2010-2011 NEVADA FFA ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I- NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
The name of the organization shall be the Nevada FFA
Association. Recognized units of the Organization may
officially use the letters "FFA" and or the
words "Future Farmers of America" to designate
the Organization, its units and/or members.
ARTICLE II- PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The purpose for which this organization is formed are
as follows:
1. To be an integral part of the organized instructional
programs in Agriculture Education which develop competent,
aggressive, agriculture leaders for careers in agriculture,
agribusiness, and natural resource occupations.
2. To create and nurture a love of agriculture life.
3. To strengthen the confidence of students of vocational
agriculture in themselves and their work.
4. To create more interests in the intelligent choice
of agricultural occupations.
5. To encourage members in the development of individual
occupational experience programs in agriculture and
establishment in agriculture careers.
6. To encourage members to improve the home and its
surroundings
7. To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvement
of the industry of agriculture.
8. To develop character, train for useful citizenship,
and foster patriotism.
9. To participate in cooperative effort.
10. To encourage and practice thrift.
11. To encourage improvement in scholarship.
12. To provide and encourage the development of organized
recreational activities.
ARTICLE III- ORGANIZATION
Section A
The Nevada FFA Association is composed of chartered
local chapters in schools having organized instruction
in agriculture education, which includes preparation
for occupations in agriculture/business. Such programs
must be operated under the provisions of the National
Vocational Acts and the Nevada State Plan for Vocational
Education.
Section B
Members of local chapters shall meet, organize, and
adopt a constitution not in conflict with State or National
Constitutions, as their own, elect officers, set up
a program of work, and then apply to the State FFA secretary
for membership in the State Association. After this
application has been approved by the State Executive
Board, the members of the local chapter may then be
known as Future Farmers of America or FFA.
ARTICLE IV- PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING STANDING OF CHARTERED
LOCAL CHAPTERS AND MEMBERS
Section A
Annual membership in the Nevada Association, including
the FFA publication and all other privileges, shall
be accomplished by chapter affiliation with the state
organization via a Curriculum Packet Program which requires
each chapter to affiliate all students enrolled in agriculture
education classes at that school. The per-student charge
for curriculum packets shall be fixed by the State Advisor
and the Nevada Agriculture Teachers Association during
their annual Summer Conference. Individual subscriptions
to the National FFA Magazine, Nevada Supervised Agriculture
Education Record Book, and a copy of the National FFA
Manual shall be included in and paid for from the Nevada
Association Leadership Packet fees. Chapters must submit
list of all enrolled Agriculture Education Students
and curriculum packet fees by October 15th.
Section B
A chapter is in good standing with the state association
when Curriculum Packets have been purchased from the
state office in a number equal to or exceeding the number
of different students enrolled in agriculture education
classes at the school. A member shall retain his/her
active membership for a period of 150 days after the
fiscal year expires on June 30.
A chapter shall retain its good standing upon remitting
payment for the required number of Leadership packets.
It may retain its standing on the basis of the previous
membership and paid Leadership Packets for a period
of 150 days following the end of the regular fiscal
year. After this date, a member or chapter may not take
part in any FFA activity until sufficient Leadership
Packets are purchased to be in good standing. To participate
in state activities, a member must be appropriately
affiliated via the Curriculum Packet Program prior to
the date of the activity.
Section C
Membership in the Nevada FFA Association, and in the
national organization shall be based upon the list of
names submitted to the State FFA Office with the purchase
of Leadership Packets. Students whose names have not
been submitted to the state office are not members regardless
of whether they are carrying a current membership card.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
Section A
Membership in this organization shall be of four kinds:
(1) Active, (2) Alumni, (3) Collegiate, and (4) Honorary.
Section B
"Active Membership" - Students who are regularly
enrolled in an accredited all day or day-unit classes
in agriculture education are entitled to become active
members of a chartered FFA chapter in the school in
which they are enrolled, when properly affiliated with
the state organization as prescribed in Article VII
of this constitution. To retain active membership while
in high school, a student must be regularly enrolled
in an agriculture education course or must have completed
all the agriculture education courses offered in their
school. Members may retain active membership until November
30 following the fourth National FFA Convention after
graduating from high school.
