Introduction to the National FFA Organization

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Introduction to the National FFA Organization
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History

• Organized nationally in 1928 in Kansas City,
  Missouri
• Father of the FFA-Henry C. Groseclose
• Chartered in Florida in 1929 (31st state
  chartered)
• Sneads FFA chartered in 1934
• Admitted girls into the FFA in 1969

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Conventions

• First National Convention held in Kansas City,
  Missouri, during the time of the American Royal
  Livestock Show
• National Convention held annually in Louisville,
  Kentucky
• Floridas FFA State Convention held each year at
  Greenlefe in June

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Membership

• 482,611 members in 8,500 chapters throughout the
  50 states and Puerto Rico
• Nearly 15,000 members in 290 Florida chapters

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Officials

• State Advisor- Belinda Chason
• Executive Secretary- Teresa Wells

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Florida Districts

• Twelve FFA districts in Florida
• State FFA leadership training center 200 acres
  north of Lakeland

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Official Song

• Hail the FFA

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Official FFA Colors

• National Blue and Corn Gold

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The FFA Motto

• Learning to do, Doing to learn
• Earning to live, Living to serve

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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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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 won and public interest in producing and
  marketing the product of our toil.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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Symbols of the FFA Emblem

• Owl Symbolic of wisdom and knowledge
• Plow Symbolic of labor and tillage of the soil
• Rising Sun Symbolic of a new day (era) in
  agriculture
• Cross-section of the ear of corn Symbolic of
  common agricultural interests
• American Eagle Symbolic of the national scope of
  the organization

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Requirements for FFA Membership

• Must be 14-21 years of age
• Must be enrolled in vocational agriculture
• Must be in good standing with local chapter
• Any local requirements (pay dues of 15)

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Types of Membership

• Active
• Honorary
• Alumni
• Collegiate

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Degrees of Active Membership

• Greenhand
• Chapter FFA
• State FFA
• American FFA

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Offices of Local Chapters

• 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
• Advisor Advises FFA members on all matters
  relating to the chapter

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Offices Continued

• Sentinel Assists president in maintaining order
• HistorianKeeps chapter scrapbook
• Chaplain Takes charge of religious exercises
  during meetings, banquets, or other occasions
• Parliamentarian Informs the members on correct
  parliamentary procedure

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State Officers

• President
• Secretary
• Region I vice-president
• Region II vice-president
• Region III vice-president
• Region IV vice-president
• Region V vice-president
• Advisor- Belinda Chason

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Symbols of Officers Stations

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

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Symbols of Officers Stations
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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

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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

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Primary Aim

• To promote premier leadership, personal growth,
  and career
• success through
• agricultural
• education

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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.

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Specific Purposes

• To develop competent and aggressive rural and
  agricultural leadership
• To create and nurture a love of country life
• To strengthen the confidence of students of
  vocational agriculture in themselves and their
  work
• To create and nurture a love of country life

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Specific Purposes

• To encourage members to improve farm homes and
  surroundings
• To encourage members in the development of
  individual farming programs and in the
  establishment of agricultural careers
• To participate in worthy undertakings for the
  improvement of agriculture
• To develop character, train for useful
  citizenship, and foster patriotism

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Specific Purposes

• To encourage participation in cooperative effort
• To encourage the practice of thrift
• To encourage improvement in scholarship
• To provide and encourage the development of
  organized rural activities

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Dues

• National
• State
• District
• Local

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Opening Ceremony

• Taps gavel 3 times
• Group rises
• President states FFA members, why are we here?
• Members reply To practice brotherhood, honor
  agricultural opportunities and responsibilities,
  and develop those qualities of leadership which
  an FFA member should possess.

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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

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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

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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.

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What the FFA Does

• Educational tours and contests
• Tour members farms
• Teaches thrift
• Judging contests
• Attend leadership training meetings
• Parliamentary Procedure training

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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