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Wisconsin FFA Center

Learn about the early formation, funding, board leadership, and current role of the Wisconsin FFA Center. Get answers to frequently asked questions and understand the relationship between the FFA Center and the FFA Association.

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Wisconsin FFA Center

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  1. Wisconsin FFA Center Presented by Cheryl L. Zimmerman WisconsinFFA Executive Director

  2. Main Topics • Early Formation • Initial Staff and Office • Funding • Board Leadership • Current FFA Center Role • FAQs • Full Timeline and Details

  3. 1. Early Formation - Overview • Wisconsin State Government Agencies (DPI) in 1991 • Severe budget cuts at the state level. • FFA & other student orgs (VSOs) would be discontinued by DPI starting the 1991-1992 state officer year. • 1991 Summer WAVAI Conference (now called WAAE) - voted to develop of an office outside of DPI. • July 1991-Dec 1991 • Many discussions and meetings held by WAVAI, FFA Foundation, and newly formed FFA Management Team • Goals to fund and hire a program assistant and an office

  4. 2. Initial Staff and Office • Winter 1991-92: • Hired first FFA Program Coordinator, Melanie Burgess. • Wisconsin FFA Foundation and Wisconsin FFA Center moved to Farm Bureau Building. • Summer 1993: • Melanie resigned for a different position after 1.5 years • Cheryl Zimmerman began August 1 as Program Coordinator – Later title changed to Wisconsin FFA Executive Director. • February 1994: • Office moved to Spencer, Wisconsin

  5. 3. Funding • Initial funding: • WAVAI committed that each chapter would contribute, but unable to enforce • Chapters contributed donations on a voluntary basis • 1993 - Voted that $2.00 of every member’s dues to the Wisconsin FFA Center. • 1994 – Affiliation fee started at $150/chapter, included convention registration. • If a chapter didn’t pay, they paid a fee per event they participated in. Eventually all chapters were paying the flat fee. It was the most cost effective option. Option 2 (pay per event) no longer exists.

  6. 3. Funding • Current funding: • $3.00/FFA member dues • FFA Center Fee – $350 &includes $100 convention registration fee. • 2016 – New Terminology – Wisconsin FFA Center Fee because National FFA was now using term Affiliated Membership and created confusion. • Invoices provided by Wisconsin FFA Center on an annual basis. • Fee evaluated on an annual basis by FFA Center Board • Has no connection to membership fees • $5.00 Processing Fee for Conferences added to student registration • General Purpose Revenue (GPR) • Provided through DPI • FFA Foundation Funding – Star Mission Funds • Investments

  7. 4. Board Leadership • Initially governed as a committee of WAVAI (8 members) elected at the State FFA Convention • One member from each of the 5 areas on a 3-year rotation. • WAVAI President-Elect, WAVAI Past President (Chair) • WAVAI Executive Director • Currently governed by the Wisconsin FFA Center Board, elected at WAAE PDC • One member from each of the 5 areas on a 3-year rotation. • WAAE President-Elect, President, Past President (Chair), Past-Past President • WAAE Executive Director • AFNR Consultant (ex-officio)

  8. 4. Board Leadership • WAAE Members Can Serve on Wisconsin FFA Center Board • Elections take place during WAAE PDC to fill positions that are coming open based on the 3 year rotation or filling gaps of members who have retired or moved to other positions. • Sections together in Regions elect officers to serve on Wisconsin FFA Center Board • Wisconsin FFA Center Board Meetings are held during at the following events: • November 212 and 360 Conference • Half-Time Conference • WAAE PDC

  9. 5. Current FFA Center Role • Supervision, training, and support to State FFA Officers. • Coordination of state convention and state-level FFA conferences • Facilitation of State and National awards, degrees and reports • Local chapter advisor support/requests for materials. • Public relations and promotion of Wisconsin Association of FFA. • Operate the Wisconsin FFA Center including scheduling, bookkeeping, mailings e-mails, website and other management type jobs. • The FFA Center works hand in hand with the FFA Association to provide services to FFA members and advisors.

