Introduction to the National FFA Organization

1. Introduction to the National FFA Organization

2. Primary Aim To promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education

3. Mission Statement FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of members by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

4. FFA Strategies To develop competent and aggressive rural and agricultural leadership To increase awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being To strengthen the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work To promote the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career

5. FFA Strategies To encourage achievement in SAEs To encourage wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community To develop interpersonal skills in teamwork, communication, human relations and social interaction To build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism

6. FFA Strategies To promote cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people To promote healthy lifestyles To encourage excellence in scholarship

7. Requirements for FFA Membership Junior membership (MS) - 8 years of age until 9th grade year. (Dues are $5) Senior membership - Grades 9 - 12 and up to 21 years of age. Must be enrolled in vocational agriculture Must be in good standing with local chapter Any local requirements (pay dues of $15)

8. What is FFA? Dynamic youth organization National FFA Organization represents growing diversity of agriculture Almost 500,000 members engaged in wide range of agricultural education activities Leads to over 300 career opportunities Student success primary mission

9. What the FFA Can Do For You The FFA can do much for you, provided you put something into it. It will help you to: Develop your leadership qualities through experiences leading Work with other people Develop qualities that make for character Serve other people in your community Learn to practice thrift

10. What the FFA Can Do For You Desire to make good grades Have experiences in recreational activities Learn the values of patriotism Obtain experiences in expressing yourself to groups and individuals Develop self-confidence, citizenship, and patriotism

11. What does FFA stand for? Future Farmers of America 1988 - Changed to National FFA Organization Encompasses all aspects of agriculture, from production ag, ag business and forestry to biotechnology, marketing and food processing

12. History Vocational agriculture established by the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917 Organized nationally in 1928 at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri Original dues set at 10 cents per member Father of the FFA-Henry C. Groseclose Mississippi FFA chartered in 1934 as the 49th charter Petal FFA chartered under the name of East Forrest in 1934 as the 22nd charter

13. History 1939 - National FFA Camp in Alexandria, Va. 1944 - National FFA Foundation, Inc. to provide funds from business and industry for support 1950 - Public Law 740 granted FFA federal charter 1952 - The National FUTURE FARMER 1965 - New Farmers of America and FFA merge 1969 - Females allowed to join 1971 - National FFA Alumni

14. History 1988 - Future Farmers of America becomes National FFA Organization 1989 - The National FUTURE FARMER becomes FFA New Horizons 1998 - National FFA Center moves to Indianapolis, Indiana 1999 - National FFA Convention moves to Louisville, Kentucky 2006 - National FFA Convention will move to Indianapolis, Indiana

15. SAE Supervised Agricultural Experience Learning by doing Reflects agricultural interests and career goals Training in goal setting, planning, and record keeping Placement, Entrepreneurship and Exploratory programs

16. Types of Membership Active Honorary Alumni Collegiate

17. Degrees of Active Membership Greenhand Chapter FFA State FFA American FFA

18. Symbols of the FFA Emblem Cross-section of the ear of corn - Symbolic of common agricultural interests Rising Sun - Symbolic of a new day (era) in agriculture Plow - Symbolic of labor and tillage of the soil American Eagle - Symbolic of the national scope of the organization Owl - Symbolic of wisdom and knowledge Words �Agricultural Education� and �FFA� - Symbolic of the combination of leadership and learning

19. Emblem and �FFA� Protected by trademark registration in the U.S. Patent Office Protected by Public Law 225, 105th Congress When printed the Emblem, �Future Farmers of America�, and �FFA� must be identified by a small capital �R� in a circle Other FFA Marks should use �TM� to identify unregistered names or symbols

20. Official FFA Colors National Blue Corn Gold

21. The FFA Motto Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve.

22. FFA Salute The Pledge of Allegiance

23. FFA New Horizons Published 6 times per year (bi-monthly) Purpose is to publish information on ag education, FFA, ag careers, and various youth-oriented topics Members automatically subscribed when dues are paid $2 of dues goes to support magazine

24. What You Can Do For the FFA Attend all meetings and take an active interest in the activities. Carry out assigned responsibilities. Take the initiative to become familiar with the FFA. Support and cooperate with chapter leaders If chosen as an officer, consider it a responsibility, not merely an honor. Plan and carry out committee responsibilities toward achievement of goals that improve the chapter. At times, function as a desirable chapter representative.

25. Official Dress Female members Black skirt - knee length White collared blouse Official FFA blue scarf Black dress shoes with closed toe and heel Black nylon hosiery Official FFA jacket zipped to the top

26. Official Dress Male members Black slacks White collared shirt Official FFA tie Black dress shoes Black socks Official FFA jacket zipped to the top

27. FFA Creed The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany and adopted at the Third National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th and 63rd Conventions.

