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, Cecil Lohr, Robert Leib, Dianna Dellinger, Bill Kronen, Annette Gray, Ellen Aurand, Chris Weller, Jeremy Ranck, Paul Hostetter, Dennis Scanlon, Phil Hoy, Tiffany Hoy, Stephen Kline, and Mike Brammer.

Mike Brammer presented the minutes of the previous meeting. Courtney Miller moved to accept the minutes as presented. Motion passed. Paul Hostetter moved to concur. Motion passed.

Penny Brammer presented the Treasurers’ report.

Mark Fulton presented the student treasurers’ report. Budget concerns pertaining to the State Officers and the Adult Treasurer will be discussed at the Management Committee meeting at SLLC.

FFA Foundation report was given at this time by Kerry Richards. At the recent ACES conference the Foundation video was presented to the teachers. Copies will be available at SLLC. At the December meeting, approved to provide cards for the Inaugural event. It was done as information cards. Pledge cards will be available by SLLC. Need more auction items for upcoming golf tournaments. Mr. Kronen donated eight rounds of golf from his golf course. Tournament dates are - July 14, Lancaster and Aug 4 at Hollidaysburg. Brochures will be at SLLC. Kerry stated she worked with Carol Ann Gregg on the reception at Saul H.S. Most of the expense was covered by the PA Farm Bureau. New campaign coming...grass roots effort. Foundation Board meeting at SLLC 10:30am Monday, March 10. Foundation will provide a reception for teachers at their workshop on Sunday, March 9 at SLLC. Tractor Supply will support tractor sales again next year.

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. Mr. Weller announced that Mr. Day has been hired as the FFA Facilitator. Send thank you letters to K.C. Shimchock. He commended the Foundation for their involvement at the reception, and also the State FFA Officers at the CTE dinner and breakfast. Mr. Weller stated it looked good for the FFA to be represented as we were at this event for all CTSO's. He also reported that the Pa Young Farmers is partnering with the Association and allowing 1 or 2 State Officers to serve on their Board of Directors. This year, Emily Grove, State FFA Secretary,  will serve out the remainder of her year. Mr. Day reported that he went to Indianapolis for the Ag Ed In-service.  He reminded everyone that American degrees are due by March 10, and Proficiency applications are due to Regional coordinators by April 2.

Dr. Dennis Scanlon gave the Penn State report. Dr Scanlon commended the Officers for their involvement and professionalism at the Gov. reception. The department is planning a student teachers retreat to Delaware. Working on a region 6 Ag teachers Institute, the Gov Institute, a cooperating teachers workshop, and several other workshops. He reported they now have three field people, Mr. Paul, Dr Ogline, and Mr. Stumpf. The department is actively recruiting students. This year they have 60 students enrolled. Upcoming events - March 12, Biotechnology at Gettysburg. March 21, Advisory Board meeting. April 3-6 Ohio teachers conference. There are currently 13 student teachers out in the field. Tiffany Hoy reported that the Collegiate FFA Chapter is available for judging events. She stated the Collegiate chapter is very strong in Parliamentary Procedure this year.

PAAE Report was presented by Mr. Kline. The summer conference will be a multi-state event, including region 6. The contract with the Department of Ag has been extended until 2004. Before that time they will reapply for an increase in funding.

Western Region – Bill Kronen reported that the State Experience program was a great event for the west.

Eastern Region – Mr. Day gave out a written report of his activities as Eastern Region Coordinator. He then stated that due to his new position, that he must resign from the Coordinators position. David Bittner moved to accept his resignation. Motion passed. Anthony Seymore moved to concur. Motion passed.                                                                                                                                                      The Board would like to thank Mr. Day for all his efforts and hard work over the years as the Eastern Region Coordinator.

North Central Region – Ms  Gray expressed comments about ACES she had gotten from other teachers in the Northern Region.

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

CDE – Mr. Day presented the CDE committee report. Mr. Day gave out a written report on CDE updates, dated February 28. Still working on CDE manual for the web site.

National Officer Selection committee report given by Mr. Lohr. Mr. Lohr stated that all candidates should be commended. They were all good. This year's selection to be the National Officer Candidate for 2003 is David Bittner.

Export for Scholars Trip report was presented by Jon Lauver. Even though this trip was exhausting and non-stop, it was very educational and recommended that if we can continue to be a part of the Export for Scholars trip, that we should.

Experience State - David Bittner presented a written report on the National Officers visit for Experience State week. We hosted the National Officers the week before Farm Show and provided them with opportunities to enhance their ongoing training. All felt it was a great week.

Tim Lesher gave the Mid-Winter report. Despite having standing room only, the convention was a success. We need to look at where to hold next years Mid-Winter Convention.

Emily Grove gave a report on the Governors Gala Event. Nine FFA Chapters and the entire State Officer team were on hand for this event. The State Officers were in charge of seating V.I.P.'s and then helped the other chapter members with coat checks. $4001.00 was taken in at this event through the coat checks. This amount was divided evenly between the Officers and the chapters that were there. Emily reported that the Officer Team had elected to donate the money received by the team at an upcoming event.

