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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>Ok, so here's my humble opinion.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>Have we checked with the Thrown Weapons Marshallate? They have had just such a program in place for years. I believe they do this at age 17. I love the concept of letting the capable and mature 16 and 17 year olds get ready to hit the ground running. I actually do not think that 15 year olds have the judgement thing down yet, but it truely depends so much on the kid.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>I think archery marshals in general need more training, lots more, no matter their age. No way are three MIT sessions enough whether you are 16 or 56. I felt woefully underprepared with that so I did tons of MITing before submitting paperwork. </FONT><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>It's one thing to co-man a line, another to inspect bows, and another entirely to design and run a shoot. I try not to run lines if I can help it because I haven't got the voice and I am distractable. I'm a lot better at inspections and my fav thing to do is make targets. So we have to know ourselves and our weak suits, also, and that takes time and experience.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>I think MITs should have more training in running shoots - - they should have to be an assistant to someone experienced in putting on a shoot, setting up the course properly, making the targets, etc, before they can do one themselves. I have seen too many safety issues crop up with new Marshals putting on their first shoots! I had lots of help, I remember that. As far as inspections, every MIT should have to spend a day at Pennsic or another huge archery event and inspect every crowwbow under a watchful eye, if they themselves shoot a handbow, and vice versa. Sheer numbers is what you need.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>One other thing that has been really helpful to me is to have another set of eyes and ears. Whenever I put on an event I want another experienced marshal tagging me. I can take the ultimate responsibility but it is incredibly valuable to have a backup to talk things over with.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><FONT size=3 face=Garamond>It's a little like graduated drivers' licences. So definitely bring on the mature youth, but re-amp the overall requirements! Thanks for a cool discussion, everybody. ... Nuala</FONT></DIV>
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