National FFA Delegate Process

Transcription

1 The committee for the National Program of Activities recommends the adoption of the following resolutions: Awards, Degrees, and SAEs Whereas, the Agriscience Fair program is inclusive of any student regardless of location, background, or financial resources; and whereas, Agriscience research is a substantial SAE; and whereas, the members of this committee observed few Agriscience Fairs at state conventions; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization increase the promotion and accessibility of the Agriscience Fair nationwide. Be it further resolved, that the National FFA Organization should continue recognizing National FFA Agriscience Fair winners live on stage during a convention session. And be it further resolved, that the National FFA Organization should continue recognizing Agriscience research proficiency areas. Whereas, previous delegates to State Presidents Conference and the National FFA Convention & Expo have repeatedly expressed the need for middle school opportunities; and whereas, Creed Speaking is the only Career Development Event available to middle school students on the national level; and whereas, 7 th and 8 th graders make up nine percent of our membership but only 1.4 percent of CDE participants at the national level; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization should make increasing the number of opportunities available to middle school students a priority. Whereas, FFA is preparing leaders for the future of agriculture; and whereas, industry buy-in increases the credibility of FFA programs to prepare students for agricultural careers; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization reevaluate award applications to meet industry standards. Whereas, SAEs develop student leadership through hands-on agricultural education and career exploration; and whereas, FFA designates a significant amount of recognition programs and financial resources to reward students with exemplary SAEs; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization evaluate the organization s role in promoting and regulating SAEs. Whereas, financial barriers inhibit SAE development for students; and whereas, members of this committee have observed that many members are unaware of SAE grant application opportunities; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization increase the SAE grants in value and number. Be it further resolved, that the National FFA Organization increase promotion of SAE grants to students. Whereas, the proficiency award program highlights individual students with outstanding SAEs; and whereas, there is currently no program to highlight chapters who emphasize SAE development chapter-wide; therefore be it resolved, the National FFA Organization create an

2 award program to recognize chapters who have outstanding SAE development among the chapters total membership. Whereas, FFA advisors are the primary facilitators of FFA opportunities for students; and whereas, there is currently a shortage of qualified FFA advisors; and whereas, there is currently no award program to recognize FFA advisors for their contributions to student success; therefore be it resolved, the National FFA Organization create a recognition program for FFA Advisors with nominations coming directly from students. Chapter Programs and Activities Whereas, the efforts of local FFA Chapters are essential to increasing the organization s membership; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create a recruitment video that chapters can use to engage and attract students into our organization. Whereas, stakeholders are in need of guidance and documentation to properly charter a new FFA chapter; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create a readily accessible set of guidelines and tips to charter a chapter. Whereas, members of this committee have observed that the National FFA Organization website is difficult to navigate and find documents of benefit to local chapters; and whereas, chapters need National FFA Organization documents and applications to be readily available online; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create a chapter section on the National FFA Website. Whereas, FFA strives to produce students who are career-ready when they exit our programs; and whereas, our current Program of Activities model closely mirrors industry strategic plans; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization change the term Program of Activities to Strategic Plan in order to reflect industry practices. Whereas, increasing student and advisor input will lead to greater stakeholder satisfaction; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization seek member and advisor opinion on major initiatives and programs. Whereas, members of this committee have heard teachers express difficulties when using AgCN; and whereas, our membership roster system must be accessed through AgCN; therefore be it resolved, the National FFA Organization increase efforts to make AgCN user-friendly. Communications and Public Relations Whereas, the New Horizons magazine contains many current FFA events and local chapter member success stories; and whereas, members of this committee have observed that FFA members desire industry related stories and job opportunities through this publication; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue efforts to incorporate specific agriculture industry content in the FFA New Horizons magazine.

