Who Does What?

One of the steps in learning about purebred registered goats in Canada is understanding the difference between Canadian Goat Society (CGS) and Canadian Livestock Records Corporation (CLRC) functions.

CGS was established in 1917 and is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act of the federal government. This status allows us to do certain processes based in our by-laws which require federal government approval. This status also places some restrictions on CGS and other breed associations in Canada.

CLRC was established in 1905 by the Department of Agriculture, and currently operates as a stand alone not-for-profit , corporate entity under the Animal Pedigree Act of Agriculture, Agri-food Canada. CLRC is a service organization, performing registry work processing on behalf of over fifty (50) breeds associations. As one of these Associations, CGS contracts CLRC to perform work on our behalf. This work includes processing of registrations and transfers of ownership of animals, processing new and the renewal of memberships for members, registration of herd names and tattoo combinations, processing genomic requests, and a long list of less common processes.

CLRC assigns dedicated staff Registrars to process all goat work for CGS following the by-laws and directives of the Association. CLRC collects fees from breeders according to the CGS fee schedule, and in turn charges CGS for the work according to the CLRC Fee Schedule.

CGS sets standards for awards, genetic evaluations, milk recording, classificatiin for body conformation, shows. The Association administers show sanctions, represents our membership at industry meetings and on industry committees and provides members and prospective members with information re genetics.

Should you have a question regarding registry work it is usually best to contact CLRC first. CLRC are in virtually daily contact with CGS and vice versa.

CLRC’s website is at www.clrc.ca .

CGS ‘s website is at www.goats.ca

Bottom line is: If you have a question about your goat owning experience and particularly the purebred genetics side of the business let us know.

CLRC staff may eventually direct you to CGS, and vice versa, depending upon the nature of your questions. Then again we may direct you to another partner within the industry.

We are here to help!

Your success with registered goats is our goal!

#onward

#letusknow

 

Prompt Transfers of Ownership & Bills of Sale

Comments re transfers and bills of sale!

As we ponder the inflow of calls and emails and messages we receive from members, and prospective members and staff at CLRC a prominent theme emerges! The matter is having purebred, registered animals transferred to their new owners PROMPTLY after sale and delivery.

This brings us to the matter of bills of sale. Every sale of breeding stock and commercial animals should be accompanied by a bill of sale outlining animals involved, their status, responsibilities of the buyer and seller, exceptions and qualifiers, etc.

In working with new and prospective members we find the whole matter of having animals properly and promptly transferred into their name is a very common point of request for help.

We are in constant contact with staff at CLRC so can always work with them to determine the exact and precise status of work in process. This would go beyond what you can see in the Manage My Account function. For that matter anyone can contact CLRC staff and receive  up to the minute updates. A key point is that CLRC staff cannot process something that has not arrived.

We have also learned that there can be lags between the time CLRC staff request additional  pieces of information and when they receive a reply. CLRC can only complete processing when they have “the rest of these story” as in ALL of the story.

Do you want to be known as a reputable breeder of Livestock?

Do you want your marketing program to yield and reap repeat business?

Do you want a great reputation for product and after sales service? 

Then please conclude work on sales promptly!

We realize payment in full by the buyer is essential but, once the buyer has done all that is expected of them, it is only fair and just to expect the same of the seller. Every situation is unique. Customer service is paramount to future success!

Thoughts on a regularly arising topic!

We are here to help, as is the team at CLRC, if we can!

We realize paperwork has few fans so why not resolve it so you can smile and say, DONE!?

2021 East National Show Bids

CGS continues to accept bids for the 2021 East National Show. 

Deadline is September 30, 2020.

Full details on show management and delivery can be found in the Show Manual on the CGS website at www.goats.ca. Check under the SHOWS heading.

Please read all details of the manual, over and above the section on national show bids, to access the full details!

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 is the deadline!


CGS Fundraiser Success!

