AOS Handbook on Judging and Exhibition, 13th Edition

8/14/2019 AOS Handbook on Judging and Exhibition, 13th Edition

1/90

Page 1 of 90

AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY

HANDBOOK ON JUDGING AND EXHIBITION

THIRTEENTH EDITION

DECEMBER 2008

Thirteenth Edition December 2008


2/90

Page 2 of 90

PART 1, JUDGING

I. AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY JUDGING SYSTEM Page 8 - 101.1 Introduction1.2 History1.3 Judging Centers1.4 Handbook on Judging and Exhibition1.5 AQ Plus

II. JUDGING COMMITTEE Page 11 - 122.1 Organization2.2 Meetings2.3 Duties and Responsibilities2.4 Duties and Responsibilities of Chair2.5 Working Task Force

III. JUDGING CENTER COMMITTEES Page 12 - 193.1 Organization3.2 Duties of Officers

3.2.1 Chair3.2.2 First Vice-Chair

3.2.2.1 Temporary Chair3.2.3 Vice-Chairs3.2.4 Secretary3.2.5 Treasurer3.2.6 Training Coordinator3.2.7 Clerk 3.2.8 Photographer3.2.9 Librarian

3.3 Meetings3.3.1 Business Meetings

3.3.1.1 Notice of Meeting and Quorum3.3.1.2 Voting Procedures3.3.1.3 Minutes

3.4 Qualifications3.5 Establishment of New Judging Centers

3.5.1 Procedures3.5.2 Additional Judging Sites

3.6 Criteria for Relocation of a Judging Site3.7 Criteria for Dissolution of a Judging Site3.8 Center Representation3.9 Judging Centers and Affiliated Societies

IV. AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY JUDGES Page 19 - 344.1 Judges4.2 Appointment and Accreditation

4.2.1 Student Judge4.2.1.1 Selection Procedure4.2.1.2 Qualifications4.2.1.3 Application

4.2.2 Probationary Judge



3/90

Page 3 of 90

4.2.3 Accredited4.2.4 Senior4.2.5 Emeritus4.2.6 Retired4.2.7 Judges List

4.3 Continuing Status4.4 Judging Center Assignment4.5 Knowledge and Abilities4.6 Responsibilities4.7 Judges Training

4.7.1 National Training Coordinator4.7.2 Judging Center Training Coordinator4.7.3 Training Seminars4.7.4 Student Judges Training Program4.7.5 Suggested Subjects that Program Should Include4.7.6 Instructional Techniques

4.8 Conduct of Judges4.9 Separation from Service

4.9.1 Leave of Absence4.9.2 Resignation4.9.3 Retirement4.9.4 Suspension and/or Termination

4.9.4.1 Suspension and/or Termination for Cause4.9.4.2 Automatic Suspension or Termination4.9.4.3 Lesser Sanctions

V. JUDGING PROCESS Page 34 - 445.1 Purpose of Judging5.2 Judging Materials5.3 Submission of Plants for Judging5.4 Care and Disposition of Plants5.5 Judging Practice

5.5.1 Definitions5.5.2 Judging General Rules

5.5.2.1 Judging Procedure5.5.3 Recording the Results of Judging

5.5.3.1 Provisional Awards5.5.4 Action of the American Orchid Society

5.6 Judging at Orchid Shows5.6.1 American Orchid Society Sanction of a Show

5.6.1.1 Requirements5.6.2 Judging Kit

5.6.3 Chair of Judging Activities5.6.4 Chair of American Orchid Society Judging

5.6.4.1 Decision of AOS Judging Chair is Final

VI. AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY AWARDS Page 44 - 526.1 Purpose and Granting of Awards6.2 Awards for Individual Plants (and Special Groups of Plants)

6.2.1 First Class Certificate (FCC)6.2.2 Award of Merit (AM)



4/90

Page 4 of 90

6.2.3 Highly Commended Certificate (HCC)6.2.4 Judges Commendation (JC)6.2.5 Award of Distinction (AD)6.2.6 Award of Quality (AQ)6.2.7 Certificate of Cultural Excellence (CCE)6.2.8 Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM)6.2.9 Certificate of Horticultural Merit (CHM)6.2.10 Certificate of Botanical Merit (CBR)6.2.11 Special Annual Awards

6.2.11.1 Ann and Phil Jesup Botanical Trophy6.2.11.2 Butterworth Prize6.2.11.3 W. W. Wilson Award6.2.11.4 Masatoshi Miyamoto Award6.2.11.5 Herbert Hager Award6.2.11.6 Carlyle A. Luer Award6.2.11.7 Merritt W. Huntington Award6.2.11.8 Roy T. Fukumura Award6.2.11.9 James and Marie Riopelle Award6.2.11.10 Robert B. Dugger Award6.2.11.11 Benjamin Kodama, Sr. Award6.2.11.12 Fred Hillerman Award6.2.11.13 Benjamin C. Berliner Award6.2.11.14 Milton Carpenter Award6.2.11.15 Ernest Hetherington Award6.2.11.16 The Bill Thoms Award

6.3 Awards for Display of Plants, Flowers and Educational Material6.3.1 Gold Certificate6.3.2 AOS Show Trophy6.3.3 AOS Show Trophy Certificate6.3.4 Artistic Certificate6.3.5 Certificate of Meritorious Arrangement6.3.6 Educational Exhibit Certificate

VII. JUDGING CRITERIA AND POINT SCALES Page 53 - 657.1 Quality

7.1.1 Cattleya and Allied Genera7.1.2 Cymbidium7.1.3 Dendrobium7.1.4 Miltonia (Miltoniopsis)7.1.5 Odontoglossum7.1.6 Paphiopedilum7.1.7 Phalaenopsis

7.1.8 Pleurothallid7.1.9 Vanda

7.2 Point Scales for AOS Awards Flower Quality7.3 Point Scales for AOS Awards Other

7.3.1 Cultural Merit of Excellence7.3.2 Horticultural Merit7.3.3 Groups of Plants or Cut Flowers Arranged for Effect7.3.4 Educational Exhibit

7.3.4.1 For Use with Conservation Displays



5/90

Page 5 of 90

7.3.5 Orchid Arrangements7.4 Principles of Design7.5 Measurements and Description

Plate 1 Floral PartsPlate 2 Judging Entry Form7.5.1 Overall Meaurement7.5.2 Actual Measurement7.5.3 Description

VIII. AN ORCHID JUDGES GLOSSARY Page 65 - 708.1 Definition of Words and Phrases Used in Judging

IX. INFORMATIONAL NOTES Page 70 - 749.1 Notes on Nomenclature of Orchids9.2 Notes on Registering Orchid Hybrids9.3 Notice to Photographers; AOS Permission to Use Photos9.4 Guidelines on Orchid Award Photography

9.4.1 Equipment9.4.2 General Setup9.4.3 Lighting9.4.4 Posing the Flower9.4.5 Shooting the Picture

9.4.5.1 Awards Photography Bulletins

PART II, EXHIBITION

I. SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR ORCHID SOCIETIES Page 751.1 Introduction1.2 The Orchid Exhibition

II. PLANNING AN ORCHID SHOW Page 75 - 782.1 Introduction2.2 Nature of the Show

2.2.1 Exhibition Format2.2.2 Sales2.2.3 Theme

2.3 Time and Season for a Show2.4 The Site of the Show2.5 AOS Judging

III. ORGANIZING AN ORCHID SHOW Page 78 - 883.1 Show Committee and Assignments3.2 Show Chair, Co-Chair and General Committee3.3 Schedule3.4 Awards3.5 Staging3.6 Classification3.7 Entries

3.7.1 Duplicated Entry Information



6/90

Page 6 of 90

3.7.2 Recorded Entry Information3.7.3 Database Use3.7.4 General Procedures

3.8 Clerking3.9 Judging

3.9.1 Show Judging3.9.2 AOS Judging

3.10 Hospitality3.11 Publicity3.12 Finance3.13 Artistic Division3.14

IV. SHOW JUDGING AND ITS CONDUCT Page 88 - 89

V. SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR EXHIBITORS Page 89 - 90

VI. AOS JUDGING CENTERS AND AFFILIATED SOCIETIES Page 90



7/90

Page 7 of 90

FORWARD

This 13 th Edition of the Handbook has been revised to contain additional ethical guidance and hasbeen reformatted to be consistent with AQ Plus. It now contains a provision whereby individualswith official AOS duties, that precludes them from meeting the minimum Center judgingrequirements, may have a waiver of those requirements requested by the Center or the JudgingCommittee.

Part I and Part II section VI of this Handbook should not be viewed merely as suggestions orguidelines. These Parts contain the rules and regulations necessary to govern the entire judgingsystem and shall be followed by all AOS members, and societies affiliated with the AmericanOrchid Society, in the case of Part II section VI.

