Could I? Should I? Would I?

[HellHound]

So, checking the ENnie judges requirements this year, I noted that I qualify as I haven't been involved with ENP in the past 2 years, and haven't written or published any RPG material in that time frame either...

So I could run to be a judge according to the rules.

Well, as long as I got someone other than Dextra to be the returning officer for the election so as to avoid that conflict of interest.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, Dextra is my wife. I've been sitting on the sidelines of the ENnies for years, ever since I was disqualified from competing for one anymore (after winning one and being nominated for another). I know the process, and I have a huge knowledge base of game design, game play, and over two hundred RPGs in my collection - and we play a large variety of them.

So, then the question becomes, really...

Should I?

Will it look bad for the ENnies if I ran?
Will it look bad for the ENnies if I were to somehow win?

And then the final question is Would I?

And if Should I is a yes, then would I is starting to look like a yes also.

 

[Voadam]

I do not think it would look bad for the Ennies if you applied to be a judge and were appointed one.

It would look bad if you were submitting products or if Dextra was but two family members associated with the awards does not look inappropriate to me.

If you are interested I would say go for it.

 

[BryonD]

I'd say don't do it.

I don't doubt you would do a great and honest job. However, I also think there are lots of other people who would also do a great job. And all it takes is one person making a stink about a conflict that doesn't exist for more headache to spring up than you want. I don't know that it is even likely. But the fact that there are plenty of good options out there makes it seem something not recommended.

Unless you just really want to.

 

[Mark]

I think you'd do a great job but your wife handles the financials as part of her administrative duties. I say do it anyway.

 

[diaglo]

d00d,
even i was a judge.

'nuff said

 

[HellHound]

d00d,
even i was a judge.

'nuff said

Yeah, but you weren't married to the Business Manager at the time.

 

[Mark]

Yeah, but you weren't married to the Business Manager at the time.

As long as you keep records and can show that she isn't giving you any additional allowance . . .

 

[Voadam]

What conflict are you worried about?

Do judges get paid for their time at the discretion of the business manager?

 

[HellHound]

No, there is no money involved.

It's just that some people *might* see there being a conflict having the business manager and one of the judges being a couple. Which is why I was asking.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

It's just that some people *might* see there being a conflict having the business manager and one of the judges being a couple.

Just to echo what BryonD said-- I think you'd do a great job. But why open the door? There's no shortage of people willing to complain about anything.

If you throw your hat into the ring, and you're selected as a judge, the first conflict-of-interest complaint out of the gate will be aimed at the integrity of the selection process (which IIRC gets attacked every year anyway).