Texas FFA Alumni and Supporters Updates

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! The Texas FFA Alumni budgets for several monetary awards every year. This past year included: four $500 scholarships; ten $500 local grants; two $500 Washington Leadership Conference scholarships; $1500 to the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas; and we proudly welcome the retiring Texas FFA Officer Team into our organization by paying their Lifetime FFA Membership into the Past State Officer’s Alumni. How can my program receive this money? Alumni chapters must be in good standing with the State and National FFA Alumni, defined as having a charter on file with ten members paying the affiliation dues of $100 for State and $100 for National dues. What do you do to get grant money? Be prepared to answer the following questions: What is your Project, and what do you want to 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 equipment. In order to be eligible for the above-mentioned grants and scholarships you dues must be paid by March 1, 2020. The Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) provides a premier leadership experience for FFA members in the nation's capital each summer. General registration for the 2020 season of the Washington Leadership Conference will open at 6 p.m. EST, on March 3, 2020. Scholarship applications for the Washington Leadership Conference are online. The Texas FFA Alumni will present two $500 Scholarships to WLC for an Alumni Affiliate that meets the criteria. Washington Leadership Conference A

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