In publishing the 12 th edition of the Handbook in electronic form, the American Orchid Society judging system entered the new world of digital Handbooks, and a word of caution is necessary.Individual judges files or printed copies of the Handbook and even our memories become out of date. Therefore, it is imperative that the most current version of the Handbook be consulted in allAOS Judging Activities. Each AOS Judge is responsible to insure, when consulting theHandbook, that it is the current version. The current version of the Handbook is published in AQPlus and on the AOS Web site. Handbook changes approved by the AOS Trustees are effectiveupon publication. AQ Plus is updated quarterly.

As many of you may have noticed (and as mentioned above) the Handbook formatting haschanged: we can no longer use bold, italics or other special formatting, because the AQ Plusprogram will not accommodate these various specialized formatting techniques.

Future changes will be numbered using the decimal system in general practice in the digitalworld, such as 13.1, 13.2 etcplus a date.

Gary Kraus, MDChair, Judging Committee

13th Edition Handbook Task ForceKenneth A. Roberts, ChairGlenn BrownGary Kraus, MDWayne MarinePeter PootSusan Wedegaertner

Bill Zimmerman



8/90

Page 8 of 90

Part I, JudgingI. American Orchid Society Judging System

1.1 IntroductionPart I of this Handbook on Judging and Exhibition outlines the rules for AOS

judging whether conducted at judging centers established in various parts of theUnited States and Canada, at shows held in this country, or, under certainlimitations, abroad. The Handbook is published in AQ Plus. The rules herein arefirm and are to be followed in all AOS judging activities and in the administrationof the judging system. The rules may be changed from time to time by the JC withthe approval of the Board of Trustees. Such changes are then published asHandbook Updates on the AOS web site and in AQ Plus, and shall become effectiveonce published. Temporary exceptions to the rules may be authorized by the JC.

1.2 HistoryThis twelfth edition of the Handbook on Orchid Judging and Exhibition arrives following the

87th anniversary of the AOS, which was founded in 1921. Judging and recognizing exceptionalorchid plants and growers skills began early in AOS history, at the first AOS National OrchidShow in 1924 with gold and silver medals. Permanent, recorded awards that would follow anoutstanding plants name were created in 1932, the AOS eleventh year. Each quarterly meeting,the president selected people with suitable background and experience to act informally as judges,casting votes in the manner of the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.

With growing membership and the affiliation of more regional societies, thedemand for exhibition and evaluation spurred the AOS to expand the scope of

judging, formalize the development of a permanent community of judges andstandardize its rules. To codify and distribute these rules, as well as material onstaging shows and orchid nomenclature, the first edition of the Handbook wa spublished in 1949. That year also saw the establishment of monthly exhibitions in

the facilities of the Horticultural Society of New York, through its cooperation withthe newly created AOS Committee on Arrangements, soon called the Committee onAwards (renamed the Judging Committee in 1996). Orchids could then be broughtfrom anywhere and be judged for AOS awards.

The First World Orchid Conference, held in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1954, brought togetherdelegates from several orchid societies, many with existing judging programs, to establish astandard system of point scales. This concordance created a capacity to serve the orchidcommunity with regular, monthly AOS judging somewhere in the United States each week.Joining New York as regional judging centers were Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, and, in 1959,Honolulu so that, in the age of air express, COA Chair Helen H. Adams could report,theoretically, no flower need blush unjudged.

As the AOS and its judging sphere grew, the JC was charged with the responsibility to

manage and develop a stable, yet flexible, system to ensure effective service to its constituentsand allow change when appropriate. The concept of judging regions arose, each regionscommittee comprising its roster of certified judges. Regions were to conduct regular monthly

judging at specified sites and at shows of the AOS Affiliated Societies within specifiedboundaries, and train and present to the JC qualified candidates for appointment as judges. Theelected regional chairs came to be members of the JC, presenting the regions proposals andvoting in congress with members appointed by the trustees, to whom recommendations were sentfor resolution.



9/90

Page 9 of 90

To further consolidate varied viewpoints, the chair of the JC and membership of the workingcommittee was to be rotated among the regions. New perspectives, in concert with establishedpractice, could be applied to standards, techniques and procedures as the system evolved.

And it has evolved. Through considered management by the regions, the JC and the trustees,balancing strong opinion with care for the need for equity and common sense, the AOS judgingsystem has grown tremendously. From the 1960s to the present, new centers opened, regionsdivided, regional boundaries were adjusted and international jurisdictions were established, all tofacilitate effective administration and extend more judging capabilities to the Affiliated Societiesand exhibitors. Fifteen regions emerged and 12 supplemental judging centers augmented someregions. Five were conveyed in the merger of the Orchid Digest Corporation and AOS judgingsystems in 1968.

A further step was taken in 1996 to allow even more flexibility in judging services: arestructuring of the regional concept into a community of judging centers without sharply definedboundaries, all with a representative on the JC. Existing associations of Affiliated Societies and

judging centers would remain as constituted unless a group specifically applied for a change. Anewly affiliating society could select a center it would support and be served by. Many of thesupplemental judging centers became independent centers separate from their former regionalcommittees. Others geographically close to their parent center were acknowledged as integral toproviding an additional judging session each month and maintaining one cohesive committee of

judges to serve both centers.It was intended that, with greater emphasis on the development of the judging center

committees relationships with their Affiliated Societies, the AOS judging program could providegreater service. Through 76 years of formal AOS judging, 24 judging committees have come tooperate 35 judging centers. In improving proximity and higher frequency of judging to orchidistswho wish to have their plants judged or join the judging community, Mrs. Adamss perception of the desired direction of AOS judging has indeed blossomed.

1.3 Judging Centers (locations and dates established):

Alamo Judging Center (San Antonio, TX 1968 - [Austin, TX 1962])Atlanta Judging Center (Atlanta, GA 1973)California-Sierra Nevada Judging Center (Sacramento CA 2005)Carolinas Judging Center (Raleigh, NC 1998)Chicago Judging Center (Chicago, IL 1990)Cincinnati Judging Center (Cincinnati, OH - 1993)Dallas Judging Center (Dallas, TX 1968-70*, 1988)Florida-Caribbean Judging Center (Miami, FL 1955)Florida North-Central Judging Centers

Tampa, FL 1966Orlando, FL 2003

Great Lakes Judging Center (Ann Arbor, MI 1972)Great Plains Judging Center (Oklahoma City, OK 1980)Hawaii Judging Centers

Hawaii Judging Center (Honolulu, HI 1959)Big Island Additional Judging Site (Hilo, HI* 1968)Hawaii Additional Judging Site-Maui (Lahaina, HI* 1968)

Houston Judging Center (Houston, TX 1991)Mid-America Judging Center (St. Louis, MO 1961)Mid-Atlantic Judging Center (Philadelphia, PA 1984)National Capital Judging Center (Washington, DC 1976)Northeast Judging Centers:



10/90

Page 10 of 90

Boylston, MA 1996Elmsford, NY-1998 (White Plains, NY 1993-98 [New York City, NY 1949-62,1971-93])

Pacific Central Judging CentersPacific Central Judging Center (Oakland, CA 1955)Pacific Central Additional Judging Site (San Francisco, CA* 1968)

Pacific Northwest Judging CentersPacific Northwest Judging Center (Tacoma, WA - 1981 - [Seattle, WA 1962])Pacific Northwest Additional Judging Site (Vancouver BC - 2006)Pacific Northwest Additional Judging Site- (Salem OR 2006)

Pacific South Judging CentersPacific South Judging Center (Burbank, CA - 1994 - [Los Angeles, CA 1955])Pacific South Additional Judging Site (Long Beach, CA* 1968)Pacific South Additional Judging Site (Encinitas, CA 2002)Pacific South Additional Judging Site (San Diego, CA 2006)Pacific South Additional Judging Site (Santa Barbara, CA 2007)

Rocky Mountain Judging Center (Denver, CO 1990)Shreveport Judging Center (Shreveport LA 2007)Toronto Judging Centers

Toronto Judging Center (Toronto, ONT 1992)Toronto Additional Judging Site (Montreal, ONT 2005)

West Palm Beach Judging Center (West Palm Beach, FL 1992)

*denotes former Orchid Digest Judging Centers

1.4 Handbook on Judging and ExhibitionThe Handbook on Judging and Exhibition, hereinafter referred to as the

Handbook, is the official policy statement of the AOS regarding the operation of its judging system and is published on the AOS website and in AQ Plus. Changes tothe Handbook, as adopted from time to time by the JC with the approval of theBoard of Trustees, are published on the AOS Web site and in AQ Plus. Thesechanges become effective once published. Observance of the rules stated herein ismandatory upon AOS judges as well as show officials and individual exhibitors.Failure to observe the rules may result in disqualification of judges from service, of shows from the privilege of offering AOS judging, or of exhibitors from eligibilityto receive AOS awards. All judges and Affiliated Societies wishing AOS judging atshows are required to own a copy of the current edition of the Handbook aspublished on the AOS website.