  10. 6. FAQs • Does the FFA Center Board govern the FFA Association? • No, the Wisconsin Association of FFA has its own Board of Directors made up of the State FFA Officers and their advisors. • The Wisconsin FFA Center Board is in charge of governing the operations of the Wisconsin FFA Center and its employees. Not the FFA Association. • The Wisconsin FFA Executive Director is hired, evaluated and paid by the Wisconsin FFA Center Board along with other staff working for the Wisconsin FFA Center. • The Wisconsin FFA Center has its own separate operating budget, funding and staff. • The Wisconsin FFA Executive Director serves on the FFA Association Board and is recognized as “State Staff” just the same as the State FFA Advisor or State FFA Executive Secretary who are hired by DPI.

  11. 6. FAQs • Do the State FFA Officers get reimbursed through the Wisconsin FFA Center? • No, the Wisconsin Association of FFA is in charge of the State FFA Officers including reimbursement for expenses, supporting activities of the officers, etc. • The Wisconsin FFA Center will purchase items while traveling with the state officers, etc. but then is reimbursed by the Wisconsin Association of FFA for expenses related to their activities.

  12. Wisconsin FFA Center Staff • State FFA Executive Director – Cheryl Zimmerman • State FFA Center Executive Assistant – Terry Bernick • State FFA Part-Time Assistant – Anita Ruger

  13. Full Timeline and Details

  14. Wisconsin FFA Center History • Environment of Wisconsin State Government Agencies (DPI) in 1991 • Severe budget cuts were happening at the state level. Reduction in staff and time to work with FFA. • Vocational Student Organizations (VSOs) were told they were to be moved out of DPI and activities would be discontinued starting the 1991-1992 state officer year. • WAVAI voted at the 1991 Summer Conference to move forward with the development of an office outside of DPI.

  15. Wisconsin FFA Center History • An appointed FFA Management Team began discussions of an outside position/office in July 1991. • Phase 1: Hire a program assistant and the FFA Management Committee has complete control over their duties and funding. • Phase 2: Figure out office space. • Partnership potential with the Wisconsin FFA Foundation

  16. Wisconsin FFA Center History • August 1991 – State of Wisconsin decides they will hire one person to oversee all VSOs. Major concern for DPI staff who forecasts limited services for FFA. • WAVAI recommends to the FFA Management Team… • Need a person at level of an Executive Secretary • An operating budget of at least $70,000.00 • Evaluate what programs and activities could be eliminated to stay within budget. • WAVAI made a commitment that every chapter would contribute $415.00 but many questioned how his would be enforced.

  17. Wisconsin FFA Center History • August 1991 • WAVAI members were not in full support of the system for funding the FFA Center and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation wasn’t looking to “bail-out” this project in a lack of funds. • September 1991 • Urgent! Agricultural Education Consultant position ended (Kevin Keith) and he accepted the (all) VSO Consultant position. (12% with FFA) • David Doerfert’s position was reduced. Only allowed 5% of his time for FFA. • State Staff time significantly reduced where state officers were on their own trying to keep Wisconsin FFA moving forward.

  18. Wisconsin FFA Center History • October 1991 • Carlton Austin and Richard Meske representing WAVAI encouraged FFA Management Team to move ahead with a Program Coordinator Position. • Discussion continued about concerns with the composition of the FFA Management Team and that WAVAI was under represented. • A compromise was made with Governor Thompson about positions at DPI. • State Officers Linda Burton (Sattler) and Mark Taylor • Ronna Morton State FFA Alumni Vice President • Presented to committee overseeing the DPI positions. • Still a concern about the stability of full-time staff for FFA.

