ITCC TIME

Mark Chisholm

Mark Chisholm

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As the ITCC gets closer (as do many chapter events) I wonder how many people are preoccupied with the rules and changes as they get closer to D-Day? I've never had a problem with a new rule being applied to the event. I feel that it is part of moving forward and gaining new ground. What I've always made a point of speaking out against (time and time again) is the changing of a rule without good lead time.

What I mean is, if a rule exists when the ITCC is completed, then the rule should hold true for the next years worth of events unless it has been circulated well in advance through trade mags and welcome letters to the participants. An example might be the allowance of ascenders in the footlock event one year, and then not the next -with the only notice being the meeting the night before.

It seems to me that it may be more important to look at the rules that will no longer hold water than the ones that may be added? If a climber spends time and energy perfecting a technique with intent to use it (as it was done in the previous year) then it seems a bit inconsiderate to disallow it the day before the event. Another example of this may be the footwear inspection. Who wants to go shopping for shoes the night before?

Anyone been through this?? I am hoping that the ITCC Rules Committee will specify a date (like Jan. 1st) for being the cut-off for this type of a change. Am I being silly here?
 
Agreed.

The ITCC has matured a lot in the past few years. Trying to stay equal to the changes in the work place is difficult. Since the ITCC is considered a "sporting" event, then there should be a "season" just like any other sport. The rules should be agreed upon with a time for feedback by the public. There should be room for debate and feedback from competitors/judges/techs and the Rules committee should consider this outside feedback. Then, the rules should be in place until after the ITCC. The "season" should start sometime in late winter. This would give the Committee time to gather after the ITCC, tweak things that need attention, get feedback and then give competitors plenty of time to adjust their training for the season.

http://www.isa-arbor.com/ITCC/Rules_Jan2003pdf.pdf
This is the rules as of the beginning of 2003. Ken Palmer wrote to me last week saying that the Rules Committee will be meeting during May to iron out any wrinkles. Take time to read through the rules. If anyone has feedback, post a note here and also send a note to Jim Skiera at the ISA office: jskiera@isa-arbor.com

Can anyone think of a public venue that the ITCC has used to notify competitors of rule changes? Since the ISA has its own website it seems that they should be using that venue to notify climbers of anything that's going on with the ITCC.

Over the years I've been relatively active in chapter TCC and the ITCC. Many times, I've heard the frustration from competitors and the TCC committees about finding out the current rules.

Tom
 
I agree. The only outstanding issues I have now is the debate if I will be able to use my harness (Butterfly. I wish I could get an answer on this issue as it will take some time to find one I would be comfortable using. Frustrating as I work in it every day. I do not have different gear for comp-work.
 
I agree this can be a problem. A couple of years ago, we had a contestant in TX who wanted to FL with ascenders. He called the contest director in advance and got an OK to use them. Then, at the contestants meeting, it was announced that the new ITCC rules said no ascenders, so that was going to be our policy. We ended up allowing the ascenders that year because of the call, but it illustrates how hard it can be to get these answers. I don't know about other contests, but down here it is a struggle sometimes to find out who is in charge of what, who is head judge, etc., because the search for volunteers is sometimes a difficult task and it isn't clear who will be the best choice for a given job until the last minute.

We finally decreed that the ITCC rules (online, as Tom pointed out) will apply, eliminating all doubts about that here, but clearly there is still an issue at teh International level with the same problems.

Maybe the key is to get more serious about this. It may be classified as "sporting" but I think we all agree there is a vital educational component to these events. Let's get the ISA to hire a professional to run things, make the info available online as was already suggested, make it easy to know who to call for questions. I also like Tom's idea of putting rules revisions on a clear schedule with time for public input.

In the end, I don't worry about this much since we all have to deal with the same "surprises" when this comes up, but it would ease a lot of tension if we had a better system to keep all participants equally informed.

