Current USCA Helper policy discussion - Page 3

That was how I understood the original question too.
Seems to have shifted ground considerably.

I find it interesting that instead of contacting the Chair of the USCA Helper committee for exact information someone starts a thread on a forum? This has been resolved with a solution that both keeps inexperienced helpers from unjustly coming over to USCA as Regional and National Lever Helpers while also fast tracking the experienced helpers that should be a higher classification.

The various organizations have various standards that need to be achieved in order to work a certain level trial. For USCA it's the amount of dogs you have worked in a trial environment and the ratings you've received while working those dogs. It's all about experience and safety. Other organizations, due to lack of willing helpers will side step these types of requirements and allow willing helpers to go up in level in order to have someone to do an event. You can't just let people keep their "levels" if they weren't really earned in the same way they would've been. I’ve heard this being an issue with some older helpers that want the certification but after being in the sport for decades they’ve let things lapse and have just worked dogs based on the fact that people know they have experience, but the bottom line is that the certification is more for trial work than for training and that an organization really can’t give some people a short cut on a case by case basis…it’s too much work and will undoubtedly end up pissing someone off when they’re not given something a different person is.

Going waaay off topic from OP.... I think we are at the beginnings of two different mindsets from different organizations melding. There are people on both sides of the fence who are resentful and have their guard up as it relates to "the other org". There are going to be hurt feelings, bumps in the transition process and a time of adjustment. But at the end of the day, it will smooth out starting at the club level because that truly is the heart of the organization. I know that the club i belong too does not care if a new member was a WDA member or not, we dont care what credentials you come with behind your name. This is a "show me" sport and when you step onto the field, all BS drops a way and the truth is revealed. Just like the comradery after training is done, arse holes (like me ) are either welcomed are not based on personality and if they show they are a good club member, not if they think USCA/WDA/DVG is/was teh best organization. 

Most good training helpers that i have met, dont work trails any longer and have no desire to do so. They could care less what thier classification level is and those that train with them dont need an organizations stamp of approval to provide creditability for them. I dont think any of us care that Vit Glisnick is not a USCA classified helper but the majority of us would have no quams about working with him in training  

Uglyk9:
The person who started this forum conversation is me. My name is Mark Pellon. I don't think is a secret since you can see that when you opened the discussion. I started this because I came over to USCA willingly knowing that I would lose my qualifications as a National level helper and start as a basic helper. Wit that being said, I feel we have two problems. The first is that somehow "paying your dues" in the way of being in the organization long enough means you have earned your way up the chain. This is favoritism in my opinion. Your abilities and that alone should be the qualifier for your certification. Skills deteriorate with many factors. I have seen with my own eyes decoys what have been around a long time who shouldn't be working at a national level. This doesn't mean they aren't valuable to the sport. I also want to make sure we are clear about the difference between a helper and a Decoy. One trains dogs and the other tests them in trial. You can be a National level decoy and not know a thing about training. I didn't call directly to the chairman because I wanted other opinions from the people of our organization. If I'm the only one that feels the way I do then maybe I need to reevaluate my thoughts.

I also want to add that I came over as a National level helper and went to a seminar and was told I could only be a basic regardless. Maybe the new rules, which I was unaware of until today, took place after that point.

Smartguy1469


Don't get rid of your old book, bring it to a USCA helper seminar, or send it to me and I will do it, and get the dogs in your old book transfered into your new USCA book and the next time you go to a classification you will have enough dogs in your book to get rated at the level your ability states you should be. The new rules simply state that you must meet the minimum requirements in the USCA helper program and the ability to be rated at that level.

Just to be clear, here is what the current USCA policy is at it relates to Helpers coming over

Classifications for Members Joining from other WUSV Organizations
EB #30-15
Motion:  by Frank Phillips, Vice President, seconded by Mark Scarberry, to adopt a new procedure for

Helpers coming into USCA helper program from other WUSV member Organizations.
Helpers coming in with rating of Club Basic/Entry classification recognized and awarded to applicant provided the helper meets the minimum requirements for that level as described in the USCA Helper program. Newly converted helpers must attend a USCA helper seminar to reclassify within 1 year of joining USCA.

National/Regional Classification recognized and awarded to applicant  provided the helper meets the minimum requirements for that level as described in the USCA Helper program. They must also submit a video, to the Helper committee, of them preforming Trial helper  work recorded within the last 18 months to show the helper has the  ability to be rated as Regional or National level. Newly converted helpers must attend a USCA helper seminar to reclassify within 1 year of joining USCA.

Teaching Helpers will submit the Apprentice Teaching Helper Application as outlined in the Helper Program (section 15.2)
     *   The Helper Committee will review each application
     *   The Apprentice Teaching Helper Prerequisites (section 15.1) are waived
     *   Upon acceptance of the applicant into the Teaching Helper Apprenticeship Program, the apprentice will complete 2 apprenticeships after which the apprentice will be issued a probationary teaching helper status. If one of the apprenticeships was performed under a Helper Committee member then the apprentice can be given full teaching helper status. If given a Probationary status the apprentice will receive full teaching helper status after attending the National Helper College.

Thank you for that information Mr. Cutaway
Very Helpful.

The devil is in the details and whether the USCA follows their own or any rules. Historically USCA breaks their own and certainly any other organization's rules with an attitude of .... a) we didn't do it, b) that's not what that rule means or c) yeah we did it but what are you going to do about it?? They cheat each other so why wouldn't they cheat you is the appropriate mind set when dealing with the USCA.