  19. Wisconsin FFA Center History • December 1991 • First FFA Program Coordinator Melanie Burgess was hired. • January 1992 • Wisconsin FFA Foundation and Wisconsin FFA Center moved to Farm Bureau Building. • Arnold and Katherine Cordes worked with Melanie Burgess to establish the Center as a 501(c)3 as well as helping with all the legal “paperwork” that needed to be done. • Wisconsin FFA Foundation served as the financial agent of the Wisconsin FFA Center. But things needed to move forward and each organization needed to separate out duties and financial responsibilities eventually.

  20. Wisconsin FFA Center History • In months to follow… • FFA chapters made significant contributions to support the Wisconsin FFA Center. Financial contributions seen as donations at this time and not required. • FFA Management Team evolved into a Board of WAVAI members with representation from around the state. • The Wisconsin FFA Center Board was now a committee of WAVAI (8 members) elected at the State FFA Convention. • One member from each of the 5 areas on a 3-year rotation. • WAVAI President-Elect • WAVAI Past President – Served as Chair • WAVAI Executive Director • Board members included: Carlton Austin, Fennimore (President); Richard Aide, WAVAI Executive Director; Ferron Havens, Verona; Roger King, Holmen; Mark Strohschein, Green Bay East; Brenda Scheil, New Auburn; Clara Hedrich, West DePere, John Emmons, Monroe and State FFA President Amy Meyer. • FFA Center funded by $150.00 Chapter Assessment Fee with the State FFA Convention fee included in this amount but still voluntary contribution.

  21. Wisconsin FFA Center History • June 1993 – • Voted and approved by the FFA members at the State FFA Convention to contribute $2.00 of every member’s dues to the Wisconsin FFA Center. Several years later increased to $3.00 per member. • Melanie resigned for a different opportunity. • August 1993 • Cheryl Zimmerman began August 1 as the New Program Coordinator – Later title changed to Wisconsin FFA Executive Director.

  22. Wisconsin FFA Center History • February 1994 • Continued to separate the Wisconsin FFA Foundation accounting and the Wisconsin FFA Center because both were separate 501(c)3, tax-exempt organizations. Issues were addressed as far as payment for services between organizations and the different roles of each organization. • Wisconsin FFA Center office moved to Spencer, Wisconsin as a home office. Following the transition of staff and office…. • Cheryl continued to work with Kevin Keith at DPI until 1996 when he began work for National FFA. • Sharon Wendt became FFA Advisor until 2005 • Jeff Hicken became FFA Advisor in 2006

  23. Role of FFA Executive Director • Supervision, training, and support to Wisconsin State FFA Officers. The FFA Center and Executive Director provide the "home base" for officers to report to and provide them with the necessary information, materials, evaluations, schedules and contacts they need to conduct their duties. • Coordination of state level meetings for the Wisconsin Association of FFA including state officer training and conference planning meetings, Board of Director meetings, and any other meetings involving the state officers throughout the year

  24. Role of FFA Executive Director • Coordination of state level conferences (State FFA Convention, EDGE, 212 Conferences, 360 Conference, Half Time, Sectional Leadership Workshops, FIRE Conferences, etc.) • Coordination, receipt, processing and reporting of State and National awards, degrees and reports which provide students & FFA chapters with the opportunity to be recognized for their achievements above the local level. The Executive Director receives assistance from the State FFA Advisor and Executive Secretary in the judging and processing of degrees and proficiency awards.

  25. Role of FFA Executive Director • Local Chapter Advisor Support/Requests for Materials. • Coordination of the State FFA Convention. • Public relations and promotion of the Wisconsin Association of FFA. • Operate the Wisconsin FFA Center including scheduling, bookkeeping, mailings e-mails, website and other management type jobs. • The FFA Center works hand in hand with the FFA Association to provide services to FFA members and advisors.

