Open Letter from former International BGA president Michael Wood:
Dear International Boer Goat
Association Members,
With regret and sadness the
end of an era is at hand. Effective December 31, 2012 the International Boer
Goat Association ceased operation as a breed registry. There has been
continuous and exhaustive efforts to maintain operations for many months. The
reality of economic times and changes within our industry have collectively
caused these efforts to become futile.
As with any home or farm operation when you continue to spend more than
you generate you can only live off of reserves for so long. The Association has operated with 1.5
employees for a year and executed every cut possible to maintain operations.
Your loyalty as a member was
so appreciated. In the last year we maintained an actual membership of around
700 (including lifetime, individual, ranch and junior) Contrary to the belief of
some; the National Show for 2011 & 2012 was at no cost to the Association
and actually netted the association profit to survive on until now. We were a breed registry and as such
have to sell pedigree tracking on Registration Papers to stay in business. With all things considered each green
paper produced cost more to print than we took in money for at the current rate
of registrations.
I know that there has been
much discussion and miss-information circulating on this subject. I am sorry that we could not make this
decision public in a more timely way.
However, we were focused on the most important thing for our members; protection
of the registration integrity, value and marketability. Many of you own dual
registered animals that might not be dealt a devastating blow. Our concern was mainly focused upon
those members that chose to be 100% loyal International Boer Goat Association
members and only own “green papers” on some or all of your animals. In this particular circumstance I
believe it is has proven just as difficult to close something as it is to start
it.
In
regard to the above mentioned goal: in an effort to continue to provide the
opportunity for registration, our database now resides with the ABGA. Those
members wishing to become members of the ABGA every effort will be made to
transfer their goats to the ABGA. Currently, a Registration / Transfer process
plan is being drafted within the ABGA. Visit the ABGA website over the coming
weeks for further information.
A few parting “house
cleaning” items:
-
The American Boer Goat
Association has been working with us to provide transition opportunity of a new
home to our members and animals.
-
Our registry was not
sold to the ABGA but “gifted” as legal situations required.
-
All outstanding leases
and bills of the Association have been or in the process of being satisfied.
-
The International Boer
Goat Association is not filing bankruptcy.
-
We have a $70,000
outstanding balance on the property in Whitewright, TX that was paid quarterly
at an amount of $3300 (this was one of the major sources of us “living above
our means”)
-
The property has been
for sale for over a year in the effort to relieve the debt and move the operations
to a small, affordable location.
-
The property was
recently reduced to $85,000 and remains for sale (office sits on approx 3
acres)
-
International Office and
ABGA office have had a long standing cooperation in the research and
registering animals. It was unfortunate for both associations when the decision
was made to not accept International Papers – It was not directed at us, we
were a legal causality of an unrelated situation.
-
All efforts will be made
to honor existing Ennoblements. Unfortunately any ennoblement
points earned but not resulting in previous ennoblement will fall under the
ABGA ennoblement requirements currently in place.
-
The ABGA will welcome
any of our longstanding shows pending approval – show contracts may be found at
www.abga.org but will require a ABGA
certified judge.
-
Our dedicated and
talented judges are wanted in the ABGA. However, currently there is no
agreement to accept International Judges on their experience or previous
certification. Discussions are
ongoing on how and when there might be opportunity for you to become ABGA certified.
-
Tonia Dawson and Amy
Rackler continue to assist with the closure of the Whitewright office and have
displayed loyalty and willingness to assist. They both have plans for future employment.
-
There is likely to be
backlog of transfers to ABGA as they do things differently. Please be patient as they have to have
our data operational to accurately transfer animals and generate new
registration papers. Our systems are completely different.
-
Possible Confusion: The
International Boer Goat Association has not in many years had the legal rights
to the letters “IBGA” IF: you
receive any information about a animal registry in the future that uses these
letters, IT WILL NOT BE in reference to “Green Papered” Animals - WARNING _- DO NOT BE FOOLED
-
The Name: International
Boer Goat Association will be protected by the American Boer Goat Association
and as such will not be used by any other breed registry in the future.
-
Any member that may have
paid their 2013 membership dues in the month of December will be contacted
individually and either refunded their membership dues or have them forwarded
to the ABGA at their choice.
-
There is no contact
option for the International Boer Goat Association Office as it is officially
closed.
-
If you choose to
transfer your “green papers” for “red papers” in order to show in the 2013
season, I would suggest to get your paperwork in order very soon and be
prepared to be very patient as this will be a very trying time on the ABGA
office staff.
-
No personal information
is being shared with ABGA – only Animal Registration Information – All other
information will be destroyed.
Personal Note:
I certainly wish things could
have been different. I have never
been “against” ABGA I have simply been “For” the International Association and
the Family atmosphere that many of us worked to foster. I have worked with and met many
wonderful, compassionate and giving people over the last several years. I personally plan to pay my ABGA
membership and eventually get all my “green papers” traded in for “red papers”. The same people that have worked so
hard keeping the International functional over the last few years will now have
the opportunity to lend their efforts and expertise to the ABGA by continuing
to sponsor goat shows and youth events and becoming judges. We have tried
diligently to be more than just a place to purchase a “green paper”. I will certainly miss the “green”
tradition. So many have given of
their time, efforts and finances to the International Boer Goat
Association. Your influence was
great and your intensions were the best.
Thank You from the depth of my heart, hope to see you down a new
successful road soon.
You may still use me as a
contact for “problems” as they may arise but please direct all registration
questions to the ABGA office if you choose to transfer animals there. woodlandhillsnur@aol.com
Thanks so much!
Michael Wood
Former President/CEO
International Boer Goat
Association
