The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association Volume 12, Issue 4 December 2007 National Convention Focuses on Teamwork New President Challenges Members to Recruit New Members Monte Ladner, 2007 National FFA Alumni Association president, began Thursday s Awards Session of the 36th National FFA Alumni Convention by emphasizing the importance of a shared responsibility (teamwork) among Alumni members who support FFA youth. By uniting efforts with other individuals, groups, businesses, and Team Ag Ed members, Ladner said, Alumni members can make a greater contribution to agricultural education. Alumni members from across the nation also heard from Kim Kyaw, Toyota s senior engagement manager. She spoke about the exciting partnership between the National FFA Alumni Association and Toyota, which is a key co-sponsor, along with Tractor Supply Company (TSC), of various Alumni programs like the State Leaders Conference and National FFA Alumni Convention. The Awards Session continued with the announcement of membership awards (see page 5 for results). Another of the session s highlights was the presentation of the Alumni s Local Program Support (LPS) Grants, during which 20 local FFA chapters received a $1,000 check (see page 6 for a listing of the recipients). The LPS Grant program is sponsored by TSC. The session culminated with the recognition of the Outstanding Achievement Award recipients: Paul Hazaert, Denmark, WI; Bruce L. Miller, Salisbury, NC; and Rhonda Wethal, Stoughton, WI. Each recipient has given selflessly to the Alumni organization. The business session was held on Friday and began with remarks from two national leaders: Allan Sulser, National Council for Agricultural Education president, and Lee James, NAAE president. Next Dr. Troy R. Justesen, assistant secretary of the U.S. Office of Vocational and Adult Education, spoke of opportunities through which Alumni and volunteer groups could assist in recruiting students to become agriculture teachers. He challenged members to help their Alumni affiliates recruit and mentor one student who would pursue a career as an agriculture teacher. The session concluded with the National Council elections. Results were as follows: President-Elect: Sam Atherton, KS Central Region Representative: Diane Amera, WI Western Region Representative: Robert Barton, OR Ronnie Ansley, 2007-08 National FFA Alumni president, adjourned the convention by spotlighting the upcoming year s theme: Celebrate the Present Invest In The Future. He challenged each member to recruit two new members (see page 2 for details). A special thanks is extended to Tractor Supply Company and Toyota for their continued support of the National FFA Alumni Association. 2008 Calendar Dates listed are when items must be postmarked to the National Office. May 15 Rosters due to qualify for grants, awards, and delegate counts Legion of Merit applications June 1 State Leaders Conference registration July 1 Local Program Support Grant applications Outstanding/Pioneer Affiliate, Outstanding Affiliate, Outstanding Achievement, and National Distinguished Contributor nomination applications; and Scrapbooks National Council nomination applications July 15 Auction donation forms for items to appear in catalog July 15-20 State Leaders Conference, Washington, D.C. October 22 24 Alumni Silent Benefit Auction, Indianapolis, IN October 23-24 Alumni Convention, Indianapolis, IN October 24 Alumni Live Benefit Auction, Indianapolis, IN Check with your state leaders for individual state deadlines. Earlier this year Toyota announced its financial support of the National FFA Alumni Association. During the convention and the promotion of the canned food drive events, the company and its officials were visibly present in Indianapolis to show their support. Please visit the FFA Alumni website at www.ffa.org/alumni/ to download updated award applications. Send requests for forms to bhaig@ffa.org or phone 317-802-4293 to have forms mailed via the U.S. Postal Service.
