AGS Apprentice Judge Application

Thank you for showing interest in participating the program to become an American Gourd Society (AGS) judge through these standardized procedures and requirements.

Becoming an Apprentice Judge

Step 1:  To become an AGS Apprentice Judge ensure you are a current member of the American Gourd Society.  Please confirm that your membership is up to date to begin this process. (Your membership expiration date in on the address label are of your magazine.  
•	If you have a question about your expiration date, email AGSmembership@comcast.net
•	If you need to join or renew your membership go to www.americangourdsociety.org/join 

Step two:  Download and read the 1) AGS Judging Handbook, 2) Student’s Training Packet, and 3) AGS Judging Guidelines by Category PRIOR to attending this class. You can get all of these from the website, http://www.americangourdsociety.org/ags-judging-program.html

Step three:  Attend one of the qualified New Judge Training events held in different states. 
•	You start as an Apprentice Judge. Following completion of this class, will receive Apprentice Judge credentials, and your name will be added to the AGS list of Apprentice and Certified Judges qualified to judge AGS-sanctioned gourd competitions. 
•	There is no charge for the instruction itself. This New Judge Training seminar will familiarize you with the AGS Judging Guidelines, provide hands-on judging experience, and provide guidance in applying AGS standardized criteria. Bring a note paper & pen, a flexible ruler and a small flashlight to class as well as your reading assignments.
•	The person instructing you at that New Judge Training course will complete and submit the AGS Class Attendance spreadsheet and mail it in.  
•	You will have two (2) years to complete the additional requirements of judging or clerking at an AGS sanctioned competition and participating in a minimum of 1 continuing education event to advance to being recognized as an AGS Certified Judge.

Step four:  Complete this form and send in a check (payable to AGS) for $20 for your printed Apprentice Judge nametag and then engraved Certified Judge nametag and postage.  Please note - this is the actual cost of the two name badges.

Updating your Certification 

Have you met the requirements to move up from Apprentice Judge to become Certified Judge?  
•	AGS membership is current
•	Worked as a Judge or Clerk 1 or more times in the 2 years following New Judge Training 
•	Participated in 1 or more Continuing Education classes
•	Submitted (by email) a Judges Activity Form for each of those activities to AGSmembership@comcast.net

Examples of Continuing Education classes:
•	Mock Judging Class
•	What Judges Look For Class  
	•	Judges Refresher Class
•	Judging Category Guideline Class
	
Note: If you have changed your name or lost your name tag, please send in the check made payable to the AGS for $20 to replace your judge name tag.

AGS Certified Judge Instructor (New Judge Training class Contact person):  _________________________________	

PLEASE PRINT NEATLY!
Name (as it should appear on your nametag):
	
Address

	
Email:
	
Phone: 

Required:
  I am a current member of the American Gourd Society 

Check applicable:
  I am registering to become an Apprentice Judge

  I have enclosed a check made payable to the AGS for $20 for my personalized judge name tags 

  I agree that my contact information may be made available to potential competition planners (optional)

Individuals should follow the instructions below to mail application and check to receive their name tags, or instructors for judging certification courses can collect individual applications and checks for their class 

Send this application and check to: (If possible, please also email this form to agsmembership@comcast.net )

AGS Judge Certification
c/o American Gourd Society
PO Box 2186
Kokomo, IN 46904-2186