To Clerk, or Not to Clerk. . .
That is the Question!

by Lee Polk

And a mighty fine question it is. I recently asked several licensed clerks in my area why they started clerking. Most answered the question with a question -- "Why not?" A few responded, "for the money" and one declared that he "just wanted something else to do during the show, as he and his wife were only
showing one cat, and since she did all the grooming, she didn't think it was fair for him to carry the cat to the ring after all her hard work!"

People clerk for many reasons. Recently, the Board determined that you must be a licensed clerk to enter the judging program. As a result of that, we have seen quite an increase in clerks entering the program. Applications are coming in every week!

It's true, licensed clerks do receive a sum equal to one entry, for clerking. (But if you've ever clerked, you know it's not enough money to entice you to come back and clerk the next show.)

It's quite easy to enter the clerking program - simply make application. Applications are readily available from the Clerking Program Administrator. You do have to be a member, and pay a small fee of $10.00.

If you've never clerked before, I suggest that you contact a show official and ask if you may sit in the ring with a clerk, to learn the procedures first hand. When you send in the application and fee, I'll send you the Clerking Manual and an evaluation form, which you may copy. Have the ring clerk complete the form and send it to me.

Then when you're assistant clerking, orclerking on your own, have the judge complete the evaluation forms and send them in. When you have sufficient successful evaluations on file, you'll receive the Clerking Test. It's open book, and you are given 30 days in which to complete it and return it. A passing grade of 90% is required, and viola! You're licensed!

Everything you need to know and do is contained in the Clerking Manual!

So go ahead! Give it a try! Call or write! I'll be more than happy to send you the application.

If there are no Clerking Schools in your area, ask your local club to enlist any Allbreed Judge to teach a clerking school. We use Clerking Schools in my area as a fund-raiser for the clubs! The fee charged covers the Clerking manuals, any refreshments provided, with the balance going to the club! Check with your Allbreed Judge/Clerking School Instructor to see what fee, if any, they might charge to do the school. Central office does not charge any fee for Clerking Schools!

If you're one of the many folks out there, clerking up a storm but not "in" the program, not licensed, I can only wonder "why not?"

Click here to contact ACFA for more information on becoming a clerk