Chapter Constitution
Centralia FFA Chapter Constitution
This is the Centralia Missouri FFA Chapter's Constitution. It includes the mission, chapter goals, and guidelines.
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Centralia FFA Chapter Constitution
Article I. Name, Mission, Strategies
Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Centralia FFA Chapter of the National FFA organization.
Section B. The mission of this chapter is as follows:
“FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Section C. The strategies of this chapter are as follows:
1. Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
2. Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
3. Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
4. Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agriculture career.
5. Encourages achievement in supervised agriculture experience programs.
6. Encourages wise management of economic, environmental, and human resources of the community.
7. Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations, and social interactions.
8. Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism.
9. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
10. Promotes healthy lifestyles.
11. Encourages excellence in scholarship.
Article II. Organization
Section A. The Centralia Chapter of the FFA is a charted local unit of the Area 4 and Missouri Association of FFA which is charted by the National FFA Organization.
Section B. This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Area 4 and Missouri Association of the FFA 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. The regular activities of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership.
Section C. Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.
Section D. Active members in good standing may vote on all business brought before the chapter. An active member shall be considered in good standing when:
1. While in school, be enrolled in at least one agriculture education course during the school year and/or follow a planned course of study; either course must include a supervised agricultural experience program, the objective of which is preparation for an agricultural career.
2. Show an interest in the affairs of the organization by attending meetings, striving for degrees of membership, and participating in other organized activities of the chapter.
3. Pay all current state and national dues by the date determined by the chapter.
4. Display conduct consistent with the ideals and purposes of the National FFA Organization.
Section E. Names of applicants for membership shall be filed with the membership committee.
Article IV. Emblems
Section A. The emblem of the FFA shall be the emblem of the chapter.
Section B. Emblems used by the members shall be designated by the national organization of the FFA.
Article V. Degrees and Privileges of Active Membership
Section A. There shall be four degrees of active membership based individual achievement. These degrees are:
1. Greenhand FFA Degree
2. Chapter FFA Degree
3. State FFA Degree
4. American FFA Degree
All Greenhands are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin. All members holding the Chapter FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation silver emblem pin. All members holding the State FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem charm. All members holding the American FFA Degree entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key.
Section B. Greenhand FFA Degree
Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to National Constitution)
1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans a supervised agricultural experience program.
2. Learn and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.
3. Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws, and the chapter Program of Activities.
6. Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.
7. Submit a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Section C. Chapter FFA Degree
Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to National Constitution)
1. Must have received the Greenhand Degree.
2. Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural instruction at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program, and be enrolled in an agricultural education course.
3. Must have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter program of activities.
4. Must have earned and productively invested at least $150.00 by the member’s own efforts or worked at least forty-five hours in excess of the schedules class time, or a combination thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program.
5. Must have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.
6. Must have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.
7. Must show progress towards individual achievement in the FFA award programs.
8. Must have satisfactory scholastic records.
9. Must submit a written application for the Chapter Degree.
Section D. State FFA Degree
Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer State Constitution)
Section E. American FFA Degree
Minimum qualifications for selection: (Refer to National Constitution)
Article VI. Chapter Officers
Section A. The officers of the Centralia FFA Chapter shall be: president, 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel. Other officers may be elected as deemed appropriate by the local advisor/ and or governing body. The teacher(s) of agricultural education shall be the FFA advisor(s). Chapter Officers shall be elected annually or semi-annually by the members present at any regular meeting of the chapter.
Section B. The officer selection process shall consist of points from SAE (state degree points), official dress (5 points for each item), an exam (5 points for each question), and total wall chart points. The candidates will also go through an interview by senior officers and advisor with the total points deciding the top ten officers and then the interview committee will decide unanimously on a slate.
Section C. Area and state officer candidates will be selected by a panel of three agricultural advisors from different chapters or by three FFA knowledgeable Centralia citizens.
Article VII. 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 he/she pays full local, state, and national dues.
Article VIII. 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 the FFA.
Section B. Bylaws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active membership present providing such bylaws conflict in now way with the constitution and bylaws of either the state association or the national organization.