National Sales latest

News

Society Matters Social Media

Members are reminded of the need to act with integrity when engaging in social media activity.

With social media being a relatively recent arrival in the world the way it is used is constantly evolving and members should remember that your professional life and your personal life are intertwined in the online world, just as they are offline.

In all spaces one should adhere to the principle that as every member has a responsibility for maintaining the Society’s credibility. Perception is reality and in online social networks, the lines between public and private, personal and professional, are blurred.

Members should remember that in a community and industry which is largely based on trust and loyalty, integrity is your most important commodity. Avoid writing or posting anything that could embarrass you or the Society.

The golden rule when posting or commenting on social media is not to publish something you wouldn’t say in a public place. Once published that comment can live on forever on the internet and can be republished in any other media provided it is attributed appropriately. While you may be able to delete comments etc..it may be too late if they have been seen and/or saved by another user.

Consider that anything you publish online can, therefore, be used in mainstream published media as direct comment from you or be used by another member or the Society in any case against you for bringing the Society in to disrepute.

Overall social media is a useful tool in promoting the breed, but there will always be times when it can also be a negative tool for some. Use your experience and judgement in all instances.

Society Matters

National Sales to go ahead

Plans are progressing for the National Sales, but there are likely to be a number of restrictions in place on attendance.

The Society is currently planning for its National Sales at Lanark, Welshpool, Worcester and Ballymena to go ahead, albeit while bearing in mind restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.

Society chief executive John Yates said the Society was liaising closely with all auctioneers for the National Sales and planning accordingly. “It is highly likely these sales will operate under strict restrictions which are likely to include limits on the number of people able to attend, with adherence to social distancing rules while present at sale venues.

“There will not be pre-sale shows at the National Sales and vendors may be restricted on the number of people able to attend with their consignment, this will obviously be different at each sale.

“From a buyers’ perspective all those intending to attend with a view to purchasing are likely to have to register in advance and anyone not registered will not be able to attend.

“It is expected that only one person per household or flock will be able to attend with a view to purchasing. The Society’s focus is very much to encourage members to only attend if they are selling or definitely buying, social goers and browsers will be discouraged. Online bidding is also likely to be available for some sales,” he explained. The practicalities of running a sale under these restrictions will of course result in a reduced attendance and the Society asks that members use their own judgement when deciding whether their attendance at a National Sale is both sensible and justifiable in the current circumstances.

“The different format these sales are undoubtedly going to follow will result in a change in the nature of the sales this year, with them being very much a business event and much less of a social outing.

“The Society’s staff and board of directors ask that members work with the Society and auctioneers within relevant restrictions at all venues to enable these sales to take place safely and efficiently. It won’t be easy, but the alternative is not to hold them at all. I am quite sure no member wishes to be in that position,” added Mr Yates.

Organisers of other major sales, including the Kelso Ram Sales and the NSA Main Ram Sale at Builth Wells have yet to make any firm decisions about their events. The Society is keeping a close eye on how plans for these events develop to ensure members are kept up to date and are able to maximise their sales opportunities this autumn.

Members should keep up to date with the Society’s website and social media channels for the latest information regarding sales.

Society Matters

Pedigree investigations completed

Following a written allegation made by a member, the Texel Sheep Society undertook inspections of the Llangwm and Welsh flocks last autumn.

The flocks were visited, inspected, DNA sampled and the identification of all pedigree sheep checked and updated against society records. Following the inspection, the allegation against the Llangwm flock was unproven.

The Society carried out further parentage verification in the Welsh flock and other flocks impacted. Pedigrees proven inaccurate and where DNA verification wasn’t possible were deregistered. A number of Welsh flock pedigrees were also suspended giving the member the opportunity to prove or remove the animals in question from their pedigree flock records.

Eligible, WORCESTER, 31st In this instance, the member, having considered the costs involved in correcting the

Debits records chose to remove the animals in question for their pedigree flock records.

There is no evidence to suggest these errors were made with a view to profiteering or deceiving fellow members.

The Welsh flock owners were informed by the board of misconduct due to for inclusion in the flock book. A fine of £2000 was imposed. A requirement to DNA sample and genotype for parentage verification 2020 born and registered progeny from the Welsh flock at the Society’s discretion and Welsh flock cost.

The Society reiterates its commitment to maintaining both the highest standards of animal recording and upholding the reputation of the Society and the breed which is a responsibility of all members, staff and officers.

Members are reminded of the importance of compliance at all times with the duties and obligations set out in the Society’s Articles of Association, the byelaws and terms and conditions of service and that it is a duty of all members to maintain accurate records on their flock contained in the Society database. Members should also report any incidents of misconduct to the Society’s Board when they feel it is appropriate. National Sale Dates 2020 • Scottish National - NI Export

Eligible, LANARK, 26th - 27th

August • Welsh National -

WELSHPOOL, 29th August • English National - NI Export

August - 1st September • Northern Irish National - EU

Export Eligible - BALLYMENA, 5th September

Changes to Society Direct inaccurate record keeping and providing such inaccurate records to the Society

The Society now use the ‘Gocardless’ service to manage Direct Debits. New members will have received an email generated by the society using Gocardless to register their DD mandates. Existing members mandates will be transferred over to Gocardless over the coming months.

This provides improved cybersecurity and GDPR protection removing the need for the society to store members bank details. It also provides a seamless integration into the Society finance software ‘Xero’ providing further efficiencies in our member management.

Society Matters Staff changes

Changes in staff responsibilities within the Society office have been made following the introduction of iTexel and to aid the second season of texelplus being managed in-house. Meanwhile, Dayna Zambelis remains as catalogues and

Ed Smith is now data and technical services manager, being the point of contact for registrations and texelplus services. This move reflects the Society’s ambition to exploit the results of its recent R&D activity and supports the modernisation of its temporary support staff will be in place during busy periods

registry services, explains Society chief executive John Yates.

Additionally, Ailish Ross has moved to become events and catalogues manager to support the roll out of the new iTexel and Society presence at industry events. Ailish will also be involved in registrations support activities.

registration admininstrator and Gil Burton continues in her role as assistant to the chief executive while also undertaking some registrations support.

Christine Hendry is the Society’s finance manager. Further cataloguing services and aid with delivery of Society events

to ensure the Society can effectively service members’ needs.