ABGA Motion

The following letter was formally sent to the ABGA office requesting a motion be brought up for a vote at the business meeting during the ABGA National Show in June, 2005. Please have some courage and tell anyone you know that will be going to the National Show to speak up for ALL of the ABGA members and vote to remove the rule requiring at least two judges to do a visual inspection. This significantly hurts the breeders out side of Texas.

April 7, 2005

ABGA Board

1207 S. Bryant Blvd, Suite C

San Angelo, Texas 76903

To the ABGA Board,

Subject: Motion for ABGA National Meeting

I am submitting a motion to be brought up during the business meeting at the ABGA National Show in Kentucky June, 2005. This is being done according to the current ABGA bylaws.

Problem: Many ABGA members believe, as do I, that the recent changes the ABGA board made related to requiring at least two judges successfully inspect an animal in order for it to pass the ABGA Visual Inspection that is required for the Ennoblement process causes a problem for many members because of the following reasons:

1. Not all breeders have equal access to multiple judges. The requirement for two judges to do a visual inspection makes it much more difficult for a large number of breeders that do not live in the Texas area.

2. It can become significantly more expensive for some breeders to have two judges inspect their animals than for other breeders. The breeder may be responsible for travel expenses of a judge and that can be much more for breeders that are outside of Texas.

3. ABGA has never justified why it requires two judges to do a visual inspection of an animal but a show, where the actual points are awarded, only one judge is required and this is the same judge that could not be trusted to do a visual inspection by their self.

4. If ABGA has a problem with not being able to trust a judge to do the inspection correctly, then you can’t really trust that having two judges will correct any problem. ABGA should correct the “judge problem” rather than trying to throw more judges at the problem.

5. I have collected approximately 45 emails from ABGA members stating they do not like the new requirements for two judges. I am including a table listing these members, their ABGA number and summarizing their negative statements related to the “two judge” requirement that the ABGA Executive Committee passed without allowing all of the members’ representatives to have a voice on this issue.

Motion: I propose the following motion to resolve the previous problems:

“Rescind the new visual inspection requirement for at least two judges doing the visual inspection back to the original of only requiring one judge needed for a visual inspection. ABGA should not have rules that significantly impact many members in such a negative way and that no ABGA group was requesting those types of changes.”

