B Y: K E L LY W H I T E T E X A S F FA A L U M N I P R E S I D E N T
TEXAS FFA ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS
UPDATES
A
sking anyone involved with ag education or FFA if they support our cause is like asking the local pastor, choir member, deacon, or elder if they support the church. The expression “preaching to the choir” is often used when we find ourselves advocating for agriculture education when we are around those with the same kindred spirit. How are we perceived in the public eye? What do you do to advocate for the FFA and agriculture education? As part of a strategic initiative, the National FFA board has passed recommendations to realign the National FFA Alumni Association, renaming it the National FFA Alumni and Supporters. Note the word “Supporters.” “In order to be more inclusive of our volunteers, while still maintaining the recognition that our former members have come to know in FFA, the National FFA Board of Directors decided to change the name,” said Joshua Rusk, Executive Director of National FFA Alumni and Supporters. “In the National FFA Organization, you don’t have to be a former member to be an alumni member, and the board wanted the name to reflect that opportunity.”
Each year, the Alumni Council works on a budget for the upcoming year based on the success of our annual auction held at the Texas FFA State Convention, membership dues, and donations. Each year the Alumni Council sets a goal of increased membership, increased participation and, like everyone else, more money!
accomplish? Define your Plan of Action and how will this project make an impact on the members and/or program. You will need to estimate what your project will cost. Grant money has been used to assist the local FFA Chapter in purchasing member t-shirts, starting a community garden, and assisting the local chapter in purchasing new livestock The Texas FFA Alumni budgets for equipment. several monetary awards every year. This past year included: In order to be eligible for the four $500 scholarships; ten above-mentioned grants and $500 local grants; two $500 scholarships you dues must Washington Leadership Conference be paid by March 1, 2020. scholarships; $1500 to the Agriculture Teachers Association Washington Leadership of Texas; and we proudly welcome Conference the retiring Texas FFA Officer Team The Washington Leadership into our organization by paying Conference (WLC) provides a their Lifetime FFA Membership into premier leadership experience the Past State Officer’s Alumni. for FFA members in the nation's capital each summer. General How can my program receive this registration for the 2020 season money? Alumni chapters must be of the Washington Leadership in good standing with the State Conference will open at 6 p.m. and National FFA Alumni, defined EST, on March 3, 2020. as having a charter on file with ten members paying the affiliation Scholarship applications for the dues of $100 for State and $100 Washington Leadership Conference for National dues. are online. The Texas FFA Alumni will present two $500 Scholarships What do you do to get grant to WLC for an Alumni Affiliate that money? Be prepared to answer the meets the criteria. following questions: What is your Project, and what do you want to
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