As usual, hello from the ENnies! :D

Next Friday, July 24, is a very important day in the life of the ENnies. First, it's the day the polls open so the fans can vote for their favorite nominees. If you haven't been there yet, make sure you visit the ENnies site to see the list:

http://www.ennie-awards.com/nominations/nominees.asp

Second, next Friday is the day that fans can also throw their hats into the ring and can register to officially run for a position as a 2010 ENnies judge.

If you are thinking about running, here is the criteria you'll need to remember. All judges must:

• be at least 18 years of age as of August 14th, 2009 and able to enter into a legal contract;
• not have any professional relationship with any RPG publisher during the period from January 1st, 2007 to August 1st, 2010. Such relationships include unpaid work and work on free products;
• declare any relationship with any publisher (including EN Publishing, except for the Ceramic DM line) in which they receive money, product, or special consideration in exchange for their services;
• be able to read English and communicate clearly therein.

If you have a relationship any with a publisher, even as a playtester, it is important that you notify the ENnies board of this so that they may determine whether you are eligible to seek a judge position.  In cases of rule violation, conflict of interest, misrepresentation or other factor(s) detrimental to the awards, the Board of Directors retains the right to alter the composition of the judging panel at any time.

Physical location is irrelevant- so long as you can accept packages year-round.

When you apply, you will be expected to fill out a questionnaire to help people best gauge how well they think you'll work as a judge. Here a couple of sample questions:

• What styles and genres of RPGs do you enjoy most? Are there any styles or genres that you do not enjoy? Which games best exemplify what you like?  Do you consider yourself a particular system’s, publisher’s or genre’s “fanboy/girl”? 
• How would you like to see the ENnies change (categories, policies, etc)? What should remain inviolate?

If you want to run, here is what is expected of you. All judges shall:

• access the ENnie Awards boards/e-mailing lists (for the purposes of corresponding with judges and interacting with directors and staff);

• weekly on the designated ENnies forums and sharing an accurate list of what products they have received;
• daily on the designated ENnies forums during judge deliberations (expected dates for 2010: June 19 - July 11)

• act in a professional and impartial manner;
• sign a non-disclosure agreement;
• in the event that they are removed from office, bear the expense of returning and/or forwarding the products received for review;
• pay any customs duties charged for submissions;
• if they attend Gen Con – Indy, work a minimum of two hours at the ENnies booth
• if they attend Gen Con – Indy, attend the awards ceremony smartly attired.
• report to the Submissions Coordinator and Business Manager.

And, besides being able to say "I'm an ENnies Judge!" what else do you get?

• upon completion of reviewing, retain for personal use or otherwise dispose of products reviewed;
• receive a free Gen Con Indy 4-day pass.

Hopefully this whets your appetite and pushes you over the edge to applying to be a judge. I'll be back next week with links to the actual form.

Once again, if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them. You can either reply here or e-mail me directly at [email]pr@ennieawards.com[/email].

Update: The period of time in which a perspective judge may not have any professional relationship with any RPG publisher has been changed to between January 1st, 2008 and August 1st, 2010.

"•not have any professional relationship with any RPG publisher during the period from January 1st, 2007 to August 1st, 2010. Such relationships include unpaid work and work on free products;
•declare any relationship with any publisher (including EN Publishing, except for the Ceramic DM line) in which they receive money, product, or special consideration in exchange for their services;"

How do these work together? Doesn't the former preclude the latter?

Thunder_God wrote:
"•not have any professional relationship with any RPG publisher during the period from January 1st, 2007 to August 1st, 2010. Such relationships include unpaid work and work on free products;
•declare any relationship with any publisher (including EN Publishing, except for the Ceramic DM line) in which they receive money, product, or special consideration in exchange for their services;"

How do these work together? Doesn't the former preclude the latter?