FFA Constitution & By-Laws

State College Little Lions FFA

Constitution and by-laws

Revised October 2019

Article I. Name and Purposes

Section A. The name of this organization shall be the State College Little Lions FFA Chapter.

Section B. The purposes for which this chapter was formed is as follows:

1. To develop competent and aggressive agricultural leadership.

2. To create and nurture a love of agricultural life.

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

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

5. To encourage members in the development of individual occupational experience programs and the establishment in agricultural careers.

6. To encourage members to improve their homes and surroundings.

7. To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvement of the agricultural industry.

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

9. To participate in cooperative efforts.

10. To encourage and practice thrift.

11. To encourage improvement in scholarship.

12. To provide and encourage the development of organized recreational activities.

13. To support community development through service.

Article II. Organization

Section A. The State College Little Lions FFA Chapter is a chartered local unit of the

Pennsylvania FFA Association, which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.

Section B. This chapter accepts in the full provisions in the constitution and by-laws of the

Pennsylvania FFA Association and the National FFA Organization.

Article III. Membership

Section A. All students enrolled in Agriculture Sciences courses are members of the local FFA.

Section B. Membership in this chapter shall be of four kinds: (1) Active, (2) Alumni, (3)

Honorary and (4) Chapter as defined by the National FFA Organization’s constitution.

Section C. The regular work of this chapter will be carried out by the active and chapter

membership.

Section D. Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter

Degree.

Section E. Active members in good standing may vote on all business brought before the

chapter. An active member shall be considered in good standing when: they attend

local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity; they show an interest in, and take

an active part in the affairs of the chapter.

Section F. Chapter members are those members who are not enrolled in an Agriculture course and, therefore are not recognized as FFA members by Pennsylvania or National FFA. Chapter members in good standing may vote on all business brought before the chapter. A chapter member shall be in good standing when: they attend local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity; they show an interest in, and take an active part in the affairs of the chapter. Chapter members will not pay dues, and may not participate in activities beyond the chapter level, including but not limited to; state and national conferences, local, state and national competitions and leadership events funded, fully or partially by Pennsylvania or National FFA. Chapter members also may not hold a chapter office or receive FFA Degrees.

Section G. Names of applicants for membership shall be filed with the membership committee.

Article IV. Emblem

Section A. The emblem of the National FFA Organization shall be the emblem of this chapter.

Section B. Emblems used by the members shall be designed by the National FFA Organization.

Article V. Membership Degrees and Privileges

Section A. There shall be four levels of Active membership in this chapter. These levels are: (1)

Greenhand, (2) Chapter, (3) Keystone, and (4) American. Members receiving a degree

level is entitled to wear the appropriate degree medal as outlined in the National

FFA Organization’s constitution. Qualifications for each degree are outlined in the

National FFA Organization’s and the Pennsylvania FFA Association’s Handbooks.

Members must submit a degree level application to the degree committee for review

and approval. Members will receive their Greenhand and Chapter degrees at the

Parent Member Banquet. The Keystone and American degrees will be awarded at the

state and national conventions. These members will be recognized at the Parent

Member Banquet.

Article VI Officers

Section A. The officers of this chapter will be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary,

Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, Chaplin, Parliamentarian, Historian, Webpage

Manager. The Advisor(s) shall be the teacher(s) of Agricultural Sciences in the State

College Area School District. Officers shall perform the usual duties of the

perspective office as outlined in the FFA Handbooks. All officers are entitled to wear

their current officer pin.

Section B. Officers will be elected annually by a majority vote of the members present at the

May chapter meeting. All officer candidates will complete the Officer Candidate

application before the May chapter meeting.

Section C. All officers will retire at the May chapter meeting.

Section D. All officers will serve on the Executive Committee and Program of Work Committee

Article VII Committees

Section A. There will be three standing committees that will be formed annually to complete the necessary work of the chapter. The chairpersons are designated and all committees will be on file and will report their recommendations at the monthly chapter meetings for action. The committees will present a written report to be filed with the Secretary’s minutes. The following standing committees are:

Committee Committee Chair

Strengthening Agriculture Secretary, Reporter, Chaplain

Building Communities Vice President, Sentinel, Historian

Growing Leaders President, Treasurer, Parliamentarian

Section B. Special committees will be appointed as necessary to complete special tasks. These

committees will be appointed by the Presiding officer at a monthly meeting.

Article VII. Meetings

Section A. Regular chapter meetings shall be held monthly and may be called by the Officer Team at any time the need arises.

Section B. Standard meeting paraphernalia shall be used at each meeting. All regular meetings

shall open and close with official ceremonies. Proper parliamentary procedure shall

be used and Robert’s Rules of Order will be followed to transact business.

Section C. The Parent Member banquet will serve as the annual meeting.

Section D. Delegates, as specified by the state constitution, shall be elected annually in April

from the active membership to represent the chapter at the Pennsylvania FFA

Association’s convention in June. Other delegates may be named as necessary in

order to have proper representation at various FFA meeting and activities.

Section E. A quorum will be the number of active members in attendance at monthly or special

meeting at which business is transacted or a vote is taken committing the chapter to

any proposal or action.

Article VIII. Dues

Section A. Dues are set by the Pennsylvania FFA Association annually and are unified to include

local, state and national dues.

Article IX. Community Service

Section A. The chapter will participate in and help fund community service projects annually.

Article X. Amendments

Section A. This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting by a

two-thirds vote of the active member present providing it is not in conflict with state

or national constitutions or school district policies.

Section B. by-laws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter

meeting by a two-thirds vote providing such by-laws do not conflict with state or

national by-laws or school district policies.