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SUGGESTED 1937 REVISION )
NATIONAL CONSI'ITUTION - FOi'tJRE FAIMERS OF .AMERICA
Article I - Name and Purposes
Section A - The name of this organization shall be "The Future Fan:ners of .America". Members are hereinafter referred to as "Future FarIOOrs of .America". The letters "F.F.A."
may be officially used to designate the organization, its uni ts, or man.bars thereof'.
Section B - The purposes for which this organization is formed are as follows:
1. To develop com.pet ent, aggressive, rural and agricultural leadership.
2. To create and nurture a love of country life.
3 •. To strengthen the conf'idence of· farm boys and young men in themselves and their work.
4. To create more interest in the intelligent choice of farming occupations.
5. To encourage members in the development of in- dividual farming programs and establishnent in fanning.
6. To encourage members to improve the. farm home and 1 ts surroundings.
7. To pa.rticip:lt e in worthy undertakings tor the improvement of agriculture.
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To develop character, train for useful citizen- ship, and foster patriotism.9. To :participate in cooperative effort.
10. T~ encourage and practice thrift.
11. To improve scholarship.
12. To provide and encourage
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development of orfginized rural recreational activities.~ .... ~ ..
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.Article II - Organization
Section A - The Future Farn:ers of .America is the national organiza- tion tor students ot vocational agriculture. It shall consist of chartered State, Territorial, and Insular Associations which are in turn composed of chartered local chapters. Affiliated and Collegiate chapters may also organize under the direct jurisdiction of the respective chartered State, Territorial, and Insular Association.
Section B - Active Chapters ot the Future Fanners of .America tor students enrolled in school shall be established only in schools where systematic instruct ion in vocational agriculture of the all-day or day-unit type is ottered under the provisions ot the National Vocational Educa- tion Acts.
Section C - Attiliated Chapters designed for older farm, boys and youth who are out ot school may be established in localities served by approved vocational agriculture departments where systematic instruction in vocational agriculture of the part-time type is ottered under the provision of the National Vocational Education Acts.
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Section D - Collegiate Chapters designed primarily f'or training prospective teachers ot vocational agriculture in their duties as local advisers ot F.F.A. may be established in recognized teacher training institutions.
Section E - Delegates trom active chapters shall meet in State, Territorial, or Insular Convention, organize, adopt a constitution not in conflict with the national con- stitution, elect otficers, set up a program ot work, and then apply to the National Executive Secretary for membership in the national organization. Upon receipt
ot a charter from the national organization a State, Territorial, or Insular Association, its divisions, and the members thereof will be recognized as Future Farmers ot America.
Section F - The general plans under which Af'tiliated and Collegiate Chapters operate shall be included in the By-Laws
attached to this constitution.
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Article Ill - Member ship
Section A - Membership in this organization shall be of :five kinds:
(1) active, (2) affiliated, (3) associate, (4) collegiate, and (5) honoraJ.Y.
Section B - Active me:nbership. Any male student who is regularly enrolled in an all-day, day-unit, or part-time class in vocational agriculture is entitled to become an active member of the F.F.A. upon receiving a majority vote of the chapter :membership at any local chapter meeting.
A member nay retain his active meni:> ership throughout his high school career and for three years from the date of' graduation, completion of high school voca- tional agriculture classroom instruction, or leaving school.
Section C - A:rtiliated membership. Any former active member or other male out-of-school farm youth of' high school age and older who, in order to secure additional education, economic, and social benefits and who is enrolled in a part-time class for systemttic instruction in vocational agriculture is entitled to become and ranain an affili- ated member, While maintaining membership in such class, upon receiving a majority vote at any meeting of a
recognized affiliated chapter. Affiliated membership is ef'f'ective tor tbe year in which the part-time class is held •
Section D - Associate membership. Following the termination of active or affiliated manbership status a member auto- matically becomes an associate member.
Section E - Collegiate n:embership. This includes all trainees pre- paring to teach vocational agriculture and former
active F .F .A. members who are enrolled in the insti- tution.
Section F - Honorary membership. Instructors, school superin- tendents, principals, teachers, business men, farmers, and others who are helping to advance vocational agri- culture and the F.F.A. and who· have rendered outstand- ing service may be elected to honorary mem.bership by
a major! ty vote of the men:bers present at any regular meeting.
