I think we should take into account the size of the United States vs. the British Isles. Not only are our states vastly different in climate and soil and weather patterns, so are our members different from each other from one part of the country to the next. There is no doubt some areas like to keep things very simple or layed back while others go to wild extremes to produce shows that focus on what some might think is absolute minutia.
So long as we remain one society, we must remain focused on the same rules which must be carefully applied by all. Rules here, more than anywhere else, are what unify and bind us together. If we even start to let that slide, our awards will become meaningless and people’s enthusiasm to win them will fade, and the confidence that everyone’s exhibit is treated equally across the country will be eroded.
I recognize Brian’s focus is on the flower itself and no one can be surprised by that. I hope that never changes.
But it can’t be overlooked that it is very often THE GAME of EXHIBITING that many of us find fascinating and appealing, particularly those of us who are no longer beginners. I know I am not alone when I say it is almost as much fun just to stage a large collection as it is to win one, since THE GAME of meeting the schedule rules and the class criteria is the challenge, while winning the ribbon is only the icing on the cake.
I think a judge’s primary purpose here is to KNOW and to carry out the rules of the ADS Handbook and the rules of the specific show they are asked to judge, not just to “grant awards.” ADS judges have no authority to make up the rules as they go along, just as no show chairman can change a schedule once it has been approved. We should avoid figity nit picking, for sure, and I’m sure that’s what Judge Quinn was referring to, but we should all stick like glue to the rules, for the sake of fairness and the good of the ADS.
Chriss
Right Chriss! Very well said.
Donna
Dear Brian
You of course may consider your self an outsider, but I feel that the description of a respected ADS member is most appropriate too!
Please keep sharing any opinion you have with all of us
John Beck
With all due respect for other countries rules, in which I agree with some and think that they have merit, I agree with Chriss. It is tremendously important that we have a set of rules and that we stick to them for fairness to all.
That said, I do think judges in the ADS has some discretion and I have seen that exercised by some of our more senior judges. But like Chriss, I get as much fun out of exhibiting collections and meeting the rules as I do in winning the ribbon. To me the ribbon is secondary, however, I do know that ribbons are very important to my 40-45 new and small growers at the NE North Carolina Daffodil Society. I’ve seen more enthusiasm for a white ribbon honorable mention by a new person as I have seen experience exhibitors winning a blue ribbon. LOL
Yes, please don’t stifle the free speech! It’s what makes Daffnet so educational!
I go by the rules, but I like to hear all sides. And if someone wants to change the rules, goes through proper channels, and a majority of the board in attendance at the meeting agrees, rules can be changed. Who’d have thought we could ever legally snip off a dead floret from a multi-headed bloom! Miracles do happen! ;->
that daffy girl near Nashville Becky Fox Matthews
Becky,
That was not a miracle: “””Who’d have thought we could ever legally snip off a dead floret from a multi-headed bloom!Miracles do happen! That was a disgrace.
clay