Sumbitted by

Jack Mauldin

ABGA # 5361

#	Name	Farm/ Ranch	ABGA #	Comments
1	Jack & Anita Mauldin	Jack & Anita Mauldin's Boer Goats	5361	That is not what the majority of ABGA members want.
2	Joey Holder	Triple h boer goats	14899	I think that the current one inspection is enough. If the judge has the credentials and follows breed standards there should be no problem with one inspection .
3	John and Cindy Hooser	Triple H Show Goats	16884	This is not what I want as a member. Or the majority of the members want.
4	Ricky Pope/Laura Blue	Bull City Boer Goats	11325	You can put our name on the list.
5	Bob and Alma Staples	CBA Boer Goats	13190	I am against having 2 visual inspections because of the very reasons you stated. A small percentage of breeders regularly attend shows and this would not be fair for them. If an animal can accumulate points under 1 judge, why should it take 2 to pass a visual inspection?
6	Waylon Barnes	Barnes Boer Goats	12447	So what is the ABGA really saying If the people who take the time to go and get trained by the SA people then the ABGA does not trust the first judge so they send another one. We may want to put more on the training if it's going to take 2 judges We just don't need 2 judges
7	Beth Mason	Sisters II	3229 ABGA Judge	Thank you once again for taking up the standard and leading the charge for a good cause. In the judges conference call meeting announcing these changes we were told that this change was to make the ennoblement program more credible. I do not feel that this additional expense and hassle for the members adds one bit of credibility to the program and urge the board to reconsider their decision.
8	Kelli Gilliatt	Driftwood Farms Boer Goats	13684.	The 2 inspector rules adds no more credibility.....they are making it very hard for me, as I am from the Midwest. They continue to make the association beneficial towards promoting LARGE breeders, and things that will help them only----not each member and the whole ABGA association and the promotion of our wonderful breed..
9	Kyle Bolen	Bolen's Boer Goats	2827	ABGA needs to be more attentive to "all" members' wishes and not just a few. This ennoblement inspection is another topic where all members' wishes need to be taken seriously.
10	Patricia Parson	Georgia Boers	7880 Ex ABGA Director and Vice President	If the judges are not able to make the right decisions with one inspection, educate or eliminate the judge.
11	Jim & Lynn Farmer	Farmers Stock Exchange	Ex ABGA Director	I sent ABGA a page and a half letter, part of which addressed my concern about this absurd proposal.
12	Andrea Mahan	Mahan Goat Ranch	19335	Please add my name to the list
13	Matt Smith	Smith Boers	13581	I would like for my name to be added to your list
14	Bob & Sandra Haley	H-Peaceful Pastures	14574	We Agree - 1 Inspection Is Enough And It Should Not Have Been Changed.
15	Dan and Pat Parker	ParkerBoers	12909.	Please place our names on your list. Isn’t this ABGA organization, which I’ve been a member of, suppose to be in the best interest of the “Boer Goat industry” and those individuals raising them which means “all of us” as farmers/ranchers?
16	Roger & Doris Lollar	LX5 Ranch Meat Goats	14956	It's not very diplomatic but we believe in the old K.I.S.S. operating procedure. "Keep it simple, stupid."
17	Robin Cotten	Sawtree Ridge Boer Goats	6220	I don't know what inspired ABGA to "fix" something that wasn't broken. If a single judge passes a goat that shouldn't be passed, then the problem is the judge, not the system. One HONEST judge should be able to do the job. The two-judge rule will make it a lot harder for small breeders outside of TX to get their goats ennobled.
18	White Oak Ranch	Robert Hughes	9733	"The ABGA should not penalize it's membership with this new form of bureaucracy. If the concern is integrity of a single judges opinion then fix the problem at the source, but don't penalize the membership as a whole. This is not an equitable process for the majority of the ABGA membership."
19	David Neumeyer	Sandy Paint Farm	8240	Please add my name to the list.
20	David Carter	Carter Livestock Boer Goats	ABGA Director	I personally, brought this item up at the last two board meetings, argued the points, and was shut down by the entire board. The changes that were made did not follow proper protocol or precedence that was previously set for changes made to important issues that concern members. (ie- breed standards, bylaws)
21	Randy and Melody Smith	Ran-Mel Farms	8879	Please put me down on your list against the 2 inspections. Living in the NW it is hard enough getting 1 judge that can do inspections much less 2. Thanks for all you do
22	Eric Taylor	UN Boer Goats	14435	Please add my name to your list.
23	Beverly Hadley	Boers by Hadley	Ex-ABGA member 5133 ABGA Judge	They are changing the rules of ennoblement in the middle of the game, and it does not matter if this is in regards to two inspectors or changing the point system. I will not be renewing my ABGA membership due to the actions of this board and the executive director.
24	Shawn Clopton	Firestorm Boer Goats	20613	Please add my name to the list and thanks for standing up for the small guy.