Members in good standing at the time of their induction
into the Armed Forces of the United States of America
or into the FFA International Program shall be in good
standing during the period of their service without
standard affiliation requirements or attendance at meetings.
Time spent in the Armed Forces or FFA International
Program shall not be considered as elapsed time in determining
the maximum period of four conventions following graduation
form high school or leaving high school. Should such
time of participation in FFA International Programs
fall during a member's constitutional eligibility to
run for State FFA Office, that member shall be guaranteed
the right to run for State FFA Office during the first
State FFA Convention following his/her return to the
United States provided all other membership and eligibility
requirements have been met. Members making use of this
waiver of service time, for the purpose of maintaining
active membership for application of advanced degrees,
or to maintain eligibility as a candidate for State
FFA Office, must resume active participation within
six months after having been honorably discharged from
service or completing their FFA International Program,
indication such a desire by meeting all standard affiliation
requirements and attendance at meetings. Members participating
in the six months Armed services Program or participating
in the FFA International Program for six months shall
be eligible for one full year of extended membership.
No one, however, may retain active membership beyond
his/her 23rd birthday.
Members still in high school, transferring to a local
chapter in Nevada from another state of the United States,
who present satisfactory evidence of their good standing
in that state, shall be accredited as members in good
standing in the Nevada Association.
A student who is out of high school and wishes to maintain
FFA affiliation may only do so as a member of the FFA
chapter to which he/she belonged at the time of leaving
high school. Both membership and participation in FFA
activities must be under the auspices of that chapter.
Changing chapter affiliation after leaving high school
may be approved only when the student's parent/legal
guardian move their place of permanent residence after
the student has left high school. In such an instance
FFA membership may be transferred to the FFA chapter
if there is no chapter serving that school district,
provided the local FFA advisor at the new chapter approves
of the transfer.
Section C
"Alumni Membership"- membership shall be
open to former active members, present and former professional
vocational agriculture educators, parents of FFA members
and others interested in an supporting the FFA.
Section D
"Collegiate Membership"- collegiate membership
may included students enrolled in agriculture courses
and former members of chartered local chapters who are
enrolled in a two or four year institution having a
collegiate chapter.
Section E
"Honorary Membership"- supervisors, school
superintendents, principals, members of the Board of
Education, instructors, teachers of agriculture, businessmen,
farmers, and others, who are helping to advance agricultural
education and the FFA. A majority vote of the members
present at any regular meeting or convention may elect
honorary members.
Honorary membership shall be limited to Honorary Chapter
Farmers Degree in the local chapter, the Honorary State
Farmer Degree in the State Association.
ARTICLE VI- ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP DEGREES AND PRIVILEGES
Section A
Greenhand FFA degree, Minimum qualifications for election:
1. Be regularly enrolled in a class in agriculture
education and have satisfactory and acceptable plans
for a supervised occupational experience program.
2. Be familiar with the purpose of the FFA and the
program of work of the local chapter.
3. Recite from memory the FFA Creed.
Section B
Chapter FFA Degree, Minimum qualification for election:
1. Must have held the degree of Greenhand preceding
election of the Chapter FFA Degree and have a record
of satisfactory participation in the activities of the
local chapter.
2. 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 improved supervised agricultural
experience program, and be regularly enrolled in an
agricultural education class.
Have earned and productively invested at least $200
by the members own efforts or working at least fifty
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.
3. Be familiar with the purpose and programs of work
of the State Association and National Organization.
4. Be familiar with the provisions of the constitution
to the local chapter.
5. Be familiar with parliamentary procedure.
6. Be able to lead a group discussion for fifteen
minutes.
Section C
State FFA Degree-To be eligible to receive the State
FFA Degree from the state association, the member must
meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
2. Have been an active FFA member for at least two
years (24 months) at the time of
receiving the State FFA Degree.
3. While in school, have completed the equivalent of
at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school
instruction in agricultural education at or above the
ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural
experience program.
4. Have earned and productively invested at least $1,000,
or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled
class time, or a combination thereof, in a supervised
agricultural experience program.
5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:
a. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.
b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to
agriculture or the FFA.
c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or
participating member or a chapter committee.
6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified
by the local agricultural education instructor and the
principal or superintendent.
7. Have participated in the planning and completion
of the chapter program of Activities.
8. Have participated in at least five different FFA
activities above the chapter level.
