ATASCOCITA FFA CHAPTER CONSTITUTION Charter 2006 **Revised Wednesday, June 15 th, 2011 ARTICLE I. Name, Purpose and Regulations The name of this organization shall be the "Atascocita FFA". Atascocita FFA members are hereinafter referred to as members and the letters "FFA" may be used to designate the chapter, its activities, or members thereof. The mission and strategies of the Atascocita FFA: 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. To accomplish this mission, FFA: 1. Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership. 2. Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being. 3. Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. 4. Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career. 5. Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs. 6. Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community. 7. Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction. 8. Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism. 9. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people. 10. Promotes healthy lifestyle. 11. Encourages excellence in scholarship. General Rules of Atascocita FFA 1. If the code of ethics, found in the current FFA manual and bylaws, are not followed by a member, the offense whether severe or not, will be brought before the chapter for consideration with the final decision being left up to the executive committee. 2. The FFA member shall wear his or her official dress (see the current FFA manual and by-laws for detailed description) to FFA functions when required by the advisors. When FFA jackets are worn, they should be worn with pride and in good standing with the FFA manual.
3. He or she shall come to the chapter meetings and functions dressed by school rules. If not dressed accordingly, the member must leave the meeting. 4. The FFA members represent the chapter at all times and will conduct himself or herself as an FFA member. 5. The following criteria (below in ranking order) will be used in selecting students to attend FFA activities above the chapter level. Budget constraints will ultimately decide the number of students chosen. 1. Competing at said event (speaking contest, officer candidate, award candidate) 2. Award recipients (Lone Star, American degree, team/individual banners) 3. Chapter/District/Area Officers (current and incoming) 4. Qualified FFA members (participation point sheet will be used ranked by points the student with the highest points offered first) ARTICLE II. ARTICLE III. Section D. Organization The Atascocita Chapter of FFA is a chartered local unit of the Texas Association of FFA which is chartered by the National FFA Organization. This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and by-laws of the Texas Association of FFA as well as these of the National FFA Organization. Membership Membership in the FFA shall be of four kinds: (1) Active; (2) Alumni; (3) Collegiate and (4) Honorary, as defined by the National FFA constitution. The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active members. Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree. Active members in good standing may vote on all business brought before the chapter. An active member shall be considered in goodstanding when: 1. He/she attends local chapter meetings regularly. 2. He/she shows an interest in, and takes part in the affairs of the chapter. 3. He/she pays his dues annually. 4. He/she participates in the annual fundraiser.
5. He/she follows the FFA Code of Ethics (found in the FFA manual and in the by-laws). Section E. ARTICLE IV. ARTICLE V. Names of applicants for membership shall be filed with the secretary. Emblems The emblem of the FFA shall be the emblem for the chapter. Emblems used by the members shall be uniform and those obtained from concerns officially designated by the national organization of FFA. Membership Degrees and Privileges There shall be four grades of active membership in this chapter. These grades are: (1) The Greenhand Degree; (2) The Chapter Degree; (3) The State Degree; and (4) The American Degree. All "Greenhands" are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin. All members holding the Degree of Chapter members are entitled to wear the regulation silver emblem degree pin. All members holding the State FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem charm. All members holding the American FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key. Minimum Qualifications for Electing of Degrees 1. Are as written in the FFA constitution and by-laws of the state and national organization. ARTICLE VI. Officers The Atascocita FFA members must complete all of the following qualifications, annually, in order to become an officer candidate. Be a member in good standing Participate on two leadership and/or career development events at the district, area or state level, within the year running for office Attend all regular FFA meetings, with no more than one excused absence Participate in at least three different FFA activities Sell a combined minimum of twenty items during the chapter fund raisers Must be academically eligible, according to Humble ISD guidelines Presidential candidates must have (first) served as an FFA officer for at least one year prior, or (second) participated on the Senior Chapter Conducting team. (third) If no candidate meets
