Minutes March 5, 2005

 

State FFA President Michael Hess called the meeting to order at 6:30pm in the Ag Admin building of the Pennsylvania State University. The State Officers performed opening ceremonies. In attendance were Michael Hess, Mike Woods, Sarah Quigg, Brian Nailor, Mark Lowery, Tara Miller, Kenny Stanton, Sara Gutshall, Jon Henry, Amy Stauffer, Eric Rubenstein, Bill Kronen, Ron Frederick, Dianna Dellinger, Annette Gray, Mike Clark, Kerry Richards, Cliff Day, Neil Fellenbaum, Ellen Aurand, Chris Weller, Sam Heyler, Tiffany Hoy, Lydia Everhart, Isaac Harrington, Penny Brammer and Mike Brammer. President Hess welcomed the group and made it known that Ms. Dellinger would be Mr. Leibs’ proxy and Ms. Hoy would be Dr. Scanlons’.

Tara Miller presented the Secretary’s Report. Sara Guttshall  moved to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed. Motion to concur by Ms. Aurand. The motion passed.

Penny Brammer presented the Treasurer’s Report. The report will be filed for future audit. She also handed out a listing of county membership and a list of chapters that have not submitted rosters.

Kenny Stanton presented the student Treasurer’s Report, outlining the Officers expenses since the last meeting.

Tara Miller presented the State Association report, which detailed the activities of the State Officers since the last Board meeting.

PSU Report – Tiffany Hoy reported for Dr. Scanlon. The university is starting spring break today. There are 15 student teachers in the field until the end of April. The department is busy as always.

PDE Report – Mr. Weller reported for the Department of Education. The Bureau has a new Director – Mr. Robert Barlett. He encourages teachers to go their web site and print out a copy of the CTE Report. It will be the “book” for the next several years when it comes to Career and Technical Education. He covered four key areas of the report. Mr. Day reported American Degrees are due March 15, with the review-taking place on March 29, 30. Proficiency applications are due April 15 and Honorary American Degree application are due June 1.  

PAAE Report – Mr. Irish was not present and no one had a report.

Foundation Report - Dr. Kerry Richards gave the Foundation Report. She reported that the golf tournaments this year would be held July 11 and August 8, 2005. As always, we need auction items. 50% of the selling price is returned to the chapter. New appeals campaign is coming soon. The Foundation video has been converted to a CD. Chevy Truck promo??? Waiting to hear from Chevy. From the Farm Show food stand, as part of the overall profits, between $3000 and $4000 was provided as direct support to local chapters. No vendors at activities week this year.

Alumni Report – Mr. Mike Clark spoke about the organization (Alumni) applying for non-profit status. The penny drive has raised $7,071.34 so far. They hope to provide one full scholarship to WLC. Applications will be out soon. They are looking at mini grants to chapters. Current year rosters were mailed out.

Executive Manager’s Report – Mr. Mike Brammer stated that his report is in the Board meeting folders. He announced that Kevin Keith will be re-locating to the Northeast area. Might be in Harrisburg. No decision yet. Reconnect form now operating on the web site.

Regional Coordinators

South Central – Ms. Dianna Dellinger reported speaking CDE’s will be at the Farm Show April 12 – 9am. She reported on teachers comments regarding ACES

Eastern – Mr. Ron Frederick reported he had been attending county meetings. He also worked at Monroe on Record Books. Approximately 450 students at the fall CDE’s. New Record book template is now on the web site. Regional contests will be April 19 at Manheim and the speaking will be April 26 at Newmanstown. He too reported from teachers about ACES, APA style, and the tour at SLLC.

Western – Mr. Kronen reported on April 20, 9:30am at crooked creek, regional CDE’s will be held.

North Central – Ms. Annette Gray reported Regional CDE’s would be held April 25 at Penn College. She has served as a judge for two area Parli-pro contests.

Committee Reports

Mid-Winter Review – Brian Nailor gave a review on Mid-Winter convention. He talked about the record number of Keystone degrees, what went right and wrong. Overall, Mid-Winter was a success. Suggestion for next year to have more seating on the floor.

ACES Review – Sarah Quigg gave a review of the ACES conference. She commented on a record number of attendees. While this made the breakouts crowded, we are looking at our options for next year.

SLLC Update – Mike Woods and Mark Lowery reported on the upcoming SLLC. The bills have been chosen, 2nd year scholars have been chosen, “lobbyists” will be in place, and the tour and breakfasts are all set. New this year will be the introducing of delegate issues to the attendees at SLLC. In addition, North Carolina FFA will be visiting. A scavenger hunt was suggested for Cabellas’.

CDE Committee – Mr. Day reported an updated Chairs listing would be out soon. Discussion on Ag Issues chairperson. 

CDE Chairpersons Committee – No report.

