Minutes of the Pennsylvania FFA Board of Directors Meeting
September 6th,
2002
State FFA President David Bittner, called the meeting to order at 6:40pm, at Ken Rhoads campground in Bedford.
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, Mike Clark, Cliff Day, Kerry Richards, Sherisa Brammer, Cecil Lohr,
Steve Kline, Robert Leib, Sam Heyler, Dianna Dellinger, Bill Kronen, Tracey Hoover, Dennis Scanlon, DeElma
Kline, Tiffany Hoy, Phil Hoy, Penny Brammer, and Mike Brammer.
Mike Brammer presented the minutes of the previous meeting. There were no additions or corrections, so they were
approved as presented.
Penny Brammer presented the Treasurers’ report. It will be filed for audit.
Mark Fulton presented the student treasurers’ report.
Kerry Richards gave the Foundation report. She reported that we are still waiting on the grant monies. Two golf
tournaments have been conducted and all indications are that revenues are up from last year. She stated that
we still need more items from the chapters for the auctions. AG Progress days is over and was better than years
past. She commented that the State Officers did an outstanding job. Dr. Richards worked with the State Officers
in training on what the Foundation does in order to help them understand more about the foundation. The State
Officer auctions at both golf tournaments were a big success, due to the image from last years’ team. The State
Officers must follow through with their commitments. Dates for next years’ tournaments will be July 14 and
August 4, 2003.
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.
The Department of Education report was given by Mr. Cliff Day, since Mr. Weller was not in attendance. The back to
school mailing should be out next week. Mr. Day reported that the Facilitators’ position is not being filled at
this time. He knew of no other information.
Dennis Scanlon gave the Penn State report. He stated that the Department is pleased to continue their support. He
then turned his report over to Dr. Hoover, Tiffany Hoy and Phil Hoy. Dr. Hoover reported that approximately
10 student teachers will be going out this semester and they should have about 20 next semester. She
presented a new brochure on AG ED and Extension Ed. She also commented about the Homecoming
extravaganza against Northwestern. Tiffany reported that they have 60 plus collegiate members. If anyone
needs them for judging, please give them a month’s notice to prepare. Phil Hoy reported on the budget
for Activities week. Meals and room were up over $2500. A long discussion about the charges followed.
A meeting will take place on November 15 to discuss the budget for next year. Serving on this
committee will be, Chris Weller, Mike Brammer, Phil Hoy, Cliff Day, and Cecil Lohr.
PAAE Report – Mr. Kline reported the annual conference in Coudersport was a great time and very educational. The
PAAE is continuing to support through ACT 91 and the PDA grant.
Alumni Report – Mr. Clark reported that the rosters should be out after December. If you have any auction items for the
National Convention, contact him. He also reported that new start up packets will be coming out soon.
North Central Region – Annette Gray was not present.
South Central Region – Dianna Dellinger attended the AG teacher’s conference and the Gov. institute. Regional
Star selection will take place at the Farm Show complex on November 5th, at 1pm.
Western Region – Bill Kronen had no report. He stated they are looking for a new place for regional competitions.
Eastern Region – Cliff Day reported that he is now retired. He presented a written report of his activities along
with areas of concern from area teachers.
CDE – Mr. Day presented a packet that was prepared by Mr. Frederick from Twin Valley concerning the Environmental
and Natural Resources CDE. Mr. Kline moved to start the new CDE at the 2003 activities week. It
was properly seconded. Followed by a lengthy discussion, Mr. Lohr asked Mr. Kline to assume the duties
of the chair. Mr. Lohr moved to amend the motion by stating that, "It is encouraged and recommended that
two members from the Aquatics CDE and two members of the Wildlife CDE would make up the team
for Environmental and Natural Resources. These students must be identified in advance. The first place
team would receive $1000 for the National Convention and the second place team would receive
$450 to attend the Big “E”. The amendment was passed. The main motion as amended was passed.
Mary Strasbaugh
moved to concur.
The motion passed.
This will
need a second vote at the next board meeting.
National Officer Selection committee was announced. Those serving will be, Dr. Hoover, Mr. Weller, Mike
Brammer, Drew Cowden, Mr. Lohr and Sherisa Brammer. We have received three applications. The interviews
will take place December 23rd at PDA, 1pm. Mr. Lohr will notify all candidates.
Technology Committee – Mike Brammer reported that the website is up and running. The new address is,
paffa.state.pa.us The site is being hosted by the state. Mr. Brammer is doing all the work on the site as of now.
Anthony Seymore presented the Blast-off report. He gave the Board an overview of the Blast-Off training conference.
David Bittner presented a report on the Western Leadership Conference.
Tim Lesher presented a report on the State Presidents’ conference.
Mary Strasbaugh reported on the National Leadership Conference for State Officers held in Delaware. Pennsylvania
will host this conference next year.
