NORTH CAROLINA FFA ALUMNI

Supporting Agricultural Education & FFA

Question Are you a supporter of FFA and Agricultural Education? Are you a parent or family member of someone in FFA? Are you involved in your child’s FFA chapter? Do you know other parents that are involved in your child’s FFA chapter? Are you a former FFA member? Are you interested and excited about FFA’s success and growth in your community?

Yes! Yes! Yes! If you answered Yes to any of these questions, then you are in the right place! It’s easy it is to convert your support and enthusiasm into starting a local FFA Alumni affiliate in your hometown. First, let’s define exactly what an Alumni affiliate does!

What is the purpose of a FFA Alumni Affiliate? An FFA Alumni association is an organized group of individuals who promotes the success and growth of their FFA members in their local FFA Chapter, support agricultural education and care for their community. Support and promote the FFA Organization, FFA Activities and agricultural education on local, state, and national levels.

What is the purpose of a FFA Alumni Affiliate? (Continued) Agriculture teachers rely on FFA alumni members to help ease the outside commitments of teaching, bring more support to agricultural education programs and give teachers more freedom to do what they do best - teach students! FFA relies on alumni members for student recruiting, scholarship money, aiding in camps, conferences, national FFA convention and other personal development programs. The high level of commitment the FFA Alumni offers the National FFA Organization and the communities in which they live helps make FFA students' lives better.

What does a FFA Alumni affiliate do? Chaperone chapter, district, state and national functions Hold a free chili supper Assist with FFA fruit sales Raise money for an annual scholarship Sponsor a FFA member to go to State Convention Assist with organizing the chapter banquet Serve as advocates for Ag Education at school board meetings The local FFA Alumni affiliate can decide how active they want to be. Fundraising & advocacy Social Activities Recruitment Activities

Basic steps in Organizing an Alumni Affiliate 6. Planning & Executing Activities 5. Recruitment 4. Elections & Chartering 3. First Meeting 2. Organize Members 1. Determine Needs With Teacher

Determine needs with teacher Gain teacher’s support. Identify classroom, FFA and community needs with teacher. Research school policy on volunteer groups. Recognize that the alumni works in support of the teacher. All ideas and activities should have the teacher’s approval.

2. Organize Members Three to five interested individuals can start the nucleus of the Alumni affiliate. Recruiting and welcoming new members should be ongoing and occurring at each meeting! Parent # 1 Parent # 2 YOU! Supporter Teacher

3. Hold First Meeting Contact all potential members Invite chapter officers and advisors (maybe have them do the opening-closing ceremony or give a short presentation) Have a state alumni representative present or an alumni member from another alumni affiliate, if possible Make use of State and National FFA Alumni materials Have agenda organized before meeting time Have snacks! Identify goals and ideas for the alumni affiliate (Determined with the FFA Advisor before hand) Have a sign-up sheet going around during the meeting

4. Elect Officers An organized alumni affiliate needs and organized group of leaders to be successful. Just like FFA Chapters elect officers, the local Alumni should too. Make sure that the president is someone that is willing to put forth the time and energy necessary to start and lead an affiliate. Votes can be determined by an election of attendees in the meeting. Officers are usually elected annually.

4. Elect Officers (continued) The chapter can form committees as local FFA/ Ag Education needs are established. Examples may include: A chair of the scholarship committee The chili supper chairperson Chair of community activities/ Advocacy Chair of Livestock shows Chair of Fund Raising Chair of Chaperones *Don’t be afraid to start small. Focus on the greatest need, then expand as volunteers and resources grow!

4. Steps to chartering Suggested constitution & bylaws should be handed out and each item discussed A suggested copy of a constitution & bylaws can be accessed online: Visit http://www.ffa.org/alumni/ Visit www.ncffa.org

4. Steps to chartering (continued) After this discussion, constitution & bylaws should be decided Attendees at the meeting should accept the constitution & bylaws The elected secretary and president should keep a copy of the constitution & bylaws and have one present at all meetings Consider giving a copy to new members as they join

4. Steps to chartering (continued) Determine local dues & organize finances The local FFA Alumni affiliate determines the amount of local dues to be paid. The elected Secretary/Treasurer should collect local, state and national membership dues and send them to the state association. A banking account is generally established to track alumni savings and spending. A copy of the financial records should be provided at each meeting.

4. Steps to chartering (continued) Local FFA Alumni Affiliate State & National Dues Participation and Involvement in State FFA Alumni Association Completed Alumni Membership Roster In order to charter a local alumni affiliate in the State and National FFA Alumni; the following must be submitted to the state: state and National dues, membership roster, copy of bylaws and application for local charter. The above steps qualify the new affiliate to participate in any state or national activity. This includes using the tax exempt status for alumni business.

4. Steps to chartering (continued) In order to charter a local FFA Alumni affiliate, national dues for at least ten members must be paid. Membership year runs from September 1 – August 31. Rosters and dues must be submitted to National FFA Alumni by May 15th to qualify for awards and delegates.

Benefits of joining The National FFA Alumni Association 4. Steps to chartering (continued) Benefits of joining The National FFA Alumni Association Provides $100,000 annually back to local affiliates in the form of rebates, WLC scholarships, college scholarships, Local chapter grants, and awards Obtain tax exemption qualification for your local affiliate Annual subscription to the National FFA Alumni’s newsletter, New Visions and for $2 the FFA New Horizons Watch your $10 at work for the advocacy of Ag Education and FFA! Enjoy the satisfaction of giving back to the organization that has impacted your life or the life of your family.

5. Recruiting Members (Anyone who supports Ag education & FFA)

6. Planning & Executing Activities 1. Make a list with teacher of things the department/FFA needs. 2. Find out who can do the work 3. Research and know all the legal or policy requirements and liabilities 4. Analyze Community Resources 5. Have organized committee groups 6. All people can not do all things, find their niche. Execute Plan & Research Goal

6. Planning & Executing Activities Activity Ideas Support the FFA Advisor Sponsor a FFA member to attend state leadership camp Sponsor a college scholarship Sponsor a FFA cookout Help with transportation Help train a team for competition Serve on the Ag Dept. Advisory Board Work with the FFA on a community project Provide equipment/assistance for chapter farm Make the news media aware of FFA Alumni and FFA activities Work together with FFA members on a safety project Help FFA Members select livestock for projects Assist with local FFA Auction Help set up field trips Help students find Ag-related jobs Help find sponsors for activities Serve as an advocate for FFA/ Ag Education at your school board meetings. Possibilities are endless!

NORTH CAROLINA FFA ALUMNI