Activities Week – Lydia reported that On Line registration would occur this year. Discussion turned to expenses. Dianna Dellinger (Mr. Leib) moved to have the CDE Chairs submit a budget by May 1 to be approved by the Board. She then moved to amend the motion by adding, they should be sent to Mr. Day at PDE. Ms. Aurand moved to amend the amendment by adding a detailed budget. Amendments and motion passed. Mike Woods moved to concur. Motion passed. Mr. Day will notify the CDE Chairs.

Activities Week Site Committee – No report at this time.

State Star Clarification Committee – Mr. Fellenbaum had a written report with recommendations for clarification. They will be shared at Regional meetings and discussed at a later time.   

Old Business

Community Service Project – Mr. Brammer asked about the community service project that was discussed at the last Board meeting by Mr. Pitzer. It was decided to survey the teachers at the Regional meetings and see what the interest would be.

Record Book Contest Review – Mr. Frederick reported more counties participated with slightly fewer books. He gave a handout regarding this event.

New Business

PSU – Collegiate FFA - Eric Rubenstein talked about Collegiate FFA offering activities for students that aren’t involved in a CDE at various times while on campus at activities week, such as Ag Olympics. He stated this would be an optional event, but students could sign up in advance for the activities. Eric Rubenstein then moved for the Board to accept this proposal. Motion passed. Brian Nailor moved to concur. Motion passed. There will be a dress code for these events.

Budget Review – The 2005-06 and the 2006-07 budget was presented for review. After some discussion, no action was taken.

National Officer Candidate Selection Committee - Mr. Sam Heyler appointed the following to serve on this committee after Mr. Brammer asked to not serve on the committee. Committee members are: Mr. Heyler, Dr Scanlon, Mr.Clark, Michael Hess and Mr. Weller. The committee will meet on May 20, 2005 at 1pm at PSU – AG Admin.

CDE Dress Codes – Dance Dress Codes – Mr. Day presented a report concerning these issues. After several questions and lots of discussion, no action was taken at this time.

Cell Phone/Electronic Devices at CDE’s – Activities week – Mr. Brammer asked if the Board had reached a decision about these issues. No action taken.

Other New Business – Eric Rubenstein moved to accept the new policy on selecting and training National Officer Candidates that is attached to the end of these minutes. Mike Woods moved to refer to committee. Motion passed. Brian Nailor moved to concur. Motion passed. (See end of minutes for the proposal.) Mr. Heyler appointed the following: Eric Rubenstein, Michael Hess, Mike Clark and Mr. Brammer(ex-officio).

Announcements and Concerns

Short State Officer team meeting immediately following the Board meeting.

The next meeting will be held at 6:30pm on April 1, 2005 in Harrisburg at PDA.

The meeting was adjourned with regular closing ceremonies at 10:20pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tara Miller – Mike Brammer

Tara Miller, State FFA Secretary

Mike Brammer, State FFA Executive Manager

 

 

National Officer Candidate Selection Process

To facilitate selection of the candidate for national FFA officer and to ensure that all officers, advisors, and members know the procedure for this selection, the PA FFA Association Board of Directors establishes the following procedures:

1. Each interested candidate shall complete a letter of intent, to be submitted to the Board by January 1, (9/04) prior to the year they wish to run. American Degree applications must then be submitted by January 15. Only those candidates who qualify for the degree will be considered.

2. Each candidate will supply, by January 1, a biographical news article on himself or herself.

3. Each candidate will be interviewed by a 6 member committee consisting of a current state officer, a recent National Officer candidate, two members of the Board of Directors as appointed by the President of the Board, State Advisor, and Executive Manager.

4. A procedure will be developed to prepare this candidate for the national office selection process. Chosen candidate and select advisory committee members will develop this after the state selection. Funding will be solicited from the PA FFA Foundation to cover expenses of this preparation and those of the officer candidate. (2/92) See attached copy of National Officer Candidate Preparation Program (5/94) in addendum 4.

 

Proposed Amendments

 

  1. Each candidate will be interviewed by a 5-member committee consisting of a current state officer, a recent past national officer candidate, two members of the Board of Directors, and an employee of The Pennsylvania Department Of Education within the Department of Career and Technical Education and Agriculture Education.

 

  1.  The interview process will consist of a written exam, a personal introductory interview, a group interview and an individual question and answer session on Agricultural Issues and Educational Issues.  If the committee can not reach a definitive decision then optional interviews may be held at the discretion of the committee. 

 

  1. The committee shall interview and select a candidate for the current year as well as a runner-up to help the current candidate prepare.  The runner-up would still need to re-interview the following year to become the candidate for that current year. 

 

  1. Each candidate will be rated in the following six categories by the State Executive Secretary: Cooperation, Motivation, Attitude, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Public Speaking.  The Executive Secretary will have the opportunity to relay each candidate’s willingness and effectiveness during their State Officer year.