Andrew Alwine reported on AG Progress days and the activities that the State Officers were involved in at this event.
Julie Flinchbaugh gave a report about the National Convention Exhibit. Meetings with the Secretary of Agriculture
are ongoing. The theme for this years’ exhibit will be, “Pennsylvania – Products for the Planet”.
Courtney Miller gave an update on the Fall Conference for Leadership and Professional Development. Four topics
will be presented, Teamwork, Time Management, Member Involvement, and Learning to Lead.
Mr. Brammer reported on the Big “E”. As of this meeting, 54 people on the bus. Time change for departure will be
evaluated for next year. Do we want to stay in the travel agent business or not will be looked at for next
year. Sam Heyler moved to give Columbia Montour $225 to attend the Big “E”. Motion passed.
Anthony Seymore moved to concur. Motion passed.
Sherisa Brammer gave the National Officer Candidate report. She stated she had been training hard. Sherisa
has met with the Florida Farm Bureau, Secretary of Agriculture, Sam Hayes, the Department of
Education, Dr. Hoover, and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. She has done presentations twice on
curriculum standards on how Agriculture Education as well as other Career and Technical Education
classes meets so many standards. She is currently enrolled at Virginia Tech and meeting with the professors
there as well as trying to start a collegiate chapter. She also has helped start an Alumni chapter at Cumberland
Valley. Sherisa reported there are 43 candidates this year of which 9 are from the Eastern Region. Since this
is the last Board Meeting before she runs, she thanked everyone for their support and hopes to make
everyone proud at the
National Convention.
Policy change from the last meeting – Mary Strasbaugh moved that, “All Regional Speeches manuscripts from
the top four places must be postmarked 10 days prior to competition or those individuals will be
disqualified, yielding the fourth place individual to move into the next available position.”
Motion passed. Motion to concur by Mr. Leib. Motion
passed.
This
is now policy for the Pennsylvania FFA Association.
Record Books – Mr. Clark moved to allow the Acro Record Book system for the purpose of Record Books,
Keystones, Proficiency’s, and American Degrees’. After discussion, Mr. Kline called for the question.
Motion failed.
NEW BUSINESS
Tiffany Hoy reported that the FCLPD conference will be held at the Blair County Convention Center on October 11,
2002. Cost will be $22 per member. Each chapter is allowed to send 10 freshman and two officers. All
packets have been mailed. The limit for this conference will be 600 students. The Foundation Board meeting
will take place hear also, at 10:15am. Tiffany asked the Board for support in the amount of $5000.00. This
amount is in the grant proposal. No further action needed. Mr. Brammer asked for an analysis of their budget
after the conference.
National Talent - This year the student that was chosen to participate at the National Convention in the area of
talent did not perform at the State Convention, during Activities week. Mr. Leib moved that the monies
not be given out since our policy states they must perform at activities week. Motion passed.
Motion to concur by Tim Lesher. Motion passed.
Electronic Membership is coming soon, according to Penny Brammer. We are waiting on Nationals to forward
them. Mr. Leib moved to change the date that rosters are due to November 15th, in order to
verify Keystone Degrees and Farm Show participation. Motion passed. Mary Strasbaugh moved
to concur. Motion passed.
Handbooks – Mr. Brammer reported that he has asked for the Board members to provide him with any updates
that need to be made to the handbook. Friday, September 13th will be the deadline. After that date he will
start printing.
Policy Manual – Mr. Brammer asked that a committee be formed to update the Policy Manual so that he can
keep it current from this date forward. The committee was appointed by Mr. Lohr to consist of the
following: Cliff Day, Sherisa Brammer, Bill Kronen, Dianna Dellinger, Mr. Guy Naugle, Dr. Hoover,
Tim Lesher, Mary Strasbaugh, and Mike Brammer. A meeting of this committee will take place on
November 15th at 5pm.
National Issues at the National Convention – David Bittner reported that the delegate process has
changed and the issues that will be discussed at the National Convention have been pre-determined.
They are:
1. Review policy for Official Dress and enforcement.
2. Utilize more resources for the promotion of FFA in national media.
3. Describe the role of FFA in the promotion and development of the agriculture industry.
4. Change the regional alignment for the election of National FFA Officers.
5. Create more opportunities for short-term enrollment agriculture education students.
6. Clarify role of FFA in the global economy.
7. Establish policy for wearing lapel pins on FFA jackets.
8. Change how the number of teams that compete in national CDE’s is determined. One team
minimum, up to three based on percent of membership population.
9. Require proficiency awards to be maintained for at least five years and not change from year to year.
February 6-8, 2003 will be the State Record Book contest at the Super 8 in State College.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with closing ceremonies at 10:15pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mike Brammer
FFA Executive Manager
Board Secretary