1.5 AQ Plus AQ Plus is the official record of AOS awards. It includes the name of the awarded plant, the

circumstances in which the award was given, a description of the plant in flower, and in mostcases, an image of the awarded flower or plant. It serves as a primary source of reference to

judges in evaluating plants and flowers. All judges are required to subscribe to AQ Plus . It mayalso disseminate interim regulations and adoptions of the JC pending the next edition of the

Handbook .



11/90

Page 11 of 90

II. Judging Committee

2.1 Organization

The JC is composed of a chair and three to five additional members appointed annually by theBoard of Trustees at their first meeting following each election. The term of the chair is limited tofour years. One or more of the members may be designated as JC vice-chair. In addition, the chairof each main judging center shall, by virtue of their office, be participatory voting members of theJC. If the judging center's chair is unable to attend, the vice-chair shall serve as the center's votingalternate.

2.2 Meetings

Meetings of the JC shall be held regularly in connection with the meetings of the Board of Trustees. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the chair. A majority of the membersof the JC shall constitute a quorum. Decisions shall be made by a majority vote of all memberspresent and voting.

2.3 Duties and Responsibilities

The JC shall:

(1) Supervise the AOS judging system under the direction of the Board of Trustees of the AOS.(2) Establish uniform standards for the acceptance and training of judges.(3) Receive from the judging centers all nominations for new candidates for judge, notification of new students accepted into the judging centers' training programs and changes in the status of current judges, and after review of the centers' recommendations, make its independentrecommendations to the Board of Trustees. Additionally, and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, the JC may initiate any action it deems necessary for the proper and ethicaladministration of the judging system, including suspension or termination of a judge, as describedin Section 4.9.4.(4) Along with the Awards Registrar of the AOS, be responsible for maintaining a current list of

judges.(5) Through its chair, be responsible for the day-to-day interpretation of judging rules.

(6) Have the right to rescind any award which either through error or lack of knowledge wasgranted in violation of the rules.(7) Make recommendations to the Board of Trustees with regard to the future development of theAOS judging system.(8) Be responsible, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, for the periodic revision, at leastonce every five years, of that part of the Handbook which is devoted to judging.

2.4 Duties and Responsibilities of Chair

The chair shall:

(1) Preside at all meetings of the JC. In the chair's absence the vice-chair shall preside. If both areabsent, a temporary chair shall be elected by the members present.(2) At each biannual meeting, report to the Board of Trustees on JC activities andrecommendations.(3) Make a report at each annual meeting of members of the AOS.



12/90

Page 12 of 90

(4) Arrange for minutes of meetings to be sent to all JC members. The minutes shall contain a fulland complete record of the meeting so members shall be able to participate in the work anddecisions of the JC.(5) Preside at any duly called general meeting of AOS judges.(6) Appoint a national training coordinator. (See Section 4.7.1)

2.5 Working Task Force

A subcommittee of the JC known as the working task force (JC-WTF) shall be appointed by thechair to act as an executive task force between sessions of the JC. The chair shall head theworking task force. The working task force shall help prepare the agenda for JC meetings, makerecommendations to the JC, and make policy decisions which require immediate action. Noformal action may be taken on matters pertaining to the status of judges. Decisions shall be madeby a majority of the working task force including the chair and shall be reviewed by the JC at itsnext semiannual meeting

III. Judging Center Committees

3.1 OrganizationThe judging system encompasses 24 judging centers, and 12 additional sites,

located in the United States and Canada.Each center, including any additional sites, is under the jurisdiction of a center

committee comprising its active certified judges. Each center committee is asubcommittee of the JC and each main center chair is a member of the JC. Eachcenter shall have a chair, a first vice-chair, two vice-chairs for each additional site,a secretary, a treasurer, a training coordinator, a clerk, (the secretary may serve asclerk), and one or more photographers. The chair, all vice-chairs and the trainingcoordinator must be accredited judges. The photographers need not be members of the AOS.

Centers in close geographic proximity may, by application to the JC, merge intoa single center with multiple monthly judging dates in additional sites by a vote of two-thirds of the judges serving each of the merging centers.

3.2 Duties of Officers

3.2.1 Chair The chair, elected by the center committee and confirmed by the trustees, shall

have the overall responsibility and authority for all AOS judging activities of thecenter. Where judging centers have multiple sites, the chair may, for reasons of convenience, operate from a preferred site and serve as presiding chair of judgingat that site. The chair shall:

(1) Serve as a member of the JC and participate actively in JC matters asrequired.(2) Comment promptly to questionnaires or minutes of meetings from the JC.(3) Send a copy of minutes of judging center committee business meetings to thechair of the JC with all recommendations for personnel action made by thecenter s committee, including the full names and addresses of the personsinvolved, at least 60 days prior to the next annual or semiannual meeting of theBoard of Trustees.



13/90


14/90

Page 14 of 90

The secretary, appointed by the chair, shall keep minutes of all businessmeetings and shall send copies to all judges serving the center. Such minutes shallrecord all votes and recommendations. The secretary shall send notices of meetingsand undertake such correspondence as the chair may require. This position may becombined with that of treasurer.

3.2.5 Treasurer The treasurer, appointed by the chair, shall keep records of all receipts and

disbursements of funds of the center. This position may be combined with that of secretary.

3.2.6 Training Coordinator The training coordinator, an accredited judge appointed by the chair, shall be

responsible for coordinating training activities for all judges within a center inaccordance with Section 4.7, Judges Training. Training activities should be inaccordance with, but not limited to, directives of the national training coordinator.The training coordinator shall encourage active participation of all judges servingthe center. Additional training coordinators may be appointed for additional

judging sites.

3.2.7 Clerk The clerk, appointed by the chair, shall record all plant material entered for

judging and shall have charge of the judging materials. The clerk may beresponsible for the maintenance of the slide files. An assistant clerk or librarianmay be appointed for this purpose also.

3.2.8 Photographer The photographer, appointed by the chair, shall take pictures of awarded flowers

and plants as specified in the requirements in Sections 5.5.3 (5) and 5.5.3.1 (3).

3.2.9 LibrarianA librarian may be appointed by the chair to keep the center s reference books,

to order others as authorized and to have them available at all judging sessions. Therequired reference books are listed in Section 5.2 (1-3). The librarian may alsoserve as the slide librarian at the discretion of the chair.

3.3 MeetingsRegular monthly meetings shall be scheduled for the judging of orchid plants

and flowers. Since the dates of these meetings are published in Orchids The Magazine of the AOS , they may not be changed without the approval of the JC. Theagenda at these meetings may also include discussion of judging procedures andproblems, review of minutes of meetings of the JC, viewing slides of recent awardsfrom other centers and such other educational activities as the judging centercommittee may determine. No formal action may be taken, however, on matterspertaining to the status of judges, recommendations to JC, or other substantivematters, which are reserved for duly called business meetings.

3.3.1 Business MeetingsThe judging center committee shall hold an annual business meeting sufficiently

in advance of the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees to permit the minutes to



15/90

Page 15 of 90

reach the chair of JC at least 60 days prior to the meeting. At this business meeting,the judging center committee shall elect officers for the ensuing calendar year(subject to confirmation by the Board of Trustees); review and record in theminutes the individual attendance records of each judge at judging sessions, shows,business meetings and training activities during the preceding year; consider newcandidates for judge and other personnel matters; and conduct such other businessas may properly come before the meeting. Any judge who has not attended theminimum number of judgings during the preceding calendar year shall be deniedvoting privileges on any matter at the center business meeting(s) for the currentcalendar year.

A chair may not exclude a fully accredited judge from attending the personnelsection of a center s business meeting, but a visiting judge may not join into thediscussion unless invited to do so by the chair.

At least one other business meeting shall be held each year early enough topermit the minutes of the meeting to reach the chair of JC at least 60 days prior tothe spring meeting of the Board of Trustees. The agenda may include any itemappropriate to the annual meeting except that attendance records of judges need notbe reviewed or officers elected except to fill vacancies. If the center has additional

judging sites, one of the business meetings should be held at one of those locations.Additional business meetings may be called at the discretion of the judging centerchair.

3.3.1.1 Notice of Meeting and Quorum Written notice of a business meeting shall be sent to all members of the judging

center committee at least 10 days prior to the meeting. For general business, aquorum shall consist of more than 50 percent of the certified judges of the center.For voting upon the status of judges, a quorum shall consist of two-thirds of theaccredited judges of the center excluding senior judges, judges emeriti andaccredited judges on leave.

