Volume 7, Issue 4 October-December 2002
For more information, visit our website at www.ffa.org.
Convention 2002:
“Taking Volunteers By Storm”
By J. Frank Saldaña
WOW! The 2002 National FFA Alumni Convention was a GRAND Success.
Convention week began with the delegate dinner on Monday night. Here 2002 Alumni Council members mingled with student delegates and heard from them on several issues facing the National FFA Organization. Next came the Reflections of Excellence, the kickoff event at the 75th National FFA Convention. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali made an inspiring, surprise appearance during Reflections. Blowing kisses to the audience, he received a standing ova- tion from a sold-out crowd.
The opening session for the National FFA Alumni Convention commenced with President Cindy Ettestad calling the meeting to order. Dr. Larry Case, National FFA Advisor, brought greetings and praised the Council for their renewed energy and com- mitment to the FFA. Keynote speaker Rick Rigsby addressed the group with a powerful message on the importance of volunteerism.
He also recognized the vital role FFA Alumni members play in the success of today’s youth.
The main event of the morning session was the awarding of a record $87,000 in incentives to Alumni members and their affil- iates. By being a part of the National FFA Alumni Association, Alumni members, state and local affiliates, and their FFA chapters are eligible for leadership scholarships, awards, rebates, chapter grants, and educa- tional scholarships.
Finally, the long-awaited business session arrived. The afternoon session began with Rick Metzger’s message on “Going Beyond the Blue and Gold.” A total of 135 state dele- gates selected the National FFA Alumni Association’s new leadership for the 2002- 2003 year. The newly elected officers are listed at left. Delegates also passed all the amendments to the National FFA Alumni Association’s constitution and bylaws.
(A complete listing of the awards recipients can be found on pages 4-5).
2002-2003 Election Results
• President, Pam Jumper, Arkansas
• Vice President, Dale Beaty, Wisconsin
• Member-At-Large, Sonny Deke, Iowa
• Member-At-Large, Monte Ladner, Mississippi
C A L E N D A R
Year 2003
Deadlines listed below are postmark dates.
June 15
State Leaders Conference Early Bird Registration July 1
Outstanding Affiliate, Outstanding Achievement Applications and Scrapbooks Council Nomination Applications
July 15
Auction Items to Appear in Catalog July 22-26
State Leaders Conference Corpus Christi, Texas August 15
Legion of Merit Applications Rosters Due to the National Office to Qualify for Awards
Drawing Recipients Announced New/Reactivating Affiliate $1000 Drawing
Cleveland FFA Alumni Association Cleveland, Texas
Polaris ATV Drawing Carol Spruill
Georgia
American Degree $1000 Drawing Kevin Turner
Michigan
State Basket Contest Winners Best Overall – Winner of $450 Washington Leadership Conference Scholarship
Oregon FFA Alumni Association President’s Choice – Winner of $125 Registration Fee for 2003 State Leaders Conference
Georgia FFA Alumni Association
People’s Choice – Winner of 100 Tickets for 2003 John Deere Gator Raffle Arkansas FFA Alumni Association
(Top): Changing of the guard: Cindy Ettestad and Pam Jumper. (Bottom): Dr. Rick Rigsby speaks on how volunteerism enhances society.
Volume 7, Issue 4 October-December 2002 FFA Alumni New Visionsis 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.
