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1. CHAPTER 3 • Chapter Overview • FFA Mission and Strategies • Structure • SAE • FFA Degrees • Membership • Emblem • Colors • Motto • Salute • Creed • Official Dress • Proper use of the FFA Jacket • Code of Ethics • Healthy Lifestyles Today's FFA Chapter Selection

2. C H A P T E R T H R E E The FFA Mission and Strategies • To accomplish this mission, FFA: • Develops content and assertive agricultural leadership. • Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

3. C H A P T E R T H R E E • Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction. • Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism. • Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people • Promotes healthy lifestyles • Encourages excellence in scholarship. The FFA Mission and Strategies • Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. • Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career. • Encourages achievement in Supervised Agriculture Experience Programs. • Encourages wise management of economic, environmental, and human resources of the community.

4. C H A P T E R T H R E E The FFA organizational structure has three layers: -Local -State -National Each level has: -an officer team -an advisor -a group of members FFA was formed to meet the specific objectives spelled out in the organization’s Mission and Strategies. These goals which can also be found on the inside cover of the Official FFA Manual, guide the formation of each chapter’s activities as well as those of state associations and the national organization.

5. C H A P T E R T H R E E Organizational Structure YOU! FFA Members In order to understand where you fit into the big picture of the FFA, it’s helpful to study the organizational structure. Now you see the three basic layers-local, state, and national. • LOCAL CHAPTER • Chapter officers • Chapter advisor • Chapter advisory committee • School administration Local Alumni Affiliate Possible federation, area, region, or district • STATE ASSOCIATIONS • Chapter delegates • State officers • State advisor • State Department of Education State Alumni Association • NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION • State delegates • National officers • National advisor • National Board of Directors • U.S. Department of Education National Alumni Association

6. C H A P T E R T H R E E Types of Membership FFA offers four types of membership, active, collegiate, alumni and honorary. Active members are those who are enrolled in an agricultural course and have paid their membership dues. You and your classmates are in this category. Collegiate members belong to FFA Chapters at two- or four year post secondary schools and are enrolled in agricultural courses. Alumnimembership is open to former active members, collegiate and honorary members and other individuals who support FFA. Honorarymembership is given to individuals who have given outstanding service to FFA and agricultural education. The Honorary Chapter, State, and American FFA Degree are limited at each level by a majority vote at a regular meeting or convention. There are four types of FFA membership: -active -collegiate -alumni -honorary

7. C H A P T E R T H R E E Many organizations have logos they use as part of their identity. As with the most logos, the FFA emblem is symbolic. It contains separate elements, each of which represent items or ideals which are important. Press the return key! The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil. Press the return key! The eagle is perched on top of the emblem and serves as a reminder of our freedom and ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture. Finally, the words “Agriculture Education” surrounding the letters, “FFA” indicate that FFA is an important part of the agricultural education program. The FFA emblem contains these five symbols: -cross section of an ear of corn -rising sun -plow -owl -eagle The cross section of an ear of corn serves as the emblems foundation. Press the return key! The rising sun appears in the center of the emblem and symbolizes progress in agriculture and confidence FFA members have in the future. Press the return key! Print the FFA emblem The owl represents knowledge and wisdom. Press the return key!

8. C H A P T E R T H R E E Colors FFA’s official colors are national blue and corn gold. The National FFA Organization chose national blue and corn gold as its official colors in 1929. As the blue field of our nation’s flag and the golden crops of ripened corn unify our country, the FFA colors give unity to the organization.

9. C H A P T E R T H R E E Motto The FFA Motto has just twelve words, but its importance distinguishes FFA’s importance. One of the requirements of the Greenhand Degree is learning and reciting the FFA Motto. As soon as you’ve accomplished the objective, have your advisor help you complete the following certificate. Learning to Do Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve Print your copy of the Motto Completion Form!

