Membership Types
HSFGR may offer several membership types. The following categories are recognized unless otherwise updated by the Board
Standard (Breeder) Membership
For adults engaged in breeding, showing, or actively managing Heritage Silky Fainting Goat herds. Standard members are eligible for full registry services, including herd name/herd mark assignment where applicable, animal registrations, transfers, inspections, and participation in member votes where permitted by HSFGR governance documents.
Junior Breeder Membership
For individuals under 18 years of age who are actively breeding, registering animals they produced, or requesting an independent farm identity, herd name, or herd mark/tattoo prefix.
- Junior Breeder Members may hold a herd name/herd mark and participate in registry services connected to their breeding program, subject to parent/guardian oversight and HSFGR approval.
- A parent or guardian remains responsible for official communications, agreements, payments, conduct, and any binding interactions with HSFGR.
- Junior Breeder Members do not hold voting authority or enter into binding agreements on behalf of HSFGR.
Youth / Wether Project Membership
For youth exhibitors, Youth Show Wether Project participants, non-breeding animal owners, and supporters who want to participate in HSFGR without maintaining an independent breeder account, herd name, or herd mark.
- This membership may include access to youth programs, educational resources, show participation where eligible, member communications, and non-breeding animal records.
- This membership does not include an independent herd name, herd mark/tattoo prefix, breeding-stock registration privileges, or voting privileges unless otherwise approved by HSFGR.
- Youth members must have an approved adult sponsor or guardian connected to their membership.
Youth Membership Clarification
Youth who only wish to participate in shows, youth activities, or the Youth Show Wether Project may use the Youth / Wether Project Membership. Youth who wish to maintain their own herd name, herd mark, or breeder account must apply as a Junior Breeder Member.
- Lifetime Membership – A Commitment to Heritage
Lifetime Membership - About
• Lifetime Members receive the same privileges and access as standard breeder members
• Eligibility to register animals, record transfers, and participate fully in registry programs and initiatives.
• Access to educational resources, registry updates, and member communications
No Annual Renewal Required
• Lifetime Membership remains active without yearly membership fees
• Designed to provide stability and continuity for dedicated breeders
Standard Registry Services
• Registration, transfer, and administrative service fees continue to apply as part of normal registry operations.
• Ensures fairness and sustainability across all membership levels
Supporting the Future of the Breed
• Lifetime Membership contributions are placed into a designated reserve fund intended to strengthen the registry’s long-term mission - these funds help support
• Show sponsorships and breed promotion
• Youth involvement and education
• Preservation of heritage bloodlines
• Development of future registry programs.
Shared Responsibility
• Lifetime Members remain guided by the registry’s standards, ethics, and principles.
• Membership represents a partnership in protecting the integrity, history, and future of the Heritage Silky Fainting Goat.
- Additional membership classes (such as lifetime, honorary, or organizational memberships) may be defined by the Board and published in current HSFGR policy documents.
Member Rights & Access
Rights may vary by membership type and by the current governance documents. Unless otherwise specified:
- Standard (Breeder) Members may:
- Apply to register and transfer goats under HSFGR rules;
- Request inspections and participate in HSFGR-sanctioned shows and programs;
- Request or maintain an approved herd name, herd mark, or tattoo prefix where applicable;
- Access official HSFGR resources and communications;
- Participate in permitted member votes and, where eligible, serve on committees or in leadership roles.
- Junior Breeder Members may:
Participate in youth classes, programs, and awards;
Register and transfer eligible goats under their own approved herd name, herd mark, or tattoo prefix, subject to parent/guardian oversight and HSFGR rules;
Be recognized for youth achievements within the registry;
Receive age-appropriate educational materials and communications.
Junior Breeder Members do not have voting rights and may not independently enter contracts or binding agreements with HSFGR. A parent or guardian remains responsible for official communications, agreements, payments, and conduct.
- Youth / Wether Project Members may:
Participate in youth programs, youth shows, wether projects, and approved HSFGR events where eligible;
Own, transfer, or exhibit eligible non-breeding animals under HSFGR rules;
Be recognized for youth, exhibitor, or supporter participation where applicable;
Receive communications and access general educational resources.
Youth / Wether Project Membership does not include an independent herd name, herd mark, tattoo prefix, breeding-stock registration privileges, voting rights, or authority to enter binding agreements with HSFGR. Youth participants must have an approved adult sponsor or guardian connected to their membership.
- No membership category grants authority to speak or act on behalf of HSFGR except where explicitly authorized by the Board or registry leadership.
Renewal, Lapse & Reinstatement
- Membership Term & Renewal
- Membership is generally based on a one-year term, with renewal on an annual cycle as established by the Board.
- Members are responsible for submitting renewal forms and fees by the published deadline in the Fees & Services Schedule.
- Membership is generally based on a one-year term, with renewal on an annual cycle as established by the Board.
- Lapsed Membership
- If renewal is not completed by the deadline, membership may be marked as Lapsed.
- Lapsed members may temporarily lose access to HSFGR services and privileges, including:
- New registrations or transfers;
- Show sanctioning or title processing;
- Voting or leadership eligibility (where applicable).
- New registrations or transfers;
- If renewal is not completed by the deadline, membership may be marked as Lapsed.
- Reinstatement After Lapse
- Lapsed members may typically be reinstated by:
- Submitting any required renewal form(s); and
- Paying current dues and any applicable late or reinstatement fees.
- Submitting any required renewal form(s); and
- In cases involving prior disciplinary action, reinstatement may be subject to additional conditions as outlined in the HSFGR Official Rules Handbook
- Lapsed members may typically be reinstated by:
- Membership Records
- Membership status (Active, Lapsed, Suspended, Terminated) is maintained in the official HSFGR records and may be referenced when determining access to services, roles, and programs.