HOW CAN I GET INTO
THE JUDGING PROGRAM?
by Joyce Irwin

As chairperson of the Judges' Executive Council, the question I am most often asked is, "how can I get into the Judging program?" There are, as one might assume, prerequisites. Many members who aspire to become ACFA championship judges have already fulfilled some of them. An application must be made through the JEC chair, to the Board of Directors, and must be submitted at least 60 days prior to either the semi-annual (February) or the annual (August) meetings. Only applications showing all requirements completed can be considered.

Applicant requirements are as follows:

{1] Be a member of ACFA in good standing for at least the last three consecutive years.

{2] Have an ACFA registered cattery.

{3} Have exhibited in championship classes, or purebred kittens, in a minimum of 12 ACFA shows within the past 36 months. (A show, for the purpose of this rule, shall be a weekend, whether it is a one-day or a back-to-back show.)

{4} Hold a current ACFA clerking license.

{5] Have served as master clerk for at least two ACFA shows {same definition as in # 3}

{6} Have PERSONALLY exhibited five or more cats to Grand Championship status in ACFA shows, at least three of which must have been the applicant's own breeding.

{7] Have been breeding and exhibiting for a minimum of five years at the time of application.

{8} Have attended an ACFA judging school or approved breeders' seminar within the 12 months prior to application.

Once an applicant is approved by the Board in convened session, his/her training begins under the direction of the training co-ordinator, always a member of the Judges' Executive Council.