The official address for the National FFA Alumni Association is
6060 FFA Drive, P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
(317) 802-4292 bhaig@ffa.org
❧
National FFA Alumni Council President, Pam Jumper, Arkansas 177 Greene Rd. 721 • Paragould, AR 72450
Vice President, Dale Beaty, Wisconsin 8215 N. Ridge Trail, Milton, WI 53563-8708
Past President, Cindy Ettestad, Oregon P.O. Box 262 • Molalla, OR 97038
Western Region Representative, Pam Gilmore, Oregon Central Region Representative, TBD Southern Region Representative, Norman Gay, Georgia
Eastern Region Representative, John Cash, Virginia
Past National FFA Officer, Ronnie Simmons, Florida Past National FFA Officer, Abbie Kammerzell, Washington
National FFA Representative, A.J. Davis, Georgia National FFA Representative, TBD Member-At-Large, Sonny Deke, Iowa Member-At-Large, Monte Ladner, Mississippi NASAE Representative, Toni Gilmore, Oregon
NAAE Representative, TBD AAAE Representative, Dr. Jim Knight, Arizona
Ex-Officio Members:
National FFA Advisor, Dr. Larry Case National FFA Alumni Executive Director, J. Frank Saldaña
CORRESPONDENCE:Address all correspondence to FFA Alumni New Visions, 6060 FFA Drive, P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
❧
Petra Communications Production and Editorial Consultant
© 2002 by the National FFA Alumni Association
A Child’s Imagination
What an honor it is for me just to be a memberof the National FFA Alumni Council. Who would have ever thought I would eventually be the president of the national association? It has been a dream of mine since high school when I was an FFA member, even in college
when I was the president of the collegiate FFA chap- ter. As my career moved me to Arkansas, I became involved with the Greene County Tech FFA Alumni and later was elected as the Arkansas FFA Alumni president. Eventually, my high school dream became a reality.
We all have dreams about our future. “A child’s imagination is their future.
A child’s future is their imagination.”If you were at the Alumni Convention business meeting, you may have heard me say that my 11-year-old son Isaac believes that when he grows up that he will be catcher or second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. Our life revolves around baseball and softball in the summertime. Emma, my soon-to-be nine- year-old, thought at the convention I would be CROWNEDPresident. Well that dream came true as I did get a crown and flowers. I felt like Miss America! After a lonely six- hour drive home, I was greeted to “mommy we missed you so much” and “…did you bring us anything”; Tom, Isaac, Emma, and I settled in for family time with a movie. We happened to watch The Rookie, a true story about Jimmy Morris, who fulfilled his dream to play major league baseball. During the movie when he asked his dad for advice on whether to try out for the major leagues, his dad replied,“It’s okay to think about what you want to do, until it is time to start doing what you were meant to do.” That statement really reminded me about my life and priorities.
We all are blessed with a gift(s), whether it is leadership, administration, teaching, knowl- edge, service, giving, hospitality, wisdom, discernment, and the like. If any, some, or all of these gifts are characteristics you pos- sess, and you’re not using your gift to your fullest ability, you’re not only cheating your- self, but someone in your life that you may or may not have met. By using our gifts or talents, we have the ability to turn a child or
adult’s imagination into reali- ty. May we never forget to use our talents or gifts at home, then follow by work- ing our way into the schools and/or community. Isaac may not play baseball for the St.
Louis Cardinals and Emma may not be a veterinarian, but for now, their imagina- tions for the future drive them to do their best. If you asked them what does mommy always tell you to do, the answer would be
“Always be nice to everybody and always do the best you can.” As a parent, leader, or vol- unteer, please be aware of needs around you and offer your gift or talent.
The Alumni working with the FFA and Volunteerism Program will increase our membership and financial resources and allow us to share our collective gifts in a greater way with students. A goal of last year’s National FFA Alumni President, Cindy Ettestad, was “to have an Alumni member for every FFA member.” This should still be our goal as ultimately the stu- dents involved in agricultural education pro- grams at their local schools are the ones to reap the benefits. We make impressions on people and their lives, sometimes without ever knowing it, but especially when we share our gifts and talents with them. Every generation of Alumni members is responsible to preserve agricultural education in
America. After all, that is our mission.
Pam Jumper
National FFA Alumni President
“As a parent, leader, or volunteer, please be aware
of needs around you and offer your gift or talent.
By using our gifts or talents, we have the ability to
turn a child or adult’s imagination into reality.”
We make impressions on people and their lives, sometimes without ever knowing
it, but especially when we share our gifts and talents with them.
Every generation of Alumni members is responsible to preserve agricultural education
in America. After all, that is our mission.
The Outstanding Achievement Award is the National FFA Alumni Association’s high- est award presented to an individual.
The purpose of this award is to recognize FFA Alumni members for outstanding service to agricultural education, the FFA and American agriculture. This is a very prestigious award. No more than three awards can be pre- sented on the national level in a given year.
