The FFA Alumni AffiliateThe FFA Alumni Affiliate

Alumni MissionAlumni MissionThe mission of the National FFA Alumni Association is to secure the

promise of FFA and agricultural education by creating an environment where people and communities can develop their potential for premier

leadership, personal growth and career success.

What is the FFA?What is the FFA?Founded in 1928, the Future Farmers of America brought together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education. In Kansas City's Baltimore Hotel, 33 young farm boys charted a course for the future. They could not have foreseen how the organization would grow and thrive.

Since 1928, millions of agriculture students - no one knows exactly how many - have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA creed. FFA has opened its doors and its arms to minorities and women, ensuring that all students could reap the benefits of agricultural education. In the beginning there were 33. Seventy-five years later there are 457,000.

Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation's view of "traditional" agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom.

Why have an affiliate?Why have an affiliate?Agriculture teachers rely on FFA alumni members to help ease the outside commitments of teaching, bring more support to agricultural education programs and give teachers more freedom to do what they do best - teach students!

FFA relies on alumni members for student recruiting, scholarship money, aiding in camps, conferences, national FFA convention and other personal development programs. The high level of commitment the FFA Alumni offer the FFA and the communities in which they live helps make FFA students' lives better.

Alumni Affiliates provide…Alumni Affiliates provide… VolunteersVolunteers ResourcesResources Scholarship opportunitiesScholarship opportunities

……to FFA members in local to FFA members in local chapterschapters

Alumni Affiliates assist in FFA members Alumni Affiliates assist in FFA members experiencing greater experiencing greater personal growthpersonal growth!!

91% vs. 66%91% vs. 66%

90% of FFA members participate in 90% of FFA members participate in sports, school and community activities sports, school and community activities vs. 77% of typical studentsvs. 77% of typical students

91% vs. 66% relate personal effort to personal 91% vs. 66% relate personal effort to personal successsuccess

93% believe it’s “important to do their best” vs. 93% believe it’s “important to do their best” vs. 73% of typical students73% of typical students

Involved in experiential learningInvolved in experiential learning 70% of FFA members who participate in FFA 70% of FFA members who participate in FFA

programs receive recognition and awards for their programs receive recognition and awards for their contributionscontributions

How to form an Affiliate…How to form an Affiliate… Work with advisor and identify a few dedicated parents to serve as Work with advisor and identify a few dedicated parents to serve as

“executive committee pro tem”“executive committee pro tem” Fill out affiliate applicationFill out affiliate application Organize brief Program of Activities (a.k.a. POA) with no more than 3-4 initial Organize brief Program of Activities (a.k.a. POA) with no more than 3-4 initial

thoughts/activitiesthoughts/activities Prepare a preliminary constitutionPrepare a preliminary constitution

Discuss ideas with advisor(s) and work through any concerns (advisor Discuss ideas with advisor(s) and work through any concerns (advisor buy-in is essential)buy-in is essential)

Send letters home with all students informing their parents about the Send letters home with all students informing their parents about the first official meetingfirst official meeting

Hold a quick first meetingHold a quick first meeting Have snacks/beverages and an opportunity for parents to get to know each other Have snacks/beverages and an opportunity for parents to get to know each other

(possibly an icebreaker)(possibly an icebreaker) Lay out POA (activities should align with chapter POA)Lay out POA (activities should align with chapter POA) Make sure to have someone designated to take minutesMake sure to have someone designated to take minutes Vote to accept constitution and bylawsVote to accept constitution and bylaws Hold some form of elections/sign up for offices/utilize all who wish to be in a Hold some form of elections/sign up for offices/utilize all who wish to be in a

leadership capacity leadership capacity It will be necessary to officially establish who is authorized to access the checking It will be necessary to officially establish who is authorized to access the checking

account (check with your local school for specific regulations that may apply)account (check with your local school for specific regulations that may apply)

What are your dues used for? What are your dues used for? Your investment as a FFA Alumni member helps strengthen Your investment as a FFA Alumni member helps strengthen today’s FFA. Your Membership will provide these special FFA today’s FFA. Your Membership will provide these special FFA

services for FFA members: services for FFA members: 1.1. Scholarships to select FFA members attending the Scholarships to select FFA members attending the

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC), higher Washington Leadership Conference (WLC), higher education and work experiences abroad.education and work experiences abroad.