Celebrate the Present Invest in the Future Theme Focuses on Investing Time and Energy into Local Growth Our theme this year is Celebrate the Present Invest in the Future. The song The Greatest Love of All, popularized by Whitney Houston, begins with the words, I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. As Alumni members, we believe the FFA and its programs help Ronnie Ansley students to grow into C. Coleman Harris recently retired as executive secretary of the National FFA Organization, a role he had held for 30 years since 1977. Harris has also served as an agriculture teacher, the Indiana FFA Association s executive secretary, and a program specialist for the U.S. Department of Education. In total, Harris has dedicated 45 years of his life to agricultural education. tomorrow s leaders who will make an impact on our local communities, states, and nation. I encourage you this coming year to celebrate the accomplishments of our local Alumni affiliates and the young people whom we love and to whom we are dedicated. Every time we mentor our youth, volunteer to serve, give financially, or donate our time, we are planting a seed that will yield a thousand fold. Each small sacrifice today will be rewarded greatly in the future. Now is the time for us to plant the seeds of hope, knowledge, and fairness in our youth. Now is the time to volunteer through the FFA Alumni to make a difference in our local communities. Now is the time to invest in our future. If every FFA Alumni member recruited two new Alumni members this year, our association would grow. Each local affiliate would in turn triple the support it could offer local FFA chapters and members. By strengthening our local affiliates, we will strengthen our entire organization. I challenge each of you to personally recruit two new members for your local affiliate. The strength of our local affiliates is directly tied to the support we can give to our local FFA chapters. Invest in the future! Invest in your local community! And invest in our youth! Ronnie Ansley President National FFA Alumni Association Harris Retires After 45 Years of Service Coleman has played an important role in the organization s work, says Doug Loudenslager, the National FFA Organization s chief operating officer. His leadership and support of this organization have been tremendous. The National FFA Alumni Association wishes to thank Coleman for his many years of service and support of agricultural education, the FFA, and FFA Alumni. History Repeats Itself for Life Member S.F. Horton of SC S.F. Horton (left) holds his National FFA Eagle Award and National FFA Alumni life membership certificate, which he received 80 years after he became a member of the Future Palmetto Farmers of SC. During a recent FFA recognition ceremony in Columbia, South Carolina, S.F. Horton, age 96, of Loris, SC, was presented with his National FFA Alumni life membership card and certificate. At the same ceremony, Horton also received the National FFA Eagle Award for his long and distinguished service in support of agricultural education and the FFA in South Carolina. On the same day of the cermony, only 80 years earlier (October 17, 1927), Horton 2 The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association Volume 12, Issue 4 December 2007 FFA Alumni New Visions is prepared and published quarterly by the National FFA Alumni Association as an affiliate of the Future Farmers of America in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education as a service to state and local agricultural education agencies. Vision The vision of the National FFA Alumni Association is a world where people and communities grow and develop to their fullest potential. Mission The 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. Shipping Address National FFA Alumni Association 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46278-1370 Mailing Address National FFA Alumni Association P. O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960 317-802-4292 fsaldana@ffa.org www.ffa.org/alumni/ National FFA Alumni Executive Council President, Ronnie Ansley, North Carolina 4509 Burlington Mills Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 President-Elect, Sam Atherton, Kansas 250 19000 Road, Cherryvale, KS 67335 Past President, Monte Ladner, Mississippi 104 Fairway Boulevard, Carthage, MS 39051 Visit www.ffa.org/alumni/ for more Council information. Ex-officio Members National FFA Advisor, Dr. Larry Case National FFA Alumni Executive Director, J. Frank Saldaña 2007 by the National FFA Alumni Association attended the opening session of the 1927 state fair, during which he was a voting delegate to the organizational meeting of the Future Palmetto Farmers in South Carolina. This meeting occurred one year before the national Future Farmers of America Organization was established in 1928. The group later became known as the National FFA Organization to represent the change in scope of agriculture. Before his retirement, Horton taught agricultural education, farmed full-time, and established a successful farm supply business.
