Iowa Ag Ed Update

Policies Adopted by the Iowa FFA Board of Directors

30. FFA Member Academic Eligibility (Adopted December 2006 Board Meeting.)   Concern:  Are local FFA chapters required to follow Iowa's new athletic eligibility policy?   Board Policy:  No. The board has NOT adopted an official policy.    Board Discussion:  The Iowa FFA Board of Directors has chosen to allow local school districts to determine their own eligibility policies.  Local FFA chapters and the Iowa FFA Association, are NOT required to follow the athletic eligibility policy.  Local school districts will independently determine eligibility.

29. Transferring FFA Membership After Graduation from High School (Adopted June 2006 Board Meeting)   Board Policy: Upon graduation from high school, FFA members may NOT transfer their FFA membership to another FFA chapter.  FFA members who have graduated from high school may only retain membership in the chapter in which they held membership prior to graduation from high school.   Members who change their attending K-12 school district prior to graduation from high school, may transfer their membership to the new high school if that high school has an agricultural education program and FFA chapter.

28. Senior Membership & Eligibility (Adopted March 2005 Board Meeting)   Concern: Changing/evolving high school schedules such as, block scheduling, dual enrollment and postsecondary enrollment options are creating new questions about the membership and eligibility requirements for high school seniors.    Board Policy:  High school seniors may maintain membership in the local FFA chapter by fulfilling at least one of the following criteria:   a) be enrolled in an agricultural education course at their high school, or; b) be enrolled in an agriculture course at an accredited college or university, or; c) complete their high school graduation requirements after their 11th grade year and not be enrolled in their high school for any other courses.   Key Considerations/Definitions:   Seniors:  This policy is applicable to high school seniors only.   Maintain: This policy allows current members to MAINTAIN their FFA membership.  This policy does NOT apply to seniors that were NOT FFA members during their junior year in high school. (To be able to maintain membership, students MUST have been enrolled in an ag ed course and be a FFA member during their Junior year of high school.)   Accredited College: Iowa's community colleges are accredited colleges.    (Liberal arts or general education courses do NOT apply.)   To be eligible, the courses must focus on agricultural technical content, and be part of a postsecondary agricultural program.   Local Chapter:  Members may only maintain membership in the high school from which they graduated.  (ie., Students may NOT transfer their membership to a chapter that is closer to their chosen postsecondary institution.)

27. Use and/or possession of electronic storage/transmission devices prior competing in or while competing in competitive events such as CDEs.  (Adopted September 2004 Board Meeting.)   Concern:  Cell phones or other wireless transmission may allow students to transmit information before or during competitive events such as CDEs.  Of special concern is the possession of such devices in CDE holding areas.   Board Policy:  Competitive event participants may not possess electronic storage or transmission devices, during competitive events, unless they are accepted or required for a specific competitive event.  Possession of these devices will result in automatic disqualification of the team or individual.   Board Discussion:  Team or individuals who are observed using these devices during an event (includes: waiting in a holding area) will be disqualified from the event.   Examples: cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs, MP3 players, calculators with infrared technology, etc.

26. Early Graduate Eligibility Policy (Adopted June 2002 Board Meeting)   Board Policy: A student may maintain “active” membership in the Iowa FFA Association if they: a) have been enrolled in at least one agricultural education course during the current school year, and; b) continue to maintain a supervised agricultural experience program.   Students are eligible to maintain “high school participation status” until the date at which a diploma is issued.  FFA and SAE are intracurricular components of the agricultural education program.  Students wishing to maintain FFA membership must maintain an SAE program to remain active in the “educational program.”   Example:  If a signed high school diploma has not been presented to the student, an early graduate is still eligible to participate in subdistrict and district career development events.  That eligibility no longer exists when an official diploma has been issued by the school district.

25. Advancement of Teams to National FFA Convention (Adopted December 39, 1998.) Concern: With the change in locations and timing of the National FFA Convention, the Iowa FFA Association needs to have a plan in place in regards to contestants advancing to National competition and the likely development of a team or individual not attending because of sports or other commitments. Board Policy:  The Board will authorize subsequent teams or individuals (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) to advance to National competition if teams or individuals placing higher decline the opportunity to represent the Iowa FFA Association.  The teams or individuals that decline the opportunity to participate will not be allowed to complete in future career development events (their eligibility has expired with winning the state event).  If any team accepts the opportunity to represent the Iowa FFA Association in place of the state authorized team, they will also forfeit any future opportunities to participate in this event.