2.2. A strong voice for agricultural education and FFA in A strong voice for agricultural education and FFA in governmental affairs.governmental affairs.

3.3. Leadership workshops at the National FFA Convention, and Leadership workshops at the National FFA Convention, and other FFA activities.other FFA activities.

4.4. A strong FFA Alumni through organizational efforts at local, A strong FFA Alumni through organizational efforts at local, state and national levels.state and national levels.

5.5. Support for FFA Award programs and activities at all levels.Support for FFA Award programs and activities at all levels.

Developing the Alumni Developing the Alumni Affiliate…Affiliate…

Meeting principalMeeting principal Stick to the meeting scheduleStick to the meeting schedule Delegate to members of the councilDelegate to members of the council

““People support that which they help create”People support that which they help create” Utilize talentsUtilize talents Committee chairsCommittee chairs

Have regular meetings with advisorHave regular meetings with advisor Supporting the teacher is “Job One”Supporting the teacher is “Job One” When appropriate, take items off of his/her plateWhen appropriate, take items off of his/her plate Listen carefully to for the real needs of the chapterListen carefully to for the real needs of the chapter

Work toward recruiting long term members into Work toward recruiting long term members into affiliateaffiliate

Opportunities and RecognitionOpportunities and Recognition For the students…For the students…

Coaching CDE teamsCoaching CDE teams SAE assistanceSAE assistance Committees to select student award Committees to select student award

recipientsrecipients Chaperones on tripsChaperones on trips ScholarshipsScholarships Chapter grant programChapter grant program SAE sponsorshipSAE sponsorship FFA jackets for the new membersFFA jackets for the new members

For the adults…For the adults… Administrator of the YearAdministrator of the Year Legion of MeritLegion of Merit Blue JacketBlue Jacket Local “Outstanding Alumnus”Local “Outstanding Alumnus”

Glossary of acronymsGlossary of acronymsFFA - The letters FFA stand for Future Farmers of America; however, the official name of

the organization was changed in 1988 to the National FFA Organization. Over the past 75 years, the FFA and agricultural education have grown to encompass all aspects of agriculture, from production farming, agribusiness and forestry to biotechnology, marketing and food processing.

CDE - Career development Events (CDE) demonstrate the meaningful connections between classroom instruction and real-life scenarios. CDEs build on what is learned in agricultural classes and the FFA and are designed to help prepare students for careers in agriculture.

SAE - Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), are designed to provide students with

the opportunity for hands-on experience and skills in agricultural career areas that interest them. An SAE program is the actual, hands-on application of concepts and principles learned in the agricultural education classroom. Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers in cooperation with parents, employers and other adults who assist them in the development and achievement of their educational and career goals.

PALS - Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) is a mentoring program that matches high school agriculture students with elementary youngsters who have special needs. Developed by the National FFA Organization, the program helps those involved to build trust in others and develop positive self-esteem, both of which are critically lacking in many of today's challenged young people.

WLC - Each year, more than 2,300 young people and teachers from across the country spend a week in Washington, D.C., developing their character and relationship-building skills, learning about the hottest new agricultural careers, making friends, setting a vision, visiting their congressional representatives and touring our nation's capital as part of the FFA Washington Leadership Conference (WLC).

CTE - Career Technical Education (CTE) provides students and adults (1) the technical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in occupations and careers, (2) the cross-functional or workplace basics necessary for success in any occupation or career (such as problem solving, teamwork, and the ability to find and use information), and (3) the context in which traditional academic skills and a variety of more general education goals can be enhanced.

