Volume 1, 189Ue 2 TY ENGLAND April/May 1996 ALUMNI RECRUITS COUNTRY SUJlAS SPOKESPERSON /
, country sang for Brooks' band before launching his and agreed own solo career. During late 1994, he signed a contract with RCA and finished his first Alumnl album shortly thereafter. I nal On His Own spok The first single from England's self titled album, "Should've Asked Her Faster," Reaching for the Stars was a top five hit on Billboard's Country "The alumni association and Ty Singles Chart and clearly established him as England have a lot in common. We both one of country music's brightest new talents. believe in agriculture, education and England went on to earn "Song of the Year" America's young people," says Ricardo and "International Rising Star" nominations ~~PIN Valencia, national FFA alumni executive at the Great British Country Music Awards. director. "This partnership will help He has been a finalist as Performance Your next issue of New Visions will arrive in mid-June. Along with regular news, communicate the message that the alumni (continued on page 4) association is for everyone and promote the expect articles and feature stories on the need for community and family involve following ment in education." Ty England Shares Life's Dream In the Beginning England's first claim Building Successful Programs to fame started with With Advisors country music great Garth Brooks in 1988. The day Brooks signed a contract . ,..:.1, Capital Records, he asked England to { js band and move to Nashville. \... -~&'~ally, both were college singing buddies and roommates. For more than six years, he played and Ricardo L. Valencia Executive Director National FFA Alumni Association CHANGES ...
As you begin to read this issue of New the advances necessary to move this Visiom, the primary message that is commu association forward. They are choosing to nicated in several articles is change. Change generate ownership among our in the national association. Change in the association's membership and move toward image. Change in the policies and our what our mission is all about. national constitution. Change in the way we do business. I personally hope that you find our new vision u~lifting and excitin~! { It is important for all of us to under stand that the changes that are occurring are Your national staff felt that it woul~· for you the members of the National FFA be important to share with you a passage Alumni Association and for the young men that we live by every day of the week. We and women of the FFA. hope you enjoy it. M
Each of us as parents, teachers, former members and school administrators are responsible both individually and collectively for the fate of agricultural education and Bite off more than you can chew, FFA at the local, state and national levels. then chew it. And it is our responsibility to make the necessary changes in our association to ensure that each of us has the information and resources available to positively impact our programs.
Change will occur anytime an associa tion begins to examine what the preferred future shall be. It will occur anytime an ...... _....,_._.__ />;'--; association begins to examine what it really ~PONDENCE: Addr.,.all~:il>• . wants instead of only what it thinks is Valencia. "'""'°""tdiro, FFA Alumni N,., V-1sim1i,,liG; li
anniversary convention, Novertwber Auction Boost "' The n~edule has alumni~cials 15-16 in Kansas City, Mo. ~artid· opcimisiabo~n increase in FF~umni pants will ._ changes fhis year in a~ction rni?Ss'. coo. Auction items will be displaye egmnmg on Wednes with the convention's format~•nd hopes of i.iilding anticipation the Friday attractions. evening bidding. A Friday auction will allow Ji. more students, parents an<1adults to attend, Valencia says. We kend Offers Ben!\.ts ad of a j.Slllar mid-week, one-day ~ention, registrants w··i·ll· qnd a two-day Groups Targeted event s:heduled ~ay ~ Saturday. One other ben,,t of dule Alumni members should find it easier to change is the opportunity for the National a.lend a weeke¥ conference than a mid- FFA Alumni Association to target promo- week event. '- tions to two ke~roups: p~ts and young Since the conference is held a same adults. I time as the National FFA Conven , the • On Friday, approxi rely 2,500 reason for the new schedule was American FFA Degree ients and their the difficulty in finding rooms for m families will arrive for aylternoon TY ENGLAND Recruits Country Star as Spokesper: attendees earlier in t the Alumni Ricardo Valencia, 'onal FFA umni afternoon luncheon for recipi , the (Continued from page I) executive director. eginning Friday national association plans to include mornin.g, app.rox· rely 4,000 rooms w\in .. me~bership information an'fpplications in Magazine's "New Touring Act of the Year," a 20-mt!e radms owntown.K,ansas Citj their "'gree packets. · while Music City