Specific Requirements for the Judges Training Conference

The Judges Training Conference is one of the central activities taking place during Convention week. Attending a Training Conference can be a stressful experience, and one important factor determining the candidates’ comfort level and success will certainly be how well the Convention Host Committee meets the needs specified by the ADGA Judges Training Committee. It is vital that the Convention Host Committee provide the facilities, equipment, animals, and handlers that are necessary to make a successful Training Conference. To do this, the Convention Host Committee must be in continual contact with the Chair(s) of the ADGA Judges Training Committee and follow through with the Committee’s requirements as it prepares its "Proposal to Host an ADGA Convention" right up to the Training Conference itself.

The Training Conference is a two-day activity. The first day is held at the host facility and combines a written test, discussion sessions, and classes where those attending practice placings and reasons both in groups and individually. During the second day, which is held off-site at a local fairgrounds or other facility that can house the requisite number of animals, candidates are evaluated on their placement of live animals and their oral reasons supporting their placements.

The Convention Host Committee must provide transportation from the host facility to the Day Two site for Training Conference candidates, panel members, auditors, and handlers (if they are staying at the host facility). In addition, the Convention Host Committee must transport and house the animals needed for both Days One and Two.

Finally, special permits or variances may be required to have goats on site both at the host facility for Day One and the site for Day Two. These permits and/or variances should be in hand and copies presented to the Chair of the ADGA Judges Training Committee as early as possible in the Convention planning process.

Food and Beverage Requirements for Days One and Two

There should be two refreshment breaks (at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.).

A box lunch or buffet should be served on-site (on Day Two in the main/placing area) at 12 noon.

The ADGA Judges Training Committee will pay all food and beverage expenses for candidates, auditors, and staff, provided that the Convention Host Committee provides the Committee with a budget for these expenses at least three (3) months in advance of the Convention and this budget is then approved by the Judges Training Committee Chair.

Day One Requirements

Space and Audiovisual Needs:

One room at the host facility to accommodate 60 should be reserved for the whole day. It should be set up classroom-style with a table and podium at front. Since the written test is administered in this room, there should be sufficient table space so that candidates cannot see one another’s test papers. The Convention Host Committee covers any costs associated with this space.

This room should be equipped with a portable microphone and chalk or white board with chalk or markers (as appropriate) and erasers.

Audiovisual requirements for this room include three slide projectors and one overhead projector, plus extension cords, adapters, and outlets necessary for simultaneous use.

A second room that will accommodate 30 is also needed for the entire day. It should be set up classroom-style. A portable microphone is needed for this room.

Finally; an outside area large enough to accommodate two groups working classes of goats simultaneously is needed for the entire day.

Since groups will be rotating through the two rooms and outside area throughout Day One, try to use rooms that are close to each other and the outside area as well.

Animal and Personnel Requirements

Sixteen (16) goats and sixteen (16) handlers must be in place in the outside area by 2 p.m. of Day One. The animals should include two classes of four milkers (of about the same age and breed) and two classes of four dry does (of about the same age and breed). None of the animals used in Day One should be included in the goats used to make up classes for Day Two. However, animals used for the Pre-Judges Training Conference may be used on Day One.

In most circumstances, the local host group will be responsible for providing the animals required for Days One and Two of the Training Conference. This should be specified In the Letter of Agreement between the local host group and the ADGA Annual Meeting Committee.

Day Two Requirements

Day Two is traditionally held away from the host facility at a fairgrounds, arena, animal facility, or private farm that can accommodate the space requirements and large number of animals and handlers needed. Facilities must also be provided for housing animals for the entire day.

Space and Audiovisual Needs:

Four separate areas are required, with as much distance between them as possible. Candidates will rotate between three areas, and goats not in current use will be housed in the fourth area. No visual or auditory access should be possible between the four areas. Tall wall dividers of any suitable material may be used to block visual access between areas.

For the exact layout, refer to the drawing, "Layout Ring ADGA TIC."

Facility Layout

Main Area with “Ring” for Placings:

This is the largest area needed. There must be seating for 60 (bleachers are acceptable) as well as a ”ring” and tables and chairs. Tables for refreshments and lunch should also be set up in this area, and this area must be located close to the bathrooms. Extension cords reaching the nearest outlet should be provided.

The main area should be set up as follows. Bleachers on one side with two tables and six chairs set up opposite the bleachers. The extension cord should reach the tables. In between is the ”ring.” It must be large enough to accommodate four goats lined up head-to-tail, their handlers, and a dozen judges candidates. Shavings or other suitable material should define the ring area, and four chairs (for the goat handlers) should be set in the middle of the ring. Candidates must not be able to see or hear anything from any of the other areas.

Two Reasons Areas:

There are two identical ”Reasons Areas.” There must be no visual or auditory communication possible between these two areas themselves or between these two areas and the main and animal holding areas. Any type of dividers of sufficient height may be used to block off visual access. These areas must be large enough to accommodate two small ”rings” and a table with chairs for the panel. The rings should be spaced far enough apart so that individual candidates have some privacy, one from the other, as they give their reasons.

The two areas should be set up as follows: Each reason area should have two rings defined by shavings or other appropriate material. These ”rings” should be on either side of an 8’ table. There should be three chairs provided for the panel, four chairs in each ring for the handlers, and one chair in each ring for the candidate.

Provide an extension cord long enough to reach from the nearest electrical outlet to the table where the panel sits.

Animal Holding Area:

This area accommodates the animals in pens. Judges candidates must not have visual or auditory access to this area. Dividers of any suitable type may be used to block visual access.

There must be sufficient pens, bedding, feed, water, buckets, etc., for the number of goats required by the Training Conference.

Animal and Personnel Requirements:

The Convention Host Committee must check with the Chair of the Judges Training Committee to determine the exact number of animals (as well as age, sex. and breed) required. In general, at least fifty (50) goats of varying ages and breeds will be needed. They must be in place in the holding area by 6 a.m. of Day Two.

In most circumstances, the local host group will be responsible for providing the animals required for Days One and Two of the Training Conference. This should be specified in the Letter of Agreement between the local host group and the ADGA Annual Meeting Committee.

Between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., sixteen (16) handlers must be present. From 8 a.m. on until the end of the day, thirty (30) handlers must be present. (The same 30 need not work all day. However, there may never be less than 30 handlers present during these hours.)

In most circumstances, the local host group will be responsible for providing the handlers required for Days One and Two of the Training Conference. This should be specified in the Letter of Agreement between the local host group and the ADGA Annual Meeting Committee.

Handlers work as follows:

Sixteen (16) handlers work the two Reasons Areas (8 in each area); four (4) handlers work the Placings Ring as long as there are classes being placed; eight (80) handlers work as replacements so that handlers may take breaks during the day.

In addition, the Convention Host Committee should provide someone to oversee the holding area. This person should maintain the goats’ feed and water and take care of any problems that arise in the goat holding area. Stainless steel milk buckets, appropriate pre-dips, paper towels, and post dips should be on hand if milking does need to be relieved. The supervisor will be responsible for relieving udders as directed by the Training Conference Manager or panel members.