Competition judge? Yes or no?

[HavannaMoon]

I have been asked to judge a poetry competition for a local event. I do have the relevant background to do a good job but find that the competition committee are dismissive of my capacity and not happy with my suggestions for the competition rules which are in line with current trends. I was asked to do this as a favour to the committee who do not include me in their meetings. AIBU to quite, or do I continue as a gesture of goodwill?

dismissive of my capacity
not happy with my suggestions for the competition rules
do not include me in their meetings.

Why would you?

Yes, do it and enjoy it!

Let the committee do the admin and the paperwork and you can concentrate on the competition entries and have the glory and importance of being the judge!

IMO many committee members are so full of their own gas and they can't see past that. Leave them to it and enjoy sifting through the entries and picking a winner.

Don't do it unless it benefits you in some way.

At least it sounds as if you'll know what you are talking about! I'm still fuming over DH's entry for our village fete photograpy competition. His entry of a butterfly was eliminated from the 'Animals' section because 'butterflies are not animals'. 😕

I'd do it because I'd enjoy it. (I have judged poetry competitions in the past and also have the relevant experience and qualifications.) It sounds like the committee don't know much about current trends but what rules they make doesn't need to concern you. It may well be that you pick a great contemporary poem as a winner and they'll be appalled that it doesn't rhyme or scan and isn't about love or spring!

Otoh do they just want you to turn up and judge not get involved with setting the rules etc.

Wow! That's really annoying. I'd be tempted to send them a dictionary. Did they think a butterfly was a vegetable - because it's obviously not a mineral!

Goodwill to whom? What do you owe this committee?

It seems they are asking you to be a guest judge, not to change their rules or become a committee member instantly.

And, it's ok to run a competition focused on a bit old school poetry.

Decide whether you want to be a judge (and follow the rules) or not, and than do it.

Thank you very much everyone for your contributions. I have decided to step down as a judge as I really can't see my way forward working with this committee. I feel very relieved! Thinking of myself for once!