SECTION A
The name of this organization shall be the Anderson Chapter of Future Farmers of America (Anderson FFA Chapter, Anderson FFA). Members shall be vocational agricultural students who attend Anderson Union High School.
SECTION B
The primary aim of the Anderson FFA is the development of agricultural leadership. The purposes are outlined in the official FFA handbook.
ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION
SECTION A
The Anderson Chapter of Future Farmers of America is Charter #133 of the California Association of the Future Farmers of America and is affiliated with the National FFA Organization.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A
Types of membership in this organization shall be: (1) Active, (2) Honorary.
SECTION B
Active membership: Active members shall be enrolled in a vocational agricultural class, and be passing at least four classes at Anderson High School. Members may retain active membership continuously throughout their high school career and for three (3) years after the first National Convention following graduation from high school, or until they become 21 years of age, whichever length of time is greater.
SECTION C
Honorary Membership: Supervisors, school superintendents, principals, members of the board of education, instructors, business persons, farmers, and others who are helping to advance vocational agricultural and the FFA. Those individuals who have rendered outstanding service may be elected to Honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the chapter.
ARTICLE IV. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP, DEGREES, AND PRIVILEGES
SECTION A
There shall be five degrees of active membership based upon achievement. These are: (1) Discovery FFA Degree (2) Greenhand FFA Degree; (3) Chapter FFA Degree; (4) State FFA Degree; and the (5) American FFA Degree. The national organization shall set the standards for the degrees.
SECTION B
Discovery FFA Degree: Upon meeting the following minimum qualifications, the Discovery FFA may be conferred by the chapter.
(1) Be enrolled in agricultural education class for at least a portion of the school year while in eighth grade
(2) Have become a dues paying member of the FFA at local, state, and national levels.
(3) Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity.
(4) Have knowledge of agriculturally related career, ownership, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
(5) Be familiar with the local FFA chapter program of activities.
(6) Submit a written application.
SECTION C
Greenhand FFA Degree: Upon meeting the following minimum qualifications, the Greenhand FFA degree may be conferred by the chapter.
(1) Be regularly enrolled in an Agricultural Education course and have satisfactory and acceptable plan for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. (SAEP)
(2) Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.
(3) Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.
(4) Demonstrate and explain the meaning of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of an FFA jacket.
(5) Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the FFA organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws, and the chapter Program of Activities.
(6) Personally own or have access to the official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.
(7) Submit a written application for the Greenhand Degree.
SECTION D
Chapter FFA Degree: Upon Meeting the following minimum qualifications, the chapter FFA Degree May be conferred by the chapter
(1) Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
(2) Must have satisfactory completed the equivalent of 180 hours of systemic school instruction in agriculture education at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised agriculture experience program, and be enrolled in an agriculture education course.
(3) Have participated in the planning and construction of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of Activities.
(4) Have earned and productively invested at least $150 by the members own efforts or worked at least 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or combination thereof, and have a developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a SAEP.
(5) Have lead a group discussion for 15 minutes.
(6) Have demonstrated 5 procedures of Parliamentary law.
(7) Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award program.
(8) Have a satisfactory scholastic record.
(9) Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.
SECTION E
A record of Discovery FFA Degree, Greenhand FFA Degree and Chapter FFA Degree members initiated shall be kept in the office of the local chapter.
SECTION F
Only members who have earned the Golden State FFA Degree may hold state office. Officers in the regional organization must hold the Chapter or State FFA Degree. Officers in the local chapter must not rank lower than the Chapter FFA Degree.
SECTION G
Active members in good standing participate in FFA activities, and are accorded any other privileges due to the FFA members.
SECTION H
A member will be in good standing when they attend at least 50% of the chapter meetings and one fundraising activity, upon membership in the chapter. It will be the duty of the Sentinel to enforce these minimum standings.
SECTION I
To attend conferences a member must be a member in good standing, have a C or better in their Agriculture class and have a current GPA of not less than a 2.0 with no F’s.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION A
The executive committee of the Anderson Chapter FFA shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, Historian, Greenhand Representative, and any other Regional, State, and/or National FFA officers from the Chapter.
SECTION B
The elected officers from the Anderson Chapter FFA shall be; President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, Historian, Ambassador, and Parliamentarian. All officers shall be elected annually at a pre-announced election meeting by majority vote of those members present. The officers assume office at the end of the Annual Parent/Member Banquet. All the officers must hold the Chapter FFA Degree. Greenhand's may run for office if they qualify for the Chapter FFA Degree.
SECTION C
All elected officers shall hold office for one year after election, or until their successors is elected, unless removed from office for causes determined by the Executive Committee and /or the Advisor(s). All vacancies may be filled by the President until the next regular meeting of which time there will be an election.
SECTION D
Greenhand Representatives shall be an Anderson Union High School student who is a freshman member who is currently enrolled in an agriculture class. He/She must present the Executive Committee with a Greenhand Officer application and recite the FFA Motto. He/She will be elected in September of each year by a majority vote of the Greenhand FFA Members.
SECTION E
All candidates for office must submit a Chapter Officer Application to the Executive Committee and go through the screening committee with the exception of the Greenhand Representative who only need to submit an application.
