WGI and the Local Judging Communities
by Shirlee Whitcomb
WGI supports the local judging associations as the foundation for the recruitment and training of judges. From the pool of well trained and experienced local judges, individuals who aspire to adjudicate at an International level may make application to WGI for consideration.
While WGI will create educational materials, provide clinics and serve as a resource to local associations, it is not their priority to do the actual training for new aspiring judges. WGI focus must be on those individuals whose experience qualifies them for adjudication at the international level.
WGI encourages the WGI judges to carry back their enriched knowledge to their local association.
WGI judges are required to serve the local guards by adjudicating a minimum of 3 local shows, and must have membership in a bonafide judging association who fulfills the following requirements.
Bonafide Association Requirements
A judging association may become bonafide by WGI providing they fulfill the following:
Exist for two years as a stable adjudication association who utilizes the WGI scoring system.
Maintain ongoing judge training
Associations must be prepared to provide WGI with the names of their educational clinicians, the topics of education & the dates and times for their training sessions.
Associations must be prepared to provide WGI with the names of the adjudicators who participated in the training program.
Provide judges for 6 color guard competitions
Application for WGI Judging Consideration
Individuals wishing to apply for WGI status should apply to the Education Director, submit their pageantry resume and 2 letters of recommendation from units or other judges.
Upon request, the applicant should be prepared to submit samples of taped observations and numbers application. These can be from the current year or from the prior season.
The applicant will be evaluated and recommended for one or more of the following steps:
- Gain greater in-depth knowledge of the caption through the home study process.
- Attend Educational clinics/programs as may be appropriate.
- Do a series of assigned trials at local shows and/or at WGI Regionals.
Within this process, the Education Director will offer ongoing feedback to assist the individual in their development. Upon completion of this process, the applicant will be reviewed by both the Education Director and the Task Force. Within the process, the applicant should expect to be interviewed either in person or by telephone by a member of the task force or a designated individual representing WGI.
The position of WGI judge is like any other job to which one applies. Invitation to join WGI will be based on the following:
- WGI's personnel needs within each specific caption
- Competence and experience level of the applicant
- Professionalism, communication skills, and ethics of the applicant
All individuals might not be invited to join the WGI ranks even though they successfully complete the trialing process. This does not reflect on their knowledge or application, but on the specific needs of the Organization at the time of employment consideration. Individuals not hired should take their enriched knowledge back to their local associations and continue their much needed contribution to the local guards. They may reapply for consideration in the future and should the WGI Caption needs change may be considered.
