Session 29 - What are Public Relation Programs and Banquets? December 10th

Responses to Tickets Out

What are you curious about?

• If you are a new teacher, how big should your banquet be?
• As big as needed. I recommend fitting the program, community and students needs. Does your banquet adequately showcase your program and students success to the right stakeholders?
• Are there rules/stipulations about giving money away to students?
• There were not in my school district, but you would have check at the local level.
• What was your favorite piece of information learned at NAAE?
• I had a great workshop on global competency connection to workforce readiness! But the best part is seeing ag teacher friends from across the nation.
• Would you allow students to buy their own awards?
• No, I would allow them to shop and pick, but I would probably buy.
• How do you make a Banquet Free of Charge to Members?
• Aggressive Fundraising/Sponsorship
• What does Willcox FFA Facebook look like?
• Facebook was not around for everyone before 2006. 

What did you learn?

1. Many Tips for Banquet!
2. How to hold a successful banquet.
3. The importance of the Banquet!!
4. Have good food and keep your banquet under 2 hours!
5. Engage Partners and Businesses in your Banquet
6. You can recognize students at their seats for large groups
7. Display student awards and achievements
8. Invite post-secondary schools and vendors to come and have a display
9. Plan and Think Big
10. Public Relations are purposeful and good willed relationships between the public and the organization.
11. Advisor does not have to do it all! Advisor should NOT do it all. Student planned for student learning.

What do you want to learn more about?

• Sponsors? How do you contact how do you write letters?
• See the examples from Willcox I posted in ANGEL under Week 14/15.
• How do you get students excited about planning banquet?
• The same way you get them excited about anything else! You make it a big deal and they will follow along.

Session 28 - FFA Alumni

What are you curious about?
Who chooses your advisory board?

• Nominations and elections are conducted by those that currently serve on the board. The agricultural education teachers need to understand their curriculum and community resource individuals to a level where they are able to make informed recommendations.

Starting an FFA Alumni Chapter.

• Check out the process/requirements at https://www.ffa.org/alumni/Pages/Start-an-Affiliate.aspx

The "Connie Baggett story"

• Again, I am hopeful that someone will take the lead to invite him to a special organizational meeting/function so that he can share his story and we can capture it electronically to share in the future!

How can we sign up now/How much?

• First, find out if you home chapter has an Alumni Affiliate. If not, or if you did not come through a high school program, then I would encourage you to contact Krista Pontius at kpontius@greenwoodsd.org to find out how to become a state/national member!

How do you keep the alumni members active/interested, once you start an affiliate chapter?

• Give them jobs to do. Find out what interests them the most and then share where/how you need help in that area. You will be amazed at how willing people are to help, if they know how to help.

What did you learn?

The differences/similarities in Alumni and Advisory Boards!

The purpose/role of an FFA Alumni.

What an Ag. Advisory Board is.

I am finally beginning to understand these two groups!

That anyone can be an Alumni Member.

What do you want to learn more about?

Example of an Advisory Board constitution/bylaws.

• Check out http://www.forestlakeffa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Xju3HmmN8Ps%3D&tabid=9936&mid=15269

Does every advisor/chapter have an advisory board?

• They should, and if they want to be state approved, they need one.

How can you turn around a "bad" advisory board?

• This begins by selecting people that are willing to work with the teacher and the administration to build the program. The teacher needs to help guide the nominations so that appropriate individuals are on the board.

Tips for recruitment of Alumni members.

• Check out the great resources at https://www.ffa.org/alumni/resources/Pages/Promotional-Resources.aspx

SAE Student Success Story #22 - Indiana

SAE is one of the most unique educational tools at our disposal as agriscience educators. SAEs have long standing impact on the lives of students. SAEs are not optional.

Story #21 – Indiana

A student of mine from a very low-income family started by enjoying houseplants his family was given.  He continued working with plants and began his SAE by mowing lawns and tilling gardens for others in the community as well as starting his own garden for his family.  By his junior year, he was hired by the local garden center and worked there utilizing and expanding on his plant science knowledge. This student averaged Cs in school and despised English class, but was motivated to win his proficiency area.  With his creativity and knowledge (and a little encouragement and about 10 revisions of his award app!) he completed his proficiency award application and placed first at the district and state level.  He was so proud, as was his FFA advisors and school administrators.  While college remained out of his financial capability, he went on to work in the Horticulture Department at the Toledo Zoo.

Submitting Teacher: Ms. Mariah Roberts

Four (13-16) of Sixteen SAE Best Practices (The Council, 2012)

13.  Program is supervised year-round

·         A year-round program requires 12-month employment of the teacher

·         The teacher, parents, administrators, employers, alumni and mentors can be involved in supervising experience programs

14.  Parents are informed and supportive of student involvement

·         Parents must be engaged, involved, informed

15.  Students invest time, energy and/or money

·         Students need to take ownership of experience

·         Students should invest in their learning

16.  Student programs are recognized

·         Recognition system necessary

·         Recognition should match purpose of SAE; currently awards drive program

In the month of November, You have read 22 different student SAE success stories from 10 states over the month of November. It is on a small sliver of the thousands of student lives impacted every year from well supervised programs. You have been reminded of 16 Theorems on SAE by Dr. Moore and reviewed 16 best practices of SAE by the Council.

You can do this. I look forward to sharing your “Student SAE Success Stories” in future years.

SAE Student Success Story #21 - Pennsylvania

SAE is one of the most unique educational tools at our disposal as agriscience educators. SAEs have long standing impact on the lives of students. SAEs are not optional.

Story #21 – Pennsylvania

We had a student who lived on a small farm with horses, but had absolutely no interest in horses being his SAE project.  We directed him towards Agriscience (which is out go-to around here).  The next thing that we knew, he was at Penn State working with a professor in the Meats Lab working on a meat tenderizing experiment.  He went onto to win Best of Show at the Farm Show that year.  He participated in the National Agriscience Fair 3 times, was named the State Star in Agriscience last year and now is at the University of Maine majoring in Wildlife Veterinary Sciences. 

Submitting Teacher: Ms. Krista Pontius

Four (9-12) of Sixteen SAE Best Practices (The Council, 2012)

9.      Programs differ between students studying in agriculture and those studying about agriculture

·         Career exploration for students studying about agriculture

·         Experience and instruction in agriculture for those studying in agriculture

10.  Instructor prepared for and supportive of experience programs

·         Teachers define SAE that is appropriate for school and community

·         Teachers must be adequately prepared to teach the SAE component of the agriscience program

11.  Approved by school administration

·         SAE programs must be ethical/legal/within school policy

·         Administration should be involved in local decisions regarding SAE policies

12.  Supported by program advisory committee

·         Industry board/feedback should help guide standards

·         Local business/industry should be involved in local decisions regarding SAE

You are a developing positive agent of change who will one day help students explore and grow into their unlimited potential through agricultural education!