24. Obligations and Expenditures of Monies (Adopted September 23, 1995.) Concern: The Iowa FFA Association needs to have a written policy specifying who is authorized to make financial commitments, to enter into contractual agreements, and approve expenditure of monies. Board Policy:  The obligation of monies budgeted by the Iowa FFA Association and the approval for payment by the Executive Treasurer for expenditures incurred are the responsibility of the State FFA Advisor. Obligations that would commit the Iowa FFA Association to expenditures not included in the Association’s budget or expenditures in excess of the budgeted amount shall be presented to the joint boards for approval prior to obligation/expenditure.

23. Appointment of the Board of Directors Chairperson (Adopted September 25, 1993.) Board Policy: It shall be the responsibility of the State FFA Advisor to appoint a Board of Directors Chairperson annually.  The appointee shall be selected from the membership of the previous year’s Board of Directors and the appointment is subject to the approval of the current Board of Directors.

21. Iowa FFA Association Policy on Sexual Harassment (Adopted June 4, 1993.) Board Policy:  It is the policy of the Iowa FFA Association that all members are entitled to an educationally sound and safe atmosphere free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment infringes on a member’s right to a comfortable educational environment, and is a form of misconduct, which undermines the integrity of the member to member relationship.  No member, male or female, should be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures or conduct; either verbal or physical. Definition:  Sexual harassment does not mean occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature.  Rather, it refers to conduct which is offensive to the individual, which thus harms moral and interferes with the effectiveness of the FFA organization.  This includes offensive sexual flirtation, advances, or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; explicit or degrading verbal comments of a sexual nature; the display of sexually suggestive pictures or objects; or any offensive or abusive physical conduct.  It also includes any personnel action taken or omitted on the basis of a member’s submission to or refusal of sexual overtures.  No member should so much as imply that an individual’s “cooperation” will have any effect on the individual’s participation and advancement in the FFA at any level. Complaint Procedure: If a member believes he/she has been treated in a manner by another member that would be in violation of this policy, he/she should go through normal FFA channels, beginning with the local FFA advisor.  The local advisor should then document the complaint and report it directly to the district advisor if it occurred at the sub-district or district levels and to the State FFA Advisor if it occurred at the state or national level.  In either case, the complaint should be brought to the Board of Directors for action. The Iowa FFA Board of Directors will immediately investigate all complaints of violation in as discreet and confidential fashion as possible.  It shall be the policy of the Iowa FFA Association to listen to all reasonable complaints, seek early corroboration, and quickly apply sanctions when appropriate. Confidentiality: In no event will information concerning a complaint of sexual harassment be released by the Iowa FFA Association to third parties or to anyone within the Association who is not directly involved in the investigation.  The purpose of this provision is to protect the confidentiality of the member who files a complaint, to encourage the reporting of any incidents of sexual harassment, and to protect the reputation of any member wrongfully charged with sexual harassment.

20. State FFA Association’s policy regarding memorials in the event an officer, past officer, or family members of current officers become deceased.  (Adopted November 17, 1990.) Board Policy:  If a current state FFA officer becomes deceased, flowers will be sent for the funeral (keeping with a budget of $40.00).  There will be a memorial activity conducted at the state FFA leadership conference or an appropriate memorial published in the Iowa FFA Today, and a scholarship will be established in the officer’s memory.  If a family member of a current state FFA officer becomes deceased a plant will be sent to the funeral (keeping with a $40.00 budget).  If a past officer becomes deceased who has served within the past five years a $20.00 memorial will be established with the Iowa FFA Foundation.  If an officer who served more than five years ago becomes deceased a card will be sent to the family.

19. Some companies offering fundraising opportunities to FFA Chapters have requested time on the State FFA Leadership Conference program to recognize and present awards on stage to individual members or chapters for outstanding sales.  (Adopted November 17, 1990.) Board Policy:  The presentation of awards on stage at the State FFA Leadership Conference will not be permitted when the award deals with FFA member sales incentives connected with fundraising activities.

18. All rules for an event have not been dealt with in equal consequences if they were not followed.  Should all rules be enforced as strictly as date of postmark? (Adopted November 17, 1989.) Board Policy:   No.  Things, such as arriving a bit late for an event, should eliminate a team from event participation.  However, the team will most likely be at a disadvantage and some judging classes may not be available for the late participants.   Current Interpretation:  Failure to follow event rules will not automatically result in individual or team disqualification.  Disqualification will occur if the incident results in a competitive advantage for an individual or team. Example of "competitive advantage":  Teams or individuals who submit materials after the pre-determined due date, may have the competitive advantage of more preparation time.