28. I believe in the future of agriculture with a faith born not of words but of deeds--achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

29. I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

30. I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our one and public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

31. I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends on me.

32. I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

33. Officers of Local Chapter President� Presides over all meetings Vice-president� Assists president and directs all committee work Secretary� Keeps minutes of all meetings Treasurer� Keeps financial records Reporter� Reports chapter news Sentinel� Assists president in maintaining order Advisor� Advises FFA members on all matters relating to the chapter

34. Officers Continued Historian�Keeps chapter scrapbook Chaplain� Takes charge of religious exercises during meetings, banquets, or other occasions Parliamentarian� Informs the members on correct parliamentary procedure

35. Petal Officers President � Chris Breland Vice President � Chris Shows Secretary � Camela Shows Treasurer � Katie Rawls Reporter � April Smith Sentinel � Charlie Ellison Student Advisor � Taylor Higgason

36. State Officers President � Jordan Sims Vice President � Casey Bullard Secretary � Megan Tucker Treasurer � Megan Jones Reporter � Stacy Thrash Sentinel � Wesley Brown Mississippi State Officers

37. National Officers President 4 Vice presidents (1 for each region) Secretary National Advisor - Larry D. Case National Executive Secretary - C. Coleman Harris National Treasurer - Marion Fletcher

38. Symbols of Officers� Stations President - Rising sun Vice-president - Plow Secretary - Ear of corn Treasurer - Bust of Washington Reporter - American flag Sentinel - Shield of friendship Advisor - Owl Parliamentarian - Eagle Chaplain - Holy Bible Historian - Scrolls

39. Symbols of Officers� Stations

40. POA Program of Activities Defines chapter goals and outlines steps to meet goals Written guide that provides administrators, advisory committees, alumni, and others with a calendar of events

41. POA continued ensures chapter activities meet the needs of the members provides direction year to year leads to a workable budget provides experience in planning serves as a reference point

42. Use of the Gavel One tap - be seated following opening ceremony, completion of business item, announcement of adjournment Two taps - calls the meeting to order Three taps - all members stand in unison on third tap Series of sharp taps - restore order

43. Parliamentary Procedure Purpose - promote efficient meetings so that business can be conducted in an orderly manner Ensures one item addressed at a time, courtesy is extended to everyone, the majority rules, and the rights of the minority are protected Used in various other meetings: city council, supervisors, court, etc.

44. Main Motions Be recognized (Presiding officer) State the motion (I move to�. Or I make a motion to �) Second (another member) Discussion of motion (whole group) Vote (majority required to pass)

45. Voting Voice (saying aye or nay) Rising (raising hand or standing) Secret ballot (written) Most motions require a majority vote to pass Use Robert�s Rules of Order

46. Opening Ceremony President states: �FFA members, why are we here?� Taps gavel 3 times (members rise on 3rd tap) Members reply: �To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess.� Taps gavel one time (members are to be seated)

47. Proficiency Awards Awards excellence in SAEs Recognition on local, state, and national levels Placement - work experience Entrepreneurship - ownership of enterprise 47 areas

48. CDE Career Development Events Enhances ability to think clearly, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world Develops premier leadership, personal growth, and career success Federation, District, State, and National Levels

49. First National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, during the time of the American Royal Livestock Show National Convention held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana in the month of October Mississippi FFA State Convention held each year in June

50. Membership 490,017 members in 7,210 chapters throughout the 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands 27% of FFA members live in rural, farm areas; the remainder live in rural non-farm (39%), urban and suburban areas (34%) MS has nearly 4400 members in 135 chapters

51. 38% of FFA members are female; women hold more than 50% of state leadership positions 77% of our membership is Caucasian; 17% is Hispanic and 4% is African-American 89% of FFA members are in grades 9-12; 6% are in grades 7-8; 5% are high school graduates

52. Officials State Advisor - Wilbur Chancellor State Coordinator - Kristy Mayo

53. Mississippi Districts Three FFA districts(North, Central, South) 12 Federations (4 in each district) C. M. Brewer FFA Leadership Conference center - 10 acres located in Raymond

54. Official Song �Hail the FFA�

55. Essentials of a good chapter Knowledgeability concerning FFA on the part of every member Capable officers and leaders A sharing of responsibilities by all members in chapter activities A challenging program of activities

56. Essentials of a good chapter Adequate financing for all chapter activities Proper paraphernalia, equipment, and records Well-planned, regularly held chapter meetings Support by school officials and community leaders

57. Dues National $5 State $5 Local $5 Total $15

58. What the FFA Does Educational tours and contests Tour members� farms Teaches thrift Judging contests Attend leadership training meetings Parliamentary Procedure training

59. What the FFA Does Honor and recognize outstanding members, parents, and friends Hold parent-member banquet Attend the State FFA Convention Sponsor worthwhile events Barnwarming and parties Cooperate in community activities