New Exhibitor Meet-Ups/Classes in a Showhall Near You?

23 Jul 2010 09:48:03 pm GMT +ET

We've been really pleased over the last couple of years at the benefits of having the "New Exhibitor" checkbox on the CFA Entry Form. It's allowed clubs to bench new exhibitors with experienced exhibitors so their first few shows aren't quite so overwhelming. Over in the NewBee forums we've been talking about experimenting with an 'in show' class. All new exhibitors bench together with the group leader and perhaps a few other experienced exhibitors for the weekend. This allows everyone to get to know each other, has the practical application of 'hands on' learning, and the ability to sit in the benching area and informally discuss topics related to the NewBee Program. At the moment, we're discussing perhaps doing this at at least one of the Timonimum, MD shows. I'll post those details later for those new exhibitors who are not on the NewBee list. (and if you're not....well, why aren't you?) My question is: what about other parts of the country? Any new exhibitors interested in doing something similar at a show you'll be attending? If you are, either email me at info@cfanewbee.org or ask over in the NewBee forum if anyone else is interested.

Catching Up!

21 Apr 2010 12:13:50 am GMT +ET

In another forum, someone noted that there had been no posts here for sometime, and wondered if perchance the program had 'fizzled out.' Not at all! We're still alive and well and having fun, showing cats! The NewBee Program in its current state is existing pretty much online in our Yahoo group [url]http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/cfanewbee[/url] As for the actual NewBee Class - participation in it was sporadic, partially because time is such a precious commodity at shows and partially because we just don't have a lot of folks within the program who can teach it. HOWEVER - what we're working on is trying to provide clubs with materials and information that should they want to have a seminar at a show or at a club meeting, they can do so. What we continue to do is encourage all new exhibitors in CFA to both let the entry clerk know that they are a new exhibitor (via their entry form) and/or request that they be benched with an experienced exhibitor or two. In the NewBee forum it isn't unusual for folks to ask who else might be attending a show. So, if you are new to CFA we welcome you to the NewBee Group! If nothing else we hope that you find the articles and resources on the website valuable. If you have questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact me at info@cfanewbee.org

Happy Birthday to all you New Bees!!

20 Mar 2009 08:33:34 pm GMT +ET

Today (March 20, 2009) marks the 2nd birthday of the CFA New Bee Program. The first class was taught on this date as an experiment to see if the idea of a class just for new exhibitors was even feasible, and what it might include. From there, it evolved into a website and later became part of CFA's Mentor Program. Looking back on the program, its members have taught me as much as I taught them. And you know, that's usually the way that things are in life - you're both teacher and student, the lesson and the learner. Knowledge has a way of flowing around and around. When it stops doing that, it's often the result of a closed mind or attitude. So, here's to all of our New Bees and to the New Bees yet to come!

New Addition - Points Charts

19 Mar 2009 04:22:08 pm GMT +ET

We've had an article on how to calculate Grand points and Regional/National points up for some time now. [url]http://cfanewbee.org/showtime/points.html[/url] However, this still causes a lot of confusion for new (and some old exhibitors). We now have a couple of point charts up. There's a link to the pop-up grand point chart at the url above (or http://cfanewbee.org/showtime/Grand%20point%20table.jpg). Downloadable pdfs are also available on the Resources page [url]http://cfanewbee.org/resources.htm[/url] [i] (thanks to Lew Llewyllen for providing these charts!)[/i] Later, there will also be a point calculating spreadsheet on the Resources page. Just remember, these are to verify those points that you have already manually calculated! :D I know, not all of us are great at math (and I include myself in that group!). However - I HAVE seen folks who are math=impared become math wizards when it comes to calculating points![/url]...

New Article - Entry Forms

22 Feb 2009 02:14:09 pm GMT +ET

If you haven't see the new additions to the "Filling Out an Entry Form" ([url]http://cfanewbee.org/Enter/entryblank.htm[/url]), check it out! There is now some additional information regarding color class numbers and descriptions - something that every exhibitor struggles with at some time or another. PLUS there is now a pop-up entry blank ([url]http://cfanewbee.org/Enter/entryform_sample.html[/url]) which explains what all those fields on an entry blank mean, what the entry clerk uses them for, and how to ensure that the information you give is correct....