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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><EM>CONGRATULATIONS
DON!</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></EM></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For those of you who may not know - Don earned this
honor through a <EM>great deal of hard work</EM>, not politics. I
originally ask Don to serve on the NSRCA Judges Committee, as I recognized
him as dedicated to the rules, sincere in understanding the details, and willing
to work for continued excellence. Since that time he has exceeded expectations.
He takes of his time to conduct judge cert classes, including at the Nats when
he could be practicing. My only regret is that I fly in front of him at most
contests that I attend and nothing get by him - he's too darn
accurate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For the nay-sayers. Yes, Don kept in touch with the
folks that developed the judges rating system and offered suggestions for making
it equitable. Gee - don't we all want a fair system? Isn't it reasonable that
the person with the most dedication to judging would do well, even if
they are aware of the system? Understand also that, while representing
one's country as a WC Judge is an honor - it's not easy and it's not free.
The preparation is intense and the work load is similar to judging all rounds at
a Nats. Yes - the WC organizers provide some travel expenses, housing (2 judges
per room), and a per diem, but it doesn't cover actual expenses. As I recall,
when I judged the WC in 1999 the NSRCA did pay me $30/day also, the same as for
the Nats. Those were the only funds provided by NSRCA - the rest came from the
host (AMA in my case.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Also - the French organizers for the 2005 WC
requested résumé's from the folks on the official FAI Judges list, which was put
in place earlier (late 2003 or early 2004) and is the official list for 2004 -
2005. That list includes me, Bob Noll, Don, Matt Kebabjian, and Roy Speights.
This list precedes the NSRCA rankings update after the 2004 Nats. The organizers
reviewed the résumé's and the <EM><U>current NSRCA data</U></EM> and made their
choice. Anyone on the list is capable of doing an excellent job, but Don
currently has the best performance records and the organizers recognized this.
This illustrates respect for the NSRCA worldwide and is good for USA
pattern.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So - again - congratulations to Don.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl Haury</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>NSRCA 191</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>USA WC Judge 1999</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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