The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) continues to seek new exhibit judges.
In Canada, qualified individuals can apprentice to become a judge at the local, regional or national levels. Each apprenticeship session “carries increasing emphasis on certain areas of expertise, skill and performance,” according to the RPSC’s apprentice evaluation form.
“The first two apprenticeships are mentoring opportunities for you and the jury to assist the apprentice in areas of obvious weakness,” reads the form. “The third apprenticeship allows the apprentice to demonstrate his/her abilities to perform as an accredited judge in an unbiased and efficient manner.”
The head judge working alongside an apprentice at an exhibition is asked to rate their skills across three categories, including knowledge, communication and teamwork, on the evaluation form.
Some of the aspects highlighted across the three areas include:
- judging fundamentals (“How well does apprentice show an understanding of how to apply fundamentals to judging?”);
- deliberations (“How did apprentice communicate effectively with jury?”); and
- freedom from bias (“Is the apprentice free from bias towards any philatelic area or type of exhibit?”).
The head judge is also encouraged to provide written comments on the apprentice for the judging and exhibiting committee chair, who receives the forms.
Joel Weiner currently oversees the RPSC’s judges accreditation program as its chair, a position which includes an ex-officio and non-voting membership in the U.S.-based Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges.
The RPSC currently accredits six international judges, including Sam Chiu, Cimon Morin, Ed Kroft, James Taylor, John McEntyre and Charles Verge. The society also accredits another roughly 40 national and regional judges.
There are currently 10 national apprentices plus six regional apprentices, but RPSC officials are hoping to grow those numbers over the next year.
“We judge exhibits in this society, and we can’t do it without a capable judging accoutrement,” RPSC President Ed Kroft said this June.
Anyone interested in becoming a judge is invited to contact Weiner at joel.weiner@ualberta.ca.