxious about it all.

Thanks for listening.

Darren

Congratulations, Darren! :clap:

That's great, I'm happy things were resolved in your favor. Congratulations and good luck with the next three years!

Good for you Dareen. You wanted something and went after it. Congratulations!!

That's great Darren. Congratulations!

Awesome D!

Congratulations! :clap2:

I just happened upon this thread. Not being promoted when you deserved to be was pretty tough and I don't blame you one bit for quiting. It's impossible in a situation like that to not take it personally.

It's great that things worked out the way you preferred. However, I can just imagine the disappointment and humiliation that you must've felt when you were not promoted. So, apparently there was some confusion about the length of time that you've trained as a student. That confusion should NOT have happened. It created some hard feelings and embarrasment. Did you at least receive an appology from the person or persons who were responsible for not keeping the records up to date? Somebody owes you a heartfelt appology for putting you through that!