Dale Glass, Georgetown, KY
Dale Glass has been a life member of the Scott County Alumni since 1983. He has served as vice president, president and past president of the affiliate. For his service to the local FFA chapter, Dale received the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree and Outstanding Service Award. His farm has served as a cooperative training site for stu- dents interested in production agriculture, farm shop and the commercial fencing industry. Dale has allowed FFA members to board and raise their show animals on his farm’s facilities. He has provided show or training equipment and personal financing with no interest to members for the purchase and operating costs of show animal super- vised agricultural experience programs. He has given of his own time to train and instruct students or transport their show ani- mals to fairs. He has assisted the chapter with speaking events and shows, recreational cookouts and parties, a food drive, a health and safety expo and a fire safety day. Dale has spearheaded the Alumni and FFA efforts in a U.S. Marine and fire department “Toy for Tots” program and the 9/11 fund-raising efforts, which resulted in a $1,000 contribu- tion to families of fire fighters killed in the terrorist events. Dale has been very active in almost every fund-raiser for the affiliate. He helped with the purchase of a concession trailer, spending long hours outfitting it, storing and transporting it to functions. Dale provided the leadership in organizing a golf scramble that raised $4,500 for the affiliate.
In total, Dale has spent between 4,000 to 5,000 hours in support of the FFA and Alumni over the years.
Statewide, Dale has judged regional competitions and assisted in the founding of four new Alumni affiliates in Kentucky. He has conducted four outreach programs on the benefits of Alumni for state FFA
Advisors. He has been active in the University of Kentucky (UK), speaking to student teachers at seminars on the FFA and FFA Alumni. He has provided his farm for social events hosted by the UK Agricultural Education Society. Nationally, Dale has served as a delegate to and worker at nation- al Alumni conventions, assisting with the silent auction set-up, monitoring and dis- semination of buyer items. He has been part of the Scott County Alumni affiliate’s collec- tion of over 500 items for the last three auc- tions and personally has donated several of them. He has received the Legion of Merit Award for the last two years.
F. Mac Hodges, Washington, NC Mac Hodges has served agricultural education and the FFA as president of his local affiliate. He has also organized and coordinated the local FFA/Alumni Golf Tournament that raised thousands of dollars to aid FFA members with scholarship assis- tance. He has also coordinated efforts for a Farm Toy Show on the Alumni’s behalf for the city of Washington, NC. This show raised over $10,000 for the local FFA chap- ter over the last two years. On a state level, Mac has served as North Carolina’s Alumni president for the last 12 years. During this time, state alumni membership has increased annually. He helped to organize statewide sponsorships, including a silent auction which will be conducted at the North Carolina FFA
Convention. Mac has served as the Eastern Region
Representative, President Elect, President and Past President of National FFA Alumni
Association. During this time, he has flown or driven to 14 different states to represent interests of agricultural education or the FFA Alumni whether through speaking engagements or board assignments.
Joyce Sayre, Milan, MO
Joyce Sayre was a charter member of the Milan, MO, FFA Alumni and served as affil- iate secretary for almost five years. On a local level, she has been very involved with the affiliate scrapbook, which earned recognition both on a state and national level. Joyce also assisted with two local fund-raisers: wood cutting days and the Alumni tractor pull.
She has also provided transportation for stu- dents attending the state and national con- ventions and interviewed students applying for local chapter officer. On a state level, Joyce is currently serving her eleventh year on the Missouri Alumni Council. She has served as state president and assistant secre- tary-treasurer for the Missouri Alumni Association. She was instrumental in initiat- ing the new state Outstanding Affiliate Award and in reorganizing the state associa- tion after it considered disbanding in 1997.
Nationally, Joyce is a life member and has been both a delegate to the national conven- tion and a Legion of Merit recipient for 16 years. She in turn served on a national committee to revise the Legion of Merit Award. Joyce received the Alumni Blue Blazer award for Missouri in 1990 for the largest increase in members. She also co-authored an article on the importance of the Alumni to the FFA for the National Agricultural Educationmagazine.
Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients
Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients:
Joyce Sayre, Milan, MO (top), F. Mac Hodges, Washington, NC (middle) and Dale Glass, Georgetown, KY (bottom).
