Thank You To All The AKCA & ZNA Judges

[Nancy M.]

ZNA & AKCA Judges

I want to thank all the judges, who devote there time, energy and knowledge to all of us hobbyist. Without them we would not be able to put on or participate in koi shows across the USA. Can you imagine holding a koi show, without a truly knowledgeable group of judges? Our judges and organizations, provide us with the tools needed to hold these events.
These fine ladies and gentlemen, give this to us freely, unless you consider that hotel room or the free banquet dinner as a payment, for there giving up there weekend and sometimes even having to take off from there paying jobs to fly across the country to teach and support our local clubs activities. They pay there own airfare, leave there warm and cozy homes and there own pets, to come to our aid.

What disturbs me most is the recent events, censoring our judges, because of threats made to the heads of these organizations against them. I am very familiar with people automatically putting a label on someone. They say because he is a judge, what ever he says or does, represents the organization he belongs to, well that is just not right.

These men and women, donate there time and at a great expense out of there own pocket. They are still hobbyist in the true sense of the word. Yes, they have gone through training and years of experience, to become judges, but they are still humans just like the rest of us, and have there own thoughts and opinions. Why would anyone want to silence the very people that give so much to our hobby? How can this benefit any of us?

We all need to rally together, and support all of our judges and organizations, and not allow a few people to be able to silence and threaten the very heart and sole of our hobby.

I just wanted to let the judges know, that I for one, appriciate everything you do to make this hobby what it is today, for all of us.

[DaleRG]

well said nancy....

and i agree wholeheartedly...

and also add, maybe a fact or two that goes unnoticed, perhaps catagorized as a little thing....but means a lot....

i have been to shows, no where near as many as most....i have only recently started to volunteer.....at the urging of a few judges....

the first one i ever was at, a judge said to me, (not judging at the show, by the way, he was just there)....not enough fish in size 1, lets each go to a vendor and buy one and support the show......we did....

then that judge, after the show...took that $95 fish and gave it too a child, just starting in the hobby....

that will stay with me forever....

not to say that that the numerous times now that i go to shows have the oppertunity to sit, eat, and talk koi with these folks....and the ones that i have met i am now please to call tutors, mentors......but mostly friends....

they always have time....to talk about the hobby....i know the demands that i place on them.....now multiply that 200 or 300 fold at a show....

and they always oblige...always...

from the (dumb) questions and statements that i can come up with....to the child, to the seasoned professional......they are always there....

promoting, teaching, educating....

now for these detractors......the naysayers....

can the same be said for them?

no....

they cant hold a candle to them.....not even in the same league...

they are filled with false promises....

the judges do these things because they want what is best for the hobby....unselfish....no strings attached...asking nothing in return...

can the same be said for the others?

no...

[koiczar]

Nancy and Dale

Nice pointed posts both!

This hobby is about the FISH, AND the people! It's great to get together and socialize. I love that aspect of the hobby. Friendship through scales! Can we have a little more of it please!?!?!?!?

Mike

[Jeff Speck]

Couldn't have said it any better. Excellent posts, Nancy and Dale.

[PapaBear]

Last year was our first time to attend a show. This year will be our first to actually help with one. I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to meeting Bob Winkler, Burt Ballou, and Henry Culpepper who will be handling the judging. Each of them has an outstanding reputation in the hobby, and I plan to do a lot of careful listening and note taking.
I've got to stongly echo the sentiments from Dale about the "doer's" vs the "whiners".
Doer's see the need and put their own hands to the plow.
Whiners exempt themselves from doing much of anything, but they see someone elses hard work and complain about how it was done.

[tranquility]

Exellent posts everyone...And Nancy I have to agree...Judges are humans too...and we all need to remember that....Its a shame that this hobby is in such turmoil right now....I say we all need to support the hobby and what it means to each of us...dump out all the bad apples in the barrel before they are able to ruin all the good apples....
Dale what a great story.......See- that judge could have easily said- something negative like there wasn't many size 1 and walked away..and went to complain to the next person about it...but, instead he said we are only 2 people...but, we can still make a difference.....you both took action to help the problem rather than gripe about it and spread the negative.....good for you both.....what that judge did is show leadership...and isn't that a good quality to have in a judge?
Lawanna

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nancy M. I just wanted to let the judges know, that I for one, appriciate everything you do to make this hobby what it is today, for all of us.

Hear! Hear! Let's give it up for the Judges!

[Gail]

So many heartfelt sentiments.........and it is more than deserved to those who judge and take their own personal time to help others and promote the passion they call a hobby.

Gather the troops I say...