APPROVED

Minutes of the Pennsylvania FFA Board of Directors Meeting

April 4, 2003

State FFA President David Bittner, called the meeting to order at 6:30pm, at the Ag Admin building, Penn State, in State College. The State Officers performed Opening Ceremonies. In attendance were: David Bittner, Tim Lesher, Mary Strasbaugh, Emily Grove, Julie Flinchbaugh, Mark Fulton, Andrew Alwine, Anthony Seymore, Kerry Richards, Cecil Lohr, Robert Leib, Dianna Dellinger, Bill Kronen, Annette Gray, Ellen Aurand, Chris Weller, Phil Hoy, Tiffany Hoy, Stephen Kline, Sam Heyler, Penny and Mike Brammer.

Mike Brammer presented the minutes of the previous meeting. Emily Grove moved to accept the minutes as presented. Motion passed. Ellen Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.

Penny Brammer presented the Treasurers’ report. Question asked about Fica contributions. Penny will report back at next meeting. Tim Lesher moved to accept the report and file for audit. Motion passed. Robert Leib moved to concur. Motion passed.

Mark Fulton presented the student treasurers’ report.

David Bittner presented the Association report. He reported on all the activities that the State Officer Team had been doing since the last meeting.

Mike Brammer presented the Executive Managers report, going over activities he has been involved with since the last meeting.

FFA Foundation report was given at this time by Kerry Richards. Donation pledge cards are ready for chapter use. The golf tournaments will feature a chapter challenge contest this year. Fliers are available and will be sent out. Chapters donating items for the auctions will receive 50% of what they sell for. Pequea Valley FFA had a fundraiser that resulted in  $570.00 being donated to the foundation. A reconnecting campaign is being considered.

Tiffany Hoy represented PSU. PSU representatives have been and will be attending regional meetings. The collegiate FFA has been active, serving as judges at regional CDE’s. Their auction was held today.

Mr. Chris Weller gave The Department of Education report. Mr. Weller gave an update on Mr. Day. He is doing well. Mr. Day will be attending Regional CDE’s to observe the Parli-Pro competitions. Still working on CDE manual. National FFA is looking for CDE judges at the National Convention.

Mr Kline presented the PAAE Report. The summer conference will be a multi-state event, including region 6 at Delaware Valley College. Regional PAAE meetings are underway.

REGIONAL REPORTS

South Central Region – Ms Dellinger presented a written report of her activities and concerns from her region.

Western Region – Bill Kronen reported that the Western Region CDE day would be May 1.

Eastern Region – Mr. Lohr, acting regional coordinator, reported that their regional CDE day would be April 19.

North Central Region – Ms Gray discussed concerns from Johnsonburg FFA about competing in area CDE’s in the Western Region and then coming to the North Central Region for the next level of competition. This chapter shares in the fair funds of another county in the western region. The advisor would like to move to the western region. Discussion followed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to allow Johnsonburg FFA to compete in the North Central Regionals with a possible future change. Motion passed. Ellen Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CDE – No report.

FFA Activities Week – Mr. Lohr reported that the Scantron Scanner was used on the 28^th of March in the Eastern Region. Three CDE’s were scored with “good” results. One third to one half of all CDE’s at states could be done. He will check with the chairpersons of the CDE’s to determine who is interested. 2003 Ag Mechanics will use the scanner as will Horse Evaluation. Phil Hoy reported that we need a Forestry and Chapter Award chairperson. There was discussion about meal cards and parking. The Foundation will work with Phil Hoy on allowing company displays at the convention. (Career Show)

ACES – Discussion was held about refunds for chapters that were not allowed to attend ACES due to the weather. After working with the host hotel, Mr. Brammer was able to get a small refund. Mary Strasbaugh moved to refund $20.06 per person to those unable to attend due to the weather. Motion passed. Ellen Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.

SLLC – Mary Strasbaugh gave a written report on this conference. Everything seemed to go well. We are always open for suggestions.

SOCS – David Bittner reported that the manual was revised. The Eastern region sent 13 students. Other Regional SOCS are scheduled.

Summer Convention – Tim Lesher gave a written report prepared by Jon Lauver, committee chair. All committees have been assigned and work is underway.

OLD BUSINESS

Policy Manual update - Mr Brammer presented the newly revised Policy Manual. A listing of changes was given out. Items # 3, 14, and 15 were presented as policy changes. They are:

                #3 - Talent will be included in the section under National Band and Chorus. If more than one member of the talent competition is chosen to go to the National Convention, and they participated at the State Convention, all monies due to the talent competitors would be divided evenly. 

                #14 - Under Citation award requirements - Dropped "10 or more years. "

                #15 - Under Honorary Degree - Dropped "10 or more years."

        Mary Strasbaugh moved to accept these policy changes. Motion passed. Ellen Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.  This was the second vote; so all changes are now policy. Mr. Brammer will post on the web site.

Management Committee – Mr. Lohr reported that the meeting went well. Evaluation forms and budget concerns were discussed.

            NEW BUSINESS

Citation and Honorary Degrees – Ellen Aurand moved to accept all Honorary and Citation degrees. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed.

Nominating Committee – The adult members of the committee have been chosen. Representing the east will be Glen Wenger (B&I). Representing the south will be Gary Swan (B&I). Representing the west will be Kristen Pfeiffer (past state officer). Representing the north will be board member Sam Heyler. Mary Strasbaugh moved to change the policy for selecting the student members by striking the words “8 members selected by the State Officer team” and inserting “8 members selected by a committee of three appointed by the Executive Manager based on a list of suggestions submitted by the State Officer team. Motion passed. Steve Kline moved to concur. Motion passed. A second vote will be needed at the May Board meeting.

Web Site  - Mr. Brammer gave an update on the web site. Suggestions are welcome.

Ag Ed Coalition – Discussion about this program and their initiatives. Mary Strasbaugh moved to have the Associations name removed from their brochures, since we do not want to be part of a political process. Motion passed. Steve Kline moved to concur. Motion passed.

Farm Show – Mr. Leib announced that any members showing market animals must be certified in meat quality assurance. The certification number must be on the entry form. Dates for various entries are changing. More information will be forthcoming.

State Convention – Mary Strasbaugh moved to book Dr. Rick Rigsby as the speaker at this years convention at a cost of $3500 plus expenses. Discussion about the costs followed. It was noted that his fees for National Convention were $5000. Motion passed. David Bittner moved to concur. Motion passed.

The next meeting was set for May 16 in Altoona at Hoss’s corporate headquarters, with dinner before the meeting if it could be arranged with Hoss’s.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with closing ceremonies at 9:45pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Mike Brammer

FFA Executive Manager

Recording Board Secretary