Outstanding Affiliate Award Recipients
Top Rated Affiliates
1. Denmark FFA Alumni, Denmark, WI 2. Scott County FFA Alumni, Georgetown, KY 3. Oconto Falls FFA Alumni, Oconto Falls, WI Gold
Greene County Tech FFA Alumni, Paragould, AR Sebring FFA Alumni, Sebring, FL
Miller County FFA Alumni, Colquitt, GA Scott County FFA Alumni, Georgetown, KY Denmark FFA Alumni, Denmark, WI Oconto Falls FFA Alumni, Oconto Falls, WI Mauston FFA Alumni, Mauston, WI Silver
Hill City FFA Alumni, Hill City, KS WaKeeney FFA Alumni, Ogallah, KS Cherryvale FFA Alumni, Cherryvale, KS Washington FFA Alumni, Washington, KS Central City FFA Alumni, Central City, NE Raymond Central FFA Alumni, Raymond, NE Bronze
Maquoketa FFA Alumni, Maquoketa, IA Apollo FFA Alumni, Owensboro, KY
Lowell Agriculture Supporters FFA Alumni, Lowell, MI Clinton FFA Alumni, Clinton, MO
Park FFA Alumni, Livingston, MT
South Rowan FFA Alumni, China Grove, NC Pettisville FFA Alumni, Pettisville, OH Culleoka FFA Alumni, Culleoka, TN Columbus FFA Alumni, Columbus, TX Northumberland FFA Alumni, Heathsville, VA
Scrapbook Award Recipients
Top Rated Affiliates
1. Greene County Tech FFA Alumni, Paragould, AR 2. Alliance FFA Alumni, Alliance, NE
3. Cherryvale FFA Alumni, Cherryvale, KS Gold
Greene County Tech FFA Alumni, Paragould, AR Miller County FFA Alumni, Colquitt, GA Cherryvale FFA Alumni, Cherryvale, KS Scott County FFA Alumni, Georgetown, KY Alliance FFA Alumni, Alliance, NE
Silver
Emerson FFA Alumni, Emerson, AR Blackhawk FFA Alumni, South Wayne, WI Denmark FFA Alumni, Denmark WI Bronze
Fort Valley State FFA Alumni, Fort Valley, GA Columbus FFA Alumni, Columbus, TX
Convention Snapshot
Blue Blazer Recipients
State FFA Alumni presidents, or their designees, were eligible to receive a blazer, if the state association increased its membership by 100 or more members from the previous year.
Sponsored by Ace Nut & Bolt
Georgia Blane Marable
Illinois Carl Dillow
Kentucky Charlie Hamilton
Missouri Don Beaty
North Carolina Bruce Miller Wisconsin Victoria Harter
Local Chapter Grant Recipients
Claxton FFA GA $1,000.00
Colchester FFA IL $1,000.00
Eldorado FFA IL $1,000.00
Centre FFA KS $953.00
Apollo FFA KY $1,000.00
Scott County FFA KY $1,000.00
Shelby County FFA KY $1,000.00
Smith Valley FFA NV $745.00
Riverside FFA TN $1,000.00
Turner Ashby FFA VA $929.08
Heritage FFA WA $1,000.00
Black River Falls WI $1,000.00
Cambridge FFA WI $1,000.00
Clear Lake FFA WI $1,000.00
Janesville Craig FFA WI $1,000.00
Sauk Prairie FFA WI $999.50
Stoughton FFA WI $975.00
Suring FFA WI $1,000.00
Tigerton FFA WI $1,000.00
Washington Middle FFA WI $898.00
TOTAL $19,499.58
Convention Snapshot
Future FFA and Alumni member, Cody Bliss, drives the John Deere Gator at the Live Auction.
