Chapter Overview FFA New Horizons State and National ConventionsState and National Conventions State and National OfficersState and National Officers Camps and Leadership ConferencesCamps and Leadership Conferences FFA Leadership and Personal Growth SeriesFFA Leadership and Personal Growth Series Band, Chorus, and Talent International Activities Going Places, Meeting People, and Doing ThingsGoing Places, Meeting People, and Doing Things Chapter Selection Chapter Selection

T he National FFA member magazine provides a link between all members. FFA New Horizons features articles on outstanding members, career spotlights, national officers, and much more. FFA New Horizons Y ou could be featured in the magazine as a star, spotlight on your chapter,or send in a joke. Find out how by looking in FFA New Horizons. You can also read recent magazine articles online at C H A P T E R F I V E

B ecoming an FFA member means you’re able to participate in a wide range of activities at the local level and beyond! This chapter will introduce those activities that happen at the state, national, and international levels. State and National Conventions E very year your state FFA association hosts a convention. FFA members and their advisors from across the state travel to the convention to participate in leadership activities, compete in FFA contests, and transact the state association’s business. Each chapter selects several voting delegates to represent its members. National FFA Convention Louisville, KY October 25-28, 2000 October 24-27, 2001 October 30-November 2, 2002 October 29-November 1, 2003 October 27-30, 2004 October 26-29, 2005 C H A P T E R F I V E

State and National Conventions A t the National FFA Convention each state is represented by voting delegates who conduct the national organization’s business. Along with business sessions, the convention offers top notch speakers, tours, and leadership conferences. M ore than 49,000 members, parents and guest gather each year in Louisville, Kentucky for the National FFA Convention. One of the best parts of any FFA convention isn’t listed on the program. It’s all the new people you meet as you attend workshops, sessions, and events. C H A P T E R F I V E

State and National Officers J ust as your chapter needs officers to work efficiently, so does your state association and the national organization. Each year delegates at both state and national conventions elect a slate of officers to serve in the coming year. State officers travel around their respective states visiting chapters, presenting leadership workshops, and fulfilling other duties. O ne of the requirements for becoming a state officer is holding the State FFA Degree. Contact your advisor, state officer, or the state FFA office to get more information about running for a state office. The voting delegates at each year’s state and national conventions select a slate of officers to serve in the upcoming year. C H A P T E R F I V E

State and National Officers National officers spend more than 300 days of their year long term traveling across the United States and abroad. They represent the organization to governmental organizations. They present leadership conferences and represent FFA members at meetings of the National FFA Board of Directors. All national officer candidates are required to have their American FFA Degree. National FFA officers receive a sizable scholarship and a set of invaluable experiences National FFA officers receive a sizable scholarship and a set of invaluable experiences. C H A P T E R F I V E

Camps and Leadership Conferences A long with conventions, FFA offers camps and leadership conferences. These conferences range in length from a few days to a week. Conferences focus on developing personal leadership and communications skills as well as recreational activities. Four programs offered at the national level are: Ask your advisor for more details about Leadership Conferences available for you! The Washington Leadership Conference is held throughout the summer in Washington D.C. The Made For Excellence program focuses on personal development and is held in more than 30 states each year. C H A P T E R F I V E Washington Leadership Conference Made For Excellence Experiencing Discovery, Growth and Excellence Advanced Leadership Development

FFA Leadership and Personal Growth Series T he National FFA Organization offers a series of four leadership and personal growth conferences. You don’t have to be an officer to participate. The only requirement is a desire to grow, learn, and have fun. Ask your advisor and state leaders how you might attend one of the following four seminars: Made For Excellence (MFE) The Made For Excellence Conference is a two day conference designed primarily for high school freshman and sophomores. The MFE curriculum focuses on the personal growth of each individual. Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) The Washington Leadership Conference is offered for seven one week sessions during the summer in Washington, D.C. and is conducted by former state and national FFA leaders. This conferences focuses on skills in personal development, motivation, leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and goal setting. C H A P T E R F I V E

FFA Leadership and Personal Growth Series T he National FFA Organization offers a series of four leadership and personal growth conferences. You don’t have to be an officer to participate. Experiencing Discovery, Growth and Excellence (EDGE) Conference. Designed to help all middle school students better understand the concept of themselves and where they are going in life. Advanced Leadership Development (ADL) Conference This two day conference builds on the curriculum of both EDGE and MFE and creates new experiences for high school juniors and seniors. C H A P T E R F I V E

Band, Chorus, and Talent A t state and national conventions, FFA members provide much of the entertainment. Many state conventions host talent contests and some have a band and chorus. Ask your advisor how you can get involved with these exciting opportunities. Chances are good you’ll end up basking in the spotlights on an FFA stage. C H A P T E R F I V E

International Opportunities T hrough FFA’s international exchange programs, you can travel to more than 30 foreign countries. World Experience in Agriculture (WEA) is an exchange program that allows you to live and work with an agricultural family in the country of your choice for three, six, or 12 months. Something Shorter? Check into one of the many travel seminars or home-stay programs which generally range from three to six weeks. Through FFA exchange programs, you can travel to more than 30 foreign countries C H A P T E R F I V E

International Opportunities M any of FFA’s award winners receive expense- paid overseas travel seminars in addition to cash prizes. The National Star Farmers, Star in Agribusiness finalists, and 40 National Proficiency Award winners visit farms, schools, and businesses and meet with governmental officials during their European tours. Ask your advisor for more details. FFA International Exchange Countries AustraliaAustralia BelgiumBelgium BotswanaBotswana BulgariaBulgaria Costa RicaCosta Rica Czech RepublicCzech Republic DenmarkDenmark EstoniaEstonia FinlandFinland FranceFrance GermanyGermany GreeceGreece IndiaIndia IrelandIreland JamaicaJamaica JapanJapan LatviaLatvia LithuaniaLithuania LuxembourgLuxembourg The NetherlandsThe Netherlands New ZealandNew Zealand NorwayNorway ParaguayParaguay PortugalPortugal RussiaRussia SwedenSweden SwitzerlandSwitzerland TaiwanTaiwan UkraineUkraine United KingdomUnited Kingdom C H A P T E R F I V E

Going Places, Meeting People, Doing Things F FA can take you anywhere you want to go. But you’ll want to plan your itinerary carefully and begin working toward your goals early. Chapter Selections Go Global With FFA Learn more about FFA international programs in National FFA Online, C H A P T E R F I V E