17. Inexperienced FFA advisors, others who have returned to high school agriculture teaching, and teachers coming to Iowa from out of state may have more tendency to miss postmark dates or misinterpret rules more frequently than experienced FFA advisors. (Adopted November 17, 1989; Revised June 4, 1993.) Board Policy: All postmark dates and rules shall be strictly enforced without consideration for the amount of experience a chapter advisor has had.  In addition, no consideration can be granted when a problem such as a late postmark is the fault of other school personnel who may not have mailed something on the correct day.  This applies to leadership events, ag skill events, ag proficiency, officer book events, dues state fair, etc.  Department of Education newsletters and other mailings, IOWA FFA TODAY magazines, and inservice meetings are expected to continue keeping everyone informed regarding postmark dates and rules.  FFA advisors with questions should contact the state DE staff, district FFA advisor, IVATA big sister/brother, or fellow agriculture instructors when questions arise.

16. Some chapter advisors are uncertain why there are some items which have a firm postmark date that is strictly enforced while on other items this is more relaxed.  Therefore, a review of some old unwritten policies was presented for revision. (Adopted November 17, 1989; Revised December 29, 1995.) Board Policy:  Iowa FFA Degree and American FFA Degree Applications; all AG Knowledge and Skills Event entries; Agriscience applications for National Chapter, and scholarship applications shall be postmarked on the specified dates or they will be eliminated from competition.  This is so the selection process can take place as scheduled and so necessary time is allocated for preparation/processing. Ag Journalism and Public Relations awards sponsored by the Des Moines Register and WHO may be accepted late because they really aren’t competitive; every chapter that submits and application is approved. Band, Chorus, Grandstand Usher, and Stage Attendant applications are given preference if they are received on time.  However, more applications are often needed than received, so the time for acceptance may have to be extended to assure enough participants to carryout a specific activity.   Current Interpretation:  Due dates for 'competetive events' will be strictly enforced, to prevent individuals or teams from having a competitive advantage.  Due dates will also be strictly enforced when the deadline is needed for event preparation time.  Failure to meet these deadlines will result in disqualificaiton.   Failure to meet a due will not automatically result in disqualification when the missed due date does not create a competitive advantage for an individual or team.  (Example:  The due date for WLC Bus Trip registration is intended to provide adequate time to make preparations.  State staff may extend the due date if more participants are needed to fill the bus.)

15. FFA members and chapter advisors should be given adequate time to become familiar with leadership event rule changes before they are implemented.  Revisions or additions should not be made just before state events. (Adopted June 3, 1989; Revised December 29, 1995.) Board Policy: All event rule changes, especially committee reports, must be submitted in final form by September 1st, to allow presentation at fall teacher inservices and final approval at the September FFA Board meeting.  If changes do not meet deadlines, they will not go into effect for the current year.

14. Some FFA chapters have demonstrated unprofessional means of performing initiation activities for Greenhand and Chapter FFA Degree recipients.  This created a negative image for high school agriculture and the FFA among junior high students, high school students, and faculty. (Adopted November, 1988.) Board Policy: Hazing, harassment, and/or degradation type actions shall not be associated with Greenhand FFA Degree Initiation, Chapter FFA Degree Initiation nor any other FFA activities.  The Iowa FFA Association shall withdraw charters from local FFA chapters which permit such foolishness.

13. Iowa should send all qualified American FFA Degree applications to the National FFA office. (Adopted June 4, 1988; Revised June 4, 1993.) Board Policy:  The designated state committee (State FFA Advisor, FFA Alumni President, and past IAAE President) will select the American FFA Degree Candidates to be personally visited, reviewed, and recommended for nomination by the Iowa FFA Association.  This committee will select candidates from the applications that meet minimum qualifications, as established in the National and Iowa FFA Constitutions, to be interviewed on site by the State FFA Advisor or his/her appointed representative.  Nomination by the state association depends upon the interviewers findings and recommendation.

12. All sub-district, district, state, and national FFA event participants shall be active members of the FFA organization.  They must have paid dues and their names must be on the official membership report. – Adopted June 4, 1988. Board Policy:  Participants’ names will be verified against official membership reports at the first level of competition above the local level.  If a student’s name does not appear on the roster, then the State FFA Advisor or his/her designee will collect State and National FFA dues at the time of the event.

