American Dairy Goat Association

AMERICAN DAIRY GOAT ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

PREAMBLE
Anything or anyone using the American Dairy Goat Association registered trademark name or logo for any use other than would be common for a member to use as their affiliation with ADGA must come through and be approved by the ADGA Board of Directors.

I. MEMBERSHIP

A. Application for membership shall be addressed to the office of the Secretary-Treasurer and shall be accompanied with payment of annual dues and initial membership fee. Application shall be made in writing in the form and manner prescribed by the Association.
B. Annual dues are payable in advance on January 1 of each year. The membership year shall be from January 1 to January 1. Dues of Members not postmarked on or before March 1 and due since January 1 shall be considered in arrears, and no Member so in arrears shall be entitled to enjoy any privileges of Members. In case of dues payable on January 1 and not postmarked on or before September 1, membership is forfeited: and if reentry is applied for, both initial fee and annual dues in advance must accompany the application.
A Life Membership shall be awarded to any Member who has held membership in the Association for twenty-five (25) continuous years. One year of credit toward life membership will be given for every two years of continuous Junior membership at the time a Junior membership ends and Regular membership begins. Junior membership to Regular membership must be continuous. In the event of a membership change in a joint membership involving married partners, resulting from the death of a spouse, the years earned toward life membership may be transferred to the surviving spouse. If a joint membership, where each individual's name appears in the joint membership, is dissolved, all members in the joint membership shall receive an equal share of credit for the years of joint membership, unless a particular member should choose to grant their share to one or more of the remaining joint members by use of a notarized form. These years may not be added to the years of an individual membership that was held concurrently with the joint membership. Clubs may retain their life membership so long as they are active. Farms, families, partnerships, corporations, et cetera, may retain their life membership status so long as their original ownership is maintained. Life Members shall be periodically contacted by ADGA to find if they are interested in continuing their membership.
Current ADGA members who do not meet qualifications for 25 year lifetime membership status, yet have accumulated 25 years of ADGA membership, will be given recognition in the form of a certificate. The member is responsible for notifying ADGA upon attaining a total of 25 years membership. Upon verification of eligibility by ADGA, a certificate titled 25 Year Member Recognition Award will be issued.
C. Whenever a new Member pays their first annual dues prior to September 1 of the year in which he/she makes application for membership, he/she shall be credited with the payment of his/her dues up to and including the last day of December of that year. Whenever an applicant pays his/her first annual dues after September 1 of the year in which he/she makes application for membership, he/she shall be credited with the payment of his/her dues for the following calendar year.
D. After the death of a Member, the executor, or the administrator of his/her estate shall have the right to register and transfer goats for a period of twelve (12) months upon the same terms and conditions as the Member.
E. In the event that the Board of Directors does not, on or before March 1 of any year designate a time and a place for the Annual Meeting to be held, the President shall designate a time and a place within sixty (60) days.
F. The Secretary-Treasurer shall mail to each Member notice of the place, day, and hour of each Membership meeting. Such notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held.
G. At all meetings, Members may vote in person or by written proxy, bearing a date not more than four (4) months previous to the date of the meeting.
H. Actions of a Membership meeting are advisory to the Board of Directors.
I. All referendums and survey issues referred to Members of ADGA, whether for binding vote or advisory opinion, shall at the same time be accompanied by a comprehensive summary of pros and cons approved either by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, and shall be designed to help Members deliver an informed vote or survey opinion.
J. Any expunged records or memberships will be published in the newsletter.
K. In cases of a Member charged with abuse or neglect of dairy goats, action by the Association will be pursued only upon receipt of written documentation, subsequent to the findings of civil or criminal action taken against the accused Member.
- 1. Upon review by the Board of Directors, a member found guilty of animal abuse in a civil or criminal court will automatically be expelled from membership and denied use of the registry and its services.
- 2. If the individual is not a member, he/she will be denied future membership and use of the registry and it's services.
L.
- 1. Conduct detrimental to the Association shall not include commercial disputes unrelated to the authenticity of a pedigree.
- 2. Complaints regarding shows, testing, linear appraisal and judges must first be adjudicated by the proper Association committee.
M. Release of member's animal information Upon formal written request from an official representative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ADGA will provide data on an animal's pedigree, breeder (herd of origin), ownership and/or previous ownership as required for federal disease eradication programs.

II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors shall consist of the eligible number of Directors from each of the eight Directorial Districts into which the territory of this Association is divided to facilitate equitable representation of all sections of the country as follows:
- 1. Northeastern Directorial District, comprising Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. (Canadian Members residing in New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec vote in this District.)
- 2. Eastern Directorial District, comprising New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- 3. Southeastern Directorial District, comprising Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. (Members who are residents of the islands of the Atlantic and Central or South America vote in this District.)
- 4. North Central Directorial District, comprising Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
- 5. South Central Directorial District, comprising Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
- 6. Southwestern Directorial District, comprising Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. (Members who are residents of Mexico vote in this District.)
- 7. Northwestern Directorial District, comprising Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. (Canadian Members residing in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and Members in the islands of the Pacific and Asia vote in this District.)
- 8. California Directorial District, comprising the State of California.

