Minutes of the Pennsylvania FFA Board of Directors Meeting

May 16, 2003

State FFA President David Bittner, called the meeting to order at 6:45pm, at HOSS’S corporate headquarters, in Duncansville, PA. The State Officers performed Opening Ceremonies. In attendance were: David Bittner, Tim Lesher, Mary Strasbaugh, Jon Lauver, Emily Grove, Julie Flinchbaugh, Mark Fulton, Andrew Alwine, Anthony Seymore, Kerry Richards, Cecil Lohr, Robert Leib, Dianna Dellinger, Bill Kronen, Annette Gray, Ellen Aurand, Cliff Day, Phil Hoy, Tiffany Hoy, Stephen Kline, Sam Heyler, Tracy Hoover, Gerald J. Reichard, Gerald W. Reichard, Mike Clark, Michelle Wetzel, Penny Brammer and Mike Brammer.

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

Penny Brammer presented the Treasurers’ report. There being no questions, this report will be filed for audit.

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. Gerald J. Reichard gave a presentation about the Ag Ed Coalition and their activities. He also invited all Board members and State Officers to attend the Summer Conference at Delaware Valley in July.

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 have been sent out. Chapters donating items for the auctions will receive 50% of what they sell for. At FFA Week, vendors will be allowed to set up exhibits in Findlay Commons. Cards will be given to all members in attendance, to take to the exhibitors.

Dr Tracy Hoover represented PSU. It is a quiet time at PSU. Graduation is this weekend.

Mr. Cliff Day gave The Department of Education report. Mr. Day reported that the Landscape exhibits at the Farm Show, would require a $50 deposit fee this year. This fee will be returned after the show. Tear down will not be allowed until Monday after the conclusion of the Farm Show. Eighteen Proficiency’s have been submitted to National FFA. Received 46 American degree applications. Three were rejected. Ag Safety Quiz Bowl applications were due yesterday. The Eastern and Western region Board Representative terms are up this year. They can be re-elected. Ballots have been sent out. Results will be in by the July 7th Board meeting. Honorary American Degree applications received so far, 2 non-teacher, no teacher applications. Discussion on Fair funding – Mr Day will help any county FFA fill out the proper paperwork. Window Exhibits at the Farm Show will be on the 2nd level concourse this year.

Mr Kline presented the PAAE Report. All PAAE scholarship applications are due June 1, 2003. In regards to the Ag Ed Coalition, Mr. Kline moved to have a visible sign of support from the Pennsylvania FFA Board of Directors, by placing the FFA Board of Directors on the Ag Ed Coalition brochures. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved to concur. Motion passed.

Mike Clark reported on the state Alumni. Rosters have been mailed out. There are no state membership dues. A couple of past State Officers are interested in getting the state Alumni started again. Mr Clark will get with them. Any chapter interested in starting an Alumni chapter, should contact Mr Clark.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Western Region– Mr Kronen had 21 schools, approx 100 students in attendance at the regional CDE day. Approximately $400 will be donated to the foundation from this event. A charge of $10 per person was assessed, to cover the cost of the day with the proceeds going to the foundation.

Eastern Region – Mr Lohr reported that Eastern Region advancing chapters have been reported to the state coordinators. He introduced Michelle Wetzel, the new Eastern Region Coordinator. Mary Strasbaugh moved to accept Michelle as the new Coordinator. Motion passed. Ms Aurand moved to concur. Motion passed.

North Central Region – Ms Gray reported that approx.100 students attended the North Central Region CDE day. No fees were collected.

South Central Region – Ms. Dellinger reported that Mr Brammer coordinated the South Central Region CDE day, since she was not allowed to attend due to her local school restrictions.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CDE – Mr Day reported we are still updating the CDE manual on the web site. He attended three regional Parli-Pro contests.

FFA Activities Week – Mr. Hoy reported 1172 members and 195 advisors have registered for activities week. Total registration, 1367. Rooming will be in East Halls again. The dance will be in the HUB. Jessica Landis will be Mr. Hoys’ assistant this year. Mr Lohr reported seven CDE chairs have agreed to use the Scan Tron machine. Maintenance agreement will be $288 yearly, starting next year, if the Association decides to pay this. Site licenses are $100 each. We really need two more. We also need lodging for the representatives from Ohio during FFA Week. Mary Strasbaugh moved that the Association provide dorm rooms and meals for two people, James and Carol Ogden during activities week. Jon Lauver moved to amend the motion by adding we also pay tolls and gas if receipts are provided. Amendment passed. Motion as amended passed. David Bittner moved to concur. Motion passed. Mr Lohr also stated that an Ag Issues demonstration is trying to be scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

SOCS – David Bittner reported all SOCS are complete. Over 30 students attended across the state. They all went well. The State Officer team would like some feed back from advisors and students about what they thought of the revised school.

Summer Convention –Jon Lauver reported all is going well with preparations for this years’ convention. The schedule and list of speakers was reviewed.

OLD BUSINESS

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. Mr Leib moved to concur. Motion passed. This was the second vote on this policy change.

Dr Hoover reported on the Advanced Leadership Conference. Dr Hoover and four state officers, David Bittner, Emily Grove, Mary Strasbaugh, and Anthony Seymore, met in April and came up with a written proposal. Andrew Alwine moved to accept this conference, and have Dr Hoover go forward with the planning and execution of this conference. Motion passed. Mr. Leib moved to concur. Motion passed.

 

            NEW BUSINESS

            Mr. Brammer reported the following:

New State Officer training will start on Friday, June 13 at Wengers’ Cabin. Blast-Off will be June 16-18. More training will take place June 18-21. This is a change from years past.

NLCSO has been scheduled for Pennsylvania this year. All reservations have been made with the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel, Camp Hill.

The Big “E” trip, needs to be discussed. Question raised about cost of bus and rooming for this trip. Mary Strasbaugh moved to have Mr Day and Mr Brammer block rooms for the Big “E”, and have chapters provide their own transportation, along with chapters making their own reservations direct with the selected hotel. Motion passed. Mr Klein moved to concur. Motion passed.

Announcements – A PDA update was given. Mr Lohr also gave a hand out for review purposes in regards to establishing a policy on the dismissal/resignation of a State Officer. This topic will be discussed at the next regular scheduled Board Meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 11 and 12 at FFA Activities Week. The next regular scheduled Board meeting will be July 7, 1pm, at Delaware Valley College

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with closing ceremonies at 9:35pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

 Mike Brammer

FFA Executive Manager

Recording Board Secretary

 

THANK YOU TO MR. & MRS. CAMPBELL OF HOSS’ FOR ALLOWING US TO MEET AT THEIR CORPORATE OFFICES !