MAC is a volunteer organization, and
relies heavily on the enthusiastic participation of its membership,
both in the day to day administration of the club, and the more
event-oriented activity of putting on an agility trial. Both members
and non-members are welcome to volunteer at trials. Sometimes
people hesitate to become involved because they don't have a sense of
what is entailed in a particular job. Our friends at the Bay Team
Agility Club in San Francisco have done a very good job of summarizing
the specific tasks that are part of putting on an Agility Trial. We've
borrowed from their work below, and would encourage you to visit
their website.
Course Builder
Summary:
Move obstacles between rounds as directed by the Chief Course Builder.
Help move equipment between classes to set the
course for the next class. Requires more brawn than brains. You must be
aware of when each class ends so the new course can be set quickly.
Efficiency in course building can significantly affect how late a show
goes. Generally, the Chief Course Builder (and then the Judge during
final "tweaking") provides instruction about what pieces of equipment
are needed and where to place them.
Gate Steward
Summary:
Make sure dogs and handlers are ready at start line.
Armed with a running order, call out the names of
handlers and dogs to make sure they are present and aware of when they
will be going into the ring. You must not be too shy for this job as it
can require shouting for missing handlers. You must also be prepared
for nervous handlers asking repeatedly when they will be running. It's
a great way to get to know names and faces. You can make a show run
faster and smoother if you:
- Have the next three
dogs ready to go.
- Have the next dog
ready on the starting line before the previous dog
finishes, if possible.
- Provide information
to the Scribe and Timer to ensure that the running order matches the
scribe sheets.
Note: Before going to ring: Pick up
running order list and pen from Score Table. (Or they might already be
posted at ringside.)
Scribe
Summary:
Make marks on paper when judge raises hand or calls out a number.
Mark down faults and points as directed by Judge on
the scribe sheet while each dog is running. Scribing differs for
different classes, just as judging differs. The Judge will instruct you
as to the meaning of various hand signals; s/he is always pleased to
provide you with a quick one-minute primer on the signals if you ask.
If you ever are unclear about a Judge's signal, wait until after that
run and clarify before the next dog starts. It is wise to verify that
you have the correct scribe sheet for each dog. The Scribe works
closely with the TImer to ensure that the class runs efficiently and
smoothly. Important: You must
watch only the Judge at all times during each run, never the dog or
handler.
Note:
Before going to ring: Get
scribe sheets, pen and clipboard from Score Table.
Timer
Summary:
Monitor electronic timers and write time on scribe sheets after each
run or report time to Scribe.
MAC uses
electronic timers. In most cases the time is started and stopped by the
dog completing the correct first and last obstacles. In some classes,
you may be required to manually start or stop the time. The Judge will
give you specific instructions on timing a class before the first dog
runs. The Timer is important in keeping the competition running on time
because the Timer is responsible for promptly starting the next team.
Check to make sure that the previous dog is under control and off the
course, that the bars are reset and the judge is ready and then signal
the next team to start (usually by pressing the "ready" button on the
electronic timer console). After the dog has started, check that timer
did start automatically. If not, blow the whistle immediately, no later
than the third obstacle, to stop the run. After the run is over, write
the time on the scribe sheet or report it to the Scribe. The Timer
works closely with the Scribe to ensure that the class runs efficiently
and smoothly.
Sheet Runner
Summary: Take
scribe sheet from Scribe or Timer to Score Table.
Runners usually take sheets from the Scribe or Timer to the Score
Table one at a time. Might require a bit of walking (probably not
running).
Leash Runner
Summary:
Take leashes from start line to finish line.
After the dog has left the start line, pick-up the
leash and take it to the designated spot at the 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.
Ring Steward (Bar
Setter and Chute Straightener)
Summary:
Reset bars for height changes and when they are knocked by dogs during
a run or straighten the chute after each dog runs through it.
The judge will instruct you before each class as to
where you should sit and whether the bars are to be reset during a run;
for example, if a jump is taken twice in the same run. Bars are never
reset during a Gamblers run. If the course includes a chute,
you will also straighten the tube after each dog. This is a great job
for watching each dog run as you must be attentive to the happenings in
the ring at all times.
Score Table
Summary:
Transer the information on the scribe sheet to the master score sheet
or enter into a computer scoring program
Take the scribe sheet from the Runner, and transfer
the information to the master score sheet or enter it into a computer
scoring program. If using a master score sheet, compute how
much (if at all) the dog exceeded course time using a calculator, add
up the faults, and determine whether the
run qualifies. At the end of
each jump height, determine placements. After the judge's approval, post the score
sheets for the exhibitors. There
are always at least two people at the score table to double-check
each other, and there is always at least
one experienced score table person to give instructions and answer
questions.
Registration Check-in
Summary:
Check names off a list and/or hand out catalogs.
If you can help first thing in the morning, you can
offer your services at the Registration Table. You can check people off
on the check-in lists, hand out catalogs or goodies, or help with
measure-in (handle paperwork for the measuring judge). |
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