POA - Program of Activities (POA) serves two main purposes. First, it defines chapter

goals and outlines steps needed to meet those goals. Second, it is a written guide that provides administrators, advisory committees, alumni and others with a calendar of events the chapter will follow in the year ahead.

SLC - State FFA Leadership Conference (SLC) is held annually in Tucson on the University of Arizona campus. This event highlights the accomplishments of students, teachers and local FFA partners throughout the year. It is also where the current state officers retire and a new team is elected.

Career Development Events Career Development Events by conferenceby conference

Mid-Winter Conference @ Arizona State Mid-Winter Conference @ Arizona State University East CampusUniversity East Campus

  Creed Speaking CDECreed Speaking CDEInformation Contest CDEInformation Contest CDENovice Public Speaking CDENovice Public Speaking CDENovice Extemporaneous CDENovice Extemporaneous CDEFood Science CDEFood Science CDEAgricultural Sales CDEAgricultural Sales CDEFloriculture CDEFloriculture CDEParliamentary Procedure InvitationalParliamentary Procedure Invitational

State Leadership Conference State Leadership Conference @ @ The University of ArizonaThe University of Arizona

  Marketing Plan CDEMarketing Plan CDEParliamentary Procedure CDEParliamentary Procedure CDEPrepared Public Speaking CDEPrepared Public Speaking CDEExtemporaneous Public Speaking Extemporaneous Public Speaking

CDECDEAgriscience Fair CDEAgriscience Fair CDEAgriculture Communications CDEAgriculture Communications CDEInternet CDEInternet CDENewsletter CDENewsletter CDEReporter CDEReporter CDEConduct of Meetings CDEConduct of Meetings CDE

Spring Conference @ Spring Conference @ The University of ArizonaThe University of Arizona

  Ag Issues CDEAg Issues CDEAg Mechanics CDEAg Mechanics CDEAgronomy CDEAgronomy CDEEntomology CDEEntomology CDEHorse Evaluation CDEHorse Evaluation CDELandscape Evaluation CDELandscape Evaluation CDEMeats Evaluation CDEMeats Evaluation CDENursery CDE Nursery CDE (Tentative)(Tentative)Range Management CDERange Management CDEAg Business CDEAg Business CDEAquaculture CDEAquaculture CDEDairy Management CDEDairy Management CDEField Crop Management CDEField Crop Management CDEForestry CDEForestry CDEJob Interview CDEJob Interview CDELivestock Judging CDELivestock Judging CDESoils CDESoils CDE

Proficiency AwardsProficiency Awards

1. Agricultural Communications 2. Agricultural Mechanics Design and

Fabrication3. Agricultural Mechanics Repair and

Maintenance4. Agricultural Mechanics Energy Systems5. Agricultural Processing6. Agricultural Sales 7. Agricultural Sales 8. Agricultural Services 9. Aquaculture10. Beef Production 11. Beef Production 12. Dairy Production 13. Dairy Production 14. Diversified Agricultural Production15. Diversified Crop Production 16. Diversified Crop Production 17. Diversified Horticulture 18. Diversified Horticulture 19. Diversified Livestock Production 20. Diversified Livestock Production 21. Emerging Agricultural Technology 22. Environmental Science and Natural

Resources Management23. Equine Science 24. Equine Science

25. Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production26. Floriculture 27. Food Science and Technology28. Forage Production 29. Forest Management and Products 30. Fruit Production 31. Grain Production 32. Grain Production 33. Home and/or Community Development 34. Landscape Management35. Nursery Operations 36. Outdoor Recreation 37. Poultry Production 38. Sheep Production 39. Small Animal Production and Care 40. Small Animal Production and Care 41. Specialty Animal Production42. Specialty Crop Production 43. Swine Production 44. Swine Production 45. Turf Grass Management 46. Turf Grass Management 47. Vegetable Production48. Wildlife Management 49. Wildlife Management

The program rewards FFA members at the local, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural

Experience (SAE) program.