News has recently nomi typically become available for co~~~Ett'6n "This providJ' us wjsl{a chance to nated him for "Rising Star-Male." participants." attra nd work with rmembership that is The move will allow for sped rtant to us," Valencia s. Convention Promotions Planned weekend hotel and activities pac s for onvention pam s will mingle "We hope to make Ty an integral part conference participants our new vision with degree alumni promotions," says Jim Waller, alun bers. ts and their parents." marketing consultant. "Plans are underwa· y to include Ty at this year's national convp~ Amendments To Be Considered ion Highlights tion and have him sign autographs at ( The National FFA Alumni Council will Plans include moving the entire National FFA Agricultural Career Shovv present eight constitutional amendments to National FFA Alumni Convention from Kansas City." delegates at this year's convention. (For more Bartle Hall 2210C to the Conference Center Editor's Note: Watch the June issue for an in-de1 Ty specific information, see "Council Approves 4300 where the "Taste of Kansas City" interview with England on his musical career ___ reg;RtiQ!land auction have been held for the - --~--··- .. ~ .. ---·· _ ____, ~.starting ( t Local Program
With more than 37 years of
educational experience,
Dr. Barbara Price knows what
it takes to start a successful
program. "Get the community behind the move," she says. "Once parents understand their children aren't taking just another vocational education class, they'll . ryort you all the way." ( . Show parents how agricultural education classes and FFA make academic subjects come alive. Talk about how students write and give speeches or learn about photosynthesis in practical ways. Other steps to establish agricul tural education locaUy or in another school district: 1. Have students who have high school agricultural education talk to those who don't have one. 2. Bring students and parents who don't have a local program to the state and national FFA conventions or your local meeting. 3. Invite a board member to join your alumni affiliate. Be sure to inform the local principal and superintendent first about Studies Sho\¥ Value your plans, cautions Price. "Local adminis · TO:supporther point, Price Cites a trators are key to getting a program started Callfornia vocational study, whlch and need to be kept in the loop." shows significant student drop-out { \gricultural education and FFA are rates in schools that don't have a strong \ .ed more than ever, especially in Califor- c~mmunity agricultural education and nia, she believes. ''.Agribusiness is our state's other vocational programs. number one industry. For years students were "Organizations such as FFA promote not preparing for these careers, and that's life-long involvement more than any critical for this state and our nation." M other after-school activities," she alumni's mission." to raise funds for new computer VISION Here are some suggestions: equipment, search for someone • Take time to write down your whose occupation involves comp( Alumni affiliate's reasons for involving ers or proposal writing. . members and make sure Creating job descriptions for Recruitment everyone-advisor, officer team volunteer members can provide Member and recruitment committee needed focus. A committee of agrees. advisors, alumni and FFA officers, Is your alumni affiliate • Review the alumni mission and and others who will evenrually work constantly recruiting new people determine what members are with members need to develop these because current members or expected to do. assignments. volunteers are leaving? Or do you • Set specific goals and objectives "Allow the work to direct you find it difficult to get members for members. Ask: How will to the potential members," she involved? There are right-and they make a difference in advises. "That's a lot better than, wrong ways-to ask people to supporting agricultural educa 'You've got a pulse, you're in.'" join and keep them motivated, tion and FFA? says Susan Ellis, author of The • Annually review and revise your Editor's Note: This is the first in a three Volunteer Recruitment Book. affiliate's goals and objectives for part series to help you recruit, manage and member participation. motivate local alumni members. Part II will offer tips on analyzing your local RecruHment Is Last Step "Raise your affiliate's vision recruitment strategies, selling the benefits While most affiliates about the potential for alumni ofjoining and setting member objectives: ~ experience a rise and fall in members," Ellis membership periodically, the key to retention seems to .... Policies Changed adds a clause that states that no Effective immediately, the council council member may serve consecu omitted two articles from the National FFA tive terms on the National FFA Alumni Association