The Beesley Animal Foundation is helping find volunteers for the USDAA Dog Agility event in Murfreesboro this October. The dates for the dog agility show are Wednesday October 25-Sunday October 29, 2017 at the Miller Colliseum.
Volunteers will get on the job training, a volunteer t-shirt, event pin (everyone) and a meal voucher if working four or more hours. Shifts will be approximately 4 hours from 8-12 and 12-4. If interested in volunteering, please email Katie Peachey at marketing@beesleyfoundation.com.
Some of the volunteer opportunities available:
Gate Steward
The gate steward is tasked with maintaining a constant and orderly flow of exhibitors into and out of the ring.
Before going to ring:
Pick up running order list and pen from Score Table. (Or they might already be posted at ringside.)
Pick up running order list and pen from Score Table. (Or they might already be posted at ringside.)
At the Ring:
Keeping three exhibitors ready to go at all times By keeping at three exhibitors ready, the gate steward can keep a steady flow of exhibitors into and out of the ring. If an exhibitor cannot be located, there is sufficient time to communicate this to the scribe without holding up ring operations.
Keeping three exhibitors ready to go at all times By keeping at three exhibitors ready, the gate steward can keep a steady flow of exhibitors into and out of the ring. If an exhibitor cannot be located, there is sufficient time to communicate this to the scribe without holding up ring operations.
Verifying running order between classes or when the jump height is being changed, verify the running order with the scribe. This means checking the order of the scribe sheets with the running order in the gate steward's catalog.
Sending exhibitors to the start line The judge advises the gate steward at what point during a dog's round the next dog and handler should be sent to the start line. By properly coordinating this, the amount of idle time between dogs is kept to a minimum.
Sending exhibitors to the start line The judge advises the gate steward at what point during a dog's round the next dog and handler should be sent to the start line. By properly coordinating this, the amount of idle time between dogs is kept to a minimum.
Direct the exhibitor where to leave leashes and collars prior to starting their performance. The leash and collar should be positioned at the exit gate or other area designated by the judge.
Between classes or when the jump height is being changed, verify the running order with the gate steward. This means checking the order of the scribe sheets with the running order in the gate steward's catalog.
Scribe
The scribe is the "right hand" of the judge. The scribe's responsibility is to record on the scribe sheet all penalties signaled by the judge and to record the time measured by the timekeeper.
Restrictions: The scribe cannot be entered in the class being judged and, because he or she must watch the judge's every call, cannot be burdened with any other task while the class is being conducted.
Before the first dog: Get pen and clipboard with first dog's scribe sheet from the Assistant Scribe.
It is critical that a scribe watch the judge and not the dog. While a scribe may see a majority of the faults that are incurred, a fault is not a fault unless the judge calls it.
Example: What appears from a distance to be a missed contact may in fact be a claw of one paw on a contact zone, which is all it takes to avoid penalty.
It is critical that a scribe watch the judge and not the dog. While a scribe may see a majority of the faults that are incurred, a fault is not a fault unless the judge calls it.
Example: What appears from a distance to be a missed contact may in fact be a claw of one paw on a contact zone, which is all it takes to avoid penalty.
Recording the judge's signals
Judges are instructed to use a standard set of signals. The signals and the scribe sheet entry are show below:
raised open hand Standard fault S
raised closed fist Refusal R
whistle or hand signal designated by Judge Elimination E
Judges are instructed to use a standard set of signals. The signals and the scribe sheet entry are show below:
raised open hand Standard fault S
raised closed fist Refusal R
whistle or hand signal designated by Judge Elimination E
The time is obtained from the timekeeper at the end of each round. The time is recorded on the scribe sheet exactly as it appears on the clock (the digital time).
There are designated areas on the scribe sheet for each item to be recorded.
Note: Snooker and Gamblers have specially designed scribe sheets.
Several things are considered when deciding on the position of the scribe. The scribe should be in position to see the judge at all times since the judge will be mobile during the course round Note: In some cases, the scribe may need to be mobile. Also, be in position to hear the judge in the nonstandard classes where the judge calls points, be in close proximity to the timekeeper for recording of the time.
not interfere with the running of exhibitor or dog
There are designated areas on the scribe sheet for each item to be recorded.
Note: Snooker and Gamblers have specially designed scribe sheets.
Several things are considered when deciding on the position of the scribe. The scribe should be in position to see the judge at all times since the judge will be mobile during the course round Note: In some cases, the scribe may need to be mobile. Also, be in position to hear the judge in the nonstandard classes where the judge calls points, be in close proximity to the timekeeper for recording of the time.
not interfere with the running of exhibitor or dog
As each dog enters the ring, the scribe verifies with the handler that the correct entry number is logged on the scribe sheet.