Feedback Needed for National FFA Alumni Strategic Planning The National FFA Alumni Council is soliciting feedback from state leaders and its members on two long range goals and their accompanying objectives. Council members discussed these goals and strategies at their recent meeting and will vote on these measures at their next meeting in February. Long Range Goal: For every FFA chapter to have a fully engaged nationally chartered Alumni affiliate by the year 2015. Short Term Objectives: 1. December 2008: Establish a task force to develop a strategy to improve the quality and quantity of Alumni affiliates. 2. December 2009: Develop and implement a plan of action to insure that all states have an active state FFA Alumni association. 3. December 2009: Develop tools for agriculture teachers to establish/ maintain an actively engaged Alumni affiliate. Rationale: Results of an internal analysis study indicate that present National FFA Alumni programs need to be reviewed to determine their importance and function in today s agricultural education community. The need to recruit and retain qualified agricultural education teachers is crucial. Effective Alumni affiliates can help teachers more efficiently take the reins of their local programs. By providing this assistance, local support groups can help reduce teachers workloads, time commitments, and stress. If these concerns expressed by teachers, even more experienced ones, are not addressed, they can lead to burnout and teacher resignations. Affiliates can contribute significantly to reducing the 25 percent non-renewal rate among new teachers. Long Range Goals and Objectives National FFA Alumni Association Financial Support 2007 Local, State, and National Washington Leadership Conference Scholarships State Association one for each 500 members (75 @ $550) $41,250.00 State Association with less than 500 members - $.75 per member $ 3,009.75 Local Affiliate one for each 250 annual and one for each 100 life members (41 @ $550) $22,550.00 Special WLC Scholarships from State Leaders Conference (12 @ $550) $ 6,600.00 American FFA Degree Scholarship $ 1,000.00 Agriculture Teacher College Scholarships $ 5,000.00 Life Member Memorial Scholarships $ 2,500.00 State Rebates $12,892.00 New or Reactivating Affiliate Incentive Program $ 1,000.00 Outstanding Affiliate Awards $ 225.00 Outstanding Pioneer Affiliate Awards $ 225.00 Scrapbook Awards $ 225.00 Local Program Support Grants $20,000.00 State Leaders Conference Grants $ 5,250.00 National Council for Agricultural Education Contribution $ 5,000.00 Postsecondary Agriculture Student Association Contribution $ 1,500.00 National Association of Agricultural Educators Contribution $ 7,500.00 Ag Ed Opportunity Fund Contribution $14,350.00 Local Program Success Staff Support $75,000.00 TOTAL $225,076.75* *Last year the amount awarded was $147,053.25. 3 Long Range Goal: For all Team Ag Ed members to recognize the National FFA Alumni Association as a leader in advocacy for agricultural education by the year 2015. Short Term Objectives: 1. December 2008: Develop a plan of action to secure the support of all Team Ag Ed members for Ag Ed Advocacy Centers. 2. December 2009: Identify key individuals in each state to aid in establishing state and local advocacy centers. 3. December 2010: Establish an Ag Ed Advocacy Center in every state to support agricultural education on the local, state and national levels. Rationale: In order for agricultural education to continue to exist, a process for addressing policies/legislative issues at the local, state, and national levels must be established. Stakeholders at every level of Team Ag Ed need tools to strategically design and execute advocacy plans. This united effort will help us to secure the future of agricultural education. Comments and questions can be directed to National FFA Alumni Executive Director J. Frank Saldaña at fsaldana@ffa.org or 317-802-4292. Note: This important article related to the association s long-range strategic planning has been published in lieu of the article on advocacy (it will appear in the March 2008 issue.)
2007 Benefit Auctions Raise Record Funds for Scholarships Internet Offers Simulcast of Auction to Web Audience More than 800 bidders found entertainment during the national FFA convention, perusing more than 1,100 auction items and entering into friendly bidding competitions with fellow convention attendees during the 2007 National FFA Alumni live and silent benefit auctions. From bidding on amazing state baskets featured in the silent auction to the drawing of the winners for the convention giveaway items, the crowd was enthusiastic as it generated the needed funds to provide student scholarships! This year United Country Auction Services conducted the live auction, providing the opportunity for those at home to participate in the auction as well. Friday evening s live auction was simultaneously broadcasted over the Internet, permitting people everywhere to bid on items and show their support for the FFA. Ford Trucks continued its auction support by offering a 2008 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew valued at $32,000. At the auction s conclusion, Billy Vestal of Tennessee provided the winning bid of $24,500 for the truck. The proceeds of the live and silent benefit auctions totaled more than $147,000 an all-time high. The funds raised will provide