Guest Blogger Series: Why, How, What? Program of Activities

The classic FFA activities: fundraisers, recruitment events, food drives, annual chapter banquet, etc. What's the purpose? It's not about what we do, it's about why we do it. Simon Sinek's golden circle is a great way to put this into perspective.

Why?
FFA activities and events are catalysts of change that transform perspectives, habits, career ambitions, and relationships in an authentic and intentional way. Our purpose is to grow and empower students. With guidance, students develop and deliver their own learning experiences through a chapter's program of activities (POA). Planning and executing a quality POA at the local level is powerful.

How?
Success is the result of creative planning and detailed preparation. To invest in chapter success, students set goals and plan the necessary steps to accomplish these goals. By engaging in the development and delivery of a quality POA, students develop leadership and planning skills which are essential in all careers. The key to a quality POA is getting every member involved. The steps to develop and implement a successful POA are outlined in four steps:

• Plan: The POA should be organized by using student committees. The number of committees and committee structure varies by chapter. The chapter vice president is tasked with coordinating the work of committees and every member should serve on at least one committee.
• Develop: Once committees are formed, the POA can be developed. Planning forms are available to aid in the development of the POA. These forms make it easy to write the rough draft by hand, present the plan to the chapter for approval or amendment and prepare the POA for distribution.
• Do: Once the POA is developed and approved by members, the next step is for committees to plan each activity and event. What steps are necessary to achieve the goals approved by members? Make it happen!
• Reflect: Plans are useless without implementation. The POA is a tool used to help the chapter meet members' needs and interests. Reflection is an ongoing process. The POA should be reviewed and reflected upon regularly.

What?
The POA assists in defining chapter goals, outlining steps needed to meet those goals and acts as a written guide to provide a calendar of events the chapter will follow in the year ahead for administrators, advisory committees, alumni and other stakeholders. Every year each FFA chapter takes time to plan ways to provide engaging opportunities focused on growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

There are a variety of resources available to aid in the planning, development and delivery of a local program of activities. These include:

• POA Resource Guide - 15 page resource that walks a user through planning, developing, doing and reflecting on a program of activities.
• POA Planning Forms - these four forms are available in PDF and Word. Examples and instructions are included in the POA Resource Guide.
• National Chapter Award Program handbook - this includes information, a scoresheet and rubric for the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards as well as everything needed to be successful in the National Chapter Award Program.
• Chapter Success Guides - each year, a magazine is created to showcase the national finalists in the national chapter award program. These exceptional chapters are planning, developing, delivering a quality program of activities and reflecting on their experiences in a purposeful way. The 2015 guide is a great immediate resource. The 2016 guide will be available in the spring of 2017 and will feature Midd-West FFA of Pennsylvania!

For more information  please visit www.ffa.org/nationalchapter or contact nationalchapter@ffa.org.

Recognition

Awards, Recognition, Degrees, Motivation

 

Today we had Ms. Carole Fay visit us here at Penn State! She has taught for 30 years and is the second year SAE specialist for Pennsylvania.

 

Points from class:

• Looking through a students AET and keystone degree.
• Questions answered!
• Look to build continuity in your program.
• How will you incorporate SAE into your classes? What's appropriate? Every other Friday SAE Day?
• Proficiency awards, size isn't what matters, it's the time and effort you put in.
• Use pictures of your project
• Show growth.
• Bring a camera on SAE visits!

 

 

Resources:

• Here is an awesome article from the Human Potential Group about how to shift from being extrinsically motivated to intrinsically.
• AET

Session 20 - Follow-up to degrees and proficiency awards (KIVA)

What are you curious about?
What was the answer to project versus program?

• A project is a singular project (research project, animal, etc.), and a program is the complete package of taking the projects that students complete and make it a more comprehensive SAE.

New assignment/changed assignment?

• Look for an email describing where to find the information on the changed assignment.

More on AET?

• Coming next week!

Could requiring an SAE make a student not want to take Ag?

• Yes, and that is o.k. If a student loves soccer, but doesn't want to be on defense at times, then they don't play/join, because even if you are a striker you better be willing to be part of the entire program/game.

How many PA ag. teachers complete SAE visits?

• The ones that understand how it helps a student develop make the time to do this important aspect of the program.

Will I be able to find all of the degrees on the FFA page?

• You should be able to do this, but it not, please feel free to talk with classmates and/or the instructors!

How do students process starting a new SAE?

• You as the advisor need to work with the student to find out their interests and abilities at that point in their education. You then work with them to develop beyond that point, using the SAE program.

What did you learn?

Program versus project

More about SAE

You can get a free pin from National FFA

New assignment sounds AWESOME

Proficiency awards

That I need to connect my curriculum and SAE

SAE and record keeping are critical to teach in my classes

KIVA

Kolb's model, again

What do you want to learn more about?

Can I use my students' interest to shape my curriculum?

• I believe that you can definitely do this. You will also use other factors in determining the curriculum (community needs, career and college readiness, approved program status with the state/type of program, etc.). You will learn a lot more about this in AEE 413.

AET

• Stay tuned! See you on Tuesday :-)

How many FFA students are active in sports?

• I was a three sport letterman... little known fact :-)
• I also heard at National FFA convention that a school in Missouri had to postpone their championship football game, because too many of the football team members were at National FFA Convention!!

How to incorporate others into helping with SAE's.

• Find experts in  your community and ask them to help. One point of clarification... these folks would be serving as volunteers for your school district; thus, they would need their proper clearances/fingerprints checked prior to working with the students. Be sure to work with administration on the proper procedures for your district!