Eldon FFA Chapter - Constitution

Eldon FFA Local Chapter Constitution
Updated 7-2-07

ARITCLE I - Name and Purposes

Section A: The name of this organization shall be the “Eldon FFA Chapter.”
Members are herein after referred to as “Future Farmers of America.” The letters “FFA” may be used to designate the chapter, its activities, or members thereof.

Section B: The purposes for which this chapter is formed are as follows:

To develop competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
To increase awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
To strengthen the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
To promote the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
To encourage achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
To encourage wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
To develop interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
To build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
To promote cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
To promote healthy lifestyles.
To encourage excellence in scholarship.

Section C: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education.

ARTICLE II – Organization

Section A: The Eldon Chapter of the FFA is a chartered local unit of the Missouri FFA Association which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.

Section B: This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Missouri FFA Association as well as those of the National FFA Association; and Area 8 of the Missouri Association.

ARTICLE III – Emblem

Section A: The official emblem of the National FFA Organization shall be the emblem for the chapter. The emblem includes five symbols, namely: the plow, representing labor and tillage of the soil; the owl, representing wisdom; the rising sun, representing progress; a cross-section of an ear of corn, representing the common agricultural interests; and an American eagle surmounting the cross-section of the ear of corn, representing the national scope of the organization. The emblem also includes the letters “FFA” and the words “Agricultural Education.”

Section B: All members are entitled to display the emblem, and those designated by the National FFA Organization.

ARTICLE IV – Membership

Section A: Membership in this chapter shall be of three kinds: (1) Active; (2) Alumni; and (3) Honorary, as defined by the National FFA Constitution.

Section B: Active membership shall be all students enrolled in an agriculture class that have paid their dues annually.

Section C: The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership.

Section D: Active members in good standing may vote on all business brought before the chapter. An active member shall be considered in good standing when:

Students attend local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity.
Students show an interest in, and take part in the affairs of the chapter.
Students must be enrolled in an Agriculture Class for at least 1 semester and pay their dues annually.
Students complete record book forms 11 and 12 annually.
Students do not utter profane or obscene language.
Students do not behave in a good manner determined by the FFA Advisors and school administration.

Section E: Alumni membership is any member or business who has an interest in the Eldon FFA Chapter and supports the Eldon FFA Chapter by paying annual dues.

Section F: Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.

ARTICLE V - Membership Degrees and Privileges

Section A: There shall be four degrees of active membership in this chapter. These Degrees are: (1) Greenhand FFA Degree, (2) Chapter FFA Degree, (3) State FFA Degree, and (4) American FFA Degree.

                        1. Greenhand FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official bronze emblem pin.
                        2.  Chapter FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official silver emblem degree pin.
                        3.  State FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official gold emblem charm.
                        4. American FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official gold emblem key.

Section B: Greenhand FFA Degree- To be eligible to receive the Greenhand FFA Degree from the chapter, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Must be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience program.
Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute and FFA Mission Statement.
Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.
Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.
Submit written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Section C: Chapter FFA Degree- To be eligible to receive the Chapter FFA Degree from the chapter, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program, and be enrolled in an agricultural education course.
Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of Activities.
Have earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member’s own efforts or worked at least forty-five hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program.
Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes and/or give a 5 minute speech.
Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.
Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.
Have a satisfactory scholastic record.
Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.

Section D: State FFA Degree- minimum qualifications for election:

Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the State Association.

Section E: American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:

Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the National Organization.

Section F: Special committees shall review the qualifications of members and make recommendations to the chapter concerning degree advances.

ARTICLE VI – Officers

Section A: The officers of the chapter shall be as follows: President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Historian, and Sentinel. Parliamentarian and Chaplain are optional. The local Advisors shall be the teachers of vocational agriculture in the school where the chapter is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices.

Section B: Chapter officers shall be elected annually by a screening committee made up of a minimum of 2 Senior FFA Officers, 1 Faculty member, 1 Advisor from another school if possible, 2 Advisor from the Eldon Chapter, 1 former or current State FFA Officer if possible.

Section C: The Chapter Officers and Advisors shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with sections taken at chapter meetings and various regulations or bylaws adopted from time to time.

Section D: Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold any office in the chapter except that of the Advisor.

Section E: Chapter officers must hold the Chapter FFA Degree.
Section F: All officers are expected to attend Area Workshops.

Section G: All Chapter Officers will sign an “Officer Agreement”. Failure to abide by the agreement may result in an officer being suspended or removed from that office by the ethics committee.

Section H: The ethics committee shall consist of FFA members selected by the FFA Advisors. The committee shall consist of members from each class.

Section I: Any FFA member is subject to appear before the ethics committee if they are in violation of any severe ethical issue.

ARTICLE VII – Meetings

Section A: Regular chapter meetings shall be held once a month during the school year and once a month during the remaining months of the year at such time and place as it is designated by the Chapter Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Committee.

Section B: Standard meeting paraphernalia shall be used at each meeting. All regular meeting shall open and close with the official ceremony. Roberts Rule of Authority shall be the official rule of authority in all FFA meetings. Parliamentary Procedure shall be used in transacting all business at each meeting.

Section C: Delegates, as specified by the State Constitution, shall be elected annually from the active membership to represent the chapter at the State Convention. Other delegates may be named as necessary in order to have proper representation at various other FFA meetings with the State.

Section D: A “quorum” shall consist of a majority of In-School members listed on the secretary’s membership roll for all meetings held during school. A quorum for after school and or summer meetings shall be 10% of the total In-School members as listed on the secretary’s membership roll.

ARTICLE VIII – Dues

Section A: Local dues in this chapter shall be fixed annually by a majority vote of active members.

Section B: Full, Local, State, and National dues- shall be paid by all active members.

Section C: No member shall be considered as active and in good standing unless he/she pays Full, Local, State, and National FFA dues.

ARTICLE IX – Amendments

Section A: This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing it is not in conflict with the State Association Constitution or that of the National Organization of FFA.

Section B: Bylaws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing such bylaws conflict in now way with the constitution and bylaws of either the State Association or the National Organization.