3 Whereas, members of this committee have observed that FFA members are using digital technology to receive a majority of content that the National FFA Organization distributes; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue to develop and use the New Horizons mobile application. Whereas, the Officer to Officer (O2O) video series is growing in popularity; and whereas, members of this committee have heard FFA members concerns that the content of the Officer to Officer videos were not always engaging; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization develop content for the O2O video series that is relevant and appealing to chapter FFA members. Whereas, there is a growing need for the general public to be educated on agriculture and agricultural practices; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization increase agricultural advocacy efforts in all programs, on all levels. Whereas, FFA members use their mobile devices to access much of the content that they use and interact with on a daily basis; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization develop an AgCN mobile app in order that FFA members can access and input information into their profiles from their mobile device. Whereas, members of this committee have observed that many FFA members lack a complete understanding of the tools and resources available in AgCN; and whereas, AgCN contains the applications for FFA award programs and scholarships; and whereas, AgCN is an opportunity for FFA members to search agriculture careers and internships opportunities; therefore be it resolved, that National FFA Organization continue to create engaging ways to develop student knowledge and buy-in towards AgCN. Foundation Whereas, the 2012 National FFA Foundation Annual Report states the foundation receives 89 percent of funding from corporate donations and only 11 percent from individual donors; and whereas, the National FFA Organization has an estimated seven million former members; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Foundation continue individual giving initiatives. Whereas, the National FFA Organization is a vast organization with more than 90 different programs; and whereas, knowing the product is vital to any type of sale; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Foundation increase training efforts for Foundation staff to learn about National FFA programs, their features, and benefits to students. Whereas, this committee has observed that much of our award prize money is awarded to successful chapters; and whereas, currently no funding exists to help chapters in need; and whereas, this committee has observed many beginning and struggling chapters; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create a grant for struggling or new chapters.

4 Whereas, the National FFA Foundation currently focuses on raising funds for the immediate year; and whereas, this model creates budgetary challenges for both the National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Foundation continue efforts to raise funds through multi-year commitments. Whereas, all FFA members are products of the National FFA Organization; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Foundation make an effort to use local and state FFA members or officers in addition to, or in lieu of, National Officers for visits with potential and current sponsors and donors. Whereas, all levels of the National FFA Organization provide opportunities for FFA members; and whereas, members of this committee have observed that the National FFA Organization is stronger when all levels are successful; therefore be it resolved, that the National Foundation search for opportunities to support local and state foundations during visits with sponsors or donors. Whereas, stakeholders of the National FFA Organization currently see the total dollar amount raised by the National FFA Foundation increasing each year; and whereas, our stakeholders continue to experience similar or increasing costs in our programs; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization increase their transparency in communication to our stakeholders. Leadership and Personal Development Whereas, the mission of the National FFA Organization focuses on developing students; and whereas, students are the end-users of leadership programs offered by the National FFA Organization; and whereas, students are currently asked to give feedback through written evaluations which can be limiting; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create a student advisory group for the analysis of National FFA leadership programs. And be it further resolved, that such a group would be made up of a diverse array of students and would focus on the effectiveness of programming concerning student development. Whereas, members of this committee have observed that students are unaware of the uses and applications of AgCN; and whereas, students are unfamiliar with the purpose of AgCN; therefore be it resolved, the National FFA Organization develop resources, other than workshops at the National FFA Convention, that will advance student awareness about the uses of AgCN and increase student interest in AgCN. Whereas, members, particularly state officers and those serving in other leadership roles beyond the local level, may likely come in contact with first year advisors or recently chartered programs; and whereas, such members may be asked questions about necessary programs or starting points for beginning chapters; therefore be it resolved, that National FFA Organization create resources

