WHAT IS FFA?
Now know as the National FFA Organization the FFA is a National organization that reaches from the State of Alaska to Puerto Rico and from the State of Maine to Hawaii.
Mission: The FFA Makes A Positive Difference In The Lives Of Students By Developing Their Potential For Premiere Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success
Motto: Learning To Do, Doing To Learn, Earning To Live, Living To Serve
The Colors: National Blue and Corn Gold
The Pledge: I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag Of The United States Of America And To The Republic For Which It Stands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty And Justice For All
FFA Creed:
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies President: "The (meeting room, banquet hall, etc.) will come to order. We are now holding a meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.). Mr./Mdm. Vice President, are all officers at their stations?"
Vice President: (Rising and facing the president) "I shall call the roll of officers, determine if they are at their stations and report back to you, Mr./Mdm. President."
Vice President: (Calling role of officers) "The sentinel."
Sentinel: "Stationed by the door."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Sentinel: "Through this door pass many friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see that the door is open to our friends at all times and that they are welcome. I care for the meeting room and paraphernalia. I strive to keep the room comfortable and assist the president in maintaining order."
Vice President: "The reporter."
Reporter: "The reporter is stationed by the flag."
Vice President: "Why by the flag?"
Reporter: "As the flag covers the United States of America, so I strive to inform the people in order that every man woman and child may know that the FFA is a national organization that reaches from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico and from the state of Maine to Hawaii."
Vice President: "The treasurer."
Treasurer: "Stationed at the emblem of Washington."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Treasurer: I keep a record of receipts and disbursements just as Washington kept his farm accounts -- carefully and accurately. I encourage thrift among the members and strive to build up our financial standing through savings and investments. George Washington was better able to serve his country because he was financially independent.
Vice President: "The secretary."
Secretary: "Stationed by the ear of corn."
Vice President: "Your duties there."
Secretary: "I keep an accurate record of all meetings and correspond with other secretaries wherever corn is grown and FFA members meet.
Vice President: "The advisor."
Advisor: "Here by the owl."
Vice President: "Why stationed by the owl."
Advisor: The owl is a time-honored emblem of knowledge and wisdom. Being older than the rest of you, I am asked to advise you from time to time, as the need arises. I hope that my advice will always be based on true knowledge and ripened with wisdom.
"Mr./Mdm. Vice President, why do you keep a plow at your station?"
Vice President: "The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil. Without labor, neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much. My duties require me to assist at all times in directing the work of our organization. I preside over meetings in the absence of our president, whose place is beneath the rising sun."
Advisor: "Why is the president so stationed?"
Vice President: "The rising sun is the token of a new era in agriculture. If we will follow the leadership of our president, we shall be led out of the darkness of selfishness and into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood and cooperation. Mr./Mdm. President, all officers are at their stations."
President: (Rises and faces the vice president) "Thank you, Mr./Mdm. Vice President." (All take seats at tap of gavel.) "The secretary will call the roll of members."
Secretary: "There are . . . members and . . . guests present, Mr./Mdm. President."
President: "Thank you. FFA members, why are we here." (All members stand at 3 taps of gavel.)
All members in unison: "To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should posses." (All are seated at 1 tap of gavel.)
President: "May we accomplish our purposes. I now declare this meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.) duly opened for the transaction of business, or attention to any matters which may properly be presented." (Proceed with the regular order of business. See pages 22 and 23.)
Closing the Meeting
When the business at hand has been disposed of or an appointed time for closing has arrived, the procedure is as indicated below.
President: "Mr./Mdm. Secretary, do you have a record of any further business which should now be transacted?"
Secretary: (Rises, replies and is seated.) "I have none, Mr./Mdm. President."
President: "Does any member know of any new or unfinished business which should properly come before this meeting?" (If no answer, proceed as follows.)
"We are about to adjourn this meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.). As we mingle with others, let us be diligent in labor, just in our dealings, courteous to everyone, and, above all, honest and fair in the game of life. Fellow members and guests, join me in a salute to our flag."
(Taps three times with gavel to call members to stand, face the flag at the reporter's station and with their right hands over their hearts, repeat the following pledge.)
All in unison: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
President: "I now declare this meeting adjourned." (Taps once with gavel and the meeting is adjourned.)
(The secretary may call the complete roll if necessary and report on that basis. However, it is a time-consuming procedure for a local chapter when all members' names are in the Secretary's book where they can be quickly consulted and checked beforehand.
