1. SCJA was told over and over that “Hands On Testing was here to stay” – thanks to the persistent, well-thought out and presented position by the SCJA, AKC agreed and Hands On Testing is no longer a part of the judges approval process;

2. There were no Judges Institutes by AKC or any other judges organization until after the SCJA led the way with the first weeklong Judges Institute in 1989;

3. SCJA recommended the Judges Observation forms be given to all judges being observed, and that they be afforded the opportunity to comment when signing it;

4. SCJA recommended against AKC Reps commenting on how judges dress and it was gone in no time;

5. SCJA lobbied for our judges to be given more than 30 minutes for lunch, and this was approved;

6. There was no recognition of senior judges until the SCJA established the policy of recognizing our senior judges; the AKC and others have since adopted this worth while program;

7. There was no Judges Educational Department at AKC until after the SCJA established their separate education foundation. Others have followed our lead;

8. The SCJA strongly opposed the complicated proposal to place further requirements on Best In Show judges – it was never implemented; (this just recently came up and again and was opposed by the SCJA and defeated with a vote within the AKC board)

9. The SCJA fought for and gained the right, for judges to see letters written on them that are sent to AKC;

10. SCJA came on loud and strong to object to the judges disciplinary list proposed by AKC staff to the AKC board – it was revoked;

11. SCJA lobbied against closed book testing and it was discontinued;

12. SCJA set up and maintains a meaningful “HELP THE PROVISIONAL JUDGES PROGRAM”

13. SCJA apposed the proposed annual judge’s fee, which has not been implemented;

14. The SCJA recommended the AKC insure their Judges against liability in following its rules while judging. It was adopted. We expressed our thanks to them for this very worthwhile program.

15. SCJA’s sister organization, the American Canine Education Foundation, works closely with the AKC with both our ACEF Graduate Course and the ACEF Judge’s Institute. However, we will be questioning the most recent requirements imposed on a new provisional Judge like you. The SCJA has two aspects that need addressing, both the time involved, and the unreasonable financial burdens placed on our new Judges.