Minutes - April 1, 2005
State FFA President Michael Hess called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. The State Officers performed Opening Ceremonies. In attendance were, Michael Hess, Mike Woods, Brian Nailor, Mark Lowery, Sara Gutshall, Jon Henry, Amy Stauffer, Mr. Leib, Mr. Kronen, Dr. Scanlon, Ms. Gray, Mr. Heyler, Dr. Richards, Mr. Day, Ms. Aurand, Ms. Dellinger, Mr. Fellenbaum, Ms. Pontius, Mr. Frederick, Eric Rubenstein, Sherisa Brammer, Ms. Brammer and Mr. Brammer.
Brian Nailor presented the minutes from the previous Board meeting. Dr. Richards asked to add under the Foundation report, "As part of the overall profits" to the Farm Show Food Booth review. Addition noted and corrected. Mike Woods (Ms. Aurand) moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Motion passed.
Ms. Brammer presented the Treasurers' report. With no questions, the report will be filed for audit.
Mark Lowery presented the Student Treasurers' report. No action needed.
The Association report was presented by Michael Hess. He highlighted activities of the State Office team since the last Board meeting.
Dr. Scanlon gave the PSU report. He announced the College of Ag open house on April 9, from 8am until 11am.
PDE report - None given - Mr. Weller not present.
PAAE Report - None Given - Mr. Irish not present.
Foundation Report - Dr. Richards reported on the golf tournaments. Brochures are out and available. She also reported on a the new initiative to locate sponsors for various activities and events. The Opening Doors brochure from National FFA will be utilized along with additional inserts when visiting prospective sponsors. An example was provided to the Board. A pilot project has been set for Adams County businesses, which is scheduled for May 11-13. Pledge cards are also available again. Contact her if they are needed. A sponsor for the Dairy Judging team has been located. Data Transmission Network company will be the sponsor. A FFA day at Watkins Glen Race track is being proposed. More details to follow. The Chevy Truck promo is again being looked into. Letters of support will be sent to Chevy asking that Pennsylvania be the pilot state for the Northeast. A Foundation Board meeting has been scheduled for April 12.
Ms. Pontius presented the Alumni report - The Alumni is planning a social event during activities week. They will also be providing a full scholarship to the Washington Leadership Conference this year. They are working on additional programs of support for the Association and it's members.
Regional Coordinators
North Central - Ms. Gray reported Regional speaking events will take place April 25 at Penn College. She also presented Honorary and Citation applications from her region. She expressed the regions concerns over the APA style concerning manuscripts for public speaking.
South Central - Ms. Dellinger presented Honorary and Citation applications. April 12 will be the regions speaking CDE's. Her region will have 12 Proficiency area applications.
East - Mr. Frederick reported spring CDE's will be at Manheim on April 19. He also reported on visiting Pine Grove HS. He suggested letters be sent to Superintendents of Chapters about to be dropped due to lack of membership being submitted.
West - Mr. Kronen presented Citation and Honorary applications. Western Region speaking CDE's will be April 20 at crooked creek.
Committees
SLLC - Mark Lowery gave a review of SLLC. There was a record number of attendees. Mark gave special thanks to the students from Penn State for their involvement this year and also to Dr Richards for providing prizes for the scavenger hunt at Cabellas'. A very special thanks to Columbia Gas for again sponsoring this event.
CDE Committee - Mr. Day presented this report. CDE costs were discussed along with a review of submitted budgets from a few chair persons. Eric Rubenstein, assistant to Lydia Everhart for activities week, will work with Chairs on their needs. Mr. Day will be attending a meeting at National FFA in regards to CDE and other changes coming for 2006. He will report back at the May meeting. It was asked if a video tape of Parli-Pro is available for new teachers? National FFA has one - We will look into a Pennsylvania video.
CDE Chairpersons Committee - No report.