3.3.1.2 Voting ProceduresFor general business, including the election of committee officers, a majority

vote of the certified judges present and voting shall be required. For voting onappointment or termination of student judges, a majority vote of the accredited

judges present and voting shall be required. For voting on the advancement of astudent judge to probationary status and all other personnel matters, a two-thirdsmajority of accredited judges present and voting shall be required. Certified judgestransferred between centers shall not be permitted to vote in general businessmeetings for one year from the date of transfer (date approved by trustees), andshall not be counted in determining business meeting quorum requirements. Votingon the election of officers shall be by secret ballot except when there is a singlecandidate nominated, in which case a motion to elect by acclamation is acceptable.All other matters affecting the status of judges shall be by secret ballot. Ballotsmarked abstain shall not be counted either for or against a motion or fordetermining the total number of votes cast. Majority vote requirements shall bebased on the number of valid votes cast. Judges emeriti who have fulfilled allattendance requirements for certified judges retain full voting rights. Senior judges,certified judges on leave and judges emeriti who have not fulfilled all attendancerequirements for certified judges may participate in discussion but may not vote inbusiness meetings. No absentee or proxy voting shall be allowed. Any judge whohas not attended the minimum number of judgings during the preceding calendar



16/90

Page 16 of 90

year, shall be denied voting privileges on any matter at the judging center sbusiness meeting(s) for the current calendar year.

3.3.1.3 Minutes Written minutes shall be prepared to record actions taken at all business

meetings. The number of affirmative and negative votes taken on personnel mattersshall be noted; copies of minutes bearing these figures shall be shared only with thenon-probationary certified judge center committee members and the JC chair. Acopy of the minutes shall be forwarded to the chair of the JC by the judging centerchair no less than 60 days prior to the Trustees meeting so that personnelrecommendations and other items of business may be included on the agenda forthe next meeting of the JC.

3.4 Qualifications and Terms of OfficeOnly accredited judges are eligible for election as chair, first vice-chair and

vice-chairs. When they have served effectively, additional terms of service aredesirable; however, the judging center chair may not serve more than five yearswithout waiting a minimum of five years before being eligible for re-election. In nocase may a judging center chair serve more than a total of 10 years, includingpresent and past service, but excluding time spent as chair of a supplemental centeror an additional site. Other officers are eligible for service without limit on thenumber of terms served.

3.5 Establishment of New Judging CentersA new judging center shall be established only when the following conditions

are met:(1) There must be convincing evidence that the establishment of a new judgingcenter will improve service to the orchid growers in the area.(2) There must be a sufficient number of certified judges willing to serve theproposed center to ensure the proper conduct of judging activities.(3) The establishment of a new center shall not have any serious adverse effectupon existing centers.(4) There shall be sufficient plant material of potential award quality and asufficient number of exhibitors to warrant providing AOS judging.(5) The Affiliated Societies in the area to be served must be willing to providefinancial and administrative support for the operation of the proposed center.

3.5.1 Procedures for Establishment Application for the establishment of a new judging center shall follow these

procedures:(1) A sponsoring group, including one or more Affiliated Societies, shall makeapplication in writing to the chair of the JC, with copies to the chairs of any

judging centers which might be affected by the change.(2) The application shall be accompanied by the following documentation:

(a) A letter typed on the letterhead of the sponsoring society, signed by thechief executive officer, indicating that the request for the new center hasbeen approved by a vote of the membership.(b) Letters of approval and promised support from the judges willing toserve the proposed center.



17/90

Page 17 of 90

(c) Details on the site of the proposed center, including accessibility,facilities, methods of financing, etc.(d) Names of proposed officers for the center.(e) Proposed dates and time of judging.(f) An analysis of the AOS membership that the new center would serve.(g) The proposed starting date, which must be at least six months followingthe date of application.(h) Such other information as may be pertinent.

(3) Any trustee in the area should be fully informed of the interest in and thedevelopments behind the application so that the trustee may offer additionalinformation to the JC and the Board of Trustees.(4) The application shall be considered carefully by the JC, which shall seek theopinions of the center committees primarily concerned with the application andshall take such steps as it deems necessary to acquire additional informationneeded to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.(5) If approved by the Board of Trustees, the new center shall be authorized tooperate on a six month trial basis, after which its performance shall be reviewedby the JC. If found satisfactory, the JC shall recommend its continuance for anadditional 12 month period after which it shall again be reviewed before beingplaced on permanent status.

3.5.2 Additional Judging Sites Additional judging sites may be established by the Board of Trustees as branch

sites to provide additional sources of judging service. Procedure for establishmentof such sites is the same as for establishment of new judging centers. In addition,the proposal must pass by a two-thirds vote of the judges within the proposedadditional site as well as by a majority vote of the entire center committee. Vice-chairs shall be elected by the center committee and designated as chair and vice-chair of the sites other than that for which the center chair assumes responsibility.They shall be responsible for the operation of their designated sites and otheractivities as may be assigned by the center committee. Additional sites may begranted full judging center status by meeting the following conditions:

(1) The additional site must have been in continuous operation for at least oneyear after having been placed on permanent additional status.(2) At least two-thirds of the certified judges serving in the additional site mustapprove, by a secret ballot, of the request for change to full judging centerstatus.(3) Application for change to full judging center status shall be made in writingto the chair of the JC with copies to the chair of the center where the additionalsite is located and the chairs of any other additional sites of the parent center.This application will contain the result of the vote of the certified judges servingin the additional site, the proposed name of the new center and the Affiliated

Societies willing to support and be served by the new center. The JC mustapprove the application for recommendation to the Board of Trustees.(4) If approved by the Board of Trustees, the additional site will begin operationas an independent center on January 1 of the year following the approval by thetrustees.

* Note : Since the Trustees recognized the Northeast Judging Center and theFlorida North Central Judging Center as centers with extra judging sites anddates, these Centers will continue to be accepted as currently defined for a period



18/90

Page 18 of 90

of seven years, after which one site for each center must be designated as theadditional site for the center. The newly designated additional site will beconsidered permanent at that time. (Approved April 2004,Wichita,Kansas)

3.6 Criteria For Relocation of a Judging Center(1) There must be convincing evidence that the present judging centers cannotadequately serve the needs of the orchid growers in the area.(2) There must be a sufficient number of certified judges willing to serve theproposed center to ensure the proper conduct of judging activity.(3) With the exception of the center being relocated, such relocation shall nothave any adverse effect upon other existing centers.(4) There should be sufficient plant material of potential award quality andsufficient number of exhibitors to warrant relocating the center.(5) The Affiliated Societies in the area to be served must be willing to providefinancial and administrative support for the operation of the proposed center.(6) A request by a majority of the certified judges at the involved center,recommendation by the JC and approval by the AOS Board of Trustees arenecessary for relocation.(7) If approved by the AOS Board of Trustees, the new center shall beauthorized to operate on a six month trial basis, after which its performanceshall be reviewed by the JC. If found satisfactory, the JC shall recommend itscontinuance for an additional 12 month period after which it shall again bereviewed before being granted permanent status.

3.7 Criteria For Dissolution of a Judging Center(1) Withdrawal of sponsorship by Affiliated Societies and inability to obtainnew sponsorship.(2) Failure to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of a judging centerdescribed in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the current edition of the

Handbook may result in a probationary period or termination of a center. TheJC, by a two-thirds vote, or the JC Chair upon approval by the AOS President,may place a judging center on probationary status for a period of time to bedetermined by the JC. During this period, the center will have an opportunity toappeal or correct its deficiencies. Conditions for termination would be with theconcurrence of a two-thirds vote of the JC and a majority vote of the AOS Boardof Trustees, or a request for dissolution by two-thirds of the certified judges atthe involved center with the concurrence of a majority of the JC and the AOSBoard of Trustees.

3.8 Center RepresentationRepresentation of a center at JC is vital to the administration of the judging

system. All centers shall be represented by their chair, (or vice-chair as alternate),at each JC meeting. If a center is not represented by its chair or vice-chair at twoconsecutive JC meetings and the absences are not excused, the center shall forfeitits representation until such time as a new chair is elected.

3.9 Judging Centers and Affiliated SocietiesAffiliated Societies in the area served by a judging center must provide financial

and administrative support for operation of the center. AOS show approval, bothdomestic and international, must be obtained from the societys center. Affiliated



19/90

Page 19 of 90

Societies may change the center serving them by proposing a transfer to and beingapproved by the chair of the new center, and notification of the former center. If the new center s chair disapproves, the decision may be appealed to the JC.

New societies requesting affiliation with the AOS shall indicate the judgingcenter they intend to support and be served by in their application for affiliation.

Affiliated societies may provide financial and administrative support for morethan one center. In such instances, co-center support of AOS sanctioned showswould be possible in accordance with Section 5.6(2).