Everyone involved with CGS wants to say a Huge THANK YOU to everyone involved in two recent fundraisers to assist CGS as we address challenges! Thank you for helping to keep us “in the black” on finances, not red!

Between this spring’s online show and the clothing fundraiser a net of just under $2300.00 has been raised!!!! Timing of the arrival of this income was perfect as we had, and still have, some significant bills to pay!

The folks involved know who they are. We want to avoid missing key players so will avoid listing names! Bless everyone involved as organizers, workers and team members and exhibitors at the show or buyers of the clothing items!

You are so appreciated!

#overflowinggratitude
#provisionforthevision

 

2020 CGS AGM Minutes

The Canadian Goat Society 2020 Annual General Meeting took place in Ancaster on February 8th. 2020. The minutes are available below.

Download45 KB

Pending Traceability Legislation

The CGS Board has a goal of keeping members fully apprised of relevant industry developments. One of the biggest changes in recent times is pending federal legislation. This legislation will require that all goats be identified with industry-standard tags or legbands prior to leaving the farm. The following information from CCIA, The Canadian Cattle identification Agency, will make valuable educational reading as we prepare for the approval of legislation.

The Canadian Goat Society has had input to the process through the efforts of a number of members who are involved with the work of the Canadian National Goat Federation (CNGF). CGS also has an active by-laws review working group, led by Director Callum McLeod.  This working group is examining the implications of new forms of identification of animals on the content of CGS by-laws as one of their many tasks.

Please study this information from CCIA, who are leading as tag suppliers for caprine animals.

CCIA customer service staff are exceedingly helpful at answering questions and guiding producers through processes re account establishment, tag selection and ordering.

 

Info Package –

English:

Download2 MB

trousse d’information –

français:

télécharger2 MB

trousse d’information –

français QC:

télécharger2 MB

Directors Elections Coming Up Soon

This year we have elections in three of the six director regions across Canada as per the by-laws of CGS.

These regions are:

  • 1-British Columbia
  • 3-Saskatchewan and Manitoba
  • 5-Quebec

The current incumbents in each of these regions are:

  • 1-Saundra (Sandy) Howell
  • 3-Susan Frazer
  • 5-Catherine Lord

Based on membership totals for each region as of December 31, 2019 there will be one (1) seat open on the CGS Board in each of these regions.

We will be contacting members in these three regions in the near future with regard to making nominations for the three positions.

Below is an excerpt from the bylaws of CGS outlining the position of Director and  the procedure for electing directors. Please read them carefully if this message is pertinent to the area where you reside.

The most crucial point at the moment is the JUNE 30TH deadline for nominations and the process for making a nomination requiring signatures of members in the region. We have marked this section of the by-laws with ***.

Should you have any further questions please contact the CGS office at info@goats.ca or 226-332-3166.

7. DIRECTORS

7.1. The property and business of the Society shall be managed by a Board of not less than six Directors.

7.2. No person shall be qualified for election as a director if such person;

a) is not a member in good standing

b) is not an individual

c) is less than 18 years of age

d) is of unsound mind and has been so found by a Court in Canada or elsewhere

7.3. The Directors shall be elected on a three year rotating basis in the manner set out in sub-sections 7.5 to 7.17 hereof and is eligible for re-election.

7.4. For the purpose of elections, the membership shall be divided into the following districts:

District 1- Province of British Columbia

District 2- Province of Alberta

District 3- Provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba

District 4- Province of Ontario

District 5- Province of Quebec

District 6- Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island

Only those members of the Society who reside in a particular District may vote for the Director or Directors to be elected from that District.

7.5. The number of Directors elected in each district will be determined by reference to the total number of members of the Society that are resident in that District according to the Society s membership list as of December 31st of the calendar year immediately preceding the election year and according to the following schedule:

1 to 150 members 1 Directors

151 to 450 members 2 Directors

451 and over 3 Directors

7.6. Districts 1,3 and 5 shall have their election of Directors in the years 1999, 2002, 2005 and so on every three years. District 2, 4 and 6 shall have their election of Directors in the years 2000, 2003, 2006 and so on every three years.

