CEO Message

Message

from the CEO ...

The way our organization is designed, change is inevitable. We replace a third of our board of directors annually. This year promises to be no different than many in the past. If I had to guess, I suspect we will end the year going two steps forward and one step back. But, we will still keep chugging forward.

Change used to bother me a lot. I won’t lie, and from all I have read, it applies to the majority of you. But change is good more times than not.

I am so old I can still remember party line rotary phones. Even though I have been known to break out a few choice adjectives about this fancy oversized IPhone, it is better in a lot of ways than the one before it. Yet, like a lot of choices we are forced to make, there are still plenty of people out there that would be quick to point out that we have had it better or were better off somewhere in the past. It is hard to get a room full of people all on the same page. and experience has taught me that it is not always good when they do all agree.

To be honest, I have come to like a little variation. I have debated the following subject where national show judges or three show weekend judges and variation are concerned. The debate usually starts with somebody telling me that we need three judges who are all just alike, who can get along and work well together.

Then I usually counter and say, “so if we are going to get three judges who are all likeminded and who get along well with each other, then why don’t you just save the ABGA a little money and only hire one as they are all going to pick the same type of goats anyway”.

I might follow this up with another argument that goes a little like this: If it were your money being made or lost based on the outcome of your judge selection, which would probably get the most exhibitors to your show or money back in your pocket? Would it be in your best interest if all three judges leaned a little wether, all three favored a little color, all three picked South African style, or if all three selected them large frame and futuristic? My thinking for all of you is that I have named off one or two sets where you realize your show string just does not work.

Now back to my point or solution. Depending where you fall in this debate, I feel for the best results - at least as far as putting the largest number of exhibitor’s in the barn - is when you select a panel of three judges who all have a uniquely different approach or prospective where selection comes into play. I feel most seasoned exhibitors cut their losses when they know it is over before they pull out of the driveway. To maximize the opportunity for a show's success, all exhibitors need to feel they are in the game before they will commit to coming to test their luck. In my opinion, the old adage still applies with show judges, “variety is the spice of life” especially if it is my money bet on the final outcome as a show host.

I am sure some of you believe that all judges should be exactly alike if they are following a Breed Standard. This is simply not reality in our breed or any other that I have ever observed. If this were the case we would not have many shows given very little would change from week to week. It is my belief, at this point, that many goats would become difficult to sell unless they were of course of the chosen elite. The Breed Standard, as it was described to me years ago, is open and flexible to interpretation allowing us to make improvements from within. Not only has the ABGA made changes over the years, but our counterparts in South Africa have made changes as well. It is only natural for us to try to improve.

Let me say that the new 2017 Board of Directors is not afraid of change even when it comes to changing a rule that could affect member flexibility, member retention, and the potential for increasing registrations. They are making revisions to our percentage registration rules, opening the books to allow more animals to reap the rewards of an ABGA pedigree. A predictable outcome was for those opposed to take to social media and begin another good round of the 'sky is falling' posts, allowing bucks sales and type could suffer.

Will the sky fall? I seriously doubt this either way. You only need to go to our ABGA website and click on ABOUT ABGA on the homepage to find a video of the 20 years of National Shows. You can view a past National Champion Percentage Buck picture.

Did the world end then? No! Will we continue to move forward regardless of this change? My prediction, given the two steps forward one step back choices we all make in life, our association will still generate a positive forward result. The wheels on the train will continue to go round and round.