IV. American Orchid Society Judges

4.1 JudgesAOS judges are volunteers appointed by the Board of Trustees to facilitate the

judging systems service to the Societys members and the orchid growing public.A judges certification is a conditional, revocable privilege maintained by the

judges strict adherence to the systems rules and regulations. This privilege islimited to participation in any AOS-sanctioned judging event; no other benefit is

implied or granted except at the discretion of the Judging Committee and the Boardof Trustees. The following classes of judge are recognized:(1) Student(2) Probationary(3) Accredited(4) Senior(5) Emeritus(6) Retired(7) Retired EmeritusAs a group, probationary and accredited judges are known as certified judges.

As a group, senior and emeritus judges are known as inactive judges; they are stillcertified to judge, but they are not allowed to vote in business meetings except in

the case of selecting the center s recommendations for special annual awards asdescribed in Section 6.2.11 and judges emeriti who fulfill all attendancerequirements for certified judges in which case they retain full voting rights.

4.2 Appointment and AccreditationAll judges except students are appointed, elevated or terminated by the Board of

Trustees upon recommendation of the JC. The JC in turn acts uponrecommendations of the judging center committees, upon provisions within thisHandbook, or as it deems necessary for the proper and ethical administration of the

judging system as described in Sections 2.3(3) and 4.8. Judging center committeesmake final decisions with respect to the appointment and termination of services of student judges.

A certified judge must be permitted to participate in any AOS-sanctioned judging activity (wherever held) beyond the mere signing of the judging summarysheet for that event.

4.2.1 Student JudgeAny person aspiring to become an AOS judge and fulfilling the requirements

thereof, regardless of his/her place of residence, may apply to any center forappointment as student judge and upon satisfactory completion of the requirementsas provided in this chapter ultimately may become an accredited judge. A student



20/90

Page 20 of 90

judge is expected to participate in the judging center s training program and upondemonstration of satisfactory completion of this training may be eligible forconsideration for appointment as probationary judge. A student judges trainingperiod is a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years dated from thelocal center committees acceptance of the student at a duly called businessmeeting and expiring at the end of the tenth regularly scheduled judging center ssemi-annual business meeting following that approval. If a student judge fails to beadvanced at the end of five years of service in this grade, the student shall nolonger be permitted to judge and he/she shall be terminated as a student judge. Astudent who resigns may reapply to any judging center committee forreappointment as a student after a minimum waiting period of one year. Anyprevious time served shall not be reinstated.

4.2.1.1 Selection Procedure Student judges are selected to meet the requirements of the AOS, not to serve

their personal ambitions. Knowledge of orchids and competence in evaluating themare indispensable qualities in a judge, but equally important is the judges behaviorin applying this knowledge. Personal integrity must be beyond question and a judgemust work effectively and harmoniously as a member of a team. Responsibility forthe selection and training of student judges is delegated to the judging centercommittees. The number of student judges is not mandated; each center selectssufficient candidates to meet its long-term needs, taking into account turnover andthe long process by which a student becomes a fully accredited judge.

Following the receipt of an application, the judging center chair shall arrangefor the candidate to be interviewed by a committee of accredited judges who,insofar as practicable, will be unacquainted with the candidate. This interview willgive the candidate an opportunity to ask and answer questions and to elaborate onmaterial contained in the application. At its option, the judging center committeemay prescribe additional steps in reaching a decision about an applicant. The

judging center committee shall make a timely decision and notify the applicant inwriting. Failure of a candidate to gain acceptance may not reflect the candidatespotential but may simply signify the fact that the center cannot currently absorbadditional student judges. Such a candidate may reapply at any time, and at itsdiscretion the center committee may dispense with the interview or other evaluativesteps.

4.2.1.2 QualificationsCandidates for student judge must:(1) Have a long term commitment to orchidology, including the growing andexhibition of orchids.(2) Anticipate serving as judges long enough to justify their training and to

make contributions to the judging system.(3) Pass a color perception screening test as prescribed by the AOS, before theirapplications are acted upon by the judging center committee.(4) Have broad interest in orchids beyond those directly related to judging, e.g.,orchid conservation, developments in research, education of the public inorchidology, etc. Concentrated experience in a specific area such ashybridization or photography is advantageous but does not overcome the needfor the candidates to meet the other criteria.



21/90

Page 21 of 90

(5) Be eager to expand their knowledge. The essential quality at the point of selection is the applicants capacity and desire to learn.(6) Be able to make independent judgments and to maintain a point of viewwithout becoming contentious or defensive.(7) While serving as AOS judges, maintain high standards of personal integrityand ethics and avoid any conduct which could be construed as unethical by anobserver. They must recognize that their actions reflect upon the judging systemand the AOS, and that they themselves will be judged by their appearance,demeanor and competence.(8) Be committed to the judging system and to its orderly evolution. Theircriticisms should be constructive and aimed at improving the equity anduniformity of the judging process.(9) Maintain membership in the AOS, and subscribe to AQ Plus. (Note thatmembership should be maintained in name that will appear on judges roster toenable proper name recognition when checking membership status.)(10) Give evidence of potential for leadership.(11) Be able to meet the requirements of the judging system with respect toavailable time, ability to travel, physical and mental fitness, and participation intraining and judging activities.

4.2.1.3 Application The written application from candidates for student judge shall include complete

name, address including zip code, home and work telephone numbers, and thefollowing information in enough detail to permit thorough evaluation of theirqualifications.

(1) Have you previously applied for appointment as student judge or served asan AOS judge? If yes, explain briefly.(2) How long have you been a member of the AOS?(3) Describe your experience in growing orchids (length of time, types grown,facilities used, size of collection, etc.).(4) Describe your participation in orchid societies of which you are currently orhave been a member.(5) Have you exhibited in orchid shows? How extensively?(6) Describe your participation in orchid shows other than as an exhibitor.(7) Have you attended or participated in activities of your judging center scommittee such as judging sessions or training courses? Describe.(8) Describe your orchid library in general (books, periodicals, photographs,etc.).(9) On a separate sheet, list books and periodicals in your personal library.(10) Do you own a copy of the latest edition of the Handbook on Judging and

Exhibition ?(11) Do you subscribe to AQ Plus ?

(12) Describe any feature of your regular work or hobbies which would enhanceyour knowledge of orchids or your ability to evaluate them.(13) Describe any other training or educational activities related to orchids inwhich you have engaged.(14) Why do you want to become an orchid judge?(15) What do you regard as your strongest qualification for serving?(16) Give the names and addresses of two or more persons who have knowledgeof your interest in orchids, growing experience, etc.



22/90


23/90

Page 23 of 90

participate annually in at least one monthly judging of the center or at least oneAOS sanctioned show within the area served by the center, the judging centercommittee may recommend that the judge be placed on retired status. Senior

judges shall be included in the Judges List as long as they remain members of the AOS and subscribe to AQ Plus. Should these lapse, the procedure describedin Section 4.9.4.2 will apply; a lack of reinstatement will result in an automaticshift to retired judge and judging privileges shall cease as described in Section4.9.3(3) If the circumstances prompting the initial appointment as senior judge nolonger exist, the judge may request from the center committee a return in statusto accredited judge. If the return is approved by the center committee,

justification for it must be detailed in writing by the judging center chair andaccompany the recommendation to the JC. Upon return, the judge may not votein business meetings, except in the case of selecting the center srecommendations for special annual awards as described in Section 6.2.11, untilthey have served one year after the date of the return as accepted by the AOSBoard of Trustees.

4.2.5 Judge EmeritusThis is an honorary status, the highest honor the AOS can bestow on a judge.

This status may not be requested by a judge but may be initiated by the judgingcenter committee or by the JC. A minimum of 20 years of outstanding service as acertified judge, including long-term participation in judging activities beyondsimply maintaining frequent attendance, is the prime consideration, If deemedappropriate, the time requirement may be waived by the JC. A judges demeanorand record of participation must have been consistent with the highest standards of the AOS, and the judges associates must consider the judge in every way to beworthy of this highest honor. A statement of qualifications, including years of service, offices held in connection with judging and any other judging activityengaged in beyond that normally required of a judge must accompany therecommendation. Non-judging activities in the AOS should also be included whenappropriate. Other information may be requested by the JC at its discretion.

A judge emeritus may (but will no longer be required to) participate in judgingat judging center sessions or shows. An emeritus judge will not have to attendrequired training, but to continue to judge must maintain his/her judging abilitiesas stated in 4.5(1)-(9). The judge may serve as an AOS judging chair at AOS-sanctioned orchid shows, may attend business meetings, but will not be counted indetermining a quorum, and may not vote except in the case of selecting the center srecommendations for special annual awards as described in Section 6.2.11, unlessthe judge fulfills all attendance requirements for certified judges, in which case fullvoting rights are retained. Judges emeriti shall be included in the Judges List aslong as they remain members of the AOS and subscribe to AQ Plus . Should these

lapse, the procedure described in Section 4.9.4.2 will apply. A lack of reinstatement will result in an automatic shift to retired judge emeritus and judgingprivileges shall cease. (See Section 4.9.3).