Between classes or when the jump height is being changed, verify the running order with the gate steward. This means checking the order of the scribe sheets with the running order in the gate steward's catalog.
Scorekeeper completes scribe sheet The scribe's function is to record the judge's signals and the performance time only. The scorekeeper completes the scribe sheet by converting the digital time to seconds, and totaling the faults.
Give the Scribe the correct scribe sheet for the next dog and write down the previous dog's stopwatch time.
Before going to ring Pick up two small clipboards, scribe sheets, and two pens from Score Table.
Before going to ring Pick up two small clipboards, scribe sheets, and two pens from Score Table.
As the first dog starts, place the first dog's scribe sheet onto a clipboard and give it to the Scribe. As each dog finishes, take the clipboard with scribe sheet from the Scribe and hand over the next scribe sheet on the second clipboard.
With a two-stopwatch system, also take the stopwatch from the Timer at the end of the run, return a second zeroed stopwatch to the Timer to start the next dog, record the time on the scribe sheet, and reset the watch. This job is critical for ensuring that the Scribe writes scores on the correct scribe sheet, as there are often changes in the running order at the last minute or even during the class.
Marking Sheets for Scratched Runners-When a dog has scratched a run, mark the scribe sheet "Scratched" and give it to the Runner immediately so that the Score Table knows the dog is not there.
Timekeeper
The Timekeeper accurately records the time for each dog's performance and controls the start of each performance.
Recommendation: The timekeeper should be proficient in the use of a stop watch. The timekeeper should not be changed during the course of a class.
Before going to ring:
Recommendation: The timekeeper should be proficient in the use of a stop watch. The timekeeper should not be changed during the course of a class.
Before going to ring:
Understand what defines the start and finish lines. Typically two traffic-style cones or stakes are used to define the start and finish lines. The line is continuous and runs beyond the markers; thus, the dog need not pass between the markets for the time to stop.
Start and stop the clock. The clock is started when the dog's chest crosses the start line. The clock is stopped when any part of the dog crosses the finish line.
Read the stopwatch in minutes and seconds, digit by digit. Read the time to the scribe digit by digit. Example: 1:14:30 is "one minute, fourteen and thirty one-hundredths"
Check the watch immediately after each dog starts. After the dog's round has begun, check the watch to be sure it is operating properly. If the clock did not begin, blow a whistle immediately to declare a false start.
Advise the handler when to begin The judge indicates to the timekeeper when everything is ready for the run to begin. At that time, the timekeeper instructs the exhibitor "You may begin when ready."
Rules
Do not stop the clock for any reason during the round other than under the direction of the judge. Example: If the dog creeps forward across the line before the handler is ready, the timekeeper starts the clock and lets it continue to run unless otherwise directed by the judge. If the handler returns to the start line to restart and the judge has not directed a restart, the timekeeper advises the handler that "Time is running."
Do not stop the clock for any reason during the round other than under the direction of the judge. Example: If the dog creeps forward across the line before the handler is ready, the timekeeper starts the clock and lets it continue to run unless otherwise directed by the judge. If the handler returns to the start line to restart and the judge has not directed a restart, the timekeeper advises the handler that "Time is running."
Do not advise a handler who is walking away that the dog has crept forward, or otherwise draw the handler's attention to the dog's movement.
Do not convert the time into total seconds. This is the function of the scorekeeper.
Score Table
Adds up marks made by Scribe and write them on the master score sheet.
Take the scribe sheet from the Runner, compute how much (if at all) the dog exceeded course time using a calculator, add up the faults (they are all multiples of 5), and determine whether the run qualifies (for example, has five or fewer faults). At the end of each jump height, determine first, second, third, and fourth places.
There are always at least two people at the score table to double-check each other (three for jumpers classes), and there is always at least one experienced score table person to give instructions and answer questions.
Sometimes a third person can copy scores from the master score sheets to the posted score sheets to make results available more quickly for competitors.
Runner
Takes scribe sheet from Assistant Scribe to Score Table. Runners usually take sheets from the Assistant Scribe to the Score Table one at a time. Might require a bit of walking (probably not running)
Leash Runner
Takes leashes from start line to finish line. This is a very easy job often filled by children. However, you should be as invisible as possible to the handler at the start; don't demand the leash or crowd the dog in anticipation of the removal of the leash.