Mission: The FFA Makes A Positive Difference In The Lives Of Students By Developing Their Potential For Premiere Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success
Motto: Learning To Do, Doing To Learn, Earning To Live, Living To Serve
The Colors: National Blue and Corn Gold
The Pledge: I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag Of The United States Of America And To The Republic For Which It Stands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty And Justice For All
FFA Creed:
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies President: "The (meeting room, banquet hall, etc.) will come to order. We are now holding a meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.). Mr./Mdm. Vice President, are all officers at their stations?"
Vice President: (Rising and facing the president) "I shall call the roll of officers, determine if they are at their stations and report back to you, Mr./Mdm. President."
Vice President: (Calling role of officers) "The sentinel."
Sentinel: "Stationed by the door."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Sentinel: "Through this door pass many friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see that the door is open to our friends at all times and that they are welcome. I care for the meeting room and paraphernalia. I strive to keep the room comfortable and assist the president in maintaining order."
Vice President: "The reporter."
Reporter: "The reporter is stationed by the flag."
Vice President: "Why by the flag?"
Reporter: "As the flag covers the United States of America, so I strive to inform the people in order that every man woman and child may know that the FFA is a national organization that reaches from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico and from the state of Maine to Hawaii."
Vice President: "The treasurer."
Treasurer: "Stationed at the emblem of Washington."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Treasurer: I keep a record of receipts and disbursements just as Washington kept his farm accounts -- carefully and accurately. I encourage thrift among the members and strive to build up our financial standing through savings and investments. George Washington was better able to serve his country because he was financially independent.
Vice President: "The secretary."
Secretary: "Stationed by the ear of corn."
Vice President: "Your duties there."
Secretary: "I keep an accurate record of all meetings and correspond with other secretaries wherever corn is grown and FFA members meet.
Vice President: "The advisor."
Advisor: "Here by the owl."
Vice President: "Why stationed by the owl."
Advisor: The owl is a time-honored emblem of knowledge and wisdom. Being older than the rest of you, I am asked to advise you from time to time, as the need arises. I hope that my advice will always be based on true knowledge and ripened with wisdom.
"Mr./Mdm. Vice President, why do you keep a plow at your station?"
Vice President: "The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil. Without labor, neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much. My duties require me to assist at all times in directing the work of our organization. I preside over meetings in the absence of our president, whose place is beneath the rising sun."
Advisor: "Why is the president so stationed?"
Vice President: "The rising sun is the token of a new era in agriculture. If we will follow the leadership of our president, we shall be led out of the darkness of selfishness and into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood and cooperation. Mr./Mdm. President, all officers are at their stations."
President: (Rises and faces the vice president) "Thank you, Mr./Mdm. Vice President." (All take seats at tap of gavel.) "The secretary will call the roll of members."
Secretary: "There are . . . members and . . . guests present, Mr./Mdm. President."
President: "Thank you. FFA members, why are we here." (All members stand at 3 taps of gavel.)
All members in unison: "To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should posses." (All are seated at 1 tap of gavel.)
President: "May we accomplish our purposes. I now declare this meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.) duly opened for the transaction of business, or attention to any matters which may properly be presented." (Proceed with the regular order of business. See pages 22 and 23.)
Closing the Meeting
When the business at hand has been disposed of or an appointed time for closing has arrived, the procedure is as indicated below.
President: "Mr./Mdm. Secretary, do you have a record of any further business which should now be transacted?"
Secretary: (Rises, replies and is seated.) "I have none, Mr./Mdm. President."
President: "Does any member know of any new or unfinished business which should properly come before this meeting?" (If no answer, proceed as follows.)
"We are about to adjourn this meeting of the (chapter, district, etc.) FFA (Chapter, District, etc.). As we mingle with others, let us be diligent in labor, just in our dealings, courteous to everyone, and, above all, honest and fair in the game of life. Fellow members and guests, join me in a salute to our flag."
(Taps three times with gavel to call members to stand, face the flag at the reporter's station and with their right hands over their hearts, repeat the following pledge.)
All in unison: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
President: "I now declare this meeting adjourned." (Taps once with gavel and the meeting is adjourned.)
(The secretary may call the complete roll if necessary and report on that basis. However, it is a time-consuming procedure for a local chapter when all members' names are in the Secretary's book where they can be quickly consulted and checked beforehand.