2009 WBC Judges Certification Workshops

There will be four (4) regional World Barista Championship Certified Judges workshops held before the 2009 WBC in Atlanta USA.

Guatemala City, Guatemala: 3-4 November 2008
Long Beach CA, USA: 4-5 December 2008
Melbourne, Australia: 14-15 January 2009
Stockholm, Sweden: 13-14 January 2009
Nairobi, Kenya: 20-21 January 2009

Registrations are now open for the Stockholm, Sweden (13-14 Jan 2009) and Melbourne, Australia (14-15 Jan 2009). Please follow the links above for the registration pages.

The fee for participation in the workshop is $200 US.

Click here for a current list of 2009 WBC Certified Judges

Program Description

The program for the regional workshops have been developed by the WBC Judges Certification Committee and the WBC Board of Directors

The workshop builds upon and tests the experience of those who have been judging in regional and national barista competitions. It includes a variety of training methodologies (role playing, discussions, classroom, interactive video sessions) and includes a series of tests that will measure the participant's ability to perceive, recall, and evaluate competitor presentations and beverages according to the WBC Rules & Regulations. There is an intensive written exam focusing on the WBC Rules & Regulations, sensory judge responsibilities, technical judge responsibilities, and overall scoresheet familiarity, as well as general coffee knowledge (growing regions, processing, varietals and how all those relate to cup quality). Hands-on practical tests involve coffee tasting exercises for sensory judges, and technical skills for technical judges (evaluating coffee waste, milk waste, station set-up, and work flow); all the skills and knowledge required to be successful as a judge.

The workshop was designed by the JCC with consultation from a professional adult education expert to create an framework for learning and measurable testing criteria. Participants will be informed exactly what is required to "pass" and receive certification. For those who do not pass, workshop results will be made available to provide a suggested training plan and identify areas for improvement or where more judging experience is necessary. Our goals are to drive participation in the national competitions and to continue to build and develop the expertise at the world competition level. The certification tests are designed to be reviewed objectively regardless of experience, reputations, or backgrounds. Certification will be based on a "pass or fail" determination.

Each workshop is 2 days long (08:00-17:00) and requires full participation. By conducting the workshops in multiple regions, we will have certified judges in every region and encourage increased national judging representation at the annual WBC.

This structure will impact the quality and consistency of judging at the WBC. We welcome anyone who meets the pre-requisite criteria to register for any of the regional locations.

Potential participants can complete workshop registration online (follow one of the links above). Once the registrant's experience has been verified, and as space allows, they will receive an official invitation and instructions for payment of the registration fee and summary of the agenda. Everyone who achieves certification will be able to use the "WBC Certified Judge 2009" logo according to the terms (below).


Preparing for the workshop

1. Each attendee is expected to study the WBC Rules and Regulations (Version 2008.10.08) and all WBC score sheets. These are available on the WBC website in the "downloads" section. There will be an extensive written exam that tests knowledge and understanding of the WBC documents and will include some questions on general coffee knowledge. (Growing regions, processing methods, etc.)
2. Each attendee should be prepared to be tasting and evaluating coffee on both days of the workshop. Attendees should eat appropriately prior to the workshop and drink plenty of water throughout the day. We ask each attendee to bring their own bottle of water so that they can stay properly hydrated throughout the day
3. Each attendee should be prepared with a notebook and pens or pencils for taking notes.
4. Attendees should decide to register as a Sensory or Technical judge. Please be prepared to indicate how your judging experience qualifies you as a sensory or technical judge. Attendees can not be certified in both types of judging. If you do not indicate a technical or sensory preference, one role will be chosen for you by the workshop instructors.
5. Attendees must be present for all hours on both days of the workshop. Travel arrangements and proper planning is the responsibility of the attendee. Attendees are expected to focus throughout the workshop. Phone calls and emails are only allowed during determined break periods. If you leave or miss any portion of the workshop, you may not be certified as a WBC Judge.

