(Draft Revision: December 10, 2006)

1. PURPOSE

The Judges Committee develops, supports, and certifies judges within the jurisdiction of US SAILING. To provide this support the committee:

• maintains the training and testing programs for certification and education of judges;
• investigates complaints against judges;
• assists sailing organizations in obtaining qualified judges for events;
• provides support for and advice on the roles and conduct of judges at US SAILING events;
• evaluates applications from US SAILING judges for certification as ISAF International Judges and makes recommendations to the US SAILING Board of Directors (Board) regarding their nomination to ISAF

2. COMPOSITION

2.1 The Judges Committee shall consist of a Chair, a Regional Administrative Judge (RAJ) from each US SAILING Area, a Secretary, the Chair of the Umpires Committee ex-officio, and the Chair of any working party appointed by the Judges Committee.

2.2 The term of office of the Chair shall be one (1) year beginning and ending at the close of the Annual Meeting (AGM). The Chair shall be appointed in accordance with US SAILING Regulation 6.01, and may not serve more than four (4) consecutive terms, unless the Board approves an exemption.

2.3 The appointment of the Secretary, and Chairs of Working Parties shall be for a term of three (3) years beginning and ending at the close of the Annual Meeting (AGM). These members shall be appointed in accordance with US SAILING Regulation 6.02 and may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms, unless the Judges Committee approves an exception.

2.4 The appointment of an RAJ shall be for a term of three (3) years beginning January 1st and ending December 31st. RAJs are appointed in accordance with US SAILING Regulation 6.03. RAJs may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms unless the Judges Committee and the Board approves an exception.

2.5 The Judges Committee may appoint a Web Liaison who will maintain the Judges’ Website. The web liaison will not be a voting member of the Judges Committee unless otherwise a member of the Judges Committee.

2.6 The committee may appoint, as necessary, working parties to assist in performing the duties of the Judges Committee.

2.6.1 The appointment term of the Chair and members of a working party shall be the same as in 2.3 above.

2.6.2 The Chair of the working party will be a member of the Judges Committee, increasing the size of the Judges Committee if the Chair of the working party is not already a member of the Judges Committee.

2.6.3 Each working party shall have Terms of Reference defining its purpose, composition, functions, and activities. These Terms of Reference, and any changes thereto, must be approved by the Judges Committee.

3. FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

3.1.1 Maintain and document the criteria for certification as US SAILING Judge at any level.

3.1.2 Oversee the development of new judges

3.1.3 Process or cause to be processed applications for certification and renewal of certified judges

3.1.4 Develop and maintain training and testing programs for certification and education of judges

3.1.5 Investigate complaints against judges;

3.1.6 Assist other committees and organizations within US SAILING in obtaining qualified judges for events;

3.1.7 Provide support for and advice on the roles and conduct of judges at US SAILING events

3.1.8 Maintain and document the criteria for obtaining a nomination from US SAILING for certification as an ISAF International Judge

3.1.9 Evaluate applications of ISAF International judges and make recommendations to the Board concerning the nomination of these applicants to ISAF

3.1.10 Document the roles and responsibilities of Regional Administrative Judges.

3.1.11 Maintain and update documents to support judges in the US. This includes (but is not limited to) the US SAILING Judges Manual.

3.1.12 Perform other duties related to the Judges Committee’s purpose as directed by the President and the Board.

 3.2.1 The Judges Training and Testing Working Party (JTTWP) of the Judges Committee creates and maintains the materials that support the Judges Committee's training and testing programs for certification as US SAILING Judge or Senior Judge.

4 REFERENCES

4.1 US SAILING Bylaw(s) – No specific references

4.2 US SAILING Regulation(s)

• 4.03.4(c) Judges Committee as part of Race Administration Office within the Competition Division • 6.01 Appointment of Committee Chairs
• 6.02 Appointment of Committee Members
• 6.03 Appointment of Area Representatives to Committees
• 10.01(b) US SAILING Championship Administration
• 11.04 ISAF Certification