Most members will be aware that the British Goat Society Committee has been investigating the advantages of the Grassroots System software.

This package will allow members to register stock, transfer ownership of stock, research pedigrees, trace the progeny of any registered male or female goat, search for the current ownership of any registered goat, post birth notifications and record goat deaths – all on-line.

The system will also enable show reports and results and milk recording results to be completed on-line. It will automatically update a goats milk figures and that of her sons and work out the number of generations of star or Q star milkers.

Most of this work is currently done manually in the office by the Secretary and it is recognised that this takes up an enormous amount of time.

The system will allow the Society to accept membership subscription payments through Direct Debits and through PayPal. Both facilities have been requested by a great many members over the years.

N.B. Members who do not have access to a computer will still be able to register stock using the current postal method.

At the Committee meeting held in London on Saturday 21st November 2009 the BGS Committee unanimously agreed to invest in the package.

The timing could not be better given that we are in the process of recruiting a new Secretary and relocating our office. The new Secretary will be given full training by the team from Grassroots Systems during the month of overlap with Sue Knowles. It is intended to launch the new system towards the end of March 2010.

In due course the system will inevitably reduce some of the workload of the Secretary.

The Grassroots System does come at a cost. The Committee have authorised me, as Chairman, to launch an appeal for funds towards this purchase. I shall be writing to every Affiliated Society to invite them to consider donating £200, or whatever they feel is appropriate, towards our target of £10,000. This sum will be sufficient to purchase the software, access training and on-going support and, in time, purchase a new computer for the new Secretary.

The Committee have been encouraged by the enormous amount of support for the Grassroots System which has been forthcoming from the membership. At the two Autumn Conferences and the five Consultation meetings held during the year there was great enthusiasm and encouragement from members who urged the Society to proceed.

CLICK HERE for the Chairman's notes from the five Consultation meetings.

The Committee feel confident that the system will take the British Goat Society forward and help to streamline administration and services to members.

Richard Wood
Chairman