mbroberg
IAP Activities Manager, Emeritus
Yes, it is a little early to start talking about next year but I am going to throw this out anyway so you all can be thinking about it.
A recurring problem for which there seems to be no answer is how to establish penmaking categories for the pen making contests. Number of pens made and length of time turning each have drawbacks. I received this suggestion which, while I think it may need some work, may be worth exploring.
Pens are submitted to a jury. Entrants write out a detailed explanation of how long they have been turning, how many pens they have turned, a description of the pen entered and an explanation of what modifications were made to the pen, what customization was done, what parts were made by hand, etc. Everything that has anything to do with the pen and how it was made is explained. The jury then places the pen into the correct competition.
Alternatively, and this would be for the long term, the IAP establishes skill levels for pen makers (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, etc.) IAP management would decide through whatever means and procedures it develops what level a member is at. Criteria would be established for each level and member's prior work would be taken into consideration. That member will then know what contest he can enter. His skill level could be displayed right under his name and in his profile.
Yes, there are potential pitfalls to this system but the one thing it will have is consistency. Currently we ask members to place themselves in categories. If the same group of people were evaluation member's skill levels then the playing field may be a little leveler. It too may be something that could work with some refinement.
A recurring problem for which there seems to be no answer is how to establish penmaking categories for the pen making contests. Number of pens made and length of time turning each have drawbacks. I received this suggestion which, while I think it may need some work, may be worth exploring.
Pens are submitted to a jury. Entrants write out a detailed explanation of how long they have been turning, how many pens they have turned, a description of the pen entered and an explanation of what modifications were made to the pen, what customization was done, what parts were made by hand, etc. Everything that has anything to do with the pen and how it was made is explained. The jury then places the pen into the correct competition.
Alternatively, and this would be for the long term, the IAP establishes skill levels for pen makers (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, etc.) IAP management would decide through whatever means and procedures it develops what level a member is at. Criteria would be established for each level and member's prior work would be taken into consideration. That member will then know what contest he can enter. His skill level could be displayed right under his name and in his profile.
Yes, there are potential pitfalls to this system but the one thing it will have is consistency. Currently we ask members to place themselves in categories. If the same group of people were evaluation member's skill levels then the playing field may be a little leveler. It too may be something that could work with some refinement.