4.2.6 Retired JudgeThis is a special status, which may be requested by or conferred upon an

accredited judge who has served satisfactorily for a minimum of five years as acertified judge but, for reasons acceptable to the JC, is unable to continue to serve(See Section 4.9.3).



24/90

Page 24 of 90

4.2.7 Judges List The Judges List shall be published on the AOS website and in AQ Plus . The

Judges List shall contain the name, mailing address and the telephone numberwhere each judge can be reached. For convenience, the judges shall be listed ingroups according to their assigned judging centers. Any certified judge from any

judging center is permitted to participate in any AOS center judging session or anyAOS award judging at AOS-sanctioned shows.

4.3 Continuing StatusAn accredited judge is appointed for an indefinite period. Student and

probationary judges may be considered for advancement after three years in gradeand, if they fail to achieve advancement, may be reconsidered at a subsequentbusiness meeting as provided in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2. A judge may at any timebe suspended or terminated for cause as set forth in Section 4.9.4.1, orautomatically, as set forth in Section 4.9.4.2.

4.4 Judging Center AssignmentA judge or candidate for student judge shall ordinarily be assigned to serve the

center of his/her choice. If for any reason a certified judge later wishes to serve inanother judging center, application for transfer shall be made to the chairs of thetwo judging centers involved. If they approve, the transfer shall take place uponnotification by the former center s chair to the JC chair. Notice of the transfer andits effective date shall be recorded in the JC agenda. In the event that there is anethical issue involving the transferring judge, the issue must be resolved inaccordance with Section 4.9.4.1 before the transfer occurs. If either chairdisapproves of a request for transfer, the decision may be appealed to the JC.

A student judge may transfer only upon approval first by his/her original centercommittee and then by the desired center committee in duly called businessmeetings. Release and acceptance shall be based upon favorable evaluation of thestudents performance and apparent potential for positive contributions to the

judging system, including background, training, judging practice, and generalconduct, noted in Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.1.2, 4.7.4 and 4.8. If approved, the transfershall take place upon notification of the JC chair by both center chairs. Denial of astudents request for transfer by either center committee may be appealed once andreconsidered at that center s next regular business meeting.

Any transfer shall be accompanied by authenticated records of service at theprior judging center, signed by the center chair. If a student or probationary judgehas accumulated substantial credit at his/her original judging center, the new

judging center committee shall evaluate his/her records to prevent unnecessaryduplication of previous service. Probationary judges and students should note thatsuccess or failure in a transfer will not extend the five-year period referred to inSections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2, and a transfer accordingly should be applied for at a timethat, if the transfer is approved, will provide adequate time for the new centercommittee to evaluate the judges performance prior to the end of that period.Certified judges transferring between judging centers shall not be permitted to votein general business meetings for one year from the date of transfer as approved by



25/90

Page 25 of 90

the new center s chair and recorded via the JC report and shall not be counted indetermining business meeting quorum requirements.

4.5 Knowledge and AbilitiesAn AOS judge is a person considered by the trustees to be qualified to pass

critical judgments upon the merits and demerits of orchid species and hybrids.Owing to the great size of the orchid family it is not possible for any one judge topossess a comprehensive knowledge of all genera and species, but the followingrequirements are basic:

(1) A judge must have a thorough knowledge of the species and hybrids mostcommonly grown and a general knowledge of the species and hybrids of thelesser-known genera.(2) A judge must have an understanding of the potential limits of the speciesinvolved in hybridization, the achievement of the hybridizer and the effects of polyploidy.(3) A judge must keep abreast of the developments in hybridizing, judging,growing and all other phases of orchid activity that might affect ones capacityas a judge.(4) A judge must have knowledge of arrangement and composition in referenceto the evaluation of group exhibits.(5) A judge must have a general knowledge of historic and current orchidliterature.(6) A judge must be able to organize knowledge quickly, effectively andobjectively, recognizing personal preferences and prejudices, and must not beunduly influenced by them.(7) A judge must be able, in the presence of other judges, to formulate anindependent opinion and, conversely, be able to recognize the merits of theopinions of other judges.(8) A judge must have no abnormality in color perception. An AOS color-perception test or a statement from a certified ophthalmologist may be requiredto establish this fact.(9) A judge should be able to travel and participate in judging activities in areasother than the judging center he/she serves.

4.6 ResponsibilitiesTo retain status as a judge, a certified judge must:

(1) Maintain membership in the AOS in good standing in order to legitimatelyserve as its representative. The judge must subscribe to AQ Plus . If his/hermembership in AOS or subscription to AQ Plus lapses, he/she shall forfeithis/her standing as a judge.(2) Fulfill his/her judging requirements by participating in at least eight

judgings in his/her assigned judging area each year, at least four of which mustbe at the monthly judging sessions in his/her assigned judging center. Any

judge, who has not attended the minimum number of judgings during thepreceding calendar year, shall be denied voting privileges on any matter at thecenter s business meeting in the current calendar year. A judge should judgeannually at one or more AOS-sanctioned judging activities outside the areaserved by his/her judging center. In the event that the official AOSresponsibilities of an accredited judge (for example: the Director of Education



26/90

Page 26 of 90

and Regional Operations or the AOS President) prevent him/her from fulfillingthe center s judging number requirement, the required number may be waived. If the annual total of in-center plus out-of-center judgings exceeds eight, the judgeshall be eligible to be considered for such a waiver. Either the judges center,via the Judging Committee, or the Judging Committee itself may submit such arecommendation to the Board for its approval. While under such a waiver, the

judge shall be denied voting privileges on any matter at the center s businessmeeting.(3) Attend each biannual business meeting and any duly called business meetingof the judging center committee unless excused for valid reason in advance bythe judging center chair.(4) Participate annually in no less than 12 hours of scheduled training sessionsas specified in Section 4.7.3.(5) Maintain the knowledge and abilities required in Section 4.5, and thestandards of conduct required in Section 4.8.(6) Cooperate fully with the chair of judging and the captain of his/her judgingteam in completing the routine duties of their assignment such as signing forms,describing and measuring flowers, and remaining with the team until excused.(7) Express him/herself clearly and unequivocally in evaluating a flower, plantor exhibit, avoiding both passive acceptance and aggressive rejection of theopinions of other judges.

4.7 Judges TrainingBecause of the changing nature of the orchid flora due to hybridization and

introduction of new species, all judges are considered to be in training at all times.

4.7.1 National Training Coordinator The chair of the JC shall appoint a national training coordinator who shall assist

and advise the judging centers training coordinators, and maintain liaison with theJC. His/her purpose as training coordinator is to coordinate training to assureuniformity of judging practices throughout the judging system. He/she mayrecommend changes in training practices and issue training bulletins as needed,subject to approval by the JC.

4.7.2 Judging Center Training Coordinator Each judging center chair shall appoint a judges training coordinator to

implement a training program for all assigned student and certified judges in thecenter s jurisdiction. Additional judges training coordinators may be appointed inadditional judging sites by the additional site chair. The training coordinator shallmanage the instructional program and evaluate the progress of the group of student

judges as a whole, revising the training when necessary to better the result.

4.7.3 Training SeminarsEach center and/or additional judging site shall accomplish not less than 12

hours of scheduled training each year. All judges must participate in these judgestraining sessions, unless excused by the judging center chair. Records of all judgesparticipation in training sessions shall be maintained. Judging centers in closegeographic proximity are strongly encouraged to conduct periodic joint judgestraining seminars or workshops.



27/90

Page 27 of 90

4.7.4 Student Judges Training Program (1) Student judges are apprentice judges working with and learning fromcertified judges on the judging floor, in judging seminars and through special,individual study assignments. The training coordinator or an alternate shallevaluate students strengths and weaknesses on a regular basis and assign studyaccordingly. The training coordinator may recommend whether or not student

judges be continued, advanced, or terminated by the judging center committee.(2) Each student judge shall be assigned two accredited judges to serve asadvisers or counselors throughout the training period, the purpose being toprovide two way liaison between the student judge and certified judges of thecenter in dealing with observed problems. Advisers are responsible for thestudent judges progress.(3) Student judges recommended for termination may appeal to the judgingcenter committee as a whole if they feel they have been unfairly evaluated.(4) Student judge advisers shall provide early orientation for student judges onformal judging practices on such subjects as point scoring, judging floorprocedures, and judges ethics preliminary to more extensive training in thesesubjects.(5) A regular testing and evaluation program may be conducted in the course of student training, the results of which may be recorded in each studentspersonnel records and may become a part of the student judges credentials foradvancement or transfer between centers.(6) It is intended that the opportunity be available for students to address properand relevant questions to judges.(7) Before entering the judges training program, applicants should haveconsiderable working experience growing and exhibiting orchids and the abilityto identify the more common orchid genera and species including anunderstanding of basic botanical terms. (See Section 4.2.1.2).(8) All student judges are expected to represent the American Orchid Society ina creditable manner at all judging sessions; they shall periodically exhibit andparticipate in sanctioned shows and exhibitions.