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Article IV - Emblem
Section A - The emblem of' the Future Fanners of .America shall be ne.de up of f'our symbols, namely: ( 1) the plow, repre-
senting the tillage of the soil, the basis of' modern agriculture; (2) the owl, representing wisdom; (3)': the rising sun, representing progress; and (4) a cross section of an ear of corn, representing con:mon agri- cultural interests, since corn is native to .America and is grown in every State. The emblEID. shall also carry the three letters "F.F.A." and the words "Voca- tional .Agriculture", and shall be surmounted by an eagle w1 th shield, arrows, and olive branch.
Section B - Emblems smll be uniform in all Associations and recognized units thereof' and all members shall be entitled to wear· the emblem. :
Section C - .All members holdihg the degree of' Green Hand are· an- ti tled to wear a bronze degree pin. All members holding the degree of' Future Farmer are entitled to wear a silver degree pin. All members elected to the degree of State Farmer are entitled to<~ar a gold degree charm. All members elected to the degree ot .Amari can Farmer are entitled to wear a gold degree key.
Section D - Members of affiliated chapters shall be entitled to wear a gold button or pin bearing the en:iblem superim- posed on a triangle. The words "economic", "social", and "educational" shall also appear thereon in the torm of a horseshoe and the name of' the State along . with the word "affiliated" shall appear below the
e:mb lem at the tip of' the triangle.
Section E - Members of' collegiate chapters shall be entitled to wear a special design bronze or gold emblem pin sup·er- imposed upon the breast of' an owl.
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Article V - Membership Grades and Privileges
Section A - There shall be five grades or degrees of active member- ship based upon achievement. These grades are:
( 1) Green Hand, ( 2) Future Farmer, ( 3) State Farmar, ( 4) "X" Farmer, and ( 5) .Amari can Farmer.
Minimum
Section B - Green Hand Degree./qualifications for election:
1. Be regularly enrolled in a class of vocational agriculture and have satis:f'actory and acceptable plans for a program of' supervised farming.
2. Be familiar with the purposes of the F.F.A. and the program of work of the local chapter~•.
3. Recite from manory the Creed of the Future Farnars of .America.
4. Receive a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting of a local chapter of the Future Faimers of .America.
Section C - Future Farmer Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:
1. Be regularly enrolled in a class of vocational agriculture
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have satisf'actorlly completed at least one year of instruction in vocational agriculture and have in operation an improved program of supervised f'armihg.2~ Have been an active member of the F.F.A. for at least one year and shown satisfactory participa- tion in the program of work of the local chapter.
3. Be familiar with the purposes and programs of work of the State am National F .F .A. Associa- tions.
4. Be thoroughly familiar with the provisions of the constitution of the local F.F.A. chapter.
5. Be able to lead a group discussion for :fifteen minutes.
6. Earn by his own effor_ts and deposit in a bank or otherwise productively invest at least $25.
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7. Receive a majority vote of the members present at a regular active local chapter meeting of the Future Farmers of .America.
Section D - State Farmer- Degree. Minimum qualifications for
·election:
1. Be regularly enrolled in vocational agriculture or have completed all voce.tiona.'l agricult\ll'e offered in his school; have satisfactorily com- pleted at least two yt=e.rs of systematic in- struction; and having in operation an outstand- ing progra:n or supervised farming.
2. Have been an active member of the F.F.A. for at least tv.o years, having held the degree of Future Farmer for at least one year.
3. Be familiar with the provisions or the National Or@'P.ni zat ion and 1 ts pro gram O'f work.
4. Be familiar with parliamentary procedure.
5. Be able to lead a group discussion for forty minutes and pass some occupational test pro- vided by the State Executive Comnittee.
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F.a.rn by his own efforts fran farming and other agricultural work and deposit in a bank or other- Wise productively invest at least $250.
Show leadership ability by having held responsible positions in connection with student, chapter, or community activities and as a member of the school judging team, debating team, or som other team representing the school.
B. Be in the uppar halt Of his class in scholarship in all school subjects during the entire period of secondary school instruct ion completed at time of application for State Farmer degree.
9. Must have pirticipated in an outstanding way in activities for community improvement and the development of agricultum.
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Section E - "X" Faxmer Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:
1. Complete satisfactorily at least three years of systematic instruction in vocational agriculture
(or all vocational agriculture offered in his school) and active F .F .A. manbership, having a well-developed supervised faming program in operation, showing comprehensive planning, con- tinuation, growth, and increase in scope as sub- stantiated by complete, accurate, and neat records.
2. Have continuous active F .F .A. membership status and hold the degree of State Farmer for at least one year.
3. Earn by his own efforts from farming or other agri- cultural work and deposit in a bank or otherwise productively invest at least $500. (In cases where the applicant has assisted in the support ot de- pendents, the amount so eX}>ended, in the judgment of the National Board of Trustees, may be con- sidered as an investment).
