TRI COUNTY FFA CONSTITUTION

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ARTICLE I. NAME AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION

SECTION A. The name of this organization shall be the "Tri County FFA Chapter".

SECTION B. The objective for which this organization is formed are as follows:

To develop competent and aggressive agricultural leadership.

To create and nurture a love of agricultural life.

To strengthen the confidence of students of agricultural education in themselves and their work.

To create more interest in the intelligent choice of agricultural occupations.

To encourage members in the development of individual agricultural experience programs and establishments in agricultural careers.

To encourage members to improve the home and its surroundings.

To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvements of the industry of agriculture.

To develop character, train for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism.

To participate in cooperative effort.

To encourage and practice thrift.

To encourage improvement in scholarship.

To provide and encourage the development of organized recreational activities.

 

ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION

SECTION A. The Tri County FFA Chapter is a chartered local unit of the Nebraska and National FFA Association having organized instruction in agricultural education under the provisions of the National Vocational Education Acts.

SECTION B. This chapter accepts in full, the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Nebraska FFA Association as well as those of the National FFA Organizaiton.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION A. Membership in this chapter shall be of three kinds:

Active

Alumni*

Honorary*

* As defined by the National FFA Constitution.

SECTION B. The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership.

SECTION C. Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.

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

They attend local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity.

The show an interest in, and take part in the affairs of the chapter.

They pay their dues regularly.

 

ARTICLE IV. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP DEGREES AND PRIVILEGES

SECTION A. There shall be four degrees of active membership based upon individual achievement. These are:

Greenhand FFA Degree

Chapter FFA Degree

State FFA Degree

American FFA Degree

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.

Be enrolled in Agricultural Education and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.

Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, and salute.

Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.

Demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and 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 Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.

Submit written application for the 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 satisfactory 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 Class. (SAE hours shall be eligible to count towards the 180 hours of systematic school instruction.)

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 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time or a combination thereof and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.

Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.

Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.

Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA awards program.

Have a satisfactory scholastic record.

Submit written application for the degree.

SECTION D. State FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for elections:

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

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

Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the National FFA Association.

SECTION F. Any member may be impeached by a 2/3 vote of the chapter members, but no member may be impeached without due reason.

ARTICLE V. EMBLEM

SECTION A. The emblem of the FFA shall be the emblem of the Chapter.

SECTION B. Emblems used by the members shall be designated by the National FFA Association.

SECTION C. Greenhand FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official bronze emblem degree pin; Chapter FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official silver emblem degree pin; State FFA Degree recipients are entitled to wear the official gold emblem charm; American FFA Degree recipients to wear the official emblem key.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

SECTION A. The officers of the chapter shall be as follows:

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Sentinel. The local advisor shall be the teacher of Agricultural Education in the school where the chapter is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective officers. There may be historian or parliamentarian if desired.

SECTION B. Officers shall be elected annually by secret ballot by majority vote of the members present at a regular chapter meeting.

SECTION C. Any officer may be impeached by a 2/3 vote of the chapter members, but no officer may be impeached without due reason.

SECTION D. The officers of the chapter shall constitute the Chapter Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with actions taken at chapter meetings and various regulations or bylaws adopted from time to time.

SECTION E. Honorary members shall not vote nor shall hold any office in the chapter except that of advisor.

SECTION F. Chapter officers must hold the Greenhand and Chapter FFA Degree.

SECTION G. Officers shall perform their duties, abide by the code of ethics, and signed officer commitment forms.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

SECTION A. In the absence of conflict, 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 is designated by the chapter executive committee. Special meetings may be called at any time.

SECTION B. Standard meeting equipment shall be used at each meeting. All regular meetings shall open and close with the official ceremony. 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 within the state.

SECTION D. A majority of the active members listed on the secretary’s membership roll shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present at any meetings at which business is transacted or a vote taken committing the chapter to any proposal or action.

ARTICLE VIII. DUES

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

SECTION B. Full local, state, and national dues shall be paid by all active members that are in high school.

SECTION C. No members in high school shall be considered an active member and in good standing unless they pay full local, state, and national dues.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

SECITON A. This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting by a 2/3 vote of the active members present providing it is not in conflict with the state and national FFA constitution.

SECTION B. Amendments to the constitution must be submitted in writing.

SECTION C. Bylaws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter meetings by a 2/3 vote of the active members present provided such bylaws conflict in no way with the Constitution and bylaws of the State FFA and National FFA Constitution.