4.7.5 Suggested Subjects that the Student Judge Training Program Should Include

(1) Plant nominations, evaluation and scoring using point scales.(2) AOS awards categories.(3) Evaluation of color, form, texture and substance.(4) Writing flower descriptions including measurements.(5) Objectivity in orchid judging.(6) Ethics in judging, including the items listed in Section 4.8.(7) The philosophy of judging.(8) Compare orchid judging systems.(9) Ribbon or show judging.(10) Conduct of judges at orchid shows with emphasis on demeanor and wearingapparel.(11) The judge clerk relationship at orchid shows.(12) Properly constituted AOS judging teams.(13) Evaluation of artistic arrangements and exhibits.(14) The proper use of orchid literature and current reference materials in

judging.



28/90

Page 28 of 90

(15) The duties of the team captain in AOS judging.(16) The duties of the judging chair at AOS-sanctioned shows.(17) Nomination and scoring of exhibits.

4.7.6 Instructional Techniques(1) Instructional techniques should be varied. Each subject should be organizedand developed into instructional units using both written and visual materialswherever practicable. Each unit should be reviewed and discussed during thetraining session. Periodic testing may be used to assess training effectivenessand progress.(2) Hands on practice with live plant material should be used wheneverpracticable.(3) Selected study and research projects should be assigned to each studentduring the training years.

4.8 Conduct of JudgesJudges shall act at all times by word and deed, while serving as AOS judges, in a

manner which will maintain the standards of AOS judging on the highest level andreflect credit upon the judging activities and upon themselves. They shall conductthemselves, while serving as AOS judges, in a manner which will never bring theiror the system's integrity into question. Serving as an AOS judge includes but is notlimited to AOS judging, orchid show ribbon judging, pre- and post-judgingactivities such as judges meals at an orchid show, preview parties and banquetsand other activities in which he/she officially represents AOS.

In addition, all AOS judges shall:

(1) Refrain, while serving as a judge, from making personal comments about aflower, plant, exhibit or orchid grower that do not relate to the judging inprogress and which might, if repeated to the exhibitor, be considered gratuitousor derogatory and bring into question the deportment of the judge.(2) Disqualify him/herself from participation in the judging of a plant, flower or

exhibit with which they have any relationship that might in any way beconstrued as interfering with their impartiality.(3) Avoid making demeaning comments publicly concerning other judges,

judging team support personnel, orchid plants, orchid exhibits, or exhibitors.Negative comments during open judging are often appropriate, but should not bedemeaning.(4) Not publicly make a slanderous or malicious remark about another judge.(5) Avoid using sexual analogies and comments (jocular or not) when publiclydiscussing plants or people.(6) Avoid aggressive, persistent or recurrent attempts to influence other judgesin awarding or not awarding a plant.(7) Conduct him/herself in a calm and rational manner, which will permit theharmonious resolution of differing viewpoints and judgments.(8) Avoid high ball or low ball scoring intended solely to inflate the pointcount spread.(9) Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while judging or officiallyrepresenting the AOS. Responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages prior toor following judging is permissible.



29/90

Page 29 of 90

(10) Dress appropriately when judging at an orchid show, thus showing respectfor the event being judged.(11) Neither be paid nor have to pay for the opportunity to participate in AOSaward judging at any AOS-sanctioned activity.(12) Not accept reimbursement in excess of actual cost, for expenses related toshow judging (transportation, lodging and meals).(13) Make a reasonable attempt to comply with the requirements for clearinghis/her provisional award.(14) Pay for purchased orchid plants, award fees, taxonomic plant identificationcharges and delinquent provisional award fees.(15) Not steal orchid plants, pollen or tissue.(16) Not be involved in sales transactions in the judging area during AOS

judging.(17) Not falsify a grex, clonal name or hybrid parentage.(18) Not buy or sell and award as the reward for influencing or attempting toinfluence the granting of that award.(19) Not disclose the results of the center committees personnel meeting orother privileged information, prior to official notification.(20) Notify the sponsoring organization if he/she is unable to fulfill orchidrelated commitments (judging orchid shows; lecturing at an orchid society, etc.).(21) Disqualify him/her self from participation in all personnel matters involvingany judge with whom he/she has a relationship that might in any way beconstrued as interfering with impartially. Members of the same family,household or commercial establishment must be recused from any suchparticipation and not be present during the deliberation and voting.

4.9 Separation from Service

4.9.1 Leave of AbsenceA certified judge in good standing, who, due to uncontrollable circumstances, is

unable to fulfill his/her judging duties, may make written application to the judgingcenter chair for the center committee to grant a leave of absence for a maximum of two years. If the judging center committee approves, it shall notify the JC of thereason for the leave and its effective starting and ending dates. No action isrequired by the JC. The names of judges granted leaves of absence shall be carriedon the Judges List. Judges on leave may judge; however, they may not serve as anAOS judging chair at AOS-sanctioned orchid shows; and may not vote in businessmeetings until they have served one year at their judging center after the effectiveending date of the leave as determined by the center committee, and they shall notbe counted in determining the business meeting quorum requirements. The leave of absence of a probationary judge does not extend the five year termination rule. (SeeSection 4.2.2.)

4.9.2 ResignationA judge who wishes to resign shall submit a written notice to the judging center

committee, which shall in turn notify the JC of the resignation. A certified judgemay reenter the judging system after a minimum waiting period of one year fromthe time the resignation is accepted by the judging center committee. Reentry must



30/90

Page 30 of 90

be made at the student level for a period to be determined by the judging centercommittee, but not less than one period between biannual Trustees Meetings.

4.9.3 Retirement Retirement is a special status, which may be conferred upon an accredited judge

who has served satisfactorily for a minimum of five years as a certified judge butfor reasons acceptable to the JC is unable to continue to serve. A judge may directa request for retirement to the judging center committee, or the action may beinitiated by that committee. This procedure is not to be confused with terminationof a judges service. A retired judge shall no longer participate in AOS judging or

judging center meetings but his/her name shall be retained on the permanent list of retired judges.

4.9.4 Suspension and/or TerminationA certified judge may be suspended and/or terminated either for cause, as set

forth in Section 4.9.4.1, or automatically, as set forth in Section 4.9.4.2.

A charge leading to suspension or termination for cause, or a procedure forautomatic suspension or termination, may be initiated by a judges centercommittee or the JC chair. If initiated by the chair of the JC, informationconcerning the charges shall be referred promptly to the affected judges centerchair who shall then follow the procedures set forth in either Section 4.9.4.1 orSection 4.9.4.2, as appropriate. If an alleged incident occurs at another judgingcenter s event, the chair of that center shall promptly refer information concerningthe charges to the affected judges center chair who shall then follow theprocedures set forth in either Section 4.9.4.1 or Section 4.9.4.2, as appropriate.

Suspension of a certified judge results in the temporary cessation of all of theresponsibilities and privileges of being an AOS judge. The certified judge shall beprohibited from participating in any AOS judging activity; however, he/she shall beencouraged to attend center committee meetings, training or teaching sessions and

judging sessions, as an observer. The suspension can last for up to one year.Multiple infractions shall not result in concurrent suspensions. Suspension does notpreclude the possibility of subsequent termination. The time a probationary judgespends under suspension shall extend the five-year maximum time in service rule.

Termination of a certified judge shall result in the permanent cessation of all of the responsibilities and privileges of being an AOS judge. At any time in the courseof the suspension or termination process, a judge may elect to resign withoutprejudice and such action shall terminate the pending procedure.

4.9.4.1 Suspension and/or Termination for Cause.

Grounds for suspension and/or termination for cause shall include: (1) lack of participation in judging sessions, business meetings or training activities asrequired by Section 4.6 (2), (3) and (4);(2) inadequacy as a judge as set forth in Section 4.5;(3) a violation of a standard of conduct as set forth in Section 4.8.



31/90

Page 31 of 90

If a charge is made of lack of participation in judging sessions, businessmeetings or training activities it shall be investigated by the judging center chair.In determining whether the charge is well-founded and with merit, the chair shallconsider whether or not the judge has been given adequate notice of his/herdeficiencies with sufficient time to correct them.

