Not pass AIFD by 500th of a point???

[shannonlovesflowers]

Is that possible?

Someone told me today that they know someone who didn't pass by a 500th of a point.

At first I though "whoa!"

now I'm thinking "huh?"

 

[SpringCity]

Hm. .... I wonder.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

seriously, no one has an answer to this???????

 

[lizzie ann]

yup it can happen...at one time I know you could appeal a "close but not enough"score

 

[cherrie]

I don't believe it. I think that the evaluators try really hard and do give the testers a little room. I believe that on my phase two evaluation, I was off total points by .25 and I was passed. I don't remember the exact amount - it was a very small percentage.
The sad fact is that most testers don't really know what the expectations are. I didn't know when I pursued it in 1999.
This is a very difficult process.
I was amazed this year by the poor showing of the AES testing. I was extremely disappointed with the quality of workmanship I viewed.
I asked a friend that has been a judge for many years, what she thought of a particular student's table - after judging - during the open cocktail party after AES. What she told me was priceless - "Look at this table- does all of the pieces (5) reflect that this was created by an"exceptional" florist. There were only a couple of tables - out of over 130 - that truly seemed exceptional.
I think that being a judge for AES testing has to be an extremely difficult task, and I applaud those who do it.

 

[CHR]

I don't believe it either. I've never served on the Membership Committee, but do know that candidates who are very close to the point score cut-off are re-evaluated for the totality of their work. (Each design is assessed individually and then the scores are added up.)

 

[BJBouquets]

Despite what you hear, I've always seen AIFD Membership committee work hard to GET PEOPLE TO PASS! They do everything they can to get people to pass. They spend long hours preparing the AES process. Lots of work, effort and money go into it. So it is frustrating for Membership members if they do all of that work and have a low percentage of candidates make it through. It's a waste.

That's why they don't allow people to pay for AES unless the candidate has seen what will be expected of them; for example: attending a Steps To Membership session. It's also why they go to the trouble of having SEVEN evaluators look at every candidate's 5 pieces. It's why they drop the scores of the highest and lowest evaluator, to be sure that one evaluator alone can't elevate you or dash your chances.

If someone is very close in points, there is a committee that re-evaluates to pass the person if possible.

But it's all done on a point system. You get points for showing what you know: showing your expertise in Principles and Elements of Design, ability with mechanics, creativity, ability to follow guidelines, etc. Evaluators try to give every point they can. If the candidate gets enough points, they're in. No quotas, no percentages. If every candidate gets the points, every candidate passes.

If they pass people who cannot earn those points, then the meaning of AIFD membership becomes moot, but they pass everyone they can.

I would think this story is told by someone who was frustrated to have a 3.XX point level when they needed 4.00 to pass, and rather than say they failed, they are saying they just missed the goal. There is no such thing as 1/500th of a point in AIFD evaluation. This candidate likely didn't mean it literally, they probably meant it figuratively... meaning "Darn, I JUST missed it!"

By the way, every year many good solid designers from small towns in everyday neighborhood shops become AIFD. Creativity is only a small part of the point structure. If your simple, everyday designs produce points for balance, contrast, dominance, harmony, unity, rhythm, and proportion, you will likely become AIFD. If your designs show that you understand focal point, variation, tension, accent, depth, transition, scale, opposition and repetition, you will likely become AIFD, even if you get absolutely no points for creativity. If your AES designs represent a mastery of line, form, color, pattern, texture, size, negative space and positive space, you can get ready for your induction.

If a truly great floral designer doesn't pass, it's because they are one of the many who put all their effort into showing just creative flair but have sloppy mechanics and don't include enough of the Principles and Elements in their designs. They don't give the evaluators the OPPORTUNITY to give them points. If you get 5 points for Creativity but 1 point for mechanics, then that 3 point average doesn't hit the 4 points you need to pass.

If you're thinking about AIFD membership, be sure to ask AIFD members lots of questions to help you pass AES. You don't need to be a rock star to get in, but you MUST know your basics inside and out.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

If you're thinking about AIFD membership, be sure to ask AIFD members lots of questions to help you pass AES. You don't need to be a rock star to get in, but you MUST know your basics inside and out.

BJ
Thank you, for one of the most informative lessons on AIFD process I have ever read! I admit my hesitance to try for AIFD because of the image I have (perhaps shared by others) of some of the wild and fabulously creative designs I've seen by AIFD designers. I don't have that wild, ambitious creativity, and so I never gave much thought to attempting to become AIFD. The point of view you just gave, gives me food for thought about going for it.

thanks,
tracy

 

[BJBouquets]

Tracy (and others!!!)
If you think you know your design basics like a true pro, go for AIFD! Do it for your own personal satisfaction and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

I'll help you in any way I can.
BJ

 

[Carol Bice]

B.J., what a wealth of knowledge you posted. I think it is all very acurate. The bottom line is.....the testers do want you to attain AIFD and will do everything they can to be fair.

Eddie Payne and Lou Lynn Moss are regular posters here and could possibly answer any other questions AIFD wannabes might have. They are both past presidents and have the knowledge to help you.

Carol Bice

 

[VJD]

Evaluate Your OWN Designs

This might prove interesting for some designers - here's an evaluatuion form to evaluate you own work.

I'm still in the stages of fine-tuning it - suggestions welcomed!