this qualification the decision will be made by the FFA advisor(s) based on the number of FFA activities the candidate participated in for the year running. Candidates will be scored on their performance and ranked in the following categories: Application 5% Officer qualifying test 30% Officer interview/resume 35% Popular vote/speech 30% Candidates are ranked by assessing the highest point value to the highest ranking candidate within each category. For example there are six candidates, so when the application is being scored then the five percent is divided into six and the highest place would earn five points, second would earn 4.17 points, third would earn 3.34 and so on, until all candidates have been awarded points. Once all categories are totaled the candidate with the most points wins the president position (if all other qualifications are met), second highest ranked candidate would be awarded the vice-presidential office, and so forth. The officers of the chapter may be as follows: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, Junior Advisor, and Advisors. Officers will be elected annually. The advisor(s) shall be the teacher(s) of agriculture education in the school where the chapter is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices. Rules for Officers 1. Officers shall be elected annually. 2. A member must be academically eligible, according to Humble ISD guidelines. 3. Officers must abide by the signed officer contract & maintain officer eligibility through the FFA Officer Demerit System. 4. An officer must obey the Code of Ethics at all times. 5. An officer is required to attend all FFA meetings with no more than one excused absence, and is expected to attend all FFA activities. 6. All officers must attend all executive meetings. One unexcused absence will result in suspension from FFA activities for one month from the date of the absence but will not affect exhibiting an SAEP. A second unexcused absence from executive meetings will result in removal from office. Officers must notify the advisor(s) in advance (no fewer than 3 days) of an intended absence, in writing. Absences will be approved or denied at the discretion of the advisor(s). 7. Vacant offices may be filled by executive committee. 8. If any officer is removed from the officer team for any reason, he/she will be ineligible to run for the following year.
Section D. Section E. The officers of the chapter and the advisors constitute the Executive Committee. This committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with actions taken at chapter meetings and various regulations or by-laws adopted from time to time. Greenhand Officer Elections 1. Candidates will make a campaign poster to publicize their candidacy. 2. Candidates will give a speech at the election meeting. 3. All members will vote on Greenhand Officers. 4. Officer positions will be the same as Chapter Officers. 5. Greenhand Officers will perform duties set forth by the Chapter Officers. Section F. ARTICLE VII. Section D. Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold any office in the chapter. Meetings Regular chapter meetings shall be held once a month during the school year. Special meetings may be called at any time. Delegates shall be appointed by the attending members annually from the active membership to represent the chapter at the State convention. Other delegates may be named as necessary in order to have proper representation at various other FFA meetings within the State. A majority of the active members that are present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or a vote taken committing the chapter to any proposal or action. Members must attend all regular FFA meetings with no more than one unexcused absence. Exceptions will be reviewed by the executive committee before the next regular FFA meeting. Students who do not meet the required meetings may be declared ineligible to show in the local livestock show. ARTICLE VIII. Dues ARTICLE IX. Full Local, District, Area, State and National dues shall be paid by all active members annually. No member shall be considered to be an active member and in good standing unless he pays full Local, District, Area, State and National FFA dues annually. Amendments The Constitution and By-laws of the Atascocita FFA will be under annual review. As reviews take place changes may be made by the
advisors, membership or executive committee to ensure a positive direction in the works of the organization. The constitution may be amended at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing it is not in conflict with the State Association constitution or that of the National FFA Organization. The change(s) will go into effect immediately. The By-laws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing such by-laws conflict in no way with the constitution and bylaws of either the State Association or the National Organization. BY-LAWS OF THE ATASCOCITA FFA I. Committees Committees will be appointed by the executive committee as needed. II. Orders of the Day Opening Ceremony Minutes Treasurer's Report Reports of Officers and Committees Old Business New Business Special Events Closing Ceremony III. Equipment A. No FFA equipment (except trailers, clippers, blow dryers and pig/lamb scales) can be used unless under supervision of ag. teacher(s)/advisor(s) or adult appointed by ag. teacher(s)/advisor(s). Clippers, blow dryers and pig/lamb scales may be checked out for use on student projects. Trailers may be checked out with at least two school days advance notice once the trailer use form has been completed and submitted to the advisor(s). The equipment must be returned within two school days to the original facility after use or check out privileges may be revoked. IV. Livestock Shows (Youth Expo of Harris County Livestock Show and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) A. To be eligible to show, Humble ISD students must be academically eligible according to Humble ISD guidelines. B. Exhibitors must be in good standing with the chapter. C. Students must abide by school rules at all shows attended. D. Students will remain with ag. teacher at livestock shows unless prior arrangements are made between student s parents/guardians and the advisor(s). E. Ag. teacher(s)/advisor(s) have final say as to whether animals will be entered at livestock shows. V. Local Livestock Show A. To be eligible to show, Humble ISD students must be academically eligible according to Humble ISD guidelines. B. Exhibitors must be in good standing with the chapter.