Keith
 
Unfortunately, the event is sanctioned by an entity that only wishes to extract dollar$ from people. If it costs money, they will not do it. If they can charge people for it and make money, they will do it.
The ISA makes money certifying arborists, so they do it. They do not make money on their website or forum, so they ignore it. Seems like they could care less about advancing arboriculture.
 
Okay, as I was told by Jim Skierra of the ISA today, the Fly Line will still be allowed as will the Butterfly- provided that you can provide specs on any material used to connect with and the harness has not been altered. If there is any doubt, get a letter from the manufacturer saying that what you're doing is alright.

Furthermore, you should email Jessica Marx at jmarx@isa-arbor.com for any questions needing attention regarding the ITCC rules-SOON! Preparation in advance will save us all a lot of headaches the day before. Email her SOON!!!
 
I think that's a little harsh against the ISA. I'm as frustrated as the next guy when a bureaucracy seems to become more important than the tasks it's charged with, but I think the ISA is doing a lot with limited resources. Do you believe the TCC's make money? I don't know about the west coast, but here the $50 entry fee is a drop in the bucket. Most of the expense is borne by the chapter dues and donations from committed companies who donate labor and equipment to set things up. How about the Journal and Arborist News? Where else do you get that? Not to dismiss TCI or ArborAge, but AN has a lot more articles on trees and their care and a lot less puff pieces on snow blowers and innovations in chipper teeth.

Similarly, I'd like to see more done with the web site, but they do more than some. Have you tried to get tree care info from the NAA web site? It's been awhile, but the last time I was there there were only three short articles about very limited topics.

ISA's site offers something like 10-20 brochures, a chance to learn about certification and search for a CA by name or ZIP code, kids materials, links, and info about the organization and literature/merchandise discounts for membership . If you've never put up a web site, just ask Mark how easy it is to get a lot done on a limited budget.

Are your priorities different than theirs? Then you need to join up, participate, and push for changes. Are you just complaining because you feel they have you over a barrell? Then you need to get over it and take responsibility for your own stuff. "They" are professionals from within our industry who are doing their best. If "they" make mistakes, they try to fix them and move on, just like "us." Look at the Web Board. A lot of us compain about it, but I can still remember when there were very few alternatives, but the ISA was there; the system now works a lot better than it did then (knock on wood). I learned a lot more from the ISA site than I have from this one, or arboristsite, or any other, because it was there when I needed it. That may not be true of last week or last month, but it is true over the course of my career. The ISA ain't perfect, but it is more than a cash cow, no matter how much you may hear otherwise.

Just my opinion, of course.

Keith
 
Ok, moth to a flame here I come.

With TCC and gear, I found how you sell it matters. It was my first time to compete or attend. I saw others were not allowed to use cord because they said it was from a sailing shop. Marine equipment, not arborist. I had the same stuff and when questioned, I said, it is cord made by NERopes and here are the specs. All ok!!

In the past months, I have echoed Brian's sentiment about the ISA to Keith. He helped me change my point of view a bit. If you don't like it, what are you doing to change it? Be active, be involved.

This is our industry, it is up to us to make things better and to keep from perpetuating myths.

The ISA cert is a basic minimum level of skills. It helps non-degreed arborists distinguish themselves as professionals.

I am not happy with the ISA and have suggestions myself like charge members more, and deliver more. I think now they charge too little and deliver too little. I would like to think with the current dues covering overhead, there would be more marginal utility from a slight increase in dues. .02

If you go to your local TCC, it is obvious that it is not a cash cow and it runs on a lot of donated time and effort. A lot of people donated their time so I could have fun and learn as well.
 
The butterfly may be allowed at the international but they won't let it in my local. What's up with that? How can they have their own rules? I just bought a butterfly three weeks ago for the competition since my modified saddle wouldn't be allowed. I can't afford to go out buy another new saddle just for the competition. I am now undecided if I will compete. Maybe I can borrow one from a co-worker for a day.
 
You could call Jim Skiera at ISA for a written confirmation.

Or, you could get in touch with your chapter tech inspector ahead of time. Have them read this thread or be in touch with Jim.

Tom
 
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