B. Based on the membership of Each District and that of the ADGA on March 1, the number of Directors to hold office in each District shall be determined by the following formula:
- From 0 to 12.5% of ADGA membership 3 Directors From greater than 12.5% to 15.625% of ADGA MEMBERSHIP 4 Directors From greater than 15.625% to 18.75% of ADGA membership 5 Directors Greater than 18.75% of ADGA MEMBERSHIP 6 Directors
  In the event a District should move to a lower category, then in the next year when more than one Director would be elected, the extra Director will be dropped if the District remains in a lower category or if a vacancy should occur, that vacancy will not be filled.
C. Upon notification of an irregularity in a Director's election, the election will not be final until the Board of Directors has taken action on the irregularity.
D. Directors shall assume office at the Annual Meeting.
E. If the membership of a director remains unpaid as of March
- 1, that director is no longer considered a member in good standing and forfeits his/her seat on the Board of Directors. Such directors will be replaced during the next regular election and the length of term shall be for the remainder of the term forfeited.
F. Directors Emeriti

1. The Directors may receive from the Awards Committee only, names of nominees for the title of Director Emeritus and may on the basis of long and valued service to ADGA bestow this title.
2. Director Emeritus may deliberate with the Directors but shall not make motions, second motions or vote.

G. The Directors shall meet at the same place as the annual Membership meeting at a time designated by the President or Board of Directors.

1. Directors may authorize the payment by the Association of an allowance toward the travel expense of one or more Directors from any District to and from the annual meeting payable within ten (10) days after completion of the annual meeting.
2. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the President or any eight (8) Directors from three (3) Directorial Districts by mailing a notice to all the Directors (stating the place, day, hour and purpose of holding such meeting) at least fourteen (14) days before the date set for the meeting. Business transacted shall be limited to that stated in the call.
3. Directors shall receive a copy of the minutes of annual and special Directors Meetings and Membership Meetings exactly as taken by the court reporter.

H. In case a Regional Director moves out of the Regional District which he/she was elected to represent, he/she shall thereby become ineligible to hold that office, thus creating a vacancy to be filled as stated above; provided, however that no Director shall become ineligible to continue in office by reason of military service or by reason of a temporary change of address, as long as he/she still maintains his/her permanent address in the District which he/she represents and is not absent therefrom more than six months out of any one year.

III. ELECTIONS

A. The total voting results of primary and election voting shall be made available to a Member on request
B. Each ballot shall inform the Member as to the deadline for its reception.
C. In the event of an election in which the terms to be filled are not equal, the candidate shall fill those vacancies in the order of votes received with the highest vote filling the longest term.
D. ADGA deplores the dissemination of negative comments concerning candidates for election to any office in this Association.
E. Candidates may send campaign literature (1- 8«Ox11O pre- folded sheet per letter) with the election ballot, if postmarked to the office no later than June 25th.
F. The eligibility of directorial candidates will be determined as of March 1st in the year of election.
G. The Primary Director Election Ballot shall be mailed from the ADGA office via First Class USPS.

IV. OFFICERS

A. The officers of the Association shall be elected at the Annual Directors' Meeting by the Directors present. The President shall be elected first by a simple majority vote of all votes cast. The First Vice President shall be elected next by the same majority vote and the Second Vice President last in the same manner. This election shall be the first order of new business.
B. The President and Vice Presidents shall assume their duties immediately upon election. The Secretary-Treasurer shall assume his/her duties as provided by the terms of his/her appointment by the Board of Directors.
C. The President:

1. The President, as Chief Executive Officer of the Association, shall maintain general supervision of the affairs of the Association, subject to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association, and subject, further, to the right of the Directors to delegate any specific powers to any other officer or officers of the Association, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the President. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall report to the membership annual meeting and make suggestions that he/she may deem advisable.
2. The President may vote in the event of a tie, said vote being in addition to his/her regular vote as a Director.
3. The President, upon receiving a request from at least two Directors to submit an identical proposal to the Board of Directors, will detail the subject matter. All non-emergency postal ballots as determined by the executive committee will have a fourteen (14) day comment period after which a copy of the proposal along with all Directors' comments shall be mailed to each member of the Board of Directors who will cast his/her vote for or against the subject being considered. Each Director will return his/her vote within fifteen (15) days. The President, within fifteen (15) days following, will inform each Director of the results, giving the total votes cast for, as well as against, the proposition. After giving the Directors advice as to the results of voting, the President shall declare the result and forward all papers to the Secretary-Treasurer who shall make proper notes in the records. Votes mailed after the fifteen (15) days time limit has expired are void and of no effect. All action on postal ballots must be reviewed as the first order of old business at the next annual Board meeting.
4. The President shall mail to the Secretary-Treasurer corrected minutes of each Board meeting, including postal ballot results on actions taken at such meeting, within ten (10) days after completion of postal balloting by the Directors, so that the Secretary-Treasurer can arrange for the printing of copies of these minutes within twenty-five (25) days after completion of postal balloting by the Directors to be mailed to the Members on request.
5. The President may present propositions pertaining to administrative policy to the Board of Directors, or to the Members, by mail.
6. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

D. The Vice Presidents

1. The Vice Presidents, in order elected by the Board of Directors, shall perform the duties required of the President in his/her absence or inability or failure to act (as determined by the Board of Directors).