SECTION F
Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee:
(1) President
A) It shall be the duty of the President to preside over all meetings of the Anderson FFA Chapter and over all meetings of the Chapter Executive Committee.
B) The president shall call one meeting of the Anderson Chapter FFA each school month on such date at such place as shall be fixed by a majority vote delegation. In such a case as the date is in conflict with another event, the executive committee shall reset the meeting date.
C) The President shall call a Greenhand/Chapter Member Ice Cream Social and a Parent/Member Banquet each year.
D) The President shall appoint all special committees and may serve as an ex-officio member of these committees.
E) It shall be the duty of the president to accept the responsibility for the actions of the executive committee.
F) The President shall have the agenda posted the Monday prior to the monthly meeting.
(2) Vice-President
A) The Vice-President shall be responsible for making sure all forms necessary for the running of the chapter are completed, such as Facility Requests, Transportation Requests, and Chapter award applications. The Vice-President shall also actively recruit members to apply for proficiency and other state awards.
B) The Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President in the event that office becomes vacant and shall perform those duties until the next regular meeting when a new President is elected.
C) The Vice-President shall preside over the meetings in the absence of the President.
(3) Secretary
A) The Secretary shall perform the duties common to such an office; as keeping an accurate record of the minutes of the Anderson FFA Chapter or the minutes of the Executive Committee. Copies of these minutes shall be prepared one week after the meeting has occurred and be made available to all the members.
B) The Secretary shall have the Program of Work ready by the September meeting.
C) The secretary is responsible for all correspondence.
(4) Treasurer
(A) The Treasurer shall represent the Anderson FFA Chapter in all matters pertaining to financial budget and policy.
(B) He/She shall present to the chapter members at each monthly meeting an audit of the accounts of the chapter to be prepared under the direction of the Advisor.
(5) Reporter
(A) It shall be the duty of The Reporter to head the publication of the Anderson FFA newsletter.
(B) Assist with collecting data for the official chapter report, and prepare news notes suitable for publication on all activities of the Anderson FFA Chapter.
(C) The newsletter shall be published at least once a month.
(6) Sentinel
(A) It shall be the duty of the Sentinel to assist in the conduct of all chapter meetings by greeting guests; seating delegates; arranging paraphernalia, displays, and decorations; and carry out the duties assigned to him/her by the President.
(B) He/She shall also keep a record of all functions attended by members to maintain a Point of Awards chart and keep a record of members in good standing.
(C) He/She shall assume the disciplinary responsibilities of chapter events.
(7) Historian
(A) The Historian shall keep a neat and accurate record of chapter history and maintain the official scrapbook.
(B) He/She shall also be responsible for the taking of pictures at official chapter functions.
(C) He/She shall also maintain a monthly bulletin board in the agriculture classrooms.
(8) Greenhand Representative
(A) Serve as a representative on the Executive Committee for all first year members.
SECTION G
The executive Committee shall be empowered to perform all urgent business of the Anderson FFA Chapter between monthly meetings.
SECTION H
All officers must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, with no F’s and have a B or better in all Ag Classes. Failure to do so will result in suspension from office until a 2.5 GPA is reached, all F’s have been cleared and all Ag Class grades are above a B. Officers may not miss more than five days of school per quarter, unless otherwise excused from a physician. If more than five days are missed you will be asked to resign.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
SECTION A
The Anderson FFA Chapter shall hold one meeting each school month, a Greenhand/member social, and a parent/member banquet.
SECTION B
The Executive Committee shall decide the dates of the meetings. If a date is conflicting with another activity the executive committee then has the power to change the date of the meeting.
SECTION C
A quorum shall consist of 50% of the active members plus one.
ARTICLE VII. DUES
SECTION A
Annual dues for the members of the Anderson FFA Chapter shall be paid by the chapter. The dues include Chapter, Regional, State, and National.
ARTICLE VIII. PROCEDURE
SECTION A
Parliamentary procedure in all meetings of this organization shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
SECTION A
Amendments or by-laws shall be submitted to the membership at least one month prior to voting. Passage requires 2/3 majority vote of those present.
ARTICLE X. COMMITTEES
SECTION A
Standing Committee: There shall be standing committees for: Publicity, Community Service, Program of Activities, and Officer Screening. All standing committees shall meet no more than once a month.
SECTION B
Publicity Committee: Shall consist of the elected Reporter as advisor and five committee members selected annually at the first regular meeting with approval by the membership. Its major responsibilities are FFA Week publicity, the Chapter newsletter and overall publicity.
SECTION C
Community Service Committee: Shall consist of three members plus the President as the advisor. It will be the duty of the Community Service committee to put together and organize different community service projects.
SECTION D
Program of Activities Committee: Shall consist of the elected officers. They will plan the Program of Activities at the summer planning meeting. The Program of Activities will be presented at the first meeting of the year to the delegation for adoption or revision.
SECTION E
Screening Committee: Shall consist of the Executive Committee, any senior member or alumni members. The responsibilities of this committee are to encourage quality candidates to run for office and screen officer candidates. All Executive Committee members running for re-election of a new office are prohibited from participating on the screening committee.
ARTICLE XI. RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION
This constitution shall take effect upon the passage by 2/3 majority of the voting members.