Board Minutes- September 5, 2003
State FFA President Eric Rubenstein called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The State Officers performed opening ceremonies. In attendance were, Eric Rubenstein, Amber Frank, Brian Oberholtzer, Melissa Sankey, Amy Kaucher, Becky Hedges, Heather Sisto, Eric Chamberlin, Bernadette Nace, Laura Grove, Jason Klouser, David Bittner, Ellen Aurand, Dianna Dellinger, Michelle Wetzel, Bill Kronen, Lydia Everhart, Tiffany Hoy, Tracy Hoover, Dennis Scanlon, Bob Leib, Elio Chiarelli Jr. Kerry Richards, Cliff Day, Sam Heyler, Cecil Lohr, Sherisa Brammer, Javier Moreno, Penny Brammer, and Mike Brammer.
Mike Brammer presented the Secretary’s report. Jason Klouser moved to accept the minutes as presented and it was seconded. Motion passed. Motion to concur by Ellen Aurand and that was seconded. Motion passed.
Penny Brammer presented the Treasurer’s report.
Eric Chamberlin presented the Student Treasurer’s report.
Eric Rubenstein presented the State Association report.
Dr. Kerry Richards presented the Foundation report. The attendances for both of the golf tournaments were good. Approximately $6,000 went to local chapters and to the State Officers for their support and contributions at the auctions. Dates for both golf tournaments are set for next year. The Lancaster golf tournament (Hatfield) will be held on July 19, 2004, and the Scotch Valley golf tournament (HOSS’s) will be held on August 9, 2004. The grant monies are in and a breakdown of those funds was distributed. The Foundation will also be running a food booth at this year’s Farm Show. More information will follow. Ag Progress Days food booth was again a success. Thanks to the State Officers and all chapters that helped.
David Bittner, National Officer Candidate, reported that he is currently taking 14 credits this semester and started his training with Dr. Tracy Hoover, Dr. Atwater, and Elio Chiarelli Jr. He is also pleased to have Javier’s help, the Puerto Rico National Officer Candidate. It was confirmed that the National FFA office received his application and he has received his convention schedule and the list of names for the National Officer candidates. There are 37 candidates of which 6 are from the Eastern Region. He concluded by thanking the board for their support.
Tiffany Hoy gave the PSU report. She talked about PSU’s involvement with the National Convention Trip, as 16 collegiate members are attending and how they have organized the Fall Leadership conference. It will be held on October 16 and registration is due on September 30. It will be held in Blair County and will cost $22 per person. She has received a grant from PDA to offset some new costs.
Lydia Everhart, Activities week chairperson, gave a report on the post activities week budget. She went over the report and the costs associated with the entire week.
Cliff Day gave the Pennsylvania Department of Education report. He stated that he still needed authorization forms before Thursday for the Eastern States Exposition trip from some chapters. He also stated that he always needs more assistance with contests and we need to make sure that all of the agricultural teachers are on the Penn State list serve due to everything being sent electronically.
There was no PAAE report.
Mike Brammer gave the Executive Manger’s report. He informed the group that he had been asked to serve as a National Delegate coordinator for the next 3 years, which started at the State President’s conference.
Sherisa Brammer gave the Alumni report. Mike Clark, Kristina Watson, Rebecca Highley, and herself are currently working on reactivating the State Alumni. Currently they are working on starting alumni’s in local chapters. So far, Philadelphia and Clearfield have asked for help in getting theirs started. Also, Cumberland Valley has just started their chapter with 41 new chartered members.
North Central- Annette Gray was not in attendance.
South Central- Mrs. Dellinger reported that she sent out a fall newsletter to her area teachers.
CDE Committee- Cliff Day discussed his written report. He discussed the Ag Business Management CDE issue. This was in bold print at the end of the report. It stated that it needed FFA Board action on this issue: If a team does not compete, or misses the team event, they should be disqualified as a team, and only can compete as individuals. He asked the group to consider all suggestions concerning this report. Also he added that there is no Ag Marketing Plan team this year for Nationals.
SPC Report- Eric Rubenstein reported that he and Amber Frank attended the State Presidents conference in Washington, DC. They got to meet the President of the United States, George W. Bush, the Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, and helped decide on the delegate issues for the National Convention. Throughout the week they toured various locations in the nations capitol.
National Leadership Conference for State Officers - Amy Kaucher gave a verbal and written report on this conference.
Western Leadership Conference - Brian Oberholzter gave a verbal and written report on this conference.
Hoss’s golf tournament - Heather Sisto gave a verbal and written report on this event.
Ag Progress Days - Melissa Sankey gave a verbal and written report on this event.
National Convention Exhibit - Amy Kaucher went over the layout of the display by using a visual. The group approved of the display and liked the idea of the 50’s diner. This is an ongoing project to be displayed at the National FFA Convention. The booth this year will be all about the history of the Pennsylvania FFA, displayed in a 10 x 20 foot booth.
Dr. Tracy Hoover went over the details concerning the Advanced Leadership Conference that is in the works. She is trying to bring the cost down to $100 per person through grants. The total number of students allowed to attend this conference is 30. Applications will be available soon.
Ellen Aurand made the following motion: If a full team does not compete in a team event, they will be disqualified in the team event, but their individual scores will still count, and the Parliamentary Procedure teams should draw on Tuesday for Wednesday’s competition times. Sherisa Brammer moved to amend the main motion that the team and individual scores be disqualified. Sam Heyler moved to lay this motion on the table. Motion passed. Brian Oberholtzer moved to concur. Motion passed.
Mr. Lohr stated the couple from Ohio that helped with the scantron machine had not turned in any receipts for their expenses. He will contact them. He stated that Jodi Brown would be the key person at next year’s activities week with the machine.
Ellen Aurand moved to pay the service contract of $288.00 for the scantron machine. Motion passed. Jason Klouser moved to concur. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Committee – Mike Brammer will work up the budget for the 2004-05 year and distribute to the committee.
Keystone Degree Evaluations – Mr. Leib moved to move the evaluation meeting to Harrisburg on November 14 due to Penn State having a home football game. Motion failed due to the lack of a second. Sherisa Brammer moved to hold the evaluation process on November 14th in Bedford at Ken Rhoads campground. Motion passed. Amber Frank moved to concur. Motion passed.
Sherisa Brammer moved to give permission for a special board meeting of those present at the evaluation process, to approve those keystone degree applications selected, so letters may go out sooner. Motion passed. Mr. Leib called for division. A hand vote was taken that resulted in four in favor and three opposed. Amber Frank moved to concur. Motion passed.
Eric Rubenstein presented a review of the National Delegate issues. It was suggested that this list be put on the web site with an e-mail address for those that are interested to respond to, and also which State Officers will be with each issue.
Mike Brammer discussed the new State Experience program from National FFA. Mr. Leib moved that we should apply to participate in the new program and if selected appoint a committee to help schedule the event. Motion passed. Melissa Sankey moved to concur. Motion passed.
National Officer Candidate Selection procedure – Sherisa Brammer moved to appoint a committee to review the process and report back at the next board meeting with recommendations. Motion passed. Eric Chamberlin moved to concur. Motion passed.
Committee members chosen by Mr. Lohr are: Sherisa Brammer, Elio Chiarelli, Jr., Tracy Hoover, Cliff Day, and Amber Frank. Dr. Bowen was chosen as an ex-officio member.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm.