Current USCA Helper policy discussion - Page 1

I have spent the last few months groaning to myself about USCA policy and what I think should happen. I finally realized that nothing will happen if I grumble to myself. I would like to start a discussion on the following:

USCA's current helper policy doesn't allow for a person who is highly qualified to join the organization and keep the qualifications they have earned in a different organization. To give an example, if a helper was a National level helper and was selected for the World Championships in the past, they would become a basic level helper upon joining USCA. If a Teaching Helper with 50 years experience wants to join USCA they would essentially start over as a Basic level helper. I believe that this is holding USCA back from having more members who would contribute in a positive way. This doesn't make any sense to me.

Here is what I propose:
USCA Teaching Helpers should have the ability to evaluate someone who is joining the organization and grant them the level of certification they believe is appropriate (assuming they held a certification in a different organization). The evaluation should be video recorded and sent to the Helper committee for final review and approval.


This would allow highly talented helpers and teaching helpers to join the organization and have a fair process in which they could keep there certification level, upon proving there abilities to USCA.

Please give me your thoughts. Would like to know if you agree or disagree with the current policy and what you think of my proposal. Also, please keep this respectful at all times.

It does seem awfully stupid that someone's skills as a helper would be determined by the length of time they belonged to USCA--so someone who had spent years in that role but was affiliated with a breed other than the GSD, or who was a national-levels helper in another country, is viewed as no different than someone who just picked up a sleeve yesterday? Certainly does sound short-sighted. I realize that this was probably meant as some sort of retribution to those individuals who went with the GSDCA-WDA when USCA forced the 'fealty oath' upon their members, but I find these pissing matches beyond tiresome.

Thank you for your thoughts. Do you agree with my proposal HEXE?

It makes sense to me...

Like the requirement of the evaluation being videotaped videoed*, especially, and suggest that such be kept on file, so there is an archival record of the applicant's performance--eliminates allegations of strings-pulling or undue bias.

 

*showing my age...is there even such a thing as 'videotape' still being used these days?

Don't do IPO but yr plan seems sound.

There is a thing here in training (security people) circles called RPL, in the biz it means the training provider can recognise prior learning toward a new qualification .

It seems you could RPL the helpers based on the evidence of their prior qualifications and fast track them to qualify the new qualification.

The thing is they are still completing the whole new qualification and its requirements while not making them do the entire course.

Make sense.

What did you expect from the USCA?? Their record of deceit and foul play is immense. SSDD

Does anyone know how to go about proposing this to USCA and having a vote?
Could the people of USCA essentially dictate whether this ever becomes a policy?

Smartguy, I asked a UScA board member the same question a few years back and was told that it would not happen because it would be unfair to the helpers who are working their way up the helper ladder. It was my feeling at the time that it would be a prime opportunity for the organization to add some very experienced helpers.
Judy

What about the helpers who put in time and qualified under a different jurisdiction, for their efforts to not be recognized, isn't that unfair? That's like asking a senior engineer to be hired on as a engineer-in-training. Why can't the experienced helpers just challenge the helper examination at the higher levels? Then experienced helpers who want to join USCA don't have to start at the bottom, but still have to prove their expertise.