7.7. Directors shall be elected by postal ballot.

7.8. By a circular notice prepaid, the Secretary Manager shall supply all members with a list of all members of their designated district, including both names and addresses. Providing that if the Society has an official organ which is mailed to all members, a notice published therein shall be deemed sufficient.

7.9. Members may make nominations only for Directors resident in their district.

***7.10. In order for a member to qualify as a candidate for the office of Director in his district, he must be nominated in writing by no fewer than fifteen (15) members in good standing who reside in that District and such nominations must be sent by mail to the Head Office of the Society and post-marked not later than June 30. ***

7.11. The Secretary Manager shall notify the members who have been nominated, informing them that their names will be included in the ballot for election of Directors of his District unless notice declining the nominations is given within five (5) days.

7.12. The Secretary Manager shall, for each District which is voting that year, send voting ballots by regular prepaid mail to the members resident in that District on or before July 15 of the election year.

7.13. Members shall receive a ballot listing the candidates for their district with instructions to vote for the required number of directors for that district. A member may vote for one or more candidates, up to the total number of Directors allotted for that district.

7.14. With the ballot, an envelope marked Official Ballot and addressed to the Secretary Manager, shall be sent with instructions to return this containing the ballot only, and that in order to be counted, the ballot must be received at the Head Office of the Society on or before August 15 of the election year.

7.15. Counting of the returned ballots so received shall be supervised by the Secretary Manager and/or a recognized third party appointed by the Board. The results shall be tabulated and the ballots destroyed by motion of the new Board when it takes office.

7.16. In the case of a tie vote, the candidate who has been longest a member in his district shall be declared elected.

7.17. The successful candidates shall be notified of their election as soon as possible once results are known. The newly elected Board will take office directly prior to the Board of Director s meeting which precedes the Annual General Meeting. Newly elected Directors may add items of concern to the agenda for the Board Meeting prior to taking office.

7.18. A majority of Directors shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Board.

7.19.All decisions of the Board shall be resolved by a majority vote of the Directors voting, provided that no less than a majority of Directors actually vote thereon. Any Director shall be presumed and deemed to have assented to any and all decisions so made unless he shall register his dissent to the decision and such dissent shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board.

7.20. In the case that a position on the Board becomes vacant at any time, the candidate with the next highest number of votes in that district will be appointed to the position provided that person gained no less than 10% of the votes cast in that district. Failing that, appointment or election to fill the position will be at the discretion of the Board.

7.21. The Office of Director Shall be Automatically vacated:

a) if a Director has resigned his office by delivering a written resignation to the Secretary Manager;

b) if a Director ceases to be a member in good standing;

c) if a Director is found by a Court to be of unsound mind;

d) if at a general membership meeting of a District, a resolution is passed by an affirmative vote of no less than 60% of the members present at such a meeting that a Director of that district be removed from office; or

e) upon the death of a Director.

Code of Ethics and Becoming a CGS Director

For a number of months the CGS Board has been working on a Code of Ethics for not only Board members but also staff and other people filling roles for CGS and indeed all members of the association. As of May 2020 the Board is releasing a CGS Code of Ethics. Please take the time to read and consider the content of this document. Reading and agreeing to comply with this code of ethics will become part of the process of applying for a new membership in CGS and also in annual renewing of memberships in CGS, beginning later this year.  

Should you have any questions about meaning of this document please contact your regional director or the CGS office.

An accompanying document outlines some of the skills, mindsets and expectations of those who both stand for election as a Director and subsequently succeed in filling a CGS Board position.

Very soon we will be announcing elections in three regions of the country with a deadline for nominations of June 30, 2020.

This new document will help those who are considering  letting their name stand for election to understand the responsibilities and expectations entailed in the position.

CODE OF ETHICS DOCUMENT LINK

BEING A DIRECTOR DOCUMENT LINK