ACES – Anthony Seymore gave this report. While most weathered the snow, it was a great conference. Discussion followed concerning the chapters that were not allowed to attend. Since all expenses had not been received as of this Board meeting, Tim Lesher moved to table this discussion concerning refunds until the next meeting. Motion passed. Anthony Seymore moved to concur. Motion passed.

FFA Week - Julie Flinchbaugh reported that several Business and Industry visits did take place, however several were cancelled due to the snow. They will be rescheduled. A certificate of thanks was given to all businesses. In addition, HOSS's night was still a good event, despite the weather. Across the state, approximately 175 members, advisors and families attended the "Meet Your State Officer at HOSS's Night." The week concluded with a reception for Gov Rendell and Sec. of Agriculture Dennis Wolff,  at W.B. Saul High School with several chapters from across the state in attendance as well. PCN coverage was provided.

SLLC - Mary Strasbaugh gave an update on the upcoming SLLC conference. All invitations to the Legislators were hand delivered again this year. To date, 52 have responded in favor of attending the breakfast. Mary explained that this year SLLC will have a House of Representatives and a Senate. Due to the expanded conference, tours will only be done of the Capitol on Monday afternoon before the HOSS's dinner. Following the breakfast, the group photo will be taken on the Capitol steps, and unless you have visits with your Legislator, all chapters will be free to go. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania has joined us as a sponsor this year, lowering the costs to students and advisors.

FFA Activities Week - Mr. Hoy reported registrations will be out this week. Some applications will be mailed to Mr. Brammer from the chapters. Eats Halls will again be used. Parking will most likely take place at the Flower Gardens, with commuters at the Bryce Jordan Center. Free bussing from the center is available. Parking permits must be purchased this year in advance. Adults will have a choice of single or double rooms this year. There is a price increase in registration due partly to an increase in costs with Short Courses. Discussion followed about the number of chorus members last year. Tim Lesher moved that unless at least 15 students signed up for chorus by an early deadline date of April 15, the chorus be cancelled. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed. Discussion about a place to hold the Riflery competition. Paul Hostetter moved that if Mr. Hoy could not find a suitable place to hold this event, it be cancelled. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed. Discussion about delegate re-imbursement. Mr. Leib moved to allow re-imbursement of delegates $30 if they attend all sessions, with a roll call being taken to verify such. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed. It was recommended that this rebate be advertised.

OLD BUSINESS

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 and 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. Stephen Kline moved to concur. Motion passed. This is NOW POLICY AND PROCEDURE. This was the second vote.

Policy Manual update - Mr. Brammer presented the newly revised Policy Manual. A listing of changes were 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."

        Paul Hostetter moved to accept these policy changes. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed.  This will require a second vote at the next meeting.

Record Book System - Steve Kline moved to bring from the table the motion to allow the Acro Record Book System to be used to verify Keystones, Proficiency and American Degree Applications. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed. After some discussion, Steve Kline moved to amend the motion, by adding the words, "and other Record Book commercial systems that are SAE compatible.  Following a voice vote, a hand vote was taken. Amendment failed three in favor and four opposed. We then proceeded to vote on the main motion. After a voice vote, a hand vote was taken. The motion failed, three in favor and four opposed.

Advanced Leadership Conference - Dr. Hoover had asked Mr. Brammer to bring this item up again, to see if the interest was there. Additional information would like to be heard before deciding against it. Mary Strasbaugh moved to get more information before canceling this idea. Motion passed. Mr. Kline moved to concur. Motion passed.

At this time - Mr. Kline moved for a five minute recess. Motion passed. Mark Fulton moved to concur. Motion passed. A five minute recess was taken.

NEW BUSINESS

Regional Proficiency Judging - Mr. Lohr reminded everyone that State Judging will take place on Saturday, April 5th, after the Board meeting the previous night.       

National Issues - David Bittner went over some National Issues that will be coming before the delegates at the next National Convention. Some are, the re-alignment of the regions to effect the National Officer Candidates and Awards. Also, whether the Jacket can be or should be made outside the U.S. These topics were for discussion and review only, as next years State Officer team will be the delegates at the next convention.

Management Committee - Mr. Lohr stated that the committee will meet at SLLC on Monday.

Grassland Contest - Mr. Day presented a report about the Grassland contest. Regional coordinators are to share information with teachers.

ELECTIONS  - David Bittner opened the floor for nominations. Mr. Klein moved to cast a unanimous ballot to keep the Board Officers the same. Motion passed. Courtney Miller moved to concur. Motion passed.

            President - Cecil Lohr

            Vice-President - Ellen Aurand

            Recording Secretary - Mike Brammer

Announcements - Mr. Lohr announced that the National FFA Convention will be in Indianapolis starting 2006 for seven years. Mr. Kline announced that he is starting a "game show" contest similar to the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl, only dealing with Environment and Ecology standards. He hopes to have it going at Ag Progress Days. There would be three divisions - 4/6 grade, 7/9 grade and 10/12 grade. More information coming soon.

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Recording Board Secretary