E. The Secretary-Treasurer

1. The ADGA Association Manager shall serve as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association and shall perform all duties of that position as outlined herein.
2. The Secretary-Treasurer shall hold office until his/her successor assumes office. His/her compensation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall exercise such power and authority and shall perform such duties as customarily associated with the general supervision and direction of the Association Office and the active management of the property, affairs and business of the Association, subject to the bounds of Association policy and the approval of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
4. Under the rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Secretary-Treasurer shall, in coordination and cooperation with the Association's Performance Programs Manager, be responsible for the successful implementation and promotion of all programs of the Association.
5. The third week in January the Secretary-Treasurer shall send a notification to each member who has not paid their annual dues that dues were payable on January 1 and that if dues are postmarked after March 1, the Member shall be considered in arrears and shall be thereafter accorded none of the privileges of membership until dues are paid in full. If dues are postmarked by March 1, the member's name will automatically be listed in the Membership Directory.
6. The Secretary-Treasurer shall give a bond with Corporate Surety in an amount which shall be fixed by the Board of Directors in conformance with the Constitution for the faithful performance of his/her duties; and for the restoration to the Association in case of his/her death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his/her possession or under his/her control belonging to the Association; the premium of which is to be paid by the Association.

V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to hire professional assistance for the Secretary-Treasurer for preparation of minutes of the annual Directors' and Members' Meetings.
B. The Executive Committee in office at the beginning of the annual meeting shall be paid their room expense for the duration of the meeting.
C. The Executive Committee and Secretary-Treasurer shall collaborate on setting the vacation schedule of the Secretary-Treasurer.
D. The Executive Committee shall give a detailed report to the Board on all actions of the Executive Committee at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors.
E. The Executive Committee has an annual discretionary account of $5,000 per election year, which they may authorize for non-budgeted expenditures without prior approval of the Board of Directors. In the event that the $5,000 is expended, the executive committee may request authorization of additional funds for the discretionary account from the Board of Directors.
F. The Executive Committee may authorize the use of official ADGA stationery and mailing labels in limited quantity for specific use.

VI. COMMITTEES
Committee assignments, including the chairs and members, shall be announced by December 15th.

A. STANDING COMMITTEES

1. Annual Meeting
2. Artificial Insemination
3. Awards
4. Blood Typing/DNA
5. Breed Standards
6. Constitution and Bylaws
7. Education Materials
8. Finance
9. Government & International Liaison
10. History
11. Information Management
12. Judges
13. Judges Training Conference
a. Pre-Judges Training Conference Coordinator
14. Advanced Judges
15. Linear Appraisal
16. Membership
17. National Show
a. Fund Raising Subcommittee
b. Subcommittee for Long-Range Goals and Policies
c. Subcommittee for Colorama Sale
18. Production Testing
19. Promotional Activities
20. Registration
21. Scholarships
22. Shows
23. Sire Development
24. Spotlight Sale
25. Tattoo
26. Trade Practices/Ethics/Arbitration
27. Type
28. Youth Activities Annual Meeting and National Show
29. Youth/4-H/FFA Projects
30. ADGA Research Foundation

B. COMMITTEE GUIDELINES

1. Annual Meeting: The Committee and/or Host Group cannot obligate ADGA for any financial responsibility or conduct not mandated by the ADGA Board. Any monies accepted by the host group in terms of advance financing provided by ADGA, in the form of a grant-in-aid will be repaid to the ADGA Research Foundation, should there be sufficient funds generated to first reimburse the host group's actual cash investment. The Annual Meeting Host committee is required to use the standardized registration and accounts receivable format that has been developed by the Annual Meeting Committee. The Committee and Host Group in any year should make a complete report through the Committee to the ADGA Executive Committee following the annual meeting. The Committee should make every effort to publicize both the advantages and responsibilities of potential Host Groups, including ADGA financial support and underwriting, to encourage responsible hosting bids. No bid for hosting a Convention will be accepted except at a Board of Directors Meeting, unless there having been no timely bid, it is less than 24 months until the meeting in question. No bid will be accepted for a Convention to be held more than five years (60 months) in advance. All individuals taking part in an ADGA Convention at any level, except those speakers attending at the expense of the host group, must be registered for the Convention. This includes, but is not limited to: Officers and Directors, Chairpersons and members of ADGA Committees, officers and members of the host group, whether or not they are working at the Convention, those who have signed and/or are attending under the auspices of a vendor's agreement, participants and instructors in the Training Conference, and of the Type Conference, members of ADGA in attendance, and participating nonmembers. Spotlight Sale attendance shall not require registration, and the host group may sell tickets to the annual banquet and ball, evening activities and Champagne Brunch to persons not otherwise registered, if they so choose. A final financial accounting of each Convention shall be presented to the total Board not later than the following Convention; that this accounting include the use to which any surplus funds have been put. This accounting shall be for purposes of information, subject to Board discussion only to the extent of commitment of ADGA funds for the Convention in question. If ADGA funds have been accounted for as designated, other resulting funds are the property of the host group.
The chairperson shall handle requests for possible host sites for the Annual Meeting. Travel, lodging, and meals will be reimbursed to the annual meeting chairperson or his/her designee to inspect potential future sites as needed not to exceed $1,000 per year.
2. Artificial Insemination:

a. Gathers and creates materials regarding the use and practice of AI.
b. Acts as a liaison between the AI industry and ADGA.
c. Promotes the realistic use of AI as a tool of genetic improvement.
d. Monitors the AI industry and the use of AI recommending action where necessary.