Activities Week - Lydia Everhart was not present. Discussion about Penn State collecting fees vs. the Association collecting the fees. The Board decided to continue to allow P.S. to collect these fees. Ms. Aurand (Mike Woods) moved, Any Chapter that has not paid their fees by the beginning of activities week could participate, but would be disqualified in all CDE events. Motion passed. Discussion followed about the availability of Eisenhower Auditorium in 2006. It is understood that this location would not be available in 2006. Dr. Richards and Dr. Scanlon are to provide recommendations to Mr. Brammer of other locations.
SOCS - Brian Nailor gave a verbal report that SOCS is on schedule with the spring PAAE meetings. All members attending are asked to bring a "clean" sock with two or three items "inside" that describe themselves.
Summer Convention - Mike Hess reported verbally that the State Officers have met and assigned their responsibilities. The guest speaker has been booked, Adult Nom Com suggestions have been made, and the list of adults to help with the delegate sessions have been established. Deadlines for finalizing all plans for summer convention have been established.
National Officer Candidate Selection Committee - Eric Rubenstein (Brian Nailor) moved to accept the proposal as written. Motion passed. (See attached report) This is a policy change and will require a second vote at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Budget - Ms. Aurand (Mike Woods) moved to accept the two year budget as presented. Motion passed.
CDE/Dance Dress code - Mr. Day will be reviewing the suggested items at PAAE meetings. It was also suggested to wait until activities week for more suggestions, since this is a delegate issue for 2005.
Cell Phones at Activities week - Mr. Fellenbaum (Mike Woods) moved, Students may not have cell phones or other electronic devices in use during competitive events. If they do, they will be disqualified. Motion passed. It was suggested this be included in the Code of Conduct for Activities Week.
NEW BUSINESS
American Degrees - Mr. Day reported 47 applications have been received. Target date for return to PDE is May 15.
Honorary and Citation Applications - Eric Rubenstein (Mike Woods) moved to accept the applications presented at the Board meeting. Motion passed. There were 6 Honorary and 4 Citations presented from the regions.
Delegate Issue - Mr. Brammer presented the delegate issues that will be discussed at Summer convention. These items have been included on the delegate registration page. Delegates will choose based on first, second, etc. choice, and assigned accordingly.
State Officer Nominating Committee - The adult Board member should be from the South Central Region this year. Mr. Leib asked if there were any objections to placing himself on this committee representing the region. Hearing none, Mr. Leib will represent the Board on the committee.
Ag Olympics at Activities Week - Sherisa Brammer gave an update of Collegiate FFA's proposed Ag Olympics at activities week. There will be teams of four competing in various events. A dress code will be followed. These events will take place on Tuesday between 1-4pm and on Wednesday between 9am and noon, and again between 1-4pm. Dr. Scanlon commended the collegiate FFA for all of their activities this year. He stated they are the most active members he has ever had at PSU and should be commended for the tasks they are performing and participating in.
Mr. Leib addressed the Board about a new AG Family initiative from Mr. Klein. Ms. Aurand (Brian Nailor) moved to approve participation in the steering committee of this activity. Motion passed. On the committee will be, Mr. Leib, Mike Hess, Eric Rubenstein and Mr. Brammer. Mr. Leib also addressed the Board urging ALL to work together for the benefit of Ag Ed and the FFA. He is concerned about "territorial" areas, as some think. He stated our organization is as strong as ever, and would like to see everyone in the "family" working together for the good of all.
New Farm Show Activity - Mr. Brammer reported on a new Farm Show activity involving FFA Chapters, Landscape businesses and equipment dealers. This activity will be a judged event with added premium monies. More details to follow.
Announcements - Mr. Brammer reminded the Board that at the next meeting election of Board officers should take place, and those elected would "take over" at the meeting following activities week. Dr. Scanlon (Jon Henry) moved to re-schedule the next Board meeting from May 13 to May 20, 2005 at PSU, 6:30pm. Motion passed. A reminder that State Proficiency Judging will take place at PSU on April 16, 2005.
At 9:40pm the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael Brammer
Michael Brammer - Pennsylvania 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