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Attention all IPMS/USA members. Find below the official survey of the membership to ascertain preference of judging systems. THIS IS A SURVEY TO SUPPLY CURRENT INFORMATION TO THE E-BOARD, NOT A PROPOSAL. There is NO effort I am aware of to change the way IPMS/USA judges our contest. This notice is to educate, inform, and promote discussion by the membership. As part of the survey, we have provided descriptions of both GSB and 123 systems that will be included in the April/May issue with the survey card. There will no voting here or on the web site. Voting will take place as mentioned; via a survey card in the April/May 2019 issue of "The Journal" and at the nationals in Chattanooga this summer. The survey will also be printed at the bottom of the model registration form at the national contest to best insure the maximum participation of the membership. The survey, questions, 1-2-3 and GSB descriptions were composed by a group of volunteers with oversight from Ron Bell and participation from Mark Persichetti, Head Judge for IPMS/USA and the NCC. SURVEY QUESTION TO IPMS/USA MEMBERS: Some of our members have requested data regarding the judging method used at the National Convention Contest. Please check ONE of the options below that you prefer. 1/2/3 - Models compete against the others in a given category. Only the top three models in each category are identified and awarded. G/S/B - Models compete against an objective standard of quality. Multiple awards may be given within each category. IPMS/USA Membership # _____________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 123 JUDGING Definition: Judging teams will assess each entry in each category and will award a First Place, a Second Place and Third Place based on the degree to which each entry meets the craftsmanship standards set forth in the IPMS/USA Competition Handbook. Advantages: (1) Since entries are judged only by comparison to each other, three awards (First, Second and Third) will be given to the top three entries in each category, regardless of the level of craftsmanship. (2) Under this system, models vie “head to head” for awards, creating a healthy spirit of competitiveness amongst our members (3) This system allows for the placement of constructive comments on the entry form by the judges (if desired by the National Contest Committee and the modeler). (4) The incorporation of judges in training, the selection of “Best ofs”, special, and theme awards, the collating of results, and the announcement of awards at the Banquet will be done as it is now. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ OPEN JUDGING (GSB) Definition: Judging teams will utilize the “open judging” system for assessment of each entry and may award a Gold, Silver, or a Bronze medal based on the degree to which that entry meets the craftsmanship standards set forth in the IPMS/USA Competition Handbook. The judges may award more than one of each medal in each category. Advantages: (1) All entries of sufficient merit will be recognized; eliminating the need to “nit-pick” good entries in order get down to just three awards (2) It will reduce the competitiveness of our National Contest (for which we have been criticized by some) since entrants will not be competing with each other. (3) Judges will provide constructive comments for the builder on the entry form, where appropriate, to encourage he or she to improve their building skills. (4) The incorporation of judges in training, the selection of “Best ofs”, special, theme awards, the collating of results, as well as the announcment of awards at the Banquet will be done as it is now.