4. Show outstanding ability in leadership and co- operation.
5. Be in the upper half of his class in all school subjects during the entire period of his secondary school instruction.
6. Be reconmended by the National Board
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Trustees and receive a majority vote ot the delegates present at a National Cohvention of Future Fanners or America.Section F - .American Farmer Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:
1. Be continuously engaged in farming since receiving the "X" Farmer degree and success:fUlly established.
as a farm operator. .
2. Have continuous active membership status and hold the
"X" Fanner degree for at least two years previous to the National Convention at which nominated tor the .American Farmer degree. (Application must be made before the third national convention after applicant's graduation from or leaving high school).
3. Must not have reached his twenty-fifth birthday.
4. Be actively affiliated with some adult farm organiza- tion or son:e local agricultural cooperative enterprise.
5. F.arn by his own efforts f'rom fanning at least $1000.
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Article VI - Officers
Section A - The officers of the National Organization shall be a President, four Vice-Presidents (one from each admin-
is.trative region of the United States), a Student Secretary, an Executive Secretary, a Treasurer, a National Adviser, and four :regional advisers (one f'rom each of the four administrative regions). These officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective off ices and with the outgoing National President shall constitute the Board of Trustees of
the national organization. They shall have full authority and control over the organization subject only to such regulations and by-laws as may be adopted by tbe national organization of F.F.A. The officers of the national organization sl:e.11 be elected annually by a majority vote of the delegates at the annual national convention, except that the National Adviser shall be the Chief of the Agricultural Education Service of the Office of Education and the four Regional Advisers who shall be the four Regional Agents and the E:x:ecuti ve Secretary shall be a manber of that Service.
Section B - The officers of the State Associations shall consist of a President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Adviser, and Reporter. The State Supervisors of .Agri- cultural Education shall assume the responsibilities of State Adviser. An Executive Secretary or Executive Adviser from the State professional. staff may also be nanl.ed where necessary by the State Adviser subject to the approval of the State Executive Conmittee. All other State officers shall be elected annually by a major! ty vote of the delegates pre sent at a regular State Convention of Future Fa:rmers of .America.
Section C - Chapter officers shall consist of a President, Vice- Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Advis:er.
Other officers may be desigiated if desirable. The local. teacher of vocational agriculture shall assume responsibility. Officers of the local chapter shall be elected annually. or semi-annually at a regular meeting of the local chapter.
Section D - Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold ' any off ice except that of Adviser in the local chap~er,
that of Executive Secretary or Adviser in the State Association, and that of Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Advisers in the national organization. Exceptions to the provision are permitted during the first year of a State Association or chapter's existence.
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Section E - Only manbers who have been elected to the degree of
"X" Fanner a:m eligible to hold national off ice.
Two years after the State, Territorial, or Insular Association has been chartered all State, Territorial, or Insular officers shall have attained the State Farmer Degree. Officers in the local chapters must not rank lower than the grade of Future Farmer after the chapter has been established in any given school for one year or longer.
Article VII - Meetings
Section A - A national convention of Future Farmers of America shall be held annually. The time and place shall b~
determined by the National Board of Trustees.
Section B - The several State, Territorial, or Insular conventions shall be held annually and at least 30 days prior to the national convention at a time and place to be deter- mined upon by the State, Territorial, or Insular Execu-
tive Comini ttee.
Section C - Local chapters shall hold thai r meetings monthly or more of'ten throughout the calendar year and at such time and place as may be decided upon by the Executive Conmi ttee of the local chapter.
Section D - Each State, Territorial, o.r IDsular Association is entitled to send two delegates from the active member- ship to the national. convention.
Section E - Each local chapter aball be anti tled to send two dele- gates from the active nembership to the State, Terri- torial, or Insular convention.
Article VIII - Dues
Section A - Annual membership dues in the national organization shall be fixed by the National Board of Trustees on the basis ot a bud~t submitted by said Trustees and approved by a majority vote of the delegates present at the National Convention of Future Farmers of .America.
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Section B - Annual membership dues in Associations shall be fixed by the Executive Conmittee, subject to approval by a majority vote of the delegates present at the $tate, Territorial, or Inwlar Convention of Future Farmers of .America.
Section C - The dues of any chapter shall be f'ixed by a major! ty vote of the manbership of that chapter.
