The Upstate NY Comp REL Workshop!*

*Canadians welcome, too!

Introduction

This Judge Conference is intended to be an engaging, hands-on dive into the world of Comp REL that is intended for three kinds of judges:

• Level 1 Judges who are ready to take a leap into Competitive REL Judging
• Level 2 Judges who might think of themselves as rusty or new
• Seasoned Comp REL Judges who apply with the expectation that they will provide support and guide conversation for the previous two groups.

Presentations may span from Investigations to Deck Checks to Backups – all centered around you, the Judge! Active participation will be necessary to receive foil support, though you are welcome to come and observe the conference without support if your application is declined. You should still apply if you intend to do observe, and state that you would like to observe in your cover letter. 

PRESENTERS!

If you would like to present but aren’t sure what you would do, please indicate that in your Cover Letter and we may be able to brainstorm!

I am currently accepting applications for presenters! If you would like to present at this workshop, please note so in your cover letter and include a description of your workshop or Seminar. Note that I will not be accepting “sage on the stage” presentations where a speaker solely speaks from a PowerPoint. You may use a PowerPoint to guide your seminar or workshop, but it is not the sole focus. Interactives such as gameplay scenarios, breakout chats, and gamifying the learning are some exceptional ways to be accepted as a presenter to this conference.

Cover Letter

This conference is limited in its support. Please provide a brief cover letter that explores why your attendance to this conference would benefit you or your community and where you hope to use these skills in the future. If you are an experienced judge looking to share your knowledge to others during the workshops, please elaborate on your Comp REL experience and ways you have been able to successfully mentor or engage others (this need not be Magic related).

Important – Please Read Carefully

There are limited seats available for this conference, and both I and the presenters are working very hard to find interesting and effective ways to engage participants and guide your learning. Thus, your cover letter is exceptionally important – please write it with care.

Additionally, with the extra emphasis on active participation, I reserve the right to withhold promo support from a Judge who has been accepted to the conference if I believe they have not made earnest efforts to be an active participant.

Examples of active participation:

• Asking questions
• Answering questions
• Active Listening
• Taking notes
• Discussions about Magic, judging, etc.

Reasons I might withhold foil support:

• You slept through a presentation
• You were on your phone excessively for things not related to the conference
• You consistently distract others from learning

Not reasons I would withhold foil support:

• You seem a little tired
• You use the bathroom once or twice during a workshop
• You step outside for just a few minutes to take a brief call
• You take a sensory break
• etc.

I look forward to seeing you all at Larger Than Life Comics & Games for what I am hoping is going to be an amazing Judge Conference!

Regards, Ryan Sears