3. Awards:

a. Director Emeritus The committee considers names of former Directors submitted to them by the membership for consideration and evaluation for this award. Nominees for Directors Emeritus must have served at least three (3) terms on the Board of Directors. Those selected are submitted to the Board of Directors for election by secret ballot. One or more may be elected as appropriate.
b. Special Awards Selection of candidates for awards is made from a list of names submitted to the Awards Committee by the ADGA MEMBERSHIP. If worthy recipients are found, their names will be revealed at the ADGA annual banquet, and later announced at the membership meeting. The final decision on the recipient(s) is the responsibility of the Awards Committee; no Board approval is needed. Winner(s) will be reported in the ADGA News and Events, including citations and, if possible, photos. The names of all award recipients will be listed on the front page of the Guidebook for one year following the award. The Mary L. Farley Award, Directors Emeriti and Historic Herd Names will remain in the Guidebook list in perpetuity.

(1) The Mary L. Farley Award This award was established by the Board of Directors at their 1959 meeting in honor of Mary L. Farley, Past President (1950-52) and Past Secretary-Treasurer (1945-49). It is awarded only for outstanding work on behalf of the dairy goat industry. No more than one award may be given per year, and frequency of this award is determined by the Awards Committee. This award may be given to an individual, a couple or a partnership. Active members of the Board of Directors are not eligible for this award. A plaque and a lifetime membership in ADGA will be presented to the recipient.
(2) Helen C. Hunt Distinguished Service Award This award was renamed at the 1995 meeting of the Board of Directors in honor of Helen C. Hunt, past Director and Judge for her outstanding service to the Association. This award may be given annually to an ADGA member who has rendered distinguished service to ADGA over a period of years. (One only.)
(3) Award of Merit A number of these awards, as appropriate, may be given annually for outstanding service by an ADGA member for the past year.
(4) Friend of ADGA A number of these awards as appropriate, may be given annually to individuals and organizations that have rendered special service to ADGA. Awards are to be a plaque.
(5) ADGA National Convention Host Group Award of Appreciation This award shall be presented annually to the host group of the convention and shall be a plaque.

c. Historic Herd Names To be selected by Awards Committee and approved by Board of Directors.

(1) The herd name is not currently being used.
(2) The herd made a significant genetic contribution to a breed or breeds of dairy goats.
(3) The herd name was well known.

If the owner or owners of a herd name that meets the above requirements is 65 years of age or older, has made a significant genetic contribution to a breed or breeds of dairy goats, and has registered dairy goats with ADGA the past 25 consecutive years, this herd name will be included in the Historic Herd Names even if being currently used by the owner(s). Historic Herd Names are not transferable. This does not apply to herd names with two or more owners unless all owners meet all requirements. In the event the designation of a historic herd name is offered to a herd owner, they must agree in writing with the ADGA office to not ever transfer that herd name under any circumstances. If the owner chooses not to accept, it will be deleted from the Historic Herd Name list.

4. Blood Typing/DNA: Investigate the capability of blood typing or DNA technology for parentage verification or identification. Recommend facilities to provide these services to ADGA members and define voluntary and mandatory programs to insure the integrity of the registry. (See Appendix for more information.)

5. Breed Standards:

a. Organizations or individuals wanting changes in Breed Standards must first present intended changes to the Breed Standards Committee. The proposal to make the change must be complete, clearly worded and descriptive and must include disadvantages of the current standard and advantages of the changes. This Committee will review the information and, acting in an advisory capacity, offer suggestions about continuing or discontinuing the proposal. The information will be published in the ADGA News & Events and shall be used to conduct the poll and only ballots printed therein shall be counted. Ballots must be completely filled in to be valid. The results of that poll must be documented by the Breed Standards Committee. This Committee will be obligated to present the proposal change to the ADGA Board to accept or reject provided that it passes by a two-thirds majority of the owners/breeders voting.
b. Serve as the coordinating and screening committee for any suggested changes or additions to standards of a breed as requested by a breed club before presentation to the Board of Directors.
c. Propose such changes or additions to breed standards as seem required to keep all breeds in balance.
d. Work with any breeders interested in the development of a new breed. This would include guidance in height, weight, color, ear set and size and shape of nose standards the breed proposers would like to set. At the proper time this committee should propose action to the Board of Directors.
e. Propose changes as needed in the scorecards used to evaluate does and bucks.

