We Need Appraisers!

Because all of our teams work diligently throughout the year preparing their solutions to the Challenges, SCOOPS affirms the need to provide high quality tournaments, and plenty of well-trained, knowledgeable ApPRAISErs at their Showcases and Tournament. It is our obligation to provide certified Appraisers for our kids - do they deserve less?

Team Managers are the key in helping SCOOPS supply dedicated and knowledgeable Appraisers for Regional Showcases/IC Day and the Affiliate Tournament. Every Team Manager will be required to provide the name and contact information for Appraisers and/or volunteers for both the Regional Showcase/IC Day and the Affiliate Tournament.

The Team Manager must sumbit the SCOOPS required Appraiser information by February 8, 2009 to avoid paying a late fee.

Before submitting any names, the Team Manager should confirm attendance with Appraiser representatives or volunteers. Dates to confirm are:

• IC Appraisers must attend training at TBA on February 28, 2009
• Appraisers for the Team Challenge must attend the State-wide Training Session -- February 28, 2009 at a location TBA.
• Affiliate Tournament -- Appraisers need to be at their site early for training Saturday, March 21, 2009, for the Affiliate Tournament (Location to be announced) Depending on an Appraiser's specific assignment, he/she should expect to be busy from early in the morning until mid-late afternoon.

When you recruit your Appraiser(s), please note: The Appraiser for your team will not be able to leave their assigned position to watch your team perform. Your Appraiser will not be assigned to your team's Challenge Level. Please make sure your Appraiser understands that they will be at their "post" until at least a half-hour after the last team has performed and the Head Appraiser has dismissed the Appraisal Team.

Appraiser Options

Team Managers will choose one of the following Options:

1. One Appraiser representative: One Appraiser representative who will attend the state-wide training session and attend the Affiliate Tournament on March 21.
2. Two volunteers: Two volunteers will attend the State Tournament on March 21, plus the team will pay a $100 fine. This option is clearly punitive, and is only necessary if a TM has failed to fulfill the requirements of Option 1

Fines

If Option 1 is selected and the representative does not show up for the state-wide training session, then a $100 fine and Option 2 is in effect for that TM.

If Option 2 is in effect as a result of Option 1 not being fulfilled, and either of the two volunteers do not show up on their respective dates, then an additional $50 fine per volunteer who does not show up is in effect for that TM.

Assessment of any fine may be appealed due to extenuating circumstances within 7 days (not including the date of the assessment), by sending a written request, via email to pat@insidescoops.org Acknowledgment of the appeal will be made within 2 days. If you have filed an appeal and have not received an acknowledgment, please contact Pat at 1-803-731-5692(Columbia). The appeal will be reviewed, and a written response will be made.

If the team qualifies for the 2009 Global Finals competition, the fine must be paid by May 1, 2009, or the TM will forfeit his/her team's right to represent South Carolina at Global Finals and the second place team will be contacted to go to Global Finals.

If any other TM incurs a fine, it must be paid prior to registering for any SCOOPS-sponsored program participation during the 2009-2010 program year.

Provisions for Appraisers

• SCOOPS will provide lunch, drinks, and snacks for appraisers at the State Tournament on March 21.
• At the Affiliate Tournament, Appraisers are invited and encouraged to attend the Awards Ceremony. The names of all appraisers and volunteers will be listed in the Affiliate Tournament program.
• SCOOPS is fortunate to have funds budgeted to help pay for rooms for Affiliate Tournament Appraisers. SCOOPS will reimburse Appraisers who travel more than 50 miles to the Affiliate Tournament up to $25 of the lodging fee, with lodging receipt. (Not to exceed your total costs.)

Our KIDS come first! Let us assure you that NO team will be turned away at any SCOOPS event due to the certified Appraiser/s or volunteers not showing up or the lack of fine payment. The team will be allowed to participate in the State Tournament, however, feedback forms or scores will be held until the fines are paid.

SCOOPS hopes to collect $0.00 in fines this year! We want to give our KIDS first priority by providing certified, fair, consistent, knowledgeable ApPRAISErs who will have a fun day with the creative kids of South Carolina!