BIRDKEEPING AT ITS BEST
FBA
© 2008 The Foreign Bird Association
© 2008 All bird photos – Colin Smale
IN THE FOREIGN SECTION
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE
The Foreign Bird Association requires its Judges to be experienced exhibitors, keepers and breeders and to be committed to aviculture by way of service to their local and area clubs.
Applicants to the Judges Panel are asked to supply all relevant facts regarding their birdkeeping activities. They are also asked to supply two references from Judges on our Panel. These referees are then asked some searching questions and, unless they are well acquainted with the applicant, they will be unable to answer them – this is the largest cause of failure with applicants. They should ensure that the Judges they give as a reference know exactly how good they are.
When the references and applications are all in they are then summarised.
Each candidates details are listed, including their references, but the names and addresses of the referees and applicants are omitted. This avoids any bias.
The Co-ordinator then appoints a subcommittee of five from members of the General Committee and these are different every year. Only he knows who will be sitting.
Each member scores independently, without discussion.
Over the years this system has worked very well. The fact that applicants who have applied more than once, have increased their scores each year, depending on how their knowledge, etc., has increased, proves that the system works.
It is recommended that any would-be applicants start making arrangements with their intended referees as soon as possible so that they can give a honest reference when asked.
Those who are successful are informed by the Co-ordinator and their names are printed in the following issue of Beak & Claw.
Those that are unsuccessful are also notified but only they and the
Co-ordinator knows their identity.
Application forms are only available from the
Judges’ Co-ordinator .
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE
The Foreign Bird Association requires its Judges to be experienced exhibitors, keepers and breeders and to be committed to aviculture by way of service to their local and area clubs.
Applicants to the Judges Panel are asked to supply all relevant facts regarding their birdkeeping activities. They are also asked to supply two references from Judges on our Panel. These referees are then asked some searching questions and, unless they are well acquainted with the applicant, they will be unable to answer them – this is the largest cause of failure with applicants. They should ensure that the Judges they give as a reference know exactly how good they are.
When the references and applications are all in they are then summarised.
Each candidates details are listed, including their references, but the names and addresses of the referees and applicants are omitted. This avoids any bias.
The Co-
Over the years this system has worked very well. The fact that applicants who have applied more than once, have increased their scores each year, depending on how their knowledge, etc., has increased, proves that the system works.
It is recommended that any would-
Those that are unsuccessful are also notified but only they and the
Co-
Judges’ Co-