Name State Years
Jeff Agnew WI 1
Diane Amera WI 1
Darlene Arneson WI 1
John Arneson WI 1
Sam Atherton KS 6
Floyd Behnke WI 4
Thelma Behnke WI 1
Keith Bentz IL 1
Ed Brandt WI 1
Sherry Brinkley MO 3
Bonda Burton KY 4
Mary Buschette MN 2
Tracy Cecil KY 5
George Dolly IL 1
Mary Jane Down IL 1
Dale Glass KY 2
Robin Glass KY 2
Greg Gosen MN 1
LuAnn GoterND 2
Charlie Hamilton KY 2 Kenneth R. Harter WI 2 Victoria M. Harter WI 2
Paul Hazaert WI 1
Robert Hethke IL 1
Darrell Hines WI 11
Patrick Igl WI 1
Ronald KaiserWI 10
Dianne Kegley WI 1
Bill KittingerIL 1
Sally KittingerIL 1
Cheryl Konitzer WI 1
Karen Kutz WI 1
Fran Ladlie MN 1
Don Lang WI 1
Eric Larsen WI 1
Gary Loschen IL 1
Lisa Lucas KY 1
Alison Lyons KY 1
Debbie Marshall KY 4
Kathy Morton WI 1
Casey Mulberry KY 1
Sue Neilsen MN 1
Gale Nelson MN 1
Lynn Nelson MN 1
Sam Newcomb KY 1
Brenda Oldfield KY 6
Andrea Ostrom MN 1
Susie Rabas WI 1
Beth Ray IL 1
Joyce E. Sayre MO 18
Harold Seebecker WI 14 Janice SeebeckerWI 10 Kenneth Seering WI 29 Donald C. Southworth WI 11 Johnny R. Story KY 12
Name State Years
Linda J. Story KY 11
Julie TaylorMO 5
Jennifer Thompson WI 2 Larry Thorndyke IL 1 Lesley VanGroll WI 1
Jason WebsterIL 1
Don Wick MN 2
Deb Wilson IL 1
Dean Yandry WI 1
Marvin Ziner MN 2
Alan Bruns OH 1
Dawn Burbank VA 1
Tabby Cook VA 1
Jill Craun VA 1
Doris Disher OH 2
Les DisherOH 2
Matthew Earman VA 1
Jeff Ellis OH 3
Marilyn Esbenshade OH 2
Aaron Eye VA 1
Byron Fulk VA 1
Ashley Good VA 1
Dena Henney OH 1
Debbie Herrington OH 1
Jane Johnson OH 1
Jeff KoehlerOH 2
Cindy Koontz VA 1
Kate MeyerOH 1
Brian Nethers OH 1
Lisa Oglesby OH 1
Nancy Pennington OH 3 Andrea Plaugher VA 2
John Poulson OH 1
Lexie Poulson OH 6
John Pugh VA 1
Judy RinglerOH 2
Joshua Runion VA 2
Vicky Ryan OH 2
Rachel Marie Simmers VA 1 Ellery W. Sinclair CT 5
Jim Spiess OH 1
William H. Teague NC 30 Richard Tiebout OH 1
Sara Tusing VA 1
Jo Ellen Vance OH 3
Nancy Volovski CT 2
David Wine VA 1
Frankie Allen FL 7
John Barnes GA 7
Shirley Carte FL 11
Larry Cupp AR 2
Walter Daniels GA 1
Name State Years
Garnet Dasher FL 1
John Divine TN 1
John Driggers FL 8
Erin East CT 2
Jim East GA 2
Sandra East GA 1
Charlie Ervin TN 1
Greg Fischer AR 1
Sandy Fryar AR 2
Charles Fullen AR 3
Karen Hamilton FL 1
Judy Hickman TN 1
Denise Hines FL 1
Tricia Hobbs TN 1
Jerry Huter FL 10
Pam JumperAR 3
Gary Lee FL 11
Amanda Long GA 1
Bill Lott GA 1
Sharon McCall FL 9
Dale McCord TN 1
Kathryn McInnis FL 9
Don McKee TN 1
Chris Mullinax GA 2
Theda Newberry AR 3
Sandra Potts TN 1
Kathy Richardson TN 1 Millie SchneiderFL 1
Billy Sims TN 2
Robert “Eddie” Tosh TN 1
Brenda Waller AR 1
Walt Westcott FL 3
Sherry Whitaker GA 1 Rozier Wingate Jr. GA 3
Bob Anderson MT 1
Barry Bannon MT 1
Eleanor Bossert MT 1
Ashley Parker OK 1
Central Region
Legion of Merit Award Recipients
Eastern Region
Southern Region
Western Region
Rick Metzger, Past Alumni President and National FFA Officer, serves
as a ringman at the auction.
Listed to the right are some key activities that might inspire
you in supporting your local program, its students, advisor(s), and FFA chapter.
Scott County FFA Alumni Offers Ideas to Support Your Local Program
For the past two years, the Scott County, Kentucky, FFA Alumni affiliate has received an award for being one of the top three most successful affiliates in the nation. The affiliate has about 140 annual members with 26 additional life mem- bers. Since 1974, Scott County Alumni members have consis- tently supported the local pro- gram through their efforts.