Written records of achievement of all requirements,
verified by the chapter FFA advisor, shall be submitted
to the state association at least one month prior to
the state FFA convention at which the State Degree is
to be received. The state advisor shall provide for
review of the records and submit a recommendation to
the state association governing body, which shall nominate
at the state FFA convention the candidates who have
been found worthy to receive the honor. The State FFA
Degree will be conferred upon the candidates subject
to approval by the delegates at the state convention.Section A
Greenhand
FFA degree, Minimum qualifications for election:
1. Be regularly enrolled in a class in
agriculture education and have satisfactory and acceptable plans for a
supervised occupational experience program.
8.
Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute
and FFA Mission Statement.
8.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the
organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of
Activities.
8.
Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem
and colors.
8.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA code of
ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
8.
Personally own or have access to the Official
FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.
8.
Submit a written application for the Greenhand
FFA Degree.
8.
Worked five hours in support of an advisor
approved community service project.
Section
B
Chapter FFA
Degree, Minimum qualification for election:
1. Must have held the degree of Greenhand
preceding election of the Chapter FFA Degree and have a record of satisfactory
participation in the activities of the local chapter.
2. 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
improved supervised agricultural experience program, and be regularly enrolled
in an agricultural education class.
3. Have participated in the planning and
conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of
Activities.
4. Have earned and productively invested
at least $500 by the member’s own efforts or worked at least one hundred and
forty 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.
5. Be familiar with the purpose and
programs of work of the State Association and National Organization.
6. Be familiar with the provisions of the
constitution to the local chapter.
7. Have demonstrated five procedures of
parliamentary law.
8.
Have effectively led a group discussion for
fifteen minutes.
9.
Show progress toward individual achievement in
the FFA award programs.
10.
Have a satisfactory scholastic record.
11.
Have participated in at least 15 hours of
community service activities. These
hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.
12.
Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA
Degree.
Section
C
State FFA Degree-To be eligible to
receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, the member must meet
the following minimum qualifications:
1. Have
received the Chapter FFA Degree.
2. Have
been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of
receiving the
State FFA Degree.
3. While in school, have completed the
equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction
in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes a
supervised agricultural experience program.
4. Have earned at least $4,000 and
productively invested at least $3,750, or earned and productively invested
$1,000 and worked at least 1,075 hours in excess of scheduled class time in a
supervised agricultural experience program.
Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars
earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number
5,000. Hours used for the purpose of
producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be
duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the
degree. (effective fall of 2012)
5. Demonstrate
leadership ability by:
a.
Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.
b.
Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the FFA.
c. Serving as an officer,
committee chairperson, or participating member or a chapter committee.
6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record
as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal
or superintendent.
7. Have participated in the planning and
completion of the chapter program of Activities.
8.
Have participated in at least five different FFA
activities above the chapter level.
9. Have participated in at least 25 hours
of community service, within at least 2 different community service activities
approved by the local advisor. These
hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.
Written records of achievement of
all requirements, verified by the chapter FFA advisor, shall be submitted to
the state association at least one month prior to the state FFA convention at
which the State Degree is to be received.
The state advisor shall provide for review of the records and submit a
recommendation to the state association governing body, which shall nominate at
the state FFA convention the candidates who have been found worthy to receive
the honor. The State FFA Degree will be
conferred upon the candidates subject to approval by the delegates at the state
convention.
ARTICLE VII- MEETINGS
Section A
A meeting of the Nevada FFA Association will be held
annually, and at least 120 days prior to the meeting
of the National Convention. The location of the convention
will be determined by the State Executive Committee.
Each local chapter shall be entitled to three delegates
t the State Convention, who shall represent the local
chapter in balloting for members who are nominated to
be advanced to the "State FFA Degree" and
all convention business.
Section B
Local chapters shall hold their meeting at least monthly
and at such time and place as may be decided upon by
the Executive Committee of the local chapter.
Section C
Zone meetings will be held at the time of Leadership
Camp to install officers and conduct any other business
pertinent at said time. Each zone will hold at least
one other meeting per year to set the dates of initiation,
contests, and discuss any matter that may be presented.
ARTICLE VIII- EMBLEM
Section A
The official emblem of the National FFA Association
shall include 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 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 shall also include the
letters "FFA," and the words "Agricultural
Education."