Operating Policies. Alumni Council. Any elected or They stated that: appointed council representative • a $500 scholarship be provitkd to the shall have to wait a minimum of national FFA and past national FFA five years before possible re-election. officer representatives upon completing their one year ofservice on the council; Article II, Section B-2: This one and toughens an existing policy for • two scholarships for the Presitkntial council meeting attendance by Classroom Conference be provitkd for high specifying that no elected or school juniors and seniors. appointed representative may miss "We changed these two policies due to a more than two meetings. Upon redirection and refocus of alumni programs," doing so, that council member - Dr. Ray Herren, national FFA alumni would be asked to resign and the ( _ dent. vacancy filled based upon existing policies. Amendments Approved The council also approved eight Article II, Section F-1 and constitutional amendments to be presented Section F-2: These two amend to delegates at the 1996 National FFA ments allow for convention delegates Alumni Convention in Kansas City, Mo. at the National FFAAlumni Conven "Our aim is to operate the council more tion to elect the National FFA effectively and increase the involvement of Alumni president and vice-president. the membership in the decisions of the According to Herren, this amendmen association," explains Herren. "Other allows members more ownership in amendments such as the change in the the leadership of the association membership year will help manage member through the direct election of these ship and awards programs more efficiently." officers. Currently, only the National Amendments are listed with the FFAAlumni Council selects corresponding article and section for individuals for these offices. reference: Article II, Section F-3: This Article II, Section A·la: This amendment amendment explicitly states that the establishes a national nominating committee office of National FFA Alumni vice to screen candidates for national alumni president is not that of president-elect. office. The five-member committee ap pointed by the national alumni president, Article VII, Section C: This amend onsisting of council representatives, will ment changes the annual membership year ( .fy two qualified candidates for each from a calendar year, running from January position, unless only one candidate is 1 through December 31, to one beginning considered eligible. on August 1 and ending July 30. (continued on page 8) Article II, Section A·1d: This amendment NONPROFIT Oft_ U.S. POSTAGE ( PAID PERMIT NO. IC@I: DAITON.OH National FFA Alumni Association Newsletta Future Farmers of America 5632 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy Alexandria, VA 22309 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED COUNCIL APPROVES POLICY Marketing Good News to CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS Superintendents (Continued from page 7) (Continued ftom page 3) Q What experiences can help Artlcle VIII, Section A: The final superintendents see the value of proposed amendment raises life membership APRIL24-28 local programs? dues to a $500.00 one-time payment from National FFA Alumnl Co 11 I 1• A Many administrators lack an appreciation $150.00 currently. Strategic Planning MH,_ for agricultural related industries because of According to Herren, the National FFA Covington, GA limited experiences. Touring agribusinesses Alumni Association begins to lose money will help. Alumni need to extend invitations after five years on every life member and to FFA events and alumni activities as well JUNE1 does not generate enough interest revenue as share meaningful experiences verbally. Outstanding Achieve•• ...... _. from each member to pay for services. Plus, Applications Due giving the money back also affects the Q Your first experience with FFA association's future financial stability. National Alumnl Cou!llC8 occurred at the 1994 National FFA Convention. Would you recommend Nominations for Metllll 11 Ill I 1 • 4 copy ofthe proposed amendments or to Fw Position Due ,,,,,,W comments, contact Ricardo Valencia, that alumni bring their superinten dents along? N#ional FFA alumni executive director, 703-360- State Resolutions end 3600 or on e-mail: [email protected]. M A My administrative colleagues should all be required to attend. The observations Constitutional Amet..._ • ..• - would be far more beneficial than time spent National Consideratloa - at any workshop. I saw an impressive display of skills and talent from around the country. JULY 22·28 ' No educator could attend and leave without . FFA Al~mni State Leed1n· a renewed confidence in the future. Any .· .· ~confi.rj.i~11,~· wrtea..-. a.c.. program which can produce such impressive . : 11 · . -;!•:; results needs all the support possible. M