BYLAWS OF THE TRI COUNTY FFA

ARTICLE I. CHAPTER OFFICER SELECTION

All members seeking an office must complete a written application and go through interviews prior to the election of the officers. Due dates will be determined by the Executive Committee.

The Officer Nomination Committee will consist of three Senior members and one member from each other class, elected at a regular meeting. If anyone of these members are unable to attend an alternate will be selected by the executive committee.

The selected Officer Nomination Committee will have the option to choose two outside individuals to be members of this committee.

Each candidate must have an ongoing SAE project approved by the officer nomination committee.

All elected officers must attend the officer training and leadership development conference. If this activity is an excused absence the officer may make up this activity by attending an alternate Leadership activity approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE II. GRADUATE DUES

The selection of the state officer candidate to represent the chapter shall be done by a committee consisting of one member from each grade nine through twelve (elected by a majority vote at a chapter meeting) along with two persons representing the Alumni, Past State Officers, or past FFA members. The Executive Committee has the power to add or delete to the State Officer Selection Committee as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE III. NATIONAL CONVENTION

SELECTION AND ATTENDANCE

A. All National Convention Delegates shall be selected by the local point chart system.

B. All registration and room cast will be paid for by the chapter, unless voted upon differently prior to National Convention.

C. All students attending the National Convention must have their permit forms and conduct forms must be signed and turned in prior to attending the National FFA Convention.

ARTICLE V. FISCAL YEAR AND FFA YEAR

The fiscal and FFA year of the Tri County FFA shall be from September first to August thirty first.

ARTICLE VI. AWARD SELECTION

Outstanding Senior/Dekalb Award

A. Selected by secret ballot by a majority vote at a chapter meeting with FFA members present. Written application must be submitted prior to the meeting.

Proficiency Award

B. Selection by the Alumni, or other special committee selected by the executive committee. Written application must be submitted prior to the deadline determined by the chapter executive committee.

Star Award

C. Selection by the Alumni, or other special committee selected by the executive committee. Written application must be submitted prior to the deadline determined by the chapter executive committee.

SAE Record Book Awards

D. The SAE record book award pin will be give to each student in the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior class with the highest grade point average on his or her record book for that school year. Averages will be calculated using grades received on the record book during the current school year. In case of ties two awards will be given in that particular class.

Scholarship Pin Awards

E. Scholarship pins will be presented to the student in each grade possessing the highest grade average in agricultural education classes. In case of ties two awards will be given in that particular class.

FFA Scholarship

F. Each year the FFA will sponsor a scholarship given to an FFA member to pursue post secondary education.

G. The scholarship amount will be set annually by a majority vote of members at a regular FFA meeting.

H. Application deadline will be set by executive committee. The executive committee will select a committee of members, alumni, and/or other persons to make the selection of the recipient of the scholarship.

I. Eligibility requirements will be set by the executive committee and the selection committee will determine if the recipient meets those qualifications.

Proper use of the FFA jacket

The jacket is to be worn only by members.

The jacket should be kept clean and neat.

The back of the jacket includes only: a large official FFA emblem, the name of the state association and the name of the local chapter, district or area. The front of the jacket includes only: a small official FFA emblem, the name of the individual, one officer or honor and the year of that office or honor.

The jacket should be worn on official occasions with the zipper fastened to the top. The collar should be turned down and the cuffs buttoned.

The jacket should be worn by and officers on all official FFA occasions, as well as other occasions where the chapter or state associations is represented. It may be worn to school and other appropriate places.

The jacket should only be worn to places that are appropriate for members to visit.

School letters and insignia of other organizations should not be attached to or worn on the jacket.

When the jacket becomes faded and worn, it should be discarded or the emblems and lettering should be removed.

The emblems and lettering should be removed if the jacket is given or sold to a nonmember.

A member should act professionally when wearing the official FFA jacket.

Members should refrain from use of tobacco and alcohol when underage and at all times when representing the FFA. In addition, members should exhibit their leadership qualities when they encounter substances including tobacco and alcohol and serve to discourage others from inappropriate behavior.

All chapter degree, officer and award medals should be worn beneath the mane on the right side of the jacket, with the exception that a single State FFA Degree charm or American FFA Degree key should be worn above the name or attached to a standard key chain. No more than three medals should be worn on the jacket. These should represent the highest degree earned, the highest office held and the highest award earned by the member.

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