Sharyland FFA Chapter
Constitution
ARTICLE I - Name, Mission and Strategies
Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Sharyland FFA Chapter. The Sharyland FFA is a member of the Rio Grande Valley FFA District, Area X FFA Association, the Texas FFA and the National FFA Organization.
Section B. The mission and strategies for this chapter are 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.
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 agricultural career.
5. Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural 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 interaction.
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 Sharyland Chapter of FFA is a chartered local unit of the Texas Association of FFA, which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.
Section B. This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Association of 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 a student in Sharyland High School, be enrolled in at least one agricultural 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 for the chapter.
Section B. Emblems used by the members shall be designated by the National FFA Organization.
ARTICLE V - Degrees and Privileges of Active Membership
Section A. There shall be five degrees of active membership based on individual achievement as stated in the FFA Manual. These degrees are: (1) Discovery FFA Degree, (2) Greenhand FFA Degree, (3) Chapter FFA Degree, (4) State FFA Degree and (5) American FFA Degree. All Discovery FFA members are entitled to wear the regulation bronze and blue emblem pin. 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 are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key.
The FFA Degrees currently recognized by the Sharyland FFA Chapter include:
- Greenhand FFA Degree
- Chapter FFA Degree
- Lone Star FFA Degree
- American FFA Degree
Section B. Greenhand FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:
(Refer to National Constitution.)
1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for 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.
Section C. Chapter FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:
(Refer to National Constitution.)
1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
2. Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education 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 by the member's own efforts or worked at least forty-five hours in excess of scheduled 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 toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.
8. Must have a satisfactory scholastic record.
Section D. Lone Star FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for selection:
1. Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the state FFA association and National FFA Organization.
Section E. American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for selection:
1. Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the National FFA Organization.
ARTICLE VI - State and Chapter Officers
Section A. The offices of an FFA chapter shall be: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter and 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 in the Spring.
Section B. Chapter officer candidates must complete and submit a written application before the deadline set by the FFA Advisors.
Section C. Chapter officers will participate in an oral interview with a panel of judges selected by the FFA Advisors.
Section D. Chapter officer elections will consist of the ranking of the officer’s application and their interviews. Elections will be conducted using a secret ballot.
Section E. The candidate with the highest ranking after tabulation of the three parts of the election process is complete will given the opportunity to choose of the officer positions available. The second highest ranking choose their officer position. The remainder of the ranks will be named officer positions according to the order stated above in Section A. If candidates are tied after tabulation, the tie will be broken based on the popular vote.
Section F. Officer’s primary duties begin after their installation at the chapter banquet.
Section G. No campaign posters will be allowed.
Section H. Officer duties will be those as set forth in the Official FFA manual and /or as
directed by the Advisors.
Section I. Officers who fail to perform their duties or represent the chapter as directed by the advisors without just cause or due to conflicts will be discharged immediately. The cost of the officer’s jacket will be refunded to the chapter and a special meeting of the executive committee will be called to elect a new officer.
Section J. In the circumstance that an officer leaves the program, that position will be opened for re-election. This process will include an application for canidacy. the applicants will be voted on at the following chapter meeting. The officer is elected based solely on the popular vote. Any active member in good standing is eligable to run. Applicnats must be in attendance at the meeting to be elected.
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 FFA 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 FFA Organization.
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 members present providing such bylaws do not conflict in any way with the constitution and bylaws of either the state association or the national organization.
Adopted at the regular meeting September 12, 2006.
FFA Officers Advisors
President Grant Bitner H. Garza
Vice-President David Torres M. Barrientes
Secretary Sidney Carter J. Carter
Treasurer Luis Ochoa B. Wood
Reporter Ty Barrientes
Sentinel Brittanie Jones
Chaplain Josh Garza
Revised at the regular meeting September 12, 2016.
FFA Officers Advisors
President Marco Rivera S. Carter
Vice-President Anahie Quintanilla B. Wood
Secretary Elias Moreno
Treasurer Paulo Cardenas
Sentinel Emily Ochoa