C. Any student that the ag. teacher(s)/advisor(s) feel does not properly care for his/her animal can be banned from current and/or future shows. D. Members must attend all regular FFA meetings with no more than one unexcused absence. Exceptions will be reviewed by the executive committee before the next regular FFA meeting. Students who do not meet the required meetings may be declared ineligible to show in the local livestock show. E. He/she shows an interest in, and takes part in the affairs of the chapter. F. He/she pays his dues annually. G. He/she must sell a combined total of 20 items during the chapter fund raisers. VI. The FFA Code of Ethics (can also be found in the FFA manual) FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. 1. Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. 2. Make a positive difference in the lives of others. 3. Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion. 4. Respecting the rights of others and their property. 5. Be courteous, honest and fair with others. 6. Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful and positive manner. 7. Demonstrating good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat. 8. Make myself aware of FFA programs and activities and be an active participant. 9. Conduct and value a supervised agricultural experience program. 10.Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career. 11.Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization. (Adopted by the Delegates at the 1952 National FFA Convention. Revised by delegates at the 1995National FFA Convention.) VII. Official Dress, according to the National FFA Organization A. Female Official Dress: 1. Black skirt Skirt is to be at least knee length, hemmed evenly across the bottom, with a slit no longer than 2 inches above the knee, excluding the kick pleat. Black slacks may be appropriate for traveling and outdoor activities. 2. White collared blouse and official FFA blue scarf 3. Black dress shoes with a closed heel and toe (no boots, sandals, open-toed shoes, or tennis shoes) 4. Black nylon hosiery 5. Official FFA jacket zipped to the top
B. Male Official Dress: 1. Black dress pants (no jeans - blue or black, leather, etc.) 2. White dress shirt and official FFA tie 3. Black dress shoes with a closed heel and toe (no boots, sandals, open-toed shoes, tennis shoes ) 4. Black socks 5. Official FFA jacket zipped to the top C. How to Wear Awards: 1. Chapter degree, officer and award medals should be worn beneath the name on the right side of the jacket 2. State FFA Degree or American Degree keys should be worn above the name on the right side of the jacket or attached to a standard key chain 3. No more than three medals should be worn on the jacket. These should represent highest degree earned, highest office held and the highest award earned D. 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 back of the jacket should have only a large official FFA emblem, the name of the state and the name of the local chapter, region, district or area. The front of the jacket should have only a small official FFA emblem, the name of the individual, one office or honor and the year of that office or honor. 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, as well as other occasions where the chapter or state association is represented. It may be worn to school and other appropriate places. 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 and worn, it should be discarded or the emblems and lettering removed. 9. The emblems and lettering should be removed if the jacket is given or sold to a non-member. 10. A member should act professionally when wearing the FFA jacket. 11. Members should refrain from use of tobacco and alcohol when underage at all times when representing the FFA. In addition, members should exhibit their leadership qualities when they encounter substances including tobacco and alcohol and serve to discourage others from inappropriate behavior.
12. All chapter degree, officer and award medals should be worn beneath the name on the right side of the jacket, with the exception that a single State FFA Degree charm or American FFA Degree key should be worn above the name or attached to a standard key chain. No more than three medals should be worn on the jacket. These should represent the highest degree earned, the highest office held and the highest award earned by the member. No more than three medals should be worn on the jacket.