Emblems shall be uniform for all chapter.
Section B
Greenhand FFA Degree recipients shall be entitled to
wear the official bronze emblem pin; Chapter FFA Degree
recipients shall be entitled to wear the official silver
emblem pin; State FFA Degree recipients shall be entitled
to wear the official gold emblem charm; and American
FFA Degree recipients shall be entitled to wear the
official gold emblem key.
ARTICLE IX- STATE AND CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section A
The State Executive Committee of the Nevada State FFA
Organization shall consist of the State Officers, State
Advisor, and the Executive Secretary.
1. The State Executive Committee and one member from
each chapter in attendance shall serve as the Nomination
Committee for State Officers. Each member of the Nomination
Committee shall have one vote. All members of the committee
shall remain in the committee room until nominations
are completed.
2. The State Executive Committee will select the candidates
for the American FFA Degree.
Section B
The State President shall appoint bi-annually an auditing
committee, and annually a program of work committee,
and any other committee deemed necessary. These committees
will serve at the annual convention. The Auditing Committee
shall audit the books of the State Association. The
Program of Work Committee shall review the program of
work for the current year and make recommendations updating
the program of work for the next year.
ARTICLE X- FEES
Section A
Registration fee for the State Convention shall be
fixed each year by the Executive Committee, so as to
cover the cost of awards, national and state officer
expenses.
ARTICLE XI- AMENDMENTS
Section A
Amendments to the State Constitution and/or by-laws
shall be submitted in writing by the delegates from
any chapter three weeks before any annual State Convention
of FFA. These Proposed amendments must be submitted
to the State Executive Committee, which shall, in turn,
submit them to the delegates at the State Convention
with recommendation. Amendments must be adopted by a
two-thirds vote of delegates present.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
All provisions of these by-laws are considered a part
of the Constitution of the Nevada FFA Association.
ARTICLE II
The principal office of the State Association shall
be the same as that of the State Advisor.
ARTICLE III
The alignment of the chapter will be determined by
the delegates to the State Convention. There shall be
three principal zones - northern zone, western zone,
and southern zone. The major criteria for alignment
will be the number of chapters and travel distance.
Alignment shall be determined by the voting delegation
during state FFA convention. The Northern zone shall
consist of Wells, Ruby Mountain, Duck Valley, Silver
Sage, Diamond Mountain, and Winnemucca. Western zone
shall consist of Churchill, Carson Valley, Nile Valley,
Mason Valley, Sierra Nevada, and Smith Valley. Southern
zone shall consist of ATTC, Moapa Valley, White River,
Pharanagat Valley, and Steptoe Valley.
ARTICLE IV
A. The President It shall be the duty of the president
to preside over all state meetings of the Nevada FFA
Organization. The president shall appoint all committees
and may serve as an ex-officio member of these committees.
B. The Vice-President The vice-president shall assume
all the duties of the president in the event that the
office of president becomes vacant by resignation or
otherwise; shall preside over all meeting in the absence
of the president and shall assume other duties of the
president.
C. The State Secretary The student secretary shall
perform duties common to such an office, such as keeping
an accurate record of all meetings, one copy of which
shall be given to the State Advisor for the permanent
files and one copy for their files. They shall perform
such other duties as he is directed to perform by the
state advisor or the executive committee.
D. The State Treasure shall review the accounts, receipts,
and disbursements of the FFA Association on a quarterly
basis, and chair a bi-annual audit of the books at the
State FFA Convention. They shall review and make a final
report to the state delegates at the last session of
the convention.
E. The State Reporter shall perform such duties common
to such office, such as preparing
articles for publication, assist with the development
of Nevada FFA publications, assist
with the collection of data for the official state report,
and prepare news notes suitable for
publication on all meetings of the state association.
Develop and maintain a scrapbook of memorabilia in which
to record the state’s history.
G. The State Sentinel shall perform duties common to
such office, working in cooperation with the other officers
to promote the organization. The sentinel should set
up the State Convention meeting rooms, attend the door
to welcome visitors, introduce all guests, take part
in all ceremonies, put up and take down State banners,
paraphernalia and equipment, prepare seating charts
and seat guests at banquets, help prepare tables for
banquets, and assist the president in conducting such
meetings.