10. C H A P T E R T H R E E Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs Your SAE program will be designed: -you! -your advisor -your parents SAE can be: -small businesses -agricultural job placements -agricultural production You’ve probably heard your advisor or older FFA members mention the letters “SAE” before. They are referring to the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program- an important part of the FFA and agricultural education. Your classroom and FFA are two parts of a three-part educational program. Your Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) is the third part, and it helps you apply what you learn in the other two. The 3 Essential Components of Agricultural Education

11. C H A P T E R T H R E E Salute Proper care and etiquette of the flag is essential for any FFA Chapter. Read the fundamentals of flag care. The Pledge of Allegiance is the official salute of the National FFA Organization and is an integral part of each meeting’s closing ceremony. To properly conduct the salute, face the United States flag, place the right hand over the left part of the chest and, holding there repeat the following pledge: Listen to the Pledge of Allegiance Following the pledge, drop your hand to your side and turn your attention to the president’s station. Print your copy of the Salute Completion Certificate!

12. C H A P T E R T H R E E The FFA Creed The FFA Creed was written by E.M. Tiffany and adopted at the third National FFA Convention. The Creed is a basic statement of beliefs and a common bond between members. New members are required to learn and recite the Creed to achieve the Greenhand FFA Degree. The creed was written by E.M. Tiffany and adopted at the third National FFA Convention. It was revised at the 38th and 63rd conventions to reflect the changes in FFA members and the agriculture industry. Print your own copy of the FFA Creed Completion Certificate.

13. C H A P T E R T H R E E Official Dress Official dress consists of: -white shirt or blouse -black slacks or skirt -official tie or scarf -black footwear -official FFA jacket zipped to the top One of the most unifying elements for any group is its uniform. Think of any sports group and the pride associated with their colors and uniform. In FFA, your official dress is worn to local, state and national functions. It provides identity and gives the organization a distinctive and recognizable image. Official dress for male members is black slacks, white shirt, official FFA tie, black shoes, black socks and the official jacket zipped to the top. Because the jacket is such a powerful symbol of the organization, it is each member’s responsibility to use it correctly. The organization has specific guidelines to follow while wearing the FFA jacket. Official dress for female members is a black skirt, white blouse with official FFA blue scarf, black shoes and the official jacket zipped to the top. Black slacks may be worn for travel and outdoor activities.

14. C H A P T E R T H R E E Proper Use of the FFA Jacket 1. The jacket is to be worn only by members. 2. The jacket should be kept clean and neat. 3. The jacket should have only a large emblem on the back and a small emblem on the front. It should carry the name of the state association; the name of the local chapter, district or area on the back; and the name of the individual and one office or honor on the front. 4. The jacket should be worn on official occasions with the zipper fastened to the top. The collar should be turned down and the cuffs buttoned. 5. The jacket should be worn by members and officers on all official FFA occasions. It may be worn to school and other appropriate places. Print your certificate of completion

15. C H A P T E R T H R E E Proper Use of the FFA Jacket 6. The jacket should only be worn to places that are appropriate for members to visit. 7. School letters and insignia of other organizations should not be attached to or worn on the jacket. 8. When the jacket becomes faded or worn, it should be discarded or the emblems and lettering removed. 9. The emblems and lettering should be removed if the jacket is to given or sold to a non-member. 10. A member always acts like a lady or gentleman when wearing the jacket. 11. Members should refrain from alcohol or tobacco.

16. C H A P T E R T H R E E As leaders of today and tomorrow, FFA members are encouraged to make healthy choices in the way they live. This means living free from drugs and alcohol, including tobacco. Drugs and alcohol have a negative impact on your body and mind. Get involved in FFA activities and choose a healthy lifestyle. Your FFA advisor and other members will provide encouragement to support these positive choices. For more information on Healthy Lifestyles, go to the Body and Soul area in the “Programs” part of the National FFA Online, http://www.ffa.org

17. C H A P T E R T H R E E Code of Ethics People are always observing you. Your actions while you are wearing the FFA jacket or representing the organization become part of the organization’s image. To keep the image of the FFA and its members sharp, the delegates at the 1952 National Convention adopted a Code of Ethics for FFA members to follow. The Code of Ethics outlines general guidelines for all occasions and functions, not just FFA activities and functions. The FFA Code of Ethics was adopted in 1952 and outlines general guidelines for all occasions and functions, not just FFA activities. Read the Code of Ethics (you will need to read the Code of Ethics before you can print the FFA Code of Ethics Certificate) Print the FFA Code of Ethics Certificate Chapter Selections