Joe

Therein lies a large part of the problem. It used to be that you were required to get 3 CD's to sign off on your application as a new CD. All of the CD's I knew took it seriously. It took me two years, working every part of a contest for these three CD's before they became satisfied that I knew what I was doing. It was something you did for the benefit of your friends and participants.

Today, all it takes is any three open members to sign you off. One of the major reasons an individual becomes a CD is to solicit prizes from manufacturers for the event. Many have no idea what it takes to organize and run an event.

Having said that, I still don't know a CD that will take on an event with 100+ competitors without some experience. The larger events are run by people like Gary Webb that know and understand what must be done. The experience does not come with the piece of paper you get when you are ordained as a CD.

If you are serious about becoming a CD, do it now, start working each area of an event until you can do everything on the field. Then run a small club event. Run several, then go for the bigger events. You have to earn the respect of your club and the participants. Respect, also, does not come with the certification.

JR