The local test isn’t that hard to pass, any TD who has directed enough events to have the necessary experience should be able to pass it. It is open-book after all.
TD’s not wanting to take the time to request, complete and return the test is probably at least as big a factor as office delays in sending out and grading tests. I’ve also been told that half of all the local TD tests sent out are never returned.
Perhaps at a time when we don’t have more pressing development needs we can look into online TD testing. For now I’m mostly interested in transition issues due to poor record-keeping at the USCF office in the past, as well as dealing with the thousands of former club TDs for whom there is no option other than to take the local exam, whether they have the requisite experience or not.
TDCC is apparently more concerned about the ‘bad’ club TDs out there. Personally, I don’t see how taking and passing the local exam solves that problem.
Bad directors are going to weed themselves out of the directorships. If they find the cost of the event did not cover the entry fees, most directors will stop having the event if they lose $100 or more. If the director starts to fail to send in the rating fees and the tournament report, the players are smart and know not to go back. There are directors that hate the cost of the affiliate, do not see them performing many events even if they break even.
Have talked with a few players, and they think a director is going to be so rich after the tournament. When the director finds how much work is need to get a tournament going. The work to organize the event, the work to meet as many players in all different areas. If it did not work out in the fantasy they built for themselves, they will stop.
I do not mind club TD having their certification granted for a second term. I would only ask the club TD performed one or two events in the 3 years. If the director is not willing to perform this task, then decertification is fine with me.