6. Constitution and Bylaws: Propose amendments and additions to the Constitution and Bylaws not under the jurisdiction of other Committees. Approve as to form all proposed amendments to the Constitution and upon request, review as to form all proposed amendments and additions to the Bylaws.

7. Educational Materials: Review all existing material and develop new material based on needs of the membership. This new material should be available on various media including print, video and audio.

8. Finance: Prepare an annual budget with projected income and expense. Review and comment on all substantial expenditures not in the ordinary course of business. Advise the Secretary-Treasurer with respect to the investment of Association reserves.

9. Government and International Liaison: Facilitate communications and foster working relationships between ADGA and other organizations, governments, and registries around the world, including the Canadian Goat Society (CGS). Encourage interaction between the ADGA and U.S. Government representatives to assist with development of programs and policies of benefit to the dairy goat industry.

10. History: Develop for publication and maintain a comprehensive history of the Association. All donations to the archives should be done via the current History Committee Chairperson and will become the exclusive property of ADGA. General access to the archives should be done via written consent from the Secretary- Treasurer of the Association, or until a local librarian should be arranged and approved by the Board at some point in the future.

11. Information Management: Committee makeup should be no more than five (5) members with strong technical skills joined with financial, project management and human resource management experience. The role of the committee is to act in an advisory capacity including, but not limited to:

a. Financial oversight including the establishment of an operating budget for the information system.
b. Policy creation, implementation and maintenance as it concerns data access.
c. Review and maintain a list of service contracts on hardware and software.
d. Development of a system to log problems to determine the need for change, adjustment, or replacement of hardware or software.
e. Human resource management specifically staffing, training, and backup for the system.
f. Development of procedures for changes to the information system including a financial impact study for all requests.
g. Review all proposed changes, write the RFP, evaluate, and recommend qualified contractors to implement changes to the system.
h. Confidentially issues including an "appropriate use" policy for staff.
i. Development of an educational component including creation and updating of a directory to various member services, printed and/or on-line; and ongoing assistance to new users of electronic communications.

12. Judges: The original Committee to hear complaints concerning the ethics and competency of official judges. The recommendations of the Committee shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for its consideration. If a fair show, all prior complaint procedures of that fair must be exhausted before the Official Judges Committee will consider a complaint. For the purpose of education, a list of general areas of concerns addressed in the complaints received each year, will be sent by the Judges Committee chairperson to the Chairperson of the Judges Training Conference Committee by August 15 of the current year.

13. Judges Training Conference:

a. To design and conduct training programs designed to teach basic fundamentals of judging dairy goats.
b. To screen, select and license persons through Board approved programs capable of judging official ADGA shows.
c. Originate, develop and define responsibilities of judges, judicial ethics, reasons and terminology, evaluation of faults and defects (except breed standards), scorecards (bucks, doe and showmanship, except breed standards) and the principles of judging (showmanship, group classes, bucks and does).
d. Pre-Judges Training Conference

(1) To design and conduct training programs designed to teach basic fundamentals of judging dairy goats.
(2) To develop recommended formats, to include topics that must be discussed, and provide visual aids for use by all instructors of Pre- Judges Training conferences.
(3) To certify instructors via criteria approved by the Board of Directors, to hold such a session every other year on odd-numbered years in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.

14. Advanced Judges: To acquaint Senior Judges with changes in rules, procedures and breed standards; to discuss problems encountered in the field and to reaffirm knowledge and understanding of current rules, procedures and values.

15. Linear Appraisal:

a. To design and conduct training programs to be used to teach and qualify appraisers.
b. To screen, select and contract with persons capable of doing linear appraisals for ADGA. (Contracts are subject to Board approval.)
c. Originate, develop and define responsibilities of appraisers ethics, methods of evaluation and other principles of linear appraisers.
d. To review, update and recommend rules as necessary for the administration of the linear appraisal program.

16. Membership: Review and comment on all proposed amendments and additions to the Constitution and Bylaws affecting memberships.

17. National Show: The National Dairy Goat Show Committee shall be responsible for representing ADGA in all negotiations regarding the preparation and presentation of the annual National Dairy Goat Show including, but not limited to:

a. To assume responsibility for enforcing the ADGA policies and standards regarding the operation of the National Show.
b. Once a bid has been accepted, work out all relevant details with the show management regarding entries, facilities, schedules, etc.
c. Assigning of classes and schedules for all events.
d. Hiring of all judges.
e. Preparation of membership mailing with National Show information.
f. Advertising.
g. News coverage of the show.
h. Cooperation and scheduling of Youth Activities Day and National Colorama Sale.
i. Solicitation of donations for purchase of Trophies and Awards.
j. Computation and presentation of all special awards.
k. Disbursing the budget assigned by the Board of Directors.
l. To assist the National Show Chairperson in these responsibilities, the ADGA office will send a National Show packet after each Annual Meeting to the chairperson upon that Chairperson*s appointment.

