HSFGR Code of Conduct & Culture
Why We Have a Code of Conduct
The Heritage Silky Fainting Goat Registry (HSFGR) exists to protect the goats and the people who care about them. That means:
Clear rules
Honest records
A culture where people can engage, contribute, collaborate, and steward with confidence and psychological safety -without interpersonal politics, personal agendas, favoritism, hostile conduct, exclusionary behavior, or unethical practices.
The HSFGR Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy sets expectations for how members, judges, exhibitors, and officials behave in HSFGR spaces -at shows, online, and in registry business.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about basic respect, integrity, and doing right by the goats and by each other.
The Full Code & Policy
The complete Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy will be available as a downloadable PDF and includes:
General expectations for members and participants
Guidelines for online and in-person behavior
Expectations for youth and adults around youth
How to raise concerns or file a complaint
How HSFGR reviews issues and what actions it may take
It works together with:
The Official Rulebook
The Youth Program & Code
The Show Rules & Title System
HSFGR Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy (PDF)
Core Expectations
In plain language, everyone involved with HSFGR is expected to:
1. Treat People with Respect
- No harassment, bullying, stalking or targeted attacks.
Disagreement is allowed; demeaning, intimidating, or retaliatory behavior is not.
- Keep conversations and behavior appropriate when youth are present or reading/watching online.
2. Treat Animals with Care
- Handle goats calmly and humanely at all times.
- Follow show and handling rules designed for safety and welfare.
- Never use rough or abusive handling to “prove” myotonia or force a fainting response.
3. Be Honest and Fair
- Be truthful in registrations, transfers, and show entries.
- Do not misrepresent goats, titles, records, or ownership.
- Judges and officials must avoid favoritism and conflicts of interest.
4. Use Social Media Responsibly
- Do not use online spaces to harass, smear, or gang up on individuals or farms.
- Avoid stirring drama around HSFGR shows, judges, or members.
- Take serious concerns to the registry through proper channels, not public pile-ons.
5. Support a Healthy Youth Environment
- Do not drag youth into adult conflicts.
- Speak and act in ways that are appropriate when youth may see or overhear.
- Follow the HSFGR Youth Program & Code whenever youth are involved.
Membership Participation, Eligibility, and Protection of the Community
HSFGR values inclusiveness and transparency. At the same time, participation in HSFGR is a privilege -not an entitlement-and HSFGR must protect its members, youth environment, events, and registry integrity.
HSFGR reserves the right to deny, suspend, limit, or revoke membership or participation privileges for cause, including but not limited to:
- harassment, bullying, stalking, or threats
- doxxing or sharing private information
- sustained disruptive conduct in HSFGR spaces (in person or online)
- retaliation against members who raise concerns
- fraud, falsification, or misuse of registry services
- repeated violations of this Code or related policies
- conduct that creates an unsafe or hostile environment for members, youth, judges, exhibitors, or officials
HSFGR does not deny membership based on protected characteristics. Decisions are based on conduct and compliance with HSFGR policies.
Fair Review Process
When feasible, HSFGR will provide the applicant/member with notice of the issue and an opportunity to respond.
HSFGR may impose temporary restrictions immediately when safety concerns or severe disruption are present. Final decisions may include conditions for continued participation, suspension, or removal, with guidance on reinstatement or reapplication when appropriate.
Raising Concerns
If you have a serious concern involving:
Member or exhibitor behavior
Judge or show official conduct
Harassment, bullying, or unsafe situations
Misuse of registry services or falsified information
You may:
Review the Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy.
Submit a written concern using the Complaint / Concern Submission Form.
Concerns are most helpful when they are:
Specific
Fact-based
Focused on what happened, when, and who was involved
Complaint / Concern Submission Form (PDF)
How HSFGR Handles Complaints
The Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Policy outlines:
How concerns may be reviewed (e.g., by the Registry Director and/or a designated review group)
What steps may be taken to gather more information
Possible outcomes ranging from education and informal correction to formal warnings, limitations, suspension, or removal of membership/privileges in serious cases
Not every complaint will lead to public action, but all valid concerns are taken seriously and handled as fairly and consistently as possible.
This Is About Protecting the Registry, Not Picking Sides
The goal of this Code is not to control opinions or micromanage personalities. It is to:
Protect the integrity of the registry and herdbook
Provide a safer space for youth and adults
Encourage healthy, sustainable community culture
Keep the focus on what matters: the goats and their honest records
Participation in HSFGR {membership, shows, youth programs, judges, and officials} implies agreement to these basic expectations.
Questions About the Code of Conduct?
If you’re unsure how a situation fits under the Code, or whether something should be reported, you’re welcome to ask:
Code & conduct questions: conduct@hsfgr.org
General HSFGR questions: info@hsfgr.org
We would rather help you navigate a tricky situation than have you stay silent or guess.