Listed below are some of the Scott County affiliate’s key activities, which are pro- vided as a service in hopes that they might inspire you in sup- porting your local program, its students, advisor(s), and the FFA chapter.
Because of the efforts of the affiliate’s members, Alumni membership increased by five percent in 2001.
Instructional Activities The activities below include those con- ducted for students or FFA members.
■ Began a mentor program for
“at-risk” students
■ Arranged an orientation session on USDA programs
■ Conducted speech training workshops
■ Provided livestock showman- ship and grooming training
■ Assisted in training the agri- cultural issues CDE* team
■ Provided equine training and judging instruction
■ Conducted water quality training workshop and instruction
■ Conducted soil conservation workshop
■ Provided instruction in small animal operation
* CDE stands for career development event.
Cooperative Activities These activities below include those conducted in cooperation with the FFA chapter.
■ Participated in a Cancer Society “Relay for Life”
■ Conducted a “Toys for Tots”
holiday toy drive
■ Sponsored community Health and Safety Expo
■ Awarded $9,000 in scholar- ships to graduating FFA members
■ Sponsored FFA members to Made for Excellence work- shops and Washington Leadership Conference
■ Participated in community Fire Safety Day
■ Funded trip expenses to national convention for FFA members
■ Judged chapter career devel- opment events
■ Sponsored chapter involve- ment in National Safety Conference
■ Sponsored an organization in Ecuador that is patterned after the FFA Alumni Fund-raising Activities These activities below were conduct- ed to help finance FFA or Alumni affiliate activities.
■ Raised $11,000 through concessions at Community Pumpkinfest
■ Catered dinner for local Southern States Cooperative
■ Catered luncheon for Garth School reunion
■ Sold concessions for commu- nity Independence Day event
■ Provided concessions for Toyota company picnic
■ Conducted candy bar sales drive
■ Provided concessions for Farm Bureau machine auction
■ Sold concessions for Kentucky Colonel Lamb Show
■ Catered luncheon for Thoroughbred RC&D Southeast U.S. Regional Meeting
Social Activities
These activities below were conduct- ed to create a bond of fellowship between the FFA and Alumni.
■Conducted joint winter bowling party
■Held summer cookout and game party
■Hosted fun night dinner and dance
■Hosted a national conven- tion awards party
■Held a pre-prom party for FFA members
■Served dinner for Greenhands and families
■Hosted a state convention dinner for FFA members
■Conducted a joint ski trip Recruitment Activities These activities below were conducted either to recruit members for the chapter or affiliate.
■Published articles in local, regional and school newspapers
■Conducted a meeting on how to start affiliates for regional FFA advisors at leadership conference
■Distributed annual reports to affiliate members and guests
■Promoted Alumni and FFA on local and regional radio and television programs
■Created a window display in local banks and businesses promoting activities
■Presented program of activi- ties to Greenhand candidates and families
■Maintained informational Internet website on Alumni activities
For more information on the Scott County Alumni’s activities, contact Charlie Hamilton at 502-857-4757 or Brenda Oldfield at 502-863-2056.
A mong F riends
Saldaña Discusses Focus, Programs
New Visions recently interviewed the new executive director J. Frank Saldaña about his position, the empha- sis he brings to the job, and a host of other issues facing the National FFA Alumni Association.
What do you see as the main focus of the National FFA Alumni Association in the near future?
First, let’s clarify our role as an associa- tion. Alumni members are a part of an association that belongs to a whole support network both at the state and national level.
Our goal will be to extend that network to the local level as much as possible. I see the FFA Alumni doing what it can to support agricultural education at a national, state, and local level.
What input have you received from state leaders in support of that effort?
At our recent State Leaders Conference in Florida, we held a workshop that gathered the input of leaders as to where they see the organization in 5-10 years.
Their suggestions can be grouped in five general areas:
■ increasing the knowledge of association benefits
■ increasing the communication between all levels of the association, especially with state staff who are the key influ- encers in the success of the Alumni at a state and local level
■ enhancing membership benefits
■ increasing recognition at the national level for volunteerism
■ providing training on volunteerism management
How will you address the state leaders concerns?