5 clearly outlining steps necessary to beginning a successful chapter. And be it further resolved, that such resources be made readily available to members and advisors. Whereas, a portion of the State Officer Leadership Continuum is used to develop state officers ability to advocate for agriculture, career and technical education, and FFA; and whereas, the State Officer Challenge is used to improve student ability and provide incentive to advocate for agriculture, career and technical education, and FFA; and whereas, advocacy for agriculture has been highly encouraged by key industry and political stakeholders, such as Secretary Tom Vilsack; and whereas, there are very few programs that develop students to become better advocates while demonstrating the importance of advocacy; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization explore training experiences to equip FFA members with advocacy skills. And be it further resolved, that such training experiences could include, but should not be limited to, integration of content into current curriculum, use of social media and use of digital challenges, and development of new programming. Whereas, a major portion of State FFA Officers calendars are spent facilitating workshops in classrooms and at conferences; and whereas, workshops and conferences are a primary way of communicating leadership and personal growth skills; and whereas, the National Leadership Conference for State Officers is sometimes the first instance where state officers are introduced to facilitation techniques; and whereas, little emphasis is placed on facilitation throughout the State Officer Leadership Continuum; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization integrate more best practices for facilitation into current state officer programs. Whereas, there are thousands of middle school FFA members across the United States; and whereas, local chapters and state associations have high performing middle school chapters full of capable students as seen in the Outstanding Middle School Chapter awards; and whereas, there are currently few leadership development opportunities for middle school members; and whereas, National FFA delegates have recommended further opportunities for middle school members multiple times in recent years; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization provide more leadership development opportunities for middle school members. Whereas, the National FFA Organization provides high quality leadership development programming for an array of students; and whereas, a majority of chapter level officers and members will not feasibly be able to benefit from National FFA programming, but could attend leadership development opportunities at a more local level; and whereas, there are no resources available to officers and members, other than state officers, to deliver leadership training; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization create resources that chapter officers can utilize for the purpose of recruiting and training chapter-level members in leadership. And be it further resolved, that such resources could include, but should not be limited to, workshop curriculum, recruitment videos, and activity descriptions.

6 Marketing and Merchandising Whereas, professionalism and branding helps represent and establish our organization; and whereas, it is the opinion of many of our stakeholders that the FFA bowtie should not be part of official dress; and whereas, there has been confusion around whether or not the bowtie is considered official FFA dress; therefore be it resolved, that the official dress guidelines for males be amended to read official FFA necktie. Whereas, official dress is one of our greatest marketing tools and unifies our membership; and whereas, official dress is a requirement for many of our events and contests; and whereas, many members have expressed difficulty in purchasing official dress; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue to look for ways to reduce the cost of official dress. Whereas, stakeholders of the National FFA Organization have raised concerns about the quality and popularity of merchandise that FFA sells; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization look for opportunities to use popular brand names in their merchandising. Examples could include, but not be limited to, Nike, Under Armor, Vera Bradley, and Columbia. Whereas, the FFA emblem is one of our most recognizable symbols; and whereas, the FFA emblem represents the core values that we hold in the FFA; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continues to ensure that the FFA emblem is our primary identification. Be it further resolved, that the emblem continues to be incorporated whenever possible. Whereas, the National FFA Organization takes pride in being student-led; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue to seek student input on major marketing and merchandising decisions or initiatives. Be it further resolved, that the National FFA staff amend current practices to include student advisory boards or focus groups as models to gain student input. Whereas, stakeholders of the National FFA Organization have raised recent concerns that some of the merchandise marketed by the National FFA Organization do not align with the values of our organization; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization exercise extra diligence in aligning the merchandise sold with our values. National FFA Convention and Expo Whereas, the current structure of promoting diversity and inclusion reflects the National FFA Organization's Diversity and Inclusion strategy; therefore be it resolved, that the "We Are FFA" initiative continues in its current form. Whereas, there is sufficient student interest and participation in the dance, concert, and rodeo at the National FFA Convention & Expo; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue to provide these events at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

7 Whereas, the demand for concert tickets at the National FFA Convention & Expo exceeded the supply of tickets due to lack of seating; and whereas, many FFA chapters were unable to purchase tickets for members due to limited supply; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization explore options to increase seating availability. Whereas, student engagement is crucial to the success of the National FFA Convention & Expo; and whereas, technology is a useful tool in student engagement; and whereas, states have demonstrated success in featuring a smartphone-based photo scavenger hunt; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization develop a photo scavenger hunt feature on the convention app. Whereas, teachers have voiced that the National FFA Convention & Expo microsite is both easy to navigate and useful; therefore be it resolved, that the National FFA Organization continue the use of this microsite. Respectfully submitted, Brennan Costello, Chair Clay Sapp Kalie Hall Joenelle Futrell Wiley Bailey Lindsey Anderson