Creek Valley FFA Chapter Constitution & By-Laws

- Revised 2005 -

Article I. Name and Purpose of the Organization

Section A.

The name of this organization shall be the "Creek Valley FFA Chapter." Revised September 7, 2004 to create unity in the new school district. The Chapter is still under the Chappell FFA Charter.

Section B.

The purpose of which this chapter is formed is as follows:

1. To develop competent and aggressive agricultural leadership.
2. To create and nurture a love agricultural life.
3. To strengthen the confidence of the students of agricultural education 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 agricultural experience programs and establishment in agricultural careers.
6. To encourage members to improve the home and its surroundings.
7. To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvement of the industry of agriculture.
8. To develop character, train for useful citizenship, foster patriotism.
9. To participate in cooperative effort.
10. To encourage and practice thrift.
11. To encourage improvement in scholarship
12. To provide and encourage the development of organized recreational activities.

Article II. Organization

Section A.

The Creek Valley FFA Chapter is a chartered local unit of the Nebraska FFA Association, which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.

Section B.

This chapter accepts in full the provisions of the constitution and the by-laws of the Nebraska FFA Association as well as those of the National FFA Organization.

Article III. Membership

Section A.

Membership in this chapter shall be of three kinds: (1) Active, (2) Alumni, and (3) Honorary, as defined by the National FFA Constitution.

Section B.

Active membership. Any student who is regularly enrolled in a secondary agriculture education program is entitled to become an active member of the Creek Valley FFA Chapter.

To retain membership during high school, the member must:

1. Be enrolled in at least one agriculture education course during the school year and/or follow a planned course of study for an agricultural occupation, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program the objective of which is preparation for a career in agriculture. Members may retain their active membership until November 30, following the fourth National FFA Convention after graduation from high school.
2. Show an interest in the affairs of the chapter by attending meetings, striving for degrees of membership and participating in other organized activities of the chapter.
3. Pay all current local, state, and national dues established by the chapter.
4. Display conduct consistent with the ideas and purposes of the State and National FFA Organizations.

Section C.

Alumni Membership. Membership shall be open to former and active membership, collegiate, and honorary members, present and former professional agriculture educators, parents of FFA Members, and others interested in and supportive of FFA.

Section D.

Honorary Membership. Counselors, school superintendents, principals, instructors, business people, farmers, and others who are helping to advance agriculture education and the FFA, and who have rendered outstanding services, may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote at any regular meeting.

Section E.

A member will be excluded from the chapter for these reasons:

1. Three unexcused meetings
2. Non-payment of dues by September 30^th.
3. If a member is not in good standing, he/she forfeits his/her rights to vote and participate in any FFA activity.

Article IV. Emblem

Section A.

The emblem of the Creek Valley FFA Chapter shall be the same emblem as used by the National FFA Organization.

Section B.

Emblems used by the members shall be uniformed and those obtained from concerns officially designed by the National FFA Organization.

Section C.

The National FFA Organization provides the emblems to be used on the FFA Jacket free of charge.

Section D.

When members are excused from the chapter in poor standing they return their emblems.

Article V. Active Membership Degrees and Privileges

Section A.

Membership in this FFA Chapter shall be of four degrees: (1) Greenhand FFA Degree, (2) Chapter FFA Degree, (3) State FFA Degree, and (4) American FFA Degree.

Section B.

Greenhand FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:

1. Be regularly enrolled in a class in agriculture education and have satisfactory and acceptable plans for a program of supervised agricultural experience program.
2. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.
3. Describe the meaning of the FFA Emblem and Colors.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws, and the chapter Program of Activities.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA Jacket.
6. Personally own or have access to an Official FFA Manual and FFA Student Handbook.
7. Submit a written application for the degree.
8. Receive a majority vote of the members present at a regular chapter meeting.
9. Personally own or have access to an Official FFA Jacket.

Section C.

Chapter FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:

1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
2. Must have satisfactorily completed at least 180 hours of instruction in agriculture education at or above the 9^th grade level, have in operation an improved Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, and be regularly enrolled in an agriculture education class.
3. Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions of the chapter program of activities.
4. Have earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member’s own efforts or worked at least 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time or a combination thereof and have developed plans for continues growth and improvement in the supervised agricultural experience program.
5. Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.
6. Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.
7. Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA awards program.
8. Have a satisfactory scholastic record.
9. Submit written application for the degree.
10. Receive a majority vote of the members present at a regular chapter meeting.

Section D.

State FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election.

1. Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth by in the constitution of the Nebraska FFA Association.

Section E.

American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election.

1. Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the National FFA Organization.

Article VI. Officers

Section A.

The officers of the chapter shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, and Advisor. The Advisor shall be the teacher of agriculture education in the school where the chapter is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices.

Section B.

Officers should be elected annually by a majority vote of the members present at a regular chapter meeting.

Section C.

The officers of the Chapter shall constitute the Chapter Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with actions taken at chapter meetings and various regulations or by-laws from time to time. The executive committee may consult with the program of work chairperson on matters of utmost importance.

Section D.

Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold any office in the chapter except that of Advisor.

Section E.

Chapter Officer's minimum qualifications for election:

1. Must hold the Chapter FFA Degree or may have the Greenhand FFA Degree and completed one school year of FFA Membership.
2. Be enrolled in an agricultural education class.
3. Attend the Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference.

Article VII. Meetings

Section A.

Regular chapter meetings shall be held once a month during the school year and once a month the remaining months of the year at such time and place as is designated by the chapter executive committee. Special meetings may be called at any time.

Section B.

Two delegates shall be elected annually from the active membership to represent the chapter at the State Convention. Other delegates may be named as necessary in order to have proper representation at various other FFA Meetings within the state.

Section C.

The chapter executive committee has select members who will attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, excluding those going for special reasons.

1. These members shall be picked according to outstanding work done in the FFA Chapter.
2. These members shall be chosen according to participation in school events, outstanding scholarship, ability, leadership, cooperation, and the supervised agricultural experience program.
3. No member will be allowed to represent the chapter three consecutive years.
4. School district No. 1 and the Creek Valley FFA Chapter will pay for the transportation(van and fuel) and room for members attending the National Convention. Representatives will pay for their own meals.

Section D.

A majority of the active members listed on the secretary’s membership roll shall constitute a quorum, and a quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or vote taken committing the chapter to any proposal or action.

Section E.

Any member arriving after new business has been introduced is considered absent, unless he or she have a valid excuse.

Section F.

If any member is absent from a meeting, the executive committee will determine if the absence is valid.

Article VIII. Dues

Section A.

Local dues in this chapter shall be fixed annually by a majority vote of the active members.

Section B.

Full local, state and national dues shall be paid by all active members.

Section C.

No member shall be considered as active and in good standing unless they pay full chapter, state, and national dues.

Article IX. Conduct

Section A.

Any member who’s conduct is not acceptable by the executive committee forfeits their right to wear any emblems, pins, etc. on their jackets signifying that they are a FFA Member until they have regained their standing in the chapter.

1. These pins and emblems will be taken by the chapter and held by the chapter.
2. When members are accepted back into the chapter, they will regain the pins, emblems, etc.

Section B.

1. The official FFA dress shall consist of the following: The FFA Jacket, FFA Tie/Scarf, White Shirt, Black Dress Pants/Skirt (knee length or longer), Black Socks/Pantyhose, and Black Shoes
2. The executive committee shall decide when official dress is required at activities. If a member does not wear official dress he or she will present their reasons to the executive committee. The committee will review the reason.

Section C.

Any member involved in a criminal act while attending a FFA Activity will be excluded from the chapter for ninety days. (This includes stealing, reckless driving, disturbing the peace, minor in possession, etc.)

Section D.

The governing board of the above regulations is the executive committee and their decision is final.

Article X. Program of Activities

Section A.

The program of activities will consist of the following committees: Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, Cooperation, Community Service, Leadership, Earnings and Savings, Conduct of Meetings, Scholarship, Recreation, Public Relations, Participation in State and National Activities and BOAC (Building Our American Communities).

Section B.

The Program of Activities committee shall have their program completed by September 30^h of each year.

Section C.

A copy of the chapter Program of Activities shall be sent to the State Department of Education before September 30^th.

Article XI. Initiations

Section A.

1. The initiation ceremony for the Greenhand FFA Degree shall consist of the ceremony that is in the Official FFA Manual for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
2. They will also be required to recite the FFA Creed or a speech on the meaning of the FFA Creed.

Section B.

1. The initiation of the Chapter FFA Degree shall consist of the ceremony that is in the Official FFA Manual for the Chapter FFA Degree.

Article XII. Amendments

Section A.

This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing it is not in conflict with the state association constitution or that of the national organization of FFA.

Section B.

By-laws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing such by-laws do not conflict in any way with the constitution and by-laws of either the state association or the national organization.