11. Substitution of FFA team members on leadership event and judging event teams between various levels of competition. – Adopted November, 1986. Board Policy: Up to 50 percent of the members on a team may be substituted if necessary.  However, if a team consists of three members, only one can be substituted; five members, two can be substituted; seven members, three can be substituted.  If there is a single participant, the chapter can not substitute a participant at the next level of competition; the event alternate (next ranked) participant from a different chapter will be advanced.

10. Replacement of District FFA Advisors Who Leave Ag Ed Teaching or Leave the District (Adopted June 13, 1986.) Concern: When a District FFA Advisor leaves Ag ED teaching and/or moves to a different district, it is very difficult to provide the leadership, communication, and dedication necessary to fulfill all the important responsibilities. Board Policy: In the event a District FFA Advisor leaves his/her teaching position or moves outside of the district, the new District Advisor-elect will take his/her duties as District Advisor and Board of Directors Member.

9. Iowa’s National FFA Band and Chorus Applicants (Adopted November 17, 1984; Revised June 4, 1993.) Concern: Board policy is that no Iowa FFA members are permitted to participate in the same event a second time at the National FFA convention in the specific judging, speaking, or proficiency events.  In addition, it is board policy that the same FFA chapters not be nominated in consecutive years for serving on the courtesy or service corps.  This policy was decided in an effort to provide more individuals and/or chapters the opportunity to participate.  The policy has not covered National FFA Band and National FFA Chorus nominations from Iowa.  As a result, several repeats are being selected because of their excellency ability.  However, these repeats sometimes take the selection with less enthusiasm the second or third time, and therefore, hesitate to participate or even cancel because it is no longer a new, exciting experience. Board Policy: National FFA Band and National FFA Chorus participants from Iowa, in accordance with the National FFA Organization’s policy, will not be permitted to participate more than two times.

8. Boundaries for AG/FFA Sub-Districts and Districts (Adopted November 17, 1984; Revised June 21, 1985; December 29, 1995 and June 4, 1999.) Concern: Currently, some sub-districts and districts have many chapters than others.  This is not providing an equitable opportunity for participation in the next level of competition – sub-district to district, and district to state.  Therefore, an effort should be activated to establish a procedure for realignment of sub-district and district boundaries. Board Policy: FFA District and Sub-district Boundaries. District and sub-district boundaries will be evaluated once every ten years by a committee composed of: The six state FFA vice presidents Two district FFA advisor One IAAE board representative One FFA Alumni representative One ISU Ag Ed Department representative Two DE agriculture consultants   The State FFA Advisor will serve as chairperson of this committee.   Proposals for changes in district and sub-district boundaries will be presented for approval at a joint summer meeting of the FFA Board of Directors and State FFA Officers Any changes will go into effect as of January 1 following the joint meeting of the FFA Board of Directors and State FFA Officers when both have given approval. District and sub-district boundaries will be based on the number of FFA chapters. The number of FFA chapters per district and sub-district shall be as equal as possible. District and sub-district boundaries will follow county lines as closely as possible. There shall be six and only six districts. Each district will be sub-divided into an appropriate number of sub-districts not to exceed four (4).

7. Required Information from FFA Chapters to be in Good Standing – Adopted November 19, 1983; Revised December 29, 1995. Concern: Chapter Program of Activities and Membership Roster plus dues are to be sent to the DE by November 1st and are to become delinquent if not postmarked by December 1st.  The state staff has been permitting leniency until January 1st even though chapters were informed before Thanksgiving that their standing was questionable. Board Policy: Chartered chapters not complying with all rules for good standing will not be eligible to participate in any sub-district, district, or state FFA events.  This includes not having dues and a revised chapter program of activities postmarked by December 1st and not having the Annual FFA Report postmarked by July 1.  The state staff must enforce these standards and requirements.

6. Final Selection of Iowa’s Star Farmer and Star Agribusiness Person (Adopted November 19, 1983.) Concern: Star Iowa Agribusiness persons and Star Iowa Farmers (Production) have been traditionally selected on the basis of their written Iowa Farmer applications only.  No proof of personal knowledge of agriculture, management ability, personal involvement in their SAE program, nor record keeping competency has been provided. Board Policy:  Star Iowa Farmers and Star Iowa Agribusiness persons will be selected through an interview of each “District Star”.  Each candidate must provide