25	Roger & Debbie Stauffer	Acton Goat Haven	20670	Please put our name on your list to stop two inspections. We are sick to death of the POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS. Thanks so much for standing up for what you believe in and giving all us members a place to voice our opinions .
26	Don and Jan Edwards	Indian Trail Farm	8437	The ABGA board of directors are keenly aware of the fact that they have judging problems. They need two judges to agree,.....but won't that require a dozen visuals? Mercy!
27	Ryan Doster	Cherokee Rose Boer Goats	18287	This may not be a big problem in Texas, but, here in the east, it would be difficult to find 2 judges to come to our farms and inspect our animals.
28	Will Vaughn	Vaughn Boer Goats	17147	I don't think two judges are necessary because having two judges is like them saying they don't have confidence in there judges and what if it is a hassle for someone to get one judge to inspect a goat just think how hard it would be for them to get two.
29	Raymond Gatlin	Gatlin Boer Goats		When I decided to become a member of ABGA only one judge was required for inspection . This should not be changed.
30	Morris L. Clopton	Clopton Boer Goats	20547	This is redundant and provides no additional value for the added expense incurred by the breeder.
31	Holly Opperman	Lazy O Ranch		We would like to be included on your list. Our son and daughter are JABGA members
32	Norm & Donna Wesley	Truckin W Boer Goats	14953	I think the board needs to reconsider their decision. Thank you for standing up for the small breeders.
33	Bobby Watts and Michelle McAfee	Watts Farm	2120	Inspection is only part of the program. The animal must be able to excel in the show ring or performance testing themselves, and their kids must do so as well, in order to become ennobled. Two judges for inspection is just another way to make it harder and more expensive, on those breeders who are not in "the loop".
34	Matthew Cantrell	Cantrell's Boer Goats	16926	These are malice attempts to keep the smaller breeders out of the loop. In my opinion, this association is out of control and needs some type of leadership from the members. It is time for the members to step up and let it be known that we aren't happy.
35	Hector Feliciano	JP Boer Goats	19587	I do not support the 2 judge system. The ABGA has to remember that not all of us live in Texas. Doesn't the ABGA trust their judges that they need to follow up on them?????
36	Robert Price	Rafter P Boer Goats	17625	I am concerned at the goings on within ABGA. It is the only Boer assn I am a member of. I appreciate the info you provide. I would like to see a list of names of these power brokers on the executive comittee. I would like to know how they can be removed from their positions. If there is legal recourse against them I would like to see them brought under control. I think the ABGA should represent us all to the best of its ability. If the people currently in control do not want to represent us, lets find someone that will.
37	Curtis Jernigan	Red Cedar Ranch Boer Goats,	14089	I totally agree with all of the above, only one qualified judge is needed as it has been from the beginning. We members don't need this extra hassle. Maybe ABGA made this change for the extra $10.00 per head fee.
38	Kim and Nora Lovelace	Bella Acres Boer Goats of West Liberty, Ohio.	12636.	We agree-one inspection is enough
39	Jarrett Daugherty	Daugherty Boer Goats	10458	Please add me to your list .
40	Allen & Denise Stelly		19955	We do not need 2 visual inspections
41	Jim & Christine Brown	JBFarms Boers		We had one ABGA show in IL in the last year, this new requirement is absurd.
42	Darrell & Leighan Webb	Brat Goat Farm	20025	We also agree that if it only takes 1 judge in the ring why should it take two to inspect an animal. Both of our kids are also JABGA members. As always Mr. Mauldin speaks for the small breeder. At least someone is looking out for us!
43	Vicky L. Wetzel	Deer Haven Farms	21122	There is no need for two inspectors, as they will have been “inspected” through the judging process by many different judges. Thanks so much for looking out for the smaller breeders!
44	Roy Autrey	Autrey's Friendship Farms	19770	There is absolutely no need for 2 inspections. The inspection process itself has nothing to do with the actual ennoblement.
45	Reggie & Suzi Pillans	Battle Creek Boers	10655	We feel that only one inspection should be required. Trained ABGA Judges should not have to verify what the previous Trained ABGA Judge inspected. The Ennoblement is obtained from points obtained in the show ring. If a goat passes inspection, but never wins in the ring, it will not be ennobled. The additional cost and the inconvenience that it causes Breeders out of the state of Texas does not add any credibility to the ennoblement program. The association is for the members; hopefully, the board will reconsider their decision and change the inspection back to 1 Judge inspecting the animal(s).
46	Jack Rigdon	Rock Acres Meat Goats	19351	There is simply no possible reason for a board ellected by members to not give those same members a voice in changes to the Ennoblement Program. If this association is to continue it must allow members to play a significant role in decisions related to our industry. I'm against not only the Ennoblement changes but any decision made without a membership voice in the matter....