Toni Talk

Toni Talk (July 1998)

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m still just getting used to the idea that summer is finally here and now Patty is asking when I want to judge next fall, and P.J. is all excited about the upcoming Judges’ Cup, and the next exam date and the base score clinic are less than a month away!!! My only thoughts are 1) "Help!", 2) "Next time we do symposium, it better be for a week in Hawaii", and 3) "Oh boy, here we go again!!".

First of all, congratulations to all of you for surviving and thriving during the challenging first year of new compulsories and new optional rules. It took a lot of perseverance to get through the re-certification process and get ALL those meets judged. You were all outstanding. Of course, there is more fun headed your way – as of August 1, 1998, the USAG is requiring that all judges be safety certified for all sanctioned USAG competitions. There are also a host of rule modifications that go into effect August 1. Please see your Technique Magazine for details and reserve Sunday, August 2nd, to attend the NorCal Base Score clinic (see details inside).

Secondly, in order to keep track of who’s qualified to judge given all the current requirements, I’ve asked Jennifer Shipman to expand her role of Active Status coordinator to also track NAWGJ and USAG memberships as well as Safety certification. Please be sure to send her copies of your current membership cards as well as your Active Status cards so she can add them to your "resume". She has already sent out letters to everyone she knows about who is missing one of these qualifications. If you’re not sure where you stand, please call Jen at <<deleted>> so we can make sure you’re up to date and ready to judge.

Finally, even though the new competitive season is approaching too quickly, I am sure it will hold its share of enjoyable moments and memorable performances. For me personally, it will certainly be memorable since it will be my last year as SJD and will (knock on wood) contain the birth of my son who is due in November for anyone who hasn’t heard. I’ve enjoyed being SJD since it’s allowed me to get to know so many of you much better than before and to understand the many facets of what’s required to make gymnastics work. I’ve also had the chance to meet many great people from around our region and the country and to have some impact on our state. It is time for a new leader; however, and I encourage all of you who are or have been board members to think about taking up the challenge. I know it will make you grow as a judge, as a person, and as a leader, and, best of all, you’ll get your own column in the newsletter!! Carpe diem!!

Toni