H. The State Advisor is a member of the Executive Committee
and ex-officio member of all committees. It is his/her
duty to advise the committees on matters of policy and
assist the state officers in conducting meetings and
programs. The advisor shall review all the applications
for the State FFA Degree. He/she shall issue charters
to all chapters. He/she shall be in charge of arrangements
for the annual State meeting of FFA and perform such
other duties as may pertain to the furtherance of the
organization. The State Advisor shall perform duties
common to the treasure’s office, such as keeping
accounts, acting as custodian of the funds for the organization,
keep accurate records of receipts and disbursements,
and report to delegates at state meetings and such other
supplementary reports as may be necessary. They shall
pay out of the treasury such funds as are budgeted by
the executive committee.
I. The State Executive Secretary is a member of the
Executive Committee and ex-officio member of all committees.
It is the duty of the Executive Secretary to assist
the State Advisor in conduction the FFA Program. The
Executive Secretary shall manage all inter-chapter contests.
J. When a State Officer defaults and does not fulfill
the assigned obligations, a replacement may be selected
from his chapter, from previous officer candidates -
or left vacant- according to the judgment of the Executive
Committee. A substitute may be selected to fill in at
the State Convention in case of a vacancy.
K. A State Officer may be removed from office by a
majority vote of the Executive Committee for reasons
in the judgment of the Executive Committee, which would
warrant such action.
L. State Officer Selection
1. State Officer applications must be submitted to
the State Advisor postmarked by February 15.
2. A written test will be administered to candidates.
This test will include questions regarding FFA, agriculture,
current issues, Nevada, and anything else the executive
committee deems pertinent.
3. The Nominating Committee will consist of one member
from each chapter. Members of the Nominating Committee
must be present at all interviews or they will not be
allowed to vote in the officer selection process. The
Nominating Committee will be overseen by [one advisor
from each zone] a former state officer appointed by
the executive committee.
4. After the final interview, the Nominating Committee
will be informed of the candidates' test scores and
will rank the candidates according to total score. The
Nominating Committee will then vote by secret ballot
for six candidates. The six candidates with the most
votes will be the next officer team. These six candidates
will be placed in their respective order by the Nominating
Committee.
5. In case of a tie between two candidates placing
7th and 8th, a runoff vote will be taken between these
two candidates until one is chosen by a majority.
6. Only two officers may be selected from one chapter.
If there are two or more candidates from each zone,
then at least one officer must be elected from each
zone. If only one candidate runs from a zone, that candidate
is not guaranteed an office.
7. State Officer candidates’ must hold the State
FFA Degree.
8. Should the situation arise that these rules cannot
be followed, the State Advisor will bring this to the
attention of the NATA prior to the announcement of selected
officers.
9. The following criteria for scoring will be used
during state officer selection:
a. Application & Resume 200pts **
b. Written Test 300pts *
c. Interview 500pts ***
TOTAL 1,000pts
ARTICLE V - REPORTS
Each local chapter shall submit the following information
to the State Advisor:
1. An annual statement of the names of local officer,
names of delegates to the State meetings and a revised
list of members in the local chapter and grades of membership.
2. Program of Work, Curriculum Packet Fees, and current
local constitution and By-laws in state office by October
15th to be eligible for any contest or award.
3. The Annual FFA Chapter report shall be submitted
by June 15 of each year for a chapter to be in good
standing.
ARTICLE VI - METHODS OF ISSUING LOCAL CHARTERS
A. The Secretaries of the local chapters shall submit
with their applications for a charter, the following
information:
1. A copy of their Program of Work
2. A copy of their Constitution and By-laws
3. The names, grade of membership, and addresses of
local chapter members and officers
B. The application for chapter to the State Advisor
shall be signed by the president, secretary and Advisor
of the local chapter. A charter shall be granted upon
such application, provided that the proposed local constitution
is not in conflict with the State Constitution. The
charter must be signed by the State President and by
the State Advisor.
C. A chapter may change its name upon application to
the State Executive Committee and approved by a majority
of the delegates at a State Convention.
D. The State Executive Committee shall have power to
suspend any charter upon receipt of evidence of infringement
of the provisions of the State Constitution by the Secretary
and Advisor.
ARTICLE VII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the association
in all cases to which they are applicable and in which
they are not inconsistent with these By-laws and the
constitution of which they are a part.
