  Contests & Activities
This week: Having a Team or Guest Judges Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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A Contest & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
Some contests are fun to judge alone but others, it's nice to have help. I have experience with both and discuss my tips on having other people judge a round in a contest.
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Contests and activities are fun to run, whether they have been ones I created or others that I've been asked to join. In fact, a certain contest some people on the site know me for now, was the first contest I joined as a guest judge many years ago. Now, I am the owner of that contest and have a number of different people who have helped me keep it going by judging different rounds and so much more. And to be honest, one of the best things for me aside from the obvious things that come with running writing contests on here is the people I've worked with over the different rounds. I am so glad that I have a team and get guest judges as both options are very viable here.
So, let's look at the ways people can help us with our contests and activities from my experiences with many different aspects. I have been a guest, had guests, took part on a team and lead one. Here are my thoughts on elements of it all.
1. Guest Judges and Helpers
A guest judge, or in non-contest formats the temporary helper, is someone who might not work with each round or be in the group that an activity might be raising funds for but they have offered their assistance. The level of work they take part in will vary, depending on the situation and their commitment to help may be near permanent even if it's sporadic. If that's the case though, maybe consider adding them to the group/team because one takes a lot of work and to have people wanting to put up their time to help you, it's worth having a place to work together.
For the actual guests who aren't going to be there often, there are both benefits and struggles that come from their use in a contest or activity. There is the benefit of not having to do all of the work, for sure. Maybe you need a little help one month but are able to handle the rest, that is where a guest can help. The downside can at times be a struggle in keeping track and making sure things are working out as it's possible for things to go wrong or struggles to happen when it's someone else making the decisions. These go for not just the guests when it comes to other people taking part in the challenge.
2. Team/Group Judging
For a long running contest, though it is not limited to such, having a group of judges or people who are helping keep consistent activities going is very beneficial. Whether it's a group of three or a group of ten, it doesn't matter too much. Just go with what works best for the individual contest/activity because there will be different requirements on how things are handled.
The group option has challenges in keeping track, in particular for ones that are weekly or even daily. But it is also helpful because if you didn't have them, then it would all be on you to keep up. Having the group means there is a large activity and people working together, which can lead towards success. Organization is important and will be useful if having a group to keep things from going crazy or disconnected.
3. Organization Options
Having other people to help is great but in order to do that, there is some level of organization that will really give the right start and keep things running on the right track. First is to have a group. Even if it's for a contest, activities too but some might do a forum and not have a group when first coming up with a contest in particular. Having a group will be very helpful to keep things running, a place for the points to use when giving out prizes and to organize the people involved.
From there, don't be afraid to use different resources to help. Group mail will be good for keeping the lines of communication open. If it's a regular activity, then find a way to create a calendar or some method so everyone can see what is going on and know when they need to be involved. Static item can be connected to a group and allow group edits if you want people to sign up on their own instead of changing every single time someone needs to add something.
How much and how little work you do in organization of the activity is up to what works best for you. Don't be afraid to help but also, there is a line where it might become their activity and less your own, even though it may come up depending on situations. Keep track, work together and above all: communicate!
Whether you judge or run an activity alone, with a little help on occasion or require a full on team, that is up to you. Guests and teams are great, for sure. And if anyone does help, don't forget to say: Thank you. Now, get writing, judging and let's have some fun on here.
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Do you have help judging your contest or are you considering having a team/guest judges for your contest?
Back in October I edited this newsletter and discussed options for November writing that didn't involve NaNoWriMo. A few people sent in responses on the topic about their plans for the month. I mostly wrote my novels but will always encourage people to enter contest on WDC for any month.
Comment by jerics
Yes, I plan to enter but like you had mentioned and I am one who writing a novel ain't my thing.
Comment by Ash 
I'm not participating in NANO this year. I will be graduating in December, but most of my "study time" is probably going to be devoted to "Invalid Item" . I'm also planning on creating an auction, mostly for reviews of longer works, like NANO novels.
Comment by Jellyfish 
I won't be taking part in NANO but as I am doing the "I write" Challenge, I will still be entering a contest a week in November - at least, that is the plan! 
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Contests & Activities: January 11, 2017 Issue [#8072]
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