scholarships for students to 2007 Live and Silent Benefit Auction Memories attend the Washington Leadership Conference and collegiate scholarships for students pursuing careers in agricultural education. State Basket Contest Results Eighteen state associations provided entries for this year s basket contest. Each displayed unique and creative baskets that proudly featured their state s commodities and attractions. Every state association is encouraged to submit an entry next year and compete for these great prizes! Best Overall: (Receives a $550 Washington Leadership Conference scholarship) Illinois FFA Alumni Association President s Choice: (Receives a $150 registration fee to State Leaders Conference) Oregon FFA Alumni Association People s Choice: (Received a traveling trophy and 100 chances for the 2007 FFA Alumni convention giveaway. This year for the first time, the People s Choice recipient was selected as a winner in the convention giveaway drawing!) Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association Top right: Auction attendees marvel at the creative Oregon FFA Alumni Association basket, which featured a beautiful piece of metal artwork created specifically for the entry. Bottom right: Convention attendees inspect a Craftsman toolbox and Armstrong tools before the live benefit auction. Bottom left: United Country Auction Services auctioneers pose with National FFA Alumni Executive Director J. Frank Saldaña and Auction Coordinator Amber Smyer. A special thanks is extended to United Country Auction Services for conducting the live auction and providing the new online bidding feature! Convention Drawing Winners $1,000 American Degree Scholarship Maria Diane Ripley, Owensboro, KY Apollo FFA Alumni, Owensboro, KY Student at Owensboro Community College New/Reactivating Affiliate Award $500 to Advisor/$500 to Affiliate Marshall FFA Alumni, Marshall, TX Marshall Senior High School Debbie Ash, FFA advisor Raffle Ticket Convention Giveaway Cub Cadet Dustin Dylla, MN ipod Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association A special thanks is extended to all individuals and organizations especially the National FFA Foundation, Ford Trucks, Tractor Supply Company, CNH, Cub Cadet, United Country Auction Services, our dedicated volunteers, gracious donors and the bidders for making the auction a tremendous success! 4
Outstanding Affiliate Award Recipients This award recognizes affiliates for their outstanding accomplishments in supporting and serving agricultural education and the FFA. Gold First Place Cherryvale FFA Alumni, Cherryvale, KS First Place Park County FFA Alumni, Livingston, MT Second Place WaKeeney FFA Alumni, WaKeeney, KS Third Place Apollo FFA Alumni, Owensboro, KY Denmark FFA Alumni, Denmark, WI Pine Ridge FFA Alumni, Deltona, FL Stoughton FFA Alumni, Stoughton, WI Pioneer Affiliate Award Recipients This award is designed to recognize newly chartered affiliates, which have been in existence three years or less, for their outstanding accomplishments in supporting and serving agricultural education and the FFA. Bronze Fannin County FFA Alumni, Blue Ridge, GA West Rowan FFA Alumni, Mt. Ulla, NC Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients The Outstanding Achievement Award is the National FFA Alumni Association s highest award presented to an individual. The award is designed to recognize FFA Alumni members for outstanding service to agricultural education, the FFA, and the FFA Alumni. This very prestigious award is presented on a national level to no more than three people in a given year. Paul Hazaert, Denmark, WI Bruce L. Miller, Salisbury, NC Rhonda Wethal, Stoughton, WI Membership Awards Overall Percentage of Membership Growth First Place Rhode Island: 82% Second Place Missouri: 20% Third Place Kentucky: 14% Alumni-to-FFA Membership First Place Rhode Island Alumni membership reaching 47% of FFA membership Second Place Wisconsin Alumni membership reaching 45% of FFA membership Third Place Montana Alumni membership reaching 28% of FFA membership State with Most Life Members First Place Wisconsin Second Place Oklahoma State with Largest Increase of Members First Place Rhode Island Second Place Missouri State with Most Members First Place Wisconsin Second Place Illinois Affiliate with Most Life Members Denmark, Wisconsin States with 100% State Officer Life Membership Arkansas Georgia Kentucky Mississippi Nebraska Wisconsin Awards Recap Scrapbook Award Contest This contest is designed to encourage affiliates to develop and record their historical background in a systematic, fun manner throughout the years. Gold First Place Black Hawk FFA Alumni, South Wayne, WI Second Place Cherryvale FFA Alumni, Cherryvale, KS Third Place Stoughton FFA Alumni, Stoughton, WI Annual Membership Star System Three Star Plus Blue Blazer (increase of 100 or more members) Kentucky Michigan Missouri Texas Two Stars (increase of 80-89 members) Minnesota The 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award recipients (left to right): Paul Hazaert, WI; Rhonda Wethal, WI; Bruce Miller, NC. For a write-up of each recipient s contributions and a complete listing of convention award recipients in each category, including the Legion of Merit Award, visit the National Alumni website at www.ffa.org/alumni/. 5