The Major Purposes of Having a National Show are:

a. Major competition speeds the time needed for improvement of the breeds.
b. Opportunity to educate the general public as to the positive qualities of dairy goats and goat milk.
c. Give ADGA a showcase for its program and Members.
d. Increases the exposure of high quality dairy goats to the local area and thereby helps to improve knowledge and quality of dairy goats in a given area.

ADGA National Show Policy Statements:

a. Damage and/or Accidental Injury Responsibility Each exhibitor or vendor will be solely responsible for any consequential or other loss, injury or damage done to or occasioned by, or arising from any animal or article exhibited or for sale by him/her, and shall hold harmless the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) against all liability in regard thereto. ADGA will take reasonable precautions to insure the safety of exhibits and property of every description entered for competition or display or any other purpose while anywhere on the grounds that shall be subject to the control of ADGA, but the owners themselves must take the risk of exhibiting them. In no case will ADGA be responsible in any way for any loss, damage, or injury of any character to any property, article or person, while same is on the fairgrounds or at any other time or place, nor be liable for or make any payment for damage, loss or injury. Presentation of entry form and/or vendor form shall be deemed acceptance of this rule.

b. Requirements for Exhibiting at the ADGA National Show.

(1) No National Show entries will be accepted unless payment is included with the entry or the herd owner account has enough credit balance to cover the entry.
(2) Show animals being exhibited at the National Show of the American Dairy Goat Association are required to stay for the duration of the show. This "duration of the show" is specified by the period of time indicated on the "Schedule of Events" beginning from "Dairy goats must be in Place" to "Release of Dairy Goats." Failure by exhibitors to comply with this rule, will result in the placings of their animals being deleted from all records and publications. This also may result in disqualification from competing at future National Shows as determined by the Board of Directors. Exception for an emergency will be considered for early release, but must be presented in writing to the National Show Committee.
(3) Any exhibitor or vendor who refuses to comply with the rules and regulations at a National Show will be prohibited from participating in future National Shows, for a period of time to be determined by the Board of Directors. Future National Show Committees will have the authority to request people to leave and bar them from participation in further functions at the National Show that year for violation of ADGA National Show rules providing a majority of the National Show Committee members attending said show are present to vote.

c. Ownership of Animals Exhibited at the ADGA National Show

a. EXHIBITOR: An exhibitor must be the owner or member of a partnership owning the animal. Certificate of registration showing ownership must be available at check-in prior to being shown. In specified group classes for Jr. and Sr. Get-of-Sire, and Produce of Dam, animals need not be owned by exhibitor.
b. DESIGNATED HERD UNIT: If an animal is owned by members of a traditional family (i.e., father, mother, son or daughter) or by individuals who are currently using a designated herd name at the ADGA office, you may enter your animals as a "herd unit" and be considered as one exhibitor (does not apply to breeder for the purpose of award calculations). In order to qualify as a "herd unit" all animals must be kept in the same herd at the same location. They must also be grouped together on one set of health papers listing the same place of origin. The "herd unit" decision is final on the closing date for entries. Once the "herd unit" option is chosen, all animals entered from the farm must be shown under the "herd unit". An animal owned by any person in the "herd unit" may be substituted for one owned by any other person in the "herd unit".

(2) Exhibitors using the Designated Herd Unit option should include both the Designated Herd Unit name and the individual in whose name the animal is registered in the designated space on each entry form submitted.
(3) For the purpose of Exhibitor Award calculations, a Designated Herd Unit entry will use all animals that qualified to be shown within the Designated Herd Unit. However, for Breeder Award calculations, the Designated Herd Unit designation will not be applied. This award will be based on memberships of each breeder as designated by member identification numbers.

d. Requirements for Production Awards presented at the ADGA National Show:

(1) Production Record Requirements for awards: These requirements are to conform with the DHIR Requirements for a doe to be eligible for Advanced Registry by the ADGA. A doe may meet these requirements for either milk or butterfat. A doe may qualify for these awards with a record made at any age.

Age at Freshening

Milk Lbs - Kg.

Butterfat Lbs - Kg.

Protein Lbs - Kg.

2-00 or younger

1500 680

52.50 23.81

45.00 20.41

2-01 to 2-11

1536 697

53.76 24.39

46.08 20.90

3-00 to 3-11

1608 729

56.28 25.53

48.24 21.88

4-00 to 4-11

1680 762

58.80 26.67

50.40 22.86

5-00 or older

1716 778

60.06 27.24

51.48 23.35

Refer to general rules for entry and verification requirements.

(2) Highest Production Awards

a. Awarded to the highest producing doe in milk in each breed that has completed a 305-day or less lactation within the last 365 days.
b. Awarded to the highest producing doe in butterfat in each breed that has completed a 305-day or less lactation within the last 365 days.

(3) Highest Lifetime Production Awards

a. Awarded to the highest lifetime production in milk in each breed.
b. Awarded to the highest lifetime production in butterfat in each breed.

(4) General Rules A production record entry form along with a copy of individual doe sheets (Production Records) must be submitted with the livestock entry form prior to the closing date. All production record entries will be verified during check-in against your official records. The original Doe Sheet (Production Record) must be presented at the time of check-in. (Updates may be made at check-in.) Only records shown on Dairy Herd Improvement registry forms, DHIA, DHAS, or ROP records issued by the American Dairy Goat Association, American Goat Society or Canadian Goat Society (including Star Certificates) will be accepted.

