Judge Agreement
USAMC State Massage Championship Judges Agreement
The North Carolina State Massage Championships mission is to envision, educate, and elevate the massage therapy industry. We have a unique opportunity to do that through interactions with the event participants, judges, vendors and massage schools. Your commitment to that mission is affirmed by your execution of this State Massage Championship Judge's Agreement (hereinafter, “Agreement”).
Your conduct reflects who you are as an individual and as a judge. As a State Massage Championship Judge (hereinafter, “SMCJ”), you are a representative and ambassador of NCSMC mission at the state level and, ultimately, at the National level. We expect you to behave professionally, reflecting USAMC’s high standards and positive image at all massage therapy competitions.
State Massage Championship Judges (SMCJ) Defined
-SMCJ are not employees of the state championship.
-USAMC-sanctioned championships do not compensate SMCJ judges with pay.
-Some state sanctioned championships may pay for food, lodging, and/or designated judges' clothing.
-The judge will be responsible for any fees or expenses accrued at the NCSMC.
SMCJ must have at least two of these qualifications
-10 years experience as a massage therapist
-Massage therapy educator or assistant educator
-Previous judge at a USAMC or IMA-sanctioned event
-Shadow-judge in at least two USAMC or IMA-sanctioned championships with a
letter of recommendation from that head judge(s).
-Attended a USAMC-approved judges’ training and received certification
Judges Responsibilities
1. The Head SMCJ will double-check that the scores are correct before presenting the official scores to the State Director.
2. The Head SMCJ will help the judging team stay on time, be productive, and work to settle all disputes between judges.
3. SMCJs must adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal laws concerning anti-bribery, corruption, non‐discrimination, and anti-harassment policies.
4. If a SMCJ believes that any part of the JRCC has been violated, they must report such violations to the State Director.
5. SMCJs of a sanctioned USAMC championship must use the current IMA scorecard and not make any changes to the criteria. No other method of scoring will be acceptable, with the exception of the Clinical scorecard.
6. SMCJs are to remain impartial, open-minded, and fair. They must be motivated to self-evaluate their biases or potential biases. We ask that you productively correct them or recuse themselves from judging altogether or just in particular circumstances.
7. SMCJs must disclose any relationship with participants to the Director. SMCJ must avoid judging any student, relative, friend, or business associate.
8. SMCJs must not use illicit drugs or alcohol during their championship or be impaired by any substance, even if prescribed.
9. SMCJs may question any contestant or receiver about a particular performance directly after a round if they need clarification. However, they must not interrupt any contestant while performing unless there is a legitimate emergency or rule violation. 10. The SMCJ should have another judge as a witness to this corrective event.
11. If an SMCJ has a question during the competition, they will ask the Head SMCJ, not the Director.
12. SMCJs must deliberate after each round, finalize their round scores, and hand them to the Head SMCJ. SMCJs are responsible for making sure that they are available and capable of giving feedback to contestants after a round or at some point during or after the championship - thus, taking notes on contestants is encouraged.
13. SMCJs will use “the positive sandwich” model of giving feedback to contestants: give one positive critique, give one constructive critique to help solve a problem with what you saw that was less than good, and finally, give one more positive critique. So, for every constructive critique given two positive critiques must be given. Flat-out telling a contestant they did something wrong is not acceptable, unless it’s a violation of the rules.
14. SMCJs will fill out IMA scorecards during all preliminary rounds. These scorecards are never used for a Final Round or Clinical Category (different scoring system).
Judges Code of Conduct
1. SMCJs are not to post, share, or re‐post anything on social media or blogs that could counter our mission, does not portray a positive image, or uphold the professional standards of the Championships or its employees.
2. All photos should portray appropriate “judging” behavior. Do not share photos, videos, audio recordings, or other content from staff meetings, score sheets, or photos when the championship is active or after the championship.
3. Making fun of or otherwise commenting disparagingly or discriminatorily on participants or such conduct that casts doubt on the objectivity or professionalism of judges or judging in general.
4. Never post photos or videos during the championship, of any activity that disregards the importance of safety, any judge in the process of judging or contestant providing treatment. We will have professionals for this.
5. Do not share your knowledge on any scoring situation or deduction outside of your duties in judging during a championship.
6. Any information, picture, and/ or videos obtained before, during or after championships needs to kept private, unless there is written permission.
Final Statements
SMCJ contact information will be given to the USAMC for communication; you may opt out of that communication by emailing office@usamassagechamps.com. A copy of this agreement is available to you upon request.
Confidentiality
As a judge of NCSMC event, you may become privy to confidential information related to our competitions and otherwise proprietary to NCSMC. In your agreement to judge, you must keep such information strictly confidential. Violating this agreement will result in being banned from future championships at a state level and/or at the national level. Our events' success largely depends on our partnership and relationships with our judges. Your skill, reputation, integrity, and professionalism are essential to the massage industry and the experience of all competitors. We are thrilled to have you as a part of the NCSMC judges family for the upcoming Championship!