2007 Local Program Support Grant Winners The National FFA Alumni Association annually provides 20 scholarships worth $1,000 each to local FFA chapters and agricultural education programs. Grant recipients are selected from applicants who demonstrate a need to strengthen or enhance a local program. Chapter City/State Project Name Banks County High Homer, GA Livestock Housing Facility Banks County Middle School Homer, GA Organics for the Elderly Burgin Burgin, KY Burgin FFA Alumni Scholarship and Agricultural Education Program Grant Fannin County Blue Ridge, GA Starting a Fannin County Youth Fair Gunter Gunter, TX FFA Project Center Improvements Hartsburg-Emden Hartsburg, IL Making Efficient Use of Classroom and Shop Space and Storage Molalla Molalla, OR Growing Student Opportunities Molalla North/South Habersham Middle Clarkesville, GA Chapter promotion and visibility project North Clackamas Milwaukie, OR From Farm to Fork, the Sustainable Way North Oconee Bogart, GA Animal Science Facility Oconto Falls Oconto Falls, WI Blue and Gold Explosion! Rockcastle County Mt. Vernon, KY Operation Laptop for the RCHS FFA Chapter Southeast Whitfield Dalton, GA Project GOLD Gaining Opportunities for Leadership Development Southside San Antonio, TX Farm Facilities for the Future Spring Branch Houston, TX Hog Barn Improvement Tatum Tatum, TX Trailer BBQ Pit Valmeyer Valmeyer, IL Aquatic Greenhouse Weimar Weimar, TX Celebrate the Elderly Weir Weir, MS Growing Success White County Cleveland, GA Agriculture Center The Local Program Support Grant Program is sponsored by Visit the National FFA Alumni website at www.ffa.org/alumni/ to download an updated award application. FFA members accept their chapter s $1,000 LPS grant during the Awards Session from sponsor representative Larry Corrigan of Tractor Supply Company (far left) and Monte Ladner, National FFA Alumni Association president (far right). 6
Food Drive Spurs Community Service and Appreciation By Scott Morfeld National FFA Alumni Intern The Can Hunger Million-Can Challenge is well underway for 2007. The challenge is a partnership between the National FFA Alumni Association and Toyota. This special project provides servicelearning opportunities for FFA members and FFA Alumni to connect with their communities through regional canned food drives. The hours FFA members spend on the project can be submitted to the Million Hour Challenge initiative for service learning. Many Alumni affiliates, FFA chapters, and Toyota dealerships across the country have partnered together to participate in this awesome service learning project. FFA members and Alumni are working diligently in their communities to combat a growing social problem hunger. By actively participating in this project, they are helping families in need within their own communities during the holiday season. Consider the Triton Central FFA Chapter of Bourbon, Indiana, which collected cans and then donated them to its local food bank. Triton Central advisor Rich McGown described his chapter s canned food drive experience this way: We took the cans to the food pantry and, if I heard the director say, Thank you one time, I heard her tell me 20 times. She could not stop saying how grateful she was. Her facility was totally out of canned goods because demand was on the upswing. Seventy-five families had come in so far that week seeking food and she had to call other facilities, begging for food. This special project provides service-learning opportunities for FFA and FFA Alumni members to connect with their communities through regional canned food drives. This challenge is a partnership with Please consider making a difference in your community, state, and country by participating in this oneof-a-kind community service project. Applications for 2008 will be available at the FFA Alumni website at www.ffa.org/alumni/. If you are interested in hosting a canned food drive in your state, please contact asmyer@ffa.org or 317-802-4294. FFA and Alumni Members Hard at Work Above: National FFA Alumni members help the Rossville, Indiana, FFA Chapter members unload donated canned goods at the Gleaners Food Bank during the national convention. Right: The hardworking members of the Rossville FFA Chapter from Indiana pause from unloading their collected canned goods at the Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis. Mark Your Calendars! National FFA Alumni Association 2008 State Leaders Conference July 15-20, 2008 The National FFA Alumni Association invites you to attend the 2008 State Leaders Conference in our nation s capital Washington, D.C. More information and registration forms will be sent to state leaders and posted on the National FFA Alumni website at www.ffa.org/alumni/ by March 1, 2008. We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. for this capital experience! 7
The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association Future Farmers of America National FFA Alumni Association 6060 FFA Drive Indianapolis, IN 46278-1370 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DAYTON, OHIO PERMIT NO. 375 Newsletter What s Inside Teamwork a Focus of Convention.............. 1 Local Growth an Outgrowth of Theme........... 2 Executive Secretary Retires................. 2 Feedback Needed for National Planning......... 3 Internet Offers Simulcast of Benefit Auction....... 4 Award Winners Spotlight................... 5 Local Support Grant Recipients Named.......... 6 Food Drive Addresses National Concern......... 7 8