Using a Newsletter in an FFA Chapter

Hey fellow AEE311 classmates! I thought I would add my two cents on informing the community about the FFA and its importance to students in the program. We all are aware of the importance of FFA for the success of our programs, but we need to share that with the other people looking in who don't quite understand. I, myself, didn't have the opportunity to join FFA and a lot of people I talk to have never heard of FFA. When telling my aunt that it is the Future Farmers of America I was asked, "So it's a club for kids that want to be farmers?" with a puzzled look of why there would even be a program like that. The problem is that she, and many other, have no idea what it's all about and it's our job as possible FFA advisors to spread the word! It is so important that people, especially those having a hand in the success of the program, understand the goals of FFA, what students accomplish through the FFA, and how students help the community through the program.

According to Linden and Fertman, authors of Youth Leadership: A Guide to Understanding Leadership Development in Adolescents, a great way to get a chapters accomplishments out is through a newsletter. There are so many benefits to a chapter that develops a newsletter. First, a newsletter itself is a great way to develop leadership since you can have the students organize and develop the newsletter themselves with your assistance. Any writing for the newsletter will also help them brush up on their professional writing skills. So already you're helping them develop organization skills, collaboration with other students, and writing skills. If you remember Stephanie Joliff mentioning the importance of working with other teachers across all departments, this is the perfect opportunity to work with an English teacher in the school!

 Killingly FFA Newsletter

Now to the main focus though, reaching out to the community is really the goal of the newsletter. It can make your students feel proud of their chapter by sharing their accomplishments and community events. It's really their chance to shine and show what FFA has done for them. When other students see the accomplishments, it gives them something to strive for as well and who knows, maybe it can make some other students interested in joining FFA. BAM! So now you have developed numerous skills AND encouraged members to do better and maybe recruited new ones! When the community is able to see exactly what the FFA chapter is accomplishing, it will really make them feel involved. Those community members involved will appreciate learning more and it serves as a great tool to get other community members involved once they see the importance of the chapter for youth. Once you have the community involved, your job as an FFA advisor could be a lot easier with all the help!