Guidelines for National Show Youth Activities:

a. All youth activities should conform to and follow ADGA show rules and definitions
b. Responsibility for organizing and monitoring the application of all youth activity programs held at the National Show should be with the Youth Activities Committee.
c. Responsibility for selection, contacting and obtaining judges, trophies, and ribbons should be with the Youth Activities Committee. Financial responsibility for these items/services should be contained in the National Show Committee budget.
d. Scheduling of Youth Activities should be coordinated through the National Show Chairperson.

Guidelines for National Show Judges:

a. Recommended Qualifications for Candidates:

(1) The Candidate must be a Judge currently licensed at the four year level with six years of continuous active judging experience and at least ten years of experience breeding dairy goats as an ADGA member.
(2) The Candidate should have experience in judging major shows/fairs (300 + entries) in at least three different districts.
(3) The Candidate should be considered ineligible if he/she has judged the previous National Show.

b. Recommendations for Selected Judges:

(1) Selected judges once contacted and having accepted, should not accept other judging assignments within a 200-mile (322 km) radius of the National Show site for a period of three months prior to the National Show.
(2) Judges who elect to judge the National Show will not be allowed to exhibit any breed in that show.

c. Procedures for selection of National Show Judges:
- The membership will select three National Show Judges from a list of current judges who did not judge the National Show the previous year. This list of judges will be presented on a ballot in the ADGA News & Events. The National Show Committee will select the two remaining judges.

Guidelines for Inclusion of Additional Breeds at the National Show: Any ADGA recognized new dairy goat breed wishing to establish themselves as a part of the ADGA National Show must meet the following qualifications:

a. The recognized Breed Association for said breed must submit a request for inclusion in the National Show to the Chairperson of the National Show Committee or the ADGA office. This request must include the names of the Officers of that Association, their mailing addresses and the mailing address for said Association.
b. Upon receipt of the request, the new breed will be allowed for display purposes only. Display animals will be penned in a prominent location and must meet the same health requirements as all other animals. Only pen fees will be charged.
c. If a breed has a minimum of 35 animals, 40% in milk, on display for two consecutive years, they will be added to the show the following year.
d. A minimum of 100 animals entered and 80 animals shown, 40% in milk, are required to establish a dairy breed as a competitive breed. Any new breed not meeting this requirement will revert to display status.
e. Any established dairy goat breed failing to meet the above requirement for two consecutive years will be removed from the show.

Responsibilities of Subcommittees:

a. National Show Fund Raising Subcommittee:
Responsible for devising ways and means of accumulating funds to help defray National Show costs. The funds are to be used to help cover costs of operating the National Show. Only ADGA owned (non-consigned) items, or those items benefiting an organization sponsoring the current or future national show or convention may be sold at the ADGA booth. The funds that are raised are to be kept at the ADGA office and will appear on the financial statements as a separate line item under "Income."
b. National Show Subcommittee for Long-Range Goals and Policies:

(1) Arrange for future National Shows by initiating and receiving bids from State Fairs, prominent District and County Fairs and local sponsoring groups and selecting and accepting the bid most advantageous to the promotion of dairy goats and ADGA.
(2) Receive suggestions and evaluate the operation of the current show in order to make recommendations for the future.
(3) Responsible for preparing, submitting and monitoring material in National Show Chairperson's packet. This material to include, but not limited to, a suggested task checklist, ADGA suggested show rules, classes, awards, job descriptions, co-sponsored judges' contracts, co-sponsored ribbons and rosettes ordering form, nomination form for judges including qualification requirements and current list, exhibitors' survey, production record entry form and award procedures, ADGA sanction application form, premier awards worksheets and the final report from the year that the current host had been a previous host.

18. Production Testing:

a. To form and recommend policy relating to production testing of dairy goats through ADGA (DHIR).
b. To write regulations expressing this policy in concert with the regulatory bodies of the dairy goat industry.

19. Products: Investigate ways to bring dairy goat products to the attention of the buying public and encourage the use of these products.

20. Publicity and Promotional Activities: Identify and develop projects and activities to enhance the dairy goat industry. Recruit new breeders and encourage use of ADGA services. Generate news releases to publications regarding ADGA and ADGA members. Committee will coordinate with the ADGA staff and other committees.

21. Registration:

a. Propose registration/recordation rules and monitor their implementation for maintaining the integrity of pedigrees, and efficient operation of the herd books.
b. It may also propose in consultation with the Breed Clubs the opening, closing or adjustments of herd books.