Article IX - .Amendments
Section A - Proposed amendments to the national constitution may be submitted in w.ri:ting by authorized representatives of State Associations at any annual national convention of Future Farmers of .America. These proposed amendments must be reviewed by the National Board of Trustees
which shall, in turn, submit thEIIl to the delegates in national convention with recommendations. .Amend- me,nts may be adopted or revisions n:ade in the national
constitution at any mtional convention by a two-thirds vote of the delegates pre sent.
Section B - By-Laws may be adopted to :fit the needs of the national organization or any unit thereof, providing they are not in conflict with the State or National Constitution.
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BY - LAWS
FUTURE F.AJM]RS OF .AMERICA
Article I - Duties of the National Officers
Section A - The President.tq~t shall be the duty of the President to preside over;national convention of Future Farmers ot .America and over all meetings ot the national Board of Trustees. The President shall call one national convention each year on such date and at such place as shall be fixed by a majority vote of' the Board of Trustees. The President shall appoint all committees and may serve as an ex-off'ici o meni>er of these com- mittees.
Section B - Vic a-Presidents. It shall be the duty of the four Vice-Presidents, acting under the direction of' the President, to look after the welfare of the F .F .A.
organization in the four administrative regions of the country. In case the office of President becomes vacant by resignation or otherwise, the first Vice- President shall assume his duties, followed in turn, if occasion demands, by the Second, Third, and Fourth Vice-Presidents in the order named.
Section C - The Student Secretary. 'l'h.e -stttdent Secretary shall perform the duties conman to such an office, such as keeping an accure te record of the sessions of the national convention and of the meetings of the Board ot Trustees, one copy of which shall be given to the Executive Secretary f'or the permanent tiles and one
copy kept f'or bis own files. He shall perform such other duties as he is directed to perform by the Board ot Trustees or by the Executive Secretary.
Section D - The AdViser is an ex-officio member of all committees and Chaima.n of the Natio:cal Advisory council. It is also his duty to advise the Board of Trustees, delegates, and committee on matters
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policy, and assist thenational officers in conducting meetings and carrying out programs. The Adviser reviews all applications f'or the .American Farner degree and prepares a brief ot the qualifications or the candidates to be submitted to the national Board of' Trustees with his reco:nmenda- tions.
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Section E - The Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary shall act as agent of the national Board of Trustees. He shall issue charters to States, Territories, or Insular pos- sessions when ordered to do so by the Board and shall act as agent for the organization including the keeping of records of the membership and progress. He shall re- ceive all reports from Associations, report their stand- ing, and inform the national Board of Trustees of any proceedings which appear to be in conflict with the pro- visions of the national constitution. He shall submit a budget of proposed expenditures to the Board of Trustees annually. He shall be in charge of arrangements for the annual national convention and may perform such other duties as directed by the National Board of Trustees.
Section F - The Trea'surer. The Treasurer shall act as custodian of the funds of the organization; collect national dues;
keep an accurate record of all receipts, bank deposits, and disbursements; imke an annual report on such matters at the national convention and such other supplementary reports as may be directed by the Board of Trustees.
He shall pay out of the trea su.ry such tunds as are
ordered pa.id by the Board of Trustees on checks counter- signed by the President. He shall furnish a complete audit to be reviewed by the Auditing Committee along with an annual bank statement signed by an officer of the bank in which the funds are kept. He shall furnish a suitable bond, tbe amount to be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
Article II - National Advisory Council
~· There shall be a National Advisory Council of the Future Farm.9rs of America composed of: four State Supervisors of Agricul- tural Education, one from each of the four adm.iliistrative regions, elected annually; at the time of the Regional Conferences, the four Regional .Agents tor agricultural education of the Office of Education;
and the National Adviser who shall act as Chairman of the Council.
The National Advisory Council shall cooperate w1 th and serve in an advisory capacity to the national adviser of the F .F .A., assist with the administrative direction of the organization, and interpret the national constitution or the F.F.A.
The National Advisory Council shall possess the power to approve actions of the national Boar.d of Trustees and the dele- gates to the National Convention.
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Article III - Conmittees
The President of the Future Farmers of .America shal~
appoint three committees annually: the Nominating Committee; the Audi ting Comni ttee; and the Committee on Program of Work. other comnittees may be appointed as necessary.
The Nominating Committee shall, after careful considera- tion of the Future Farmers of .Amari ca personnel, place in nomination the candidates for the various national offices.
The Audi ting Comni ttee shall audit the books of the Treasurer.