If a charge is made of inadequacy as a judge or of a violation of a standard of conduct by a judge, it shall be investigated promptly by the judging center chair,with or without the assistance of a special ad hoc committee appointed by thecenter chair, to determine if the charge appears to be well-founded and with merit.All known facts of the charge must be investigated and reviewed. The investigationshall include, but not be limited to, interviewing individuals or witnesses andrequesting and reviewing any documents or materials that are relevant to the case.Interviewing the judge involved is discretionary.

In the event any charge involves the judging center chair, the chair shall bedisqualified from performing any of the functions cited herein. Those functionsshall then be performed by the first vice-chair of the judging center. If both thechair and the first vice-chair are involved, the chair of the JC shall perform thosefunctions or shall appoint another accredited judge from that judging centercommittee to do so.

If a charge is determined to be well-founded and with merit by the investigation,the charge, together with the chair s and/or ad hoc committees findings, and anysupporting documentation and recommendations, shall be presented at the next dulycalled business meeting of the judging center committee. The affected judge will beinformed of this and must be recused during the discussion. If a two-thirds majorityof the accredited judges present and voting at that meeting finds that the charge issubstantiated by the facts, the following steps shall be taken:

(1) The judging center chair shall advise the affected judge of the charge in aclearly written statement mailed to the judge's last address known to the judgingcenter chair.(2) Such notice shall inform the judge that the charge and the question of his/hersuspension or termination will be on the agenda of business to be conducted atthe next duly scheduled business meeting or at a special business meeting calledby the Chair for that purpose. Such notice shall also advise the judge that he/shemay appear in person together with a reasonable number of witnesses on his/herbehalf, but without counsel, to challenge such action or that he/she may submit awritten statement in opposition to the proposed action. The judge must submitsuch statement and/or request the right to appear in person with the names of any witnesses to the Center chair at least ten days prior to such meeting. A

failure to submit such statement or a list of witnesses within the time prescribedshall constitute a waiver of the right to submit a statement or to producewitnesses on his behalf at such meeting.(3) The voting procedures and requirements in Section 3.3.1.2 shall be followedand fulfilled at all meetings held pursuant to this section.(4) At the meeting scheduled or called for such purpose, the judging centercommittee may vote to recommend suspension and/or termination of the judge.A recommendation for suspension shall include the length of time of thesuspension, which can commence immediately if the judging center committee



32/90

Page 32 of 90

so determines. The judging center committee shall also have the authority torecommend termination, preceded by immediate temporary suspension, until thetermination is approved by the Board of Trustees. If a two-thirds majority of theaccredited judges present and voting recommend suspension and/or termination,the center chair shall forward the recommendation to the chair of the JC,together with the statement of charges, a record of the proceedings, a summaryof the judge's oral statement or a copy of his/her written statement, if any, andthe final ballot count. The recommendation of the judging center committeeshall be considered privileged information, not to be disclosed other than tonecessarily affected persons, until acted upon by the Board of Trustees.(5) A judge recommended for suspension and/or termination under thisprocedure shall be notified by the chair of the JC that a recommendation forsuspension or termination has been received by the JC and will be placed on theagenda for consideration at the next scheduled meeting of the JC. The affected

judge shall have the right to submit a written protest or challenge to therecommendation of the judging center committee and/or the right to appear inperson at such meeting. Submission of such a protest and/or a notice of intent toappear shall be filed by the judge with the JC Chair at least ten days prior tosuch meeting. Failure to do either within such time period shall constitute awaiver of that right. If the judge appears in person at that meeting of the JC,he/she shall not be permitted to have counsel present or to present witnesses.(6) The chair of the JC or a majority of the members of the JC may appoint anad hoc task force to evaluate the charges and to report its recommendation at thenext meeting of the JC. In the event the affected judges suspension had alreadycommenced, the suspension shall continue during the interval between meetings.(7) If the JC concludes not to sustain the recommendation of the judging centercommittee or decides to return the matter to that committee for further action,the judge and the judging center chair shall be so notified. In the event that the

judges suspension had commenced earlier, it shall end immediately; however,this does not preclude the possibility of subsequent suspension or termination as

described above.(8) If the JC concurs by a majority vote with the recommendation of the judgingcenter committee, it shall recommend to the Board of Trustees that the judge'sservice be suspended or terminated. In the event the judges suspension hadcommenced prior to this ruling, the time already spent will count toward thetotal length of the suspension.(9) After a majority vote by the Board of Trustees, the AOS shall notify the

judge of the Boards decision.

4.9.4.2 Automatic Suspension or Termination

Grounds for automatic suspension or termination shall include: failure tomaintain AOS membership and AQ Plus subscription, failure to execute and deliversuch waivers as may be required by the JC, failure to pay for awards, failure tomake a reasonable effort to clear his/her provisional award within a year, andfailure to advance from student or probationary status-all as hereinafter set forth.

(1) If a judge's AOS membership and AQ Plus subscription have not been paidwithin 30 days following the payment deadline of the initial invoice, a noticeshall be sent to the appropriate judging center chair, who shall contact thedelinquent judge for an explanation. A copy of this notice shall be sent to the



33/90


34/90

Page 34 of 90

(5) In the event that any of the failures discussed above in Sections 4.9.4.2 (1),(2), (3) or (4) involve the judging center chair, the chair shall be disqualifiedfrom performing the functions cited in those sections. Those functions then shallbe performed by the first vice-chair of the judging center. If both the chair andthe first vice-chair are involved, the chair of the JC shall perform thosefunctions or shall appoint another accredited judge from that judging centercommittee to do so.(6) If a probationary judge fails to be advanced at the end of five years of service in this grade, he/she shall be automatically terminated as a judge asdescribed in section 4.2.2. If a student judge fails to be advanced at the end of five years service in this grade, he/she shall be automatically terminated as astudent judge as described in section 4.2.1.

4.9.4.3 Lesser Sanctions On occasion lesser sanctions may be appropriate. The center chair has full

responsibility and authority for the center s judging activities, includingimplementation of lesser sanctions. Some examples of these include:

(1) Talking with the affected judge,(2) Sending a letter of concern,(3) Sending a letter of warning,(4) Sending a letter of reprimand,

As is true of any disciplinary action, such sanctions should be well-documentedand a copy should be filed in the judges personnel file. A lesser sanction shouldnot be considered a precursor or a requirement for possible future discipline.

V. Judging Process

5.1 Purpose of JudgingThe purpose of judging at AOS judging centers and at AOS-sanctioned shows is

to provide a service to members of AOS, the Affiliated Societies and to orchidgrowers in general, by which their orchids may be evaluated and judged for AOSawards at any time of the year. This is a volunteer activity, for which there is noremuneration. Any grower of orchids is invited to participate and there shall be noentry fee charged. Dates and details of monthly judgings and of AOS-sanctionedorchid shows are published regularly in Orchids. Any certified AOS judge must beallowed to participate in AOS award judging at any AOS-sanctioned judgingactivity. No payment shall be charged for this privilege. This shall not necessarilyexempt a judge from payment of other registration fees at shows, seminars or otherfunctions.

5.2 Judging MaterialsThe judging center committee shall maintain a permanent supply of judging

materials necessary for its use. These include:(1) Current edition of AQ Plus.(2) Any reference texts that the center committee may be able to secure.(3) A copy of the latest edition of the Handbook on Orchid Nomenclature andRegistration, published by the International Orchid Commission.(4) Entry forms, score sheets, award stickers, etc., and notebooks in which tokeep them.



35/90

Page 35 of 90

(5) Ledger for entry of all exhibits each month.(6) Exhibit acknowledgment cards to be mailed to exhibitors who have not beenpresent at the judging to notify them of the results of the judging of theirentries.(7) An eight- or l0-power lens (loupe) for examining small flowers.

5.3 Submission of Plants for Judging(1) Submission of plant material, either blooming plants or cut flowers, shall beconsidered valid evidence of the exhibitor s acceptance of the rules pertaining tothe judging. All plants or flowers submitted at a monthly judging session orexhibited at an AOS-sanctioned show shall be considered as candidates for anaward. The exhibitor is obligated to accept and pay the fee for any awardgranted except where he/she has clearly indicated before the judging that theentry is not to be AOS judged. An exhibitor may not specify what award will beaccepted.(2) Plants may be entered by the owner in person, by someone else on his/herbehalf or submitted by mail. Plants and flowers must be accompanied bysufficient information for them to be properly judged, i.e., the name, the cross(if a hybrid), the cultivar names of the parents (if known), the variety (if aspecies), the proposed cultivar name, the name and full address of the exhibitor,and other pertinent data such as previous awards. Lack of such information mayconstitute cause for the elimination of the entry from consideration. The plant orflower should bear no grower or owner identification since anonymity in termsof owners

AOS Handbook on Judging and Exhibition, 13th Edition

Documents