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O'Neals-Minarets Constitution

1.1 Name and Purpose

  1. The name of this organization shall be the “O’Neals - Minarets Chapter of the FFA Organization.” Members are hereinafter referred to as “FFA’ers” and the letters “FFA” may be used to designate the chapter, its activities, or members thereof.

  2. The purposes for which this chapter is formed by are as follows:

    1. To develop competent and assertive agricultural leadership.

    2. To develop an awareness of the global importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.

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

    4. To promote the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.

    5. To stimulate the development and encourage achievement in individual agricultural experience programs.

    6. To develop the economic, environmental, recreational and human resources of the community.

    7. To develop competencies in communications, human relations and social abilities.

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

    9. To build cooperative attitudes among agriculture students.

    10. To encourage wise management of resources.

    11. To encourage improvement in scholarship

    12. To provide organized recreational activities for agriculture students.

 

2.1 Organization

  1. The O’Neals - Minarets Chapter of FFA is a chartered local entity of the East Fresno-Madera Section of the California Association, made up of local members.

  2. This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the California Association of the FFA as well as those of the National FFA Organization.

 

3.1 Membership

  1. Membership in this chapter shall be of three kinds:

    1. Active

    2. Alumni

    3. Honorary as defined by the National FFA Constitution.

  2. The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership.

  3. Honorary membership in the chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.

  4. Active membership in good standing may vote on all business brought before the chapter. An active member shall be considered in good standing when:

    1. They attend local chapter meetings with reasonable regularity.

    2. They take part in the affairs of the chapter. 

 

4.1 Emblems

  1. The emblem of the FFA shall be the emblem for the chapter.

  2. Emblems used by the members shall be designated by the National FFA Organization.

 

5.1 Membership Degrees and Privileges

  1. There shall be four levels of active membership in this chapter. 

   These levels are:

  1. The Discovery FFA Degree

  2. Chapter FFA Degree

    1. Minimum qualifications for election:

      1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.

      2. Must be enrolled in their second year of agricultural education and have an approved Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.

      3. Participated in planning and conducting of at least three official chapter functions.

      4. Have earned at least $150.00 or worked at least 45 hours and have  developed plans for growth of their SAE.

      5. Have effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes.Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.

      6. Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.

      7. Have satisfactory scholastic record.

      8. Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.

  3. State FFA Degree

    1. Minimum qualifications for election:

      1. Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the National FFA Organization.

  4. American FFA Degree

    1. Minimum qualifications for election: 

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

 

6.1 Special committees shall review the qualifications of members and make recommendations to the chapter concerning degree advancement.

  1. The Discovery Degree

    1. All “Discovery Members” are entitled to wear the regulation blue emblem charm

  2. The Greenhand Degree

    1. All “Greenhands” are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem charm.

  3. The Chapter Degree

    1. All members holding the degree of Chapter FFA are entitled to wear the silver emblem pin.

  4. The State FFA Degree

    1. All members holding the degree of State FFA are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem charm.

  5. The American FFA Degree

    1. All members holding the degree of American FFA are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key.

  6. Discovery FFA Degree.

    1. Minimum qualifications for election.

      1. Be enrolled in an agriculture class for at least a portion of the school year while in grades 7-8.

      2. Have become a dues- paying member of FFA at local, state and national levels.

      3. Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time.

      4. Have knowledge of agriculturally related career, ownership and entrepreneurial opportunities.

      5. Be familiar with the local FFA chapter’s Program of Activities. 

      6. Submit written application for the degree.

  7. Greenhand FFA Degree.

    1. Minimum qualifications for election:

      1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience program.

      2. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.

      3. Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors

      4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.

      5. Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.

      6. Have access to the Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.

      7. Submit written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

 

7.1 Chapter Office

  1. Vice-President(s): Shall assist the President in the duties of coordinating FFA activities, act as President in the absence of the President or at such time as the President directs, and attend to coordinating all committees.

  2. Secretary: Shall coordinate agendas, keep an accurate record of all chapter meetings, and handle all corresponding matters.

  3. Treasurer: Shall handle the funds of the chapter, keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements, and approve all of the financial spending of the chapter.

  4. Reporter: Shall in charge of informing the membership, community, and fellow chapter of activities and events.

  5. Sentinel: Shall be in charge of assisting the President in keeping order of the meeting and will be responsible for setting up the meeting room.

  6. Historian: Shall be in charge of keeping an accurate and up-to-date history of the chapter and its members.

  7. Parliamentarian: Shall be charged with ensuring that the minority is heard and the majority prevails.

  8. Chaplain: Shall be charged with ensuring the well-being of our chapter and its members, and in addition, catering to the spiritual needs of the chapter.

 

8.1 Application Process

  1. The chapter officer application shall be made available by the chapter advisors no later than 45 days prior to the annual spring awards banquet.

  2. Officer Selection

    1. Part 1: The Application
      The application shall consist of the candidate’s preference of offices, a short answer question portion, three teacher/ administrator recommendations, a grade check form to be approved by an administrator, a signed copy of the “Expectations of the Chapter Officers” document, and a signed copy of the O’Neals- Minarets FFA Officer Policy.

    2. Part 2: An Oral Interview
      The interview panel shall consist of five individuals including a community member, a current FFA member, a teacher or administrator, an advisory committee member and one miscellaneous individual. An individual shall not be allowed to participate on the committee if they are directly related to a candidate running for office.

    3. Part 3: Voting
      Voting shall be completed on the school day prior to the chapter banquet. Members shall choose up to 7 candidates to comprise the constitutional officers and up to 3 to comprise the additional positions. The candidates allowed to run for constitutional positions must hold their Chapter FFA degree. Greenhand degree holders are only allowed to run for Reporter, Parliamentarian, Historian, and Chaplain when those positions are available

    4. Candidates for office shall be ranked within each part of the process and all three rankings shall be added together thus giving the candidate a total score. Candidates will be ranked by their total score and will be slated in order based on the office preference stated on their application.

 

9.1 The Executive Committee

  1. A Committee Membership

    1. The chapter Executive Committee shall be comprised of nine individuals.

    2. The committee must be represented by the following students:

      1. Anywhere from three to five students from each academic class, with 7 the exception of the freshman class. Each class must have an absolute minimum of one student representative.

      2. The Chapter Officer Team shall serve as part of the Executive Committee

      3. A team of Greenhand Officers, comprised of students who hold their Greenhand FFA Degree shall represent the freshman class.

  2. Application Process

    1. The members of the Executive Committee must complete an application and participate in an oral interview (if applicable). The interview panel shall select the members of the Executive Committee.

  3. Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

    1. Serve as a representative of each of their respective academic classes.

    2. Assist the chapter officer team with chapter level activities and responsibilities.

    3. Serve as the voting body of the chapter members including but not limited to the ratification of the annual budget as well as the chapter constitution.

  4. Greenhand Officer Team

    1. The Greenhand Officer team shall consist of up to nine positions:

      1. President

      2. Vice President (2)

      3. Secretary

      4. Treasurer

      5. Reporter

      6. Sentinel

      7. Parliamentarian

      8. Historian

      9. Chaplain

    2. The process for application will be an application and interview.

    3. Candidates shall be installed at the winter/fall banquet.

 

10.1 FFA Meetings

  1. Chapter Meetings shall occur monthly - from August to June with a summer activity. Each meeting requires a quorum of fifteen (15) members present to transact business.

  2. Executive Committee Meetings shall occur Bi-Monthly from August-May. Each meeting requires a quorum of at least majority of the total executive committee membership in order for business to be transacted.

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