The CODJlli ttee on Program of Work shall set up the annual objectives and goals of the national organization and suggest ways and means of attaining them.
Article IV - Reports to the National Executive Secretary :Each State, Territorial, or Insular Association Secretary shall submit the following inf'ormat ion to the National E:xecuti ve Secretary:
l. A list of the newly elected .Association officers immediately following each State Convention.
2. A report on any changes in or amendments to the Association constitution and by-laws immediately following each Association Convention.
3. A list of official delegates to the national con- vention at least two weeks prior to the convention.
4. An annual Associ a:tion report on forms furnished by the national Ex:ecutive Secretary, giving such data on status, activities, and progress as may be deemed advisable and cal.led tor by the National Board of Trustees. The F.F.A. year shall be July l to June 30.
Article V - Procedure for Electing National Officers
.A Nominating Committee, consisting of two members from each of the four administrative regions and one at large, shall study and review the qµalif"ica t ions of" all nember s under co nsi dera- tion for mtional office. This conmittee shall report duriDg the national convention. Election of officers which shall be by ballot shall require a majority vote of the delegates present.
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The President and the Student Secretary shall be elected f'rom the membership at large, but shall not be elected f'rom. the same administrative region tor two successive years.
The election of Vice-Presidents shall follow a seniority cycle. The region from which the Second Vice-President comes during the current year shall be entitled to a First Vice-President the succeeding year and so on for the other regions.
Article VI - Procedure for Issuing Charters to Assoc! ations
States shall apply through the national Executive Secre- tary for affiliation w1 th tte Future Far.mars of .America organization, using the form. provided. Such applications shall be signed by the President, Secretary, and Adviser. The following.materials shall accompany the application f'or Association charter:
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1. A copy of' the proposed constitution and by-laws.
2. A copy of the annual program of work.
3. A complete list of local chapters, with statement of' active membersh~p of each.
4. A list of the Association officers, with name, grade of' menb ershi:p, and address of' each.
5. A ranittance of $5.00 to cover cost of charter and engraving.
A charter shall be granted by the national Board ot Trustees upon such application, provided the proposed Association constitution is not in conflict with the national constitution of the Future Farmers of' .America, such charter to be signed by the national President and by the national Executive Secretary.
The delegates at any annual national convention shall have the power to suspend assoalation charters upon receipt ot evidence of infringen:ent on provisions ot the national constitu- tion •
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Article VII - Procedure for Determining Standing of State Associations and Members
An Association of F.F.A. shall be considered in good standing with the national organization of Future Farmers of .America when the following conditions are met:
1. All current annual national dues paid into the national treasury on a date specified by the national Board of Trustees.
2. All reports submitted to the national Executive Secretary as re que,sted.
3. Association constitution not in conflict with the national constitution in any of its pro- visions.
An active member shall be considered in good standing when he attends local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity,
shows
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interest in and takes part in the affairs Of the Chapter, and pays his dues regularly.In case any State Constitution will not allow discrim- ination between sexes in secondary school organization, exception will be made where the State F.F.A. Association furnishes the national organization With a written and signed opinion of the State Attorney General to the effect that such a condition exists
· in said constitution provided the activities of female members be limited to the specific State concerned and that no national dues be collected from female .students.
In ease any Association is not in good standing for a period of twelve months, prior to the national convention, the delegates in national convention shall have the power, upon recom- mendation Of the national Board Of Trustees, to withdraw Or suspend the charter and re:f'Use .such Association official representation at
the. annual. national convention. When, and if', such action is taken,
the Association in question and chapters thereof shall be denied the regular privileges enjoyed by Associations and chapters. By meeting the requirements for good standing a State Association may· be reinstated at any time by act ion of the National Board ot Trustees.
Article VIII - Procedure for Choosing Candidates for the American Farmer Degree
Section A - Associations may submit one candidate for the .American Farm.er Degree for each 1,000 members in the Association, or major fraction thereof.
Section B - Election to the degree of .American Farmer shall be from the candidates at large.
Section C - The national Board of Trustees shall formulate a score card for selecting candidates for the Degree. Copies of the score card shall be sent to each Sta ta Adviser at least three months prior to the national convention.
Section D - Applications for the Degree shall be forwarded by the State Adviser so as to reach the National Adviser on September 1 prior to the national convention of F.F.A.
at which time the application wi 11 be considered.
Section E - Neatly compiled applications conforming to regulation guide forms prepared and distributed by the national Executive Secretary- must be submitted and accanpanied by complete accurate records of the supervised fanning program condlJ. cted by the candidate.
