FFA Alumni Getting Off On The Right Foot Connecticut State FFA Convention May 21, 2011

Success with a State/Local FFA Alumni Where does Alumni fit in to the ‘Team Ag Ed’? What can Alumni Affiliates accomplish in an Ag Ed Program? How do you do it right? What/who is available for help?

Local/State Team Ag Ed Who is Local TAE? – School administrators – Foundation / sponsors – Advisory Council – Business and Industry – Postsecondary representatives – Commodity organizations – FFA Officers/Student Rep(s) – School Board – Local Ag Ed Instructor(s) – Parents – Counselor & curriculum director – Alumni Association/Affiliate – Others

FFA Alumni as part of the Team Is the FFA Alumni a key player on the team? What can the FFA Alumni do for the advisor? What can the FFA Alumni do for students? What can the FFA Alumni do to enhance the flow of positive information about the Ag Ed program?

Purpose of the FFA Alumni Advocate for Agriculture Education Support the Ag Ed Program/FFA Chapter Support the Local Ag Teachers Support the Ag Ed Students/FFA Members Assist in implementing chapter POA Promote Local Agriculture Industry & Careers Promote Agricultural Literacy Advocate/Promoter for Agriculture/Agribusiness

Strategic Goals of National FFA Alumni: Long Range Goal 1:That every FFA chapter has an active, fully engaged FFA Alumni affiliate at the local level Long Range Goal 2:To become leaders in advocacy for Agricultural Education at the local level

How Does the FFA Alumni Help? Support Local Advisor(s) Advocate for Agricultural Education – Local Administration/Government – Local Businesses/Community – School Board – State Government Advocate “Up the Food Chain” Promotion/Recruiting for Agricultural Education ?

FFA Alumni are Volunteers “As volunteers, the members of the FFA Alumni are expected to understand and support the mission of FFA and the mission of agricultural science education in the classroom.” “Alumni should be willing to assist the teacher(s) in reaching his/her/their goals by means of promoting and supporting Agricultural education programs and by emotionally, financially, and technically supportive of the youth involved.” !

Volunteer Responsibility “As volunteers, Alumni members are expected to maintain the strictest confidentiality about the students, staff, parents and schools.” “Alumni are also expected to uphold the same duties and responsibilities of regular employees or teachers in relation to privacy issues.” “As volunteers, Alumni members will gain the trust of the students, teachers, and administrators of the schools in which you work. An important part of that trust is related to ethics and confidentiality.”

Analyze/Review… What is available? What is ‘doable’? What is complimentary to the goals of the Ag Ed program in place? What has greatest impact for resource assigned? WIIFM - (What’s In It For Me?)

Develop a System/Process Having a known set process for operations, management, a decision making and sticking to it, is important for success Communication, cooperation and respect are key to success of Alumni affiliates Provide TRAINING

Developing and Providing Training for a set “Activity Process” Brainstorm Prioritize Assign Responsibility Develop ways, means and timeline Assign resources Implement Evaluate & make recommendations

Chapter Program of Activities The local FFA chapter develops and approves it’s Program of Activities (POA) under the advisement of the local FFA Advisor(s)/Agricultural Education Instructor(s) and within the rules of the School, and within resources available.

Once POA Approved Difficult to make changes as resources and responsibilities are assigned New ideas might be best placed on ‘table’ for next years consideration Rarely, circumstances might require alterations, but ALWAYS retain the process, respect and cooperative spirit

Typical Process POA Developed and approved Committees develop ways and means (process and necessary resources) for each activity Request for assistance from students/teachers to Alumni Alumni responds to requests Chapters often may have an ‘Alumni Relations’ committee

“Do’s” …understand the importance of positive communications and attitudes. …understand the need for cooperative working relationships …understand the importance of confidentiality and trust. …review key training items/issues frequently

Consider… Teacher, chapter members and alumni members always reach the highest levels of achievement and accomplishment when they work together Cooperation and communication are the key to any successful relationship

Special Training Issues to Consider/Include: Board Member Training – Address Fiduciary and Legal Responsibilities (Maintain Tax Exempt Status) Conduct of Meetings – Parliamentary Procedure Committee Work Strategic Planning Minutes and Communications

Fundraising Ideas Fundraising Item Sales Grants Special Events – Concessions, Parking, Information – Sporting Events, Trade Shows, Auctions, Drives What Works for You (other ideas) – Community Calendars, Photo Books, Advertising

Resources Utilize Volunteerism CD/On-Line resources – eerism eerism – On-line certification available Consult Alumni home page at ffa.org – includes Alumni Handbook National FFA Alumni Council/Staff LPS Specialists

National FFA Alumni Webinars Advocating for Local FFA Chapters and Ag Ed Programs Communicating the FFA Alumni Message Starting a New Affiliate and Completing the Excel Roster Local/State FFA Alumni Board Roles and Responsibilities Visit and check the “News” section for details on dates, times, and links to participate.

Contact Information: David Miller (National FFA Alumni President-Elect) 301/ Kevin Keith (Northeast Local Program Success Specialist) 317/ Frank Saldana (National FFA Alumni Executive Director) 317/

Questions???? Answers????? Comments???

Budget Info

Special Programs Support Program SupportedAmount Given in 2010 Washington Leadership Conference Scholarships --$87, American FFA Degree Recipient Scholarship-- $1, Agriculture Teacher College Scholarships --$5, Life Member Memorial Scholarships -- $1, State Rebates -- $15, New/Reactivating Affiliate Incentive Program -- $1, Awards -- $ Local Program Support (LPS) Grants -- $20, Alumni Development Conference (ADC) Grants -- $7, ADC Scholarships (Campbell Barn project) -- $2, National Council for Agricultural Education Contribution -- $5, Postsecondary Agricultural Student Association (PAS) Contribution -- $1, National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Contribution -- $6, Ag Ed Opportunity Fund Contribution -- $14, NAAE Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program -- $15, TOTAL: -- $182,911.75

Ag Career Network -- Alumni Information and services available to local and state FFA Alumni (not available to non affiliated chapters and non-members) beginning fall 2011 – Career Connections – Chapter News and Opprtunities – Alumni Interest Checklist – Program of Activities – Calendar and Communications