Prerequisites for WBC Judging Certification

Before applying to become a WBC Judge for 2009, you must meet the following pre-requisites:

• Two consecutive years of participation as a judge in WBC sanctioned National Body competitions (participation in regional events within a national body also qualifies)
• Be committed to coffee excellence and promotion of the Barista craft.
• Agree to approach WBC judging with a constructive and supportive attitude geared towards helping and supporting the baristas and improving the quality of specialty coffee around the world
• Agree to Comply with the Code of Conduct for WBC Judges
• Be able to comprehend instructions and presentations in English, and complete WBC score sheets in English
• Agree to be available to travel to and judge at the 2009 WBC in Atlanta (15-19 April 2009).

Code of Conduct for WBC Judges

This Code of Conduct applies to all WBC Certified Judges (for the WBC 2009 Certification Term). This includes WBC certified judges participating in sanctioned National Body barista competitions (both regional and national) as well as the 2009 WBC in Atlanta.

The Code of Conduct requires that all approved and certified WBC Judges must:

• Comply with this Code and adhere to the WBC Rules and Regulations document and the WBC Organizational Structure and Governance document.
• Be committed to coffee excellence and promotion of the Barista profession. When not judging, share knowledge and assist, inform and encourage baristas whenever possible.
• Approach baristas in competition with a constructive attitude, looking for opportunities to reward them and help them improve, grow and develop.
• Represent the WBC Ltd. at all times with integrity and a professional attitude and behaviour.
• Recuse him/herself from judging any competitor that the judge has a Conflict of Interest. A Conflict of Interest Exists:
  • If the competitor or judge is or has been an employee of, a relative, close friend, customer, or has had a romantic relationship.
  • If the judge has trained the competitor for competition (with or without a fee).
  • Judges must disclose, before entering a competition, any of these conflicting relationships. Failure to do so may result in revoking of the WBC Judge Certification and elimination from WBC and National Body judging as well as disqualification of the competitor.
• Behave ethically, honestly, and with integrity. Respect fellow judges, competitors, volunteers and staff at all times.
• Approach all competitors, and their selected coffees, with respect and without bias toward nationality, race, language, gender or sexual orientation.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality. Do not misuse priveledge information in areas sensitive to other judges, competitors, volunteers or staff that might cause harm or embarassment to any WBC competitor, judge, staff member or volunteer.
• Abide by the laws of the host country and location of the competition and take responsibility for your decisions and behaviour at all times.
  Take full responsibilty for any violations and report them to the appropriate WBC committee immediately.
• Never accept gifts, monetary or otherwise, from competitors or other judges, that could be construed as a bribe.
• Sensory judges: eat appropriately prior to judging shifts, avoiding foods that could impair or taint ability to accurately taste and evaluate coffee beverages.
• Sensory judges: Avoid the use of tobacco products/illegal substances prior to and between judging shifts.
• All judges: Avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco products while judging at competitions (including during the days and evenings prior to judging).
• Come to the competition properly hydrated, and continue to consume water during breaks and between judging shifts.
• Have sufficient availability to judge at WBC events without excessive time conflicts.
• Avoid comment or interation with any media representative, publication or general public in relation to judging, judging decisions, discussions, competitors, volunteers and staff. (Refer all media inquiries to members of the JCC or WBC event staff.)

Terms of Use of WBC Certified Judge Logo

Once certified, the WBC Certified Judge will be issued a certificate and the right to use the WBC Certified Judge Logo.

• The use of this logo is based on successful completion of the certification process and awarding of the annual certification to the judge by the WBC JCC, and ongoing compliance with the WBC Judges Code of Conduct.
• The WBC reserves the right to revoke WBC Judge Certification for mis-conduct, violation of the Code of Conduct, or unauthorized use of the WBC CJ logo.
• The WBC logo MAY NOT be used on merchandise, clothing, or other materials other than those prescribed by this user agreement.
• The WBC logo may be used during the terms of the certification period. Once expired, the certified judge may not continue to use the logo and must remove it from all materials, and as requested by the WBC.
  

2009 WBC Judges Certification Committee

Justin Metcalf, Australia (Chair)
Fritz Storm, Denmark
Jose Arreola, Mexico
Brent Fortune, USA
Chris White, New Zealand
Matts Johanssen, Sweden