Valerie

 

[RDeighton]

Hello Shannon and all posters here!

Though we are not involved with the AES process any longer, PLEASE do not be discouraged by "rumor mill" information. If there is a problem with YOUR evaluation, then call the Current Chairman, Ted Bruehl AIFD about the process.
500th of a point, is a committee review. Please do not hesitate to contact Ted about any concerns you might have about your scores.
The process is fair, accurate and open to all designers that want to pursue their personnel journey to the creative process to become a member of AIFD.
Lynne and I are working in California, and have discussed this thread.
BJ offers some great insight into the process, but do not think ill of our AES process, without discussing options and concerns directly with the chair, members have been encouraging, but be open to some outside self evaluation of your current design style.
THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL EVALUATION, not a contest. We DO NOT JUDGE people, but offer a evaluation of your designs based on your skill, and use of the principals and elements. We hope you give AIFD the chance if you are looking to experience the AES process.
We also invite each of you to Kansas City next year to enjoy the AIFD National Symposium, "The Skies the Limit".
Check out our website, aifd.org.

 

[Brad]

I just recieved my letter for becomming a registered canidate and in it is mentioned this "Steps to Accreditation" program where can I find a list of these programs? I did not see them on the AIFD website any help would appreciated Thanks

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Join the club homie!!

I couldn't find it either. Call Ted Bruehl. that's who I called. I told him about my accomplishments and what classes I've taken and he thinks I'm fine with the understanding of what is expected of me. He was super nice. He'll tell you what is up.

How exciting, We are gonna test together!! And be life long friends!!! ha!

 

[Brad]

Thanks Shannon, I like to think we are friends are now.

 

[BJBouquets]

Shannon,
You're right. Somehow, the stress of going through AES together can cement a friendship like hot pan glue. Some of my closest AIFD friends are the ones who I stressed with. SO choose those friends carefully when you first get to AES. You may be stuck with them forever!!

I was inducted in the year 2000. At every Symposium since then, we've had a "class picture" taken while we're tuxed up for the President's Dinner. Not everyone attends every year, but it's been fun to rebond with your fellow inductees at picture time.

Our class, at 8 years old, now has many of our members chairing important volunteer duties (ie Symposium Program chair, Symposium Procurement chair) or being on national board, or presenting stage programs at Symposium, or such, so our little unknown group 8 years ago now has some movers and shakers in it. What changes come with time! I'm sure that in another 20 or 30 years, we'll have a Fellow or two.

By the way, the SINGLE most important reason I've found for going through the rigors of AIFD membership is the access to camaraderie with like-minded florists. You can find many wonderful florists at state conventions, wire service programs, etc. but if you get a group of AIFD florists together, every single one of them has had enough personal passion for design excellence that they were willing to put up the time, money and stress to see if they could make it.

That definitely isn't to say that you must be AIFD or else you don't have that passion. No No I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that when I'm with all AIFD florists, I already know that every one of them has been through that boot camp process. When I'm with other florist groups, I find that passion, but only on occasion.

Before I get flamed, let ME be the first to say that there are some members of AIFD who are undisputed world-class jerks. (I'd use a stronger word, or I'd get flamed for that, too) But there are jerks in every organization without exception.

No part of the AES testing helps us weed out those jerks, unfortunately, so we're still going to get a few. But honestly, there are SO FEW!! That's why it always surprises me to hear people knock down AIFD. I mostly see dedicated, passionate, caring, hard-working, floral-educated, florists.

Shannon and Brad, you'll both make great additions to the AIFD family. I hope you know your P&E inside and out.

BJ

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

BJ...

Guess what Arthur is going to test too!!!!

 

[RWK]

To add to what has already been said.......1/500th of a point is not possible with the scoring system that AIFD uses.

Additionally, Have your friend contact Ted or anyone on the membership commitee. Have them look at their score sheets.

In particular look for any scores that fall below 3.75. If a design scores lower than that, then that candidate will not pass.

My total score was 19.80 - The lowest score on a design was 3.95. None of m designs scored lower than 3.75 yet did not add up to 20 points.....in such a case, those scores and that work goes up for review.

They take pictures of each design on each table......sort them by table number. and look back at that when it goes for review.

A good friend of mine who was inducted last year in Palm Desert in a previous AES session also scored 19.80 but one of her designs fell below the 3.75 mark. She did not pass that year.

The evaluators WANT you to pass and they try their level best to honestly make that happen.

In any of the times I have judged.......A 1 was the lowest score.....I've never ever given one that low.

I look at the work and try to gauge....not how many points to deduct, but how many points have they earned. That in itself lets me score work higher than a lot of judges

 

[bloomz]

I was inducted in the year 2000. At every Symposium since then, we've had a "class picture" taken while we're tuxed up for the President's Dinner. Not everyone attends every year, but it's been fun to rebond with your fellow inductees at picture time.

BJ

Hey! You're the same class year as my lovely sister 2yla!

I was there and watched the whole deal.

 

[CHR]

There were only 10 in my induction class of 1985, but our group included Holly Money Collins and Marie Ackerman.

Our group was the first where AIFD required designers to appear in person and design on site. Prior to that, one could gain membership by submitting a portfolio of required category designs and getting letters of recommendation from fellow members.

IMO the current membership process is more open, more fair and overall less costly than ever before.