State FFA President David Bittner, called the meeting to order at 6:35pm, at the Ag Admin building, Penn State, in State College. The State Officers performed Opening Ceremonies. In attendance were: David Bittner, Tim Lesher, Courtney Miller, Jon Lauver, Mary Strasbaugh, Drew Cowden, Emily Grove, Julie Flinchbaugh, Mark Fulton, Andrew Alwine, Anthony Seymore, Cliff Day, Kerry Richards, Sherisa Brammer, Cecil Lohr, Robert Leib, Sam Heyler, Dianna Dellinger, Bill Kronen, Annette Gray, Tracey Hoover, Ellen Aurand, Chris Weller, Jeremy Ranck, and Mike Brammer.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Samuel E Hayes Jr., spoke about the upcoming trip to Puerto Rico, "Export for Scholars", that four of the State Officers were going on.

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

Penny Brammer was not present, so Mike Brammer presented the Treasurers’ report. It will be filed for audit. A report about electronic membership rosters was also handed out. Approx 40 chapters have not filed.

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.

Mr. Chris Weller gave The Department of Education report. He reported on the Farm Show. Mr. Weller also thanked Cliff Day for all his help. The facilitators position is now open for applications. Mr. Day has applied. Mr. Weller gave out his office phone number, 717-772-4968.

Dr. Tracey Hoover gave the Penn State report. In the spring there will be eleven student teachers going out to teach. Next year, approximately 20 will be out. Penn State will have a recruitment booth at the Farm Show, Mon and Tues. The Hoy baby and parents are doing fine. Discussion about an advanced leadership conference that the department would like to start for FFA members. Anthony Seymore moved to work with PSU on designing the conference. Motion passed. Mr. Leib moved to concur. Motion passed.

Sherisa Brammer gave a report as the National Officer candidate at the past National Convention. Although she was not elected, the experience was great. She thanked everyone for their support and is looking forward to the future at PSU.

South Central Region – Dianna Dellinger reported on her activities since the last board meeting. Stars have been selected. Members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau were used as judges. She also attended the Keystone selection process at PSU.

Western Region – Bill Kronen reported that Stars had been selected for the western region.

Eastern Region – Cliff Day handed out a written report of his activities. Several meetings were attended as well as working with Chris Weller at PDE. Star selections have been made.

North Central Region – Annette Gray thanked Tim Lesher and Jon Lauver for their help at the Star selection meeting. She discussed a problem about the Keystone degree application – Page 9 and 10. Cliff Day and Mike Brammer will look into the problem. She has had a few complaints about the electronic rosters. Overall everyone is working through them.

FFA WEEK Budget committee reported that they had met with Phil Hoy and a new cost will go into effect this year. Lengthy discussion about meals not being eaten and we are still being charged for them. Possibility of all box lunches on Weds. Mr. Lohr will check into this suggestion. Robert Leib moved to accept the committees recommendation to increase the fee to $110.00 this coming year. Motion passed. Courtney Miller moved to concur. Motion passed.

FFA Foundation report was given at this time by Kerry Richards. Tractor Supply has the tractors in stock. Cost is $34.95 each. It is a John Deere 4450 – the last in a series of five. She will put out on the list serve, Monday. Old tractors are still at Hatfield. They are still for sale. Elio Chiarelli has spent one day with the State Officers training them for Business and Industry visits. This will be more of a "friendraiser" on the part of the State Officers. They will not ask for funds. They will visit in pairs along with a Foundation member. Two golf tournaments are set for next year. July 14, Lancaster, and Aug. 4, Hollidaysburg. Discussion followed about pledge cards. It was agreed that we all need these to carry and hand out. Kerry will work on these and also an update to the web site.

Budget Committee has met and developed a budget for next year. (2003-04) Robert Leib moved to accept the proposed budget. Motion passed. Anthony Seymore moved to concur. Motion passed.

CDE – Mr. Day presented the CDE committee report. Chapter Procedure contest will follow National rules with an amended opening ceremony for a six member team. We will need judges that know Parliamentary Procedure. Mary Strasbaugh moved to accept the new Chapter Procedure CDE rules. Motion passed. Robert Leib moved to concur. Motion passed. Discussion followed on team trip money. Mary Strasbaugh moved to allow the first place team going to Nationals to receive$1500 and the second place team going to the Big "E" to receive $675. Motion passed. Sam Heyler moved to concur. Motion passed. This will require a second vote at the next Board Meeting.

National Officer Selection committee will meet at PDA, room 205, December 23, 1pm. Anthony Seymore was chosen to replace Drew Cowden.

BIG "E" report was given by Julie Flinchbaugh. She reported on the activities that the State Officers were involved with at the Big "E". Only two empty seats on the bus. Everyone had a great time.

FCLPD – Courtney Miller gave a follow up report about this activity. Everyone seemed to enjoy the workshops that were offered.

National FFA Convention – Anthony Seymore gave a written review of this activity. Eight Officers were delegates and the other three were Ag Ambassadors while at the convention.

Mid-Winter Convention – Tim Lesher reported that we are underway for this years convention. It will be held January 13, 2003, in the NEW Banquet Hall at 4pm. 252 Keystone degrees will be awarded. Tim moved that we accept the 252 candidates for the Keystone degree. Motion passed. Ellen Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.

ACES – Anthony Seymore gave this report. Registration will be $50 for students and $75 for advisors. No change from last year’s cost. Dates are, Feb 15-16, 2003 at the Marriot Inn Harrisburg. Registration packets will be going out next week.

SLLC – Mary Strasbaugh asked for suggestions from the Board for any changes. The date is March 9 – 11, 2003. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Grantville. Possible change to the conference will be the addition of a House and Senate body. Four bills instead of six would then be discussed. Tours will also be changing. More information will be forthcoming.

Policy Manual Update – By the February 28^th Board meeting, the Policy Manual will be ready for approval and be posted on the web site.

CDE change from the last meeting – a packet that was prepared by Mr. Frederick from Twin Valley concerning the Environmental and Natural Resources CDE. Mr. Kline moved to start the new CDE at the 2003 activities week. It was properly seconded. Followed by a lengthy discussion, Mr. Lohr asked Mr. Kline to assume the duties of the chair. Mr. Lohr moved to amend the motion by stating that, "It is encouraged and recommended that two members from the Aquatics CDE and two members of the Wildlife CDE would make up the team for Environmental and Natural Resources. These students must be identified in advance. The first place team would receive $1000 for the National Convention and the second place team would receive $450 to attend the Big "E". The amendment was passed. The main motion as amended was passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. The motion passed.

Second vote – Mary Strasbaugh moved to accept this CDE change as presented at the last board meeting. Motion passed. Robert Leib moved to concur. Motion passed.