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Reprinted with permission from the Rabbit News & Research Quarterly, V3,N2 1999; copyright Pamela Alley, RVT
Table Help: Clerking and Ramrodding
One of the most common problems at shows is the lack of help at the tables. This article outlines just what is involved (West Coast style) in helping, and how to make it fun.
One of the most common complaints at shows is lack of table help. Table help? What's table help? Table help is possibly the most important factor in a successful show, second only to original organization of the paperwork involved. Most preentry shows need three people to work behind the table with the judge; day of show entry shows may need only two.
The ramrod is the pacesetter of the table. This position is a wonderful place for a person with a very loud voice, as they are responsible for 'calling the classes'yelling out the breed, class, and sex of the animals needed next on the table.
They should be a class ahead of the judge if space allows; usually there are eight to sixteen or more `holes' or coops per judge. The ramrod lays the comment cards face up in front of each coop; as the animal is brought up, he/she checks the ear number and flips the card face down if it is correct, or finds the correct place for the animal. This helps iron out typos as well as incorrect class entries.
Once the class is complete, with all animals present or accounted for (no shows), the ramrod stacks the cards at the judge's end of the cages for that class and writes the class (Seal SB) on the back of the top comment card, so both the judge and writer know what's coming next.
The ramrod then begins to call up the following class, making sure to leave enough coops for animals winning each variety to be left on the table for Best of Group or Best of Breed competition. The judge will often tell the ramrod how he or she wants to manage this portion of the job; often, consulting with the judge before beginning work is an excellent way to learn. We'll give more tips later on in this article.
The clerk, or writer, is the person who is in control of the comment cards, upon which are written not only the judges' comments, but the placing of the animal within each class. It is vital that this person be alert, organized, and that their writing be reasonably legible.
Their job involves collecting and sorting the comment cards the ramrod prepares, marking number of exhibitors and animals in the class while the judge examines the animals, and changing that number as needed should an entry be disqualified in such a way as to make it necessary. They also need to stay out of the judge's way while doing this; many toes are saved by moving back away from the table. Cards of noshow animals should be slashed across with the pen or pencil and marked N/S.
Once the judge has finished with the class, the clerk should be ready and waiting to take the first comments. Some judges place from first to last; others place from last to first; make sure you know which your judge is doing! Providing the judge a comment card to work from sometimes helps the writer as the judge can work down the card in order, allowing the majority of comments to be one word next to a checked box or area. Other comments, such as on marked breeds, may go by very quickly; if you can, ask the judge to go a little slower so you can catch most of it. Retain the cards of those animals retained for BOV, BOSV, BOB and BOSB selection.
When Best of Variety, Best of Group, Best of Breed and their opposites are chosen, carefully make sure you have the correct card, then clearly circle or mark the award won on that card. Always double check that the opposites of each award are truly of the opposite sex classes. Mistakes do get made on this!
The cards are given out in two pieces for those with carbon copies...one for singles...but always, always be sure that single copy card placements are on the control sheets and that one copy of the duplicate cards is reserved for the club to use in record keeping! Often a basket is placed on or near the coops to collect the comment cards as the animals are sent back; this is an excellent way to make sure everyone gets a chance to get their comments.
There is a third position which is seen at some shows and not at others; filling this position is a great help to any club. The table secretary is where everything comes together. This person records placements on control sheets, copies ear number changes to the control sheets, ensures that the breed award sheets are filled in correctly (specialty clubs love you for this), and that there is a copy of each comment card for each animal shown. They then take the completed breed to the show secretary and bring back the cards for the next breed, if the ramrod has not already done so.
Hints & Tips:
Ramrods: Call your classes loudly and clearly. If there is an exhibitor whom you know has the breed being called, tell them directly that they are up. Third call is the charm; call each class three times only at as long an interval as is practical; i.e, not holding up the judging. If there is a loudspeaker available, designate a youth to help you call the classes over the loudspeaker. Talk to the judge before you start working (between classes if you start later on), and see how they want it done. Most will be very helpful and kind. Ensure that the judge does not see the name of the owner on the card by doing your job effectively and quickly. Carry a sharp pencil.
Clerks: Have a clipboard and a sharp pencil or pen. When you pick up the class cards, step back and organize them according to ear number within the class. Retained first place cards go to the back, facing away from you. Use a business card to write class and sex in front of the coop of each animal kept for further judging. If you're a novice writer, ask the judge to be aware of the fact, and again, most will be quite helpful. Give them a blank comment card to help both of you. Don't hesitate to ask them to slow down slightly; don't be surprised at a big show if they continue to speak extremely fast. Give out only one copy of the card.
Ear number changes are done at the table; the comment card is changed, the change is recorded on the control sheet, and then copied into the computer when the show is entered.
Above all, have fun; this isn't going to kill you; it's a lot of learning and a lot of entertainment! 
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