  26. Wisconsin FFA Center Operations • Funding • Wisconsin FFA Center Affiliation Fee • Established by the Wisconsin FFA Center Board of Directors in 1994. Started at $150.00 per chapter. • Every chapter required to pay. • Included State Convention Registration • If a chapter didn’t pay, they paid a fee per event they participated in. Eventually all chapters were paying the flat fee. It was the most cost effective option. Option 2 (pay per event) no longer exists. • 2016 – New Terminology – Wisconsin FFA Center Fee because National FFA was now using the term Affiliated Membership and this created confusion with the different fees. • 2018-2019 Wisconsin FFA Center Fee - $350.00 • $100.00 State FFA Convention Registration Fee • Invoices provided by Wisconsin FFA Center on an annual basis. • Fee evaluated on an annual basis by FFA Center Board • Has no connection to membership fees

  27. Wisconsin FFA Center Operations • Funding • $3.00 per member – paid to the FFA Center from the Association based on final FFA membership numbers each year. • $5.00 Processing Fee for Conferences added to student registration • General Purpose Revenue (GPR) • Provided through DPI • FFA Foundation Funding – Star Mission Funds • Investments

  28. Wisconsin FFA Center Governance • Current Wisconsin FFA Center Board of Directors • Officers elected at WAAE PDC in June – Term begins in November • 3-year term for each Regional Representative • 2017-2018 Center Board Chair – Kevin Hoffman – Past President WAAE • Center Board Chair-Elect – Darren Swartz – 2017-2018 WAAE President – To serve in chair role at the November Board meeting. • Becky Wirkus – 2018-2019 WAAE President • Troy Talford – Past WAAE President – Will be leaving Board this Fall. • Nicole Nelson – WAAE Executive Director • Jeff Hicken – State FFA Advisor (ex-offico, non-voting) • Regional Representatives: • Sections 1 and 2 – Rachel Sauvola, New Richmond • Section 3 and 4 – Shari Graffunder, River Valley (Vice President) • Section 5 and 10 – Jake Cramer, Mayville • Section 6 and 7 – Becky Grabarski, Adams-Friendship • Section 8 and 9 – Brian Pinchart, Wrightstown • WAAE Board has recommended to the Wisconsin FFA Center to restructure the Board and not require the WAAE Presidents to have to serve in FFA Center leadership roles

  29. Wisconsin FFA Center Governance • WAAE Members Can Serve on Wisconsin FFA Center Board • Elections take place during WAAE PDC to fill positions that are coming open based on the 3 year rotation or filling gaps of members who have retired or moved other positions. • Sections together in Regions elected officers to serve on Wisconsin FFA Center Board • Wisconsin FFA Center Board Meetings are held during at the following events: • November 212 and 360 Conference • Half-Time Conference • WAAE PDC

  30. Commonly Asked Questions? • Does the FFA Center Board govern the FFA Association? • The Wisconsin FFA Center Board is in charge of governing the operations of the Wisconsin FFA Center and its employees. Not the FFA Association. • The Wisconsin FFA Executive Director is hired, evaluated and paid by the Wisconsin FFA Center Board along with other staff working for the Wisconsin FFA Center. • The Wisconsin FFA Center has its own separate operating budget, funding and staff. • The Wisconsin Association of FFA has its own Board of Directors made up of the State FFA Officers and their advisors. • The Wisconsin FFA Executive Director serves on the FFA Association Board and is recognized as “State Staff” just the same as the State FFA Advisor or State FFA Executive Secretary who are hired by DPI.

  31. Commonly Asked Questions • Do the State FFA Officers get reimbursed through the Wisconsin FFA Center? • No. The Wisconsin Association of FFA is in charge of the State FFA Officers including reimbursement for expenses, supporting activities of the officers, etc. • The Wisconsin FFA Center will purchase items while traveling with the state officers, etc. but then is reimbursed by the Wisconsin Association of FFA for expenses related to their activities.

  32. Wisconsin FFA Center Staff • State FFA Executive Director – Cheryl Zimmerman • State FFA Center Executive Assistant – Terry Bernick • State FFA Part-Time Assistant – Anita Ruger

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