Working at the FFA Center in manag- ing leadership conferences and com- munity volunteerism efforts has allowed me to build a positive, proactive approach with
state staff. Because I already possess a work- ing knowledge of the FFA and a rapport with state leaders, effective lines of commu- nication already exist. That quality in itself will be indispensable and will make it easier for the national association to initiate new programs that address these five key areas.
How does the National FFA Alumni Council plan to address these five key issues raised by state leaders?
National staff and Council members plan to meet in the future to begin a strategic planning process to address these concerns raised by state leaders. In the inter- im, Alumni members and leaders can visit our website or send us feedback at fsaldana@ffa.org.
What do you see as the key areas that need to be addressed immediately?
We hope to establish a data bank of successful ideas used by affiliates to build success for teachers, students, and communities. We hope to tap affiliates, state staff, and members in accomplishing this task.
A portion of your position will focus on volunteerism. What key initiatives do you feel are needed to address this area?
First, our main focus will be providing tools to Alumni and local teachers to assist them in managing resources. Having been a teacher, I know that the demands on a teacher’s schedule means she or he will need to work smarter, not just harder. To assist local teachers and community volun- teers, we hope to provide workshops on vol- unteer management at agricultural education teacher conferences, produce a volunteer management manual, and collect successful volunteerism promising practices.
Ultimately, we hope that this approach will assist teachers in starting local affili- ates, increase membership, and strengthen our influence in support of agricultural education.
Why is volunteerism so important to local affiliates and teachers?
Let me explain by offering an example from when I was a teacher. When I
taught I did everything: chaperoned, initiat- ed new programs, trained my students for career development events and so on. Yes, the program was successful, but when I left the school district, the program experienced a decline. The reason this occurred was because no support network existed to con- tinue the program after I was gone. What I needed as an instructor was community vol- unteers with expertise in key areas to assist me in establishing a foundation for the pro- gram. In essence, I needed to become more of a manager of resources; that’s the key to becoming a successful teacher. The volun- teerism outreach will offer teachers tools to build that support network, so they can become a manager of resources and focus on teaching students.
Why is volunteerism important to the national association?
Let me start by explaining that these two elements of my position are inseparable. Alumni members are volun- teers and volunteers can be Alumni mem- bers. By focusing on volunteerism as a means to building our local support net- work for programs and teachers, we have access to more avenues to accomplish our goals. There are a lot of grants for volun- teerism on a national level.
We hope to partner with other organi- zations that have been successful in creating volunteer networks. Expanding our volun- teer network beyond the traditional bound- aries will allow teachers and programs to access a larger support base if they want and need it. We plan to pursue national recogni- tion for Alumni volunteer efforts through organizations such as the Points of Light Foundation.
Q A
Q A
Q A
Q A
Q A
Q A
Q A
To offer feedback or comments, contact J. Frank Saldaña at
fsaldana@ffa.org.
Q
A
National FFA Alumni Association Future Farmers of America 6060 FFA Drive
P.O. Box 68960
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID DAYTON, OHIO PERMIT NO. 375
Newsletter
Record $87,000 Awarded in Alumni Incentive Programs
Why be part of the National FFA Alumni Association? Here are 87,000 reasons why. The National FFA Alumni Association awarded
$87,000 to state Alumni associations, local Alumni affiliates and Alumni members during the 2001/2002 membership year. By joining your local FFA Alumni affiliate, you and your affiliate are eligible for the following incentive programs: leadership scholarships, awards, rebates, chapter grants, educational scholar- ships, and other incentive programs.
This year’s live and silent auction raised a total of $68,103.50 which will go to provide incentives and awards for members and local affiliates for
the coming year. We are excited about next year. We can only grow the auction and make it better for the com- ing year.
(Far left): National FFA Officers and CHEVY representative debut the Silverado 2500HD;
(Middle): Amber Haugland, immediate past National FFA Officer, serves as a guest auctioneer for the CHEVY truck; (Immediate left): The Polaris Ranger 4x4 gets a workout.
Convention Issue
(Left): Dr. Larry Case delivers a message on the importance of volunteering at the local level; (Top right): Past National FFA Officer Travis Hagen serves as an auctioneer for the 2002 Live Auction.