22. Scholarships: The Scholarships Committee provides leadership to the following programs:
- a. Recipient selection process for the ADGA/Jim Morrison Scholarships and other scholarships as may be available from time to time.
- b. Liaison to 4-H/FFA organizations as an interested party. Furnish one-quarter sponsorship of the Specialty Animal Proficiency Award program with the National FFA.
23. Shows: To review, update and recommend rules as necessary for the conduct of official ADGA Shows.
24. Sire Development: To identify, as early as possible, young bucks that are genetically superior and to encourage the quick, early proof of these bucks for both type and production through either natural service or the use of frozen semen.
25. Spotlight Sale: Shall be responsible for representing ADGA regarding the preparation and presentation of all auction sales sponsored by the Association. Committee person's Duties: Encourage nominations of high quality dairy goats from ADGA performance programs and showing proven breedings. Select consignments with careful thought and consistent reasoning with the individual animal's potential salability of primary importance. Assist at Sale(s) within animal needs, consignor needs and necessary duties in a professional manner.
26. Trade Arbitration: To investigate complaints made by ADGA members or other persons and, if possible, to resolve same without action by the Board of Directors; or in the alternative, to recommend appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
27. Type:

a. To function as the designated advisory body on all matters relating to correctness in structural type and consult with other committees, such as Advanced Judges, Judges Training, Pre-Judges Training, and Linear Appraisal, to insure uniform statement and application throughout ADGA.
b. To organize and conduct a Type Conference before the general membership at least every other year in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.

28. Youth Activities: Shall promote and coordinate youth activities for the Association at the Annual Meeting and National Show.
29. Youth/4-H/FFA Projects:

a. Promote project work and record keeping skills among members of 4-H and FFA by providing updated project materials when available.
b. Other programs deemed appropriate to further the learning experience in the field of Dairy Goats for Youth.

30. ADGA Research Foundation: In 1976, the American Dairy Goat Association Board of Directors, at the Annual Meeting, proposed and adopted the ADGA Research Foundation for the purpose of promoting and directing research and educational activities concerning dairy goats. The Foundation consists of five Trustees appointed by the ADGA Board of Directors. The Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as an independent arm of ADGA under the management of its Trustees with its own checking and savings accounts. The Foundation conducts its own business and is accountable to ADGA only for finances and with an annual full report of its activities. Trustees are appointed by the ADGA Executive Committee and serve for one year or until replaced.
All correspondence, including proposals for research, should be sent to the Foundation secretary, and will be answered promptly by the secretary or whomever the Foundation President designates. Copies of correspondence will be sent to all Trustees for their comments, and copies of all replies along with a ballot will be sent to all Trustees. The Trustees are requested to investigate further, information on proposals and progress whenever possible. If a research proposal is approved and funds are available, money will be granted. No further approval from the ADGA Board of Directors is required. The original copy of each proposal and all records concerning correspondence, including ballot results and conclusions, will be permanently stored in the ADGA Archives.
Tax-deductible donations, designated for the ADGA Research Foundation, may be sent directly to the ADGA office. ADGA Research Foundation Grant Request Forms are available from the Foundation Secretary and from ADGA.
31. Official ADGA Representative: From time to time, an individual may be appointed to represent ADGA at specific events or to perform specific functions.

a. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Represent ADGA at meetings, conventions, and other events.
2. Exhibiting a positive attitude and provide a ready explanation of the benefits of raising dairy goats and belonging to ADGA.
3. Communicate effectively in a public setting.
4. Dress appropriately for the event and convey a professional image.
5. Communicate in writing, within 30 days, a summary of activities that occurred at the event to the President of ADGA.

b. Qualifications

1. Must be a current ADGA member.
2. Have an understanding of ADGA and its programs.
3. Have an interest in dairy goats and be willing to work to promote the benefits of raising dairy goats.
4. Enjoy working with people and products associated with agriculture and specifically dairy goats.
5. Have the ability to communicate effectively and address the public in a positive manner.
6. Have the time to fulfill the commitment necessary for proper representation of ADGA.

c. Appointment

1. A specific event with definite dates and time identified.
2. Duties and responsibilities outlined by the President.
3. Appointed by the President with approval of the Executive Committee.

d. Expenses

1. Any expenses to be reimbursed would require prior review and approval of the Executive Committee

VII. TATTOO POLICY
(See Appendix for additional information on Tattooing.)

1. It is required that all goats presented for registry or recordation be tattooed before application is made.
2. The ADGA office will assign a set of unique tattoo letters to members, who do not request them, for their exclusive use. (There is no charge for this service.) Effective June 1, 2002, members are required to use their assigned sequence.
3. The tattoo will be the permanent identification and will apply to all ADGA programs requiring identification of animals by their tattoo including, but not limited to, registration, linear appraisal, production testing and show.
4. A tattoo will be deemed correct:

a. If the correct tattoo can be identified.
b. If other markings exist, they are to be disregarded if the papers are marked "Re-tattooed"; the designation "Re-tattooed" may be placed on the papers without review if the new tattoo is identical to the old tattoo.
c. Only upon the filing of a Tattoo Revision request form may registration or recordation papers be marked re-tattooed if the original and new tattoos are not the same.
d. In instances described in C, all sequences will appear on the registration or recordation certificates next to the designation "RE-TATTOOED."

American Dairy Goat Association ®
209 West Main Street - P O Box 865
Spindale, NC 28160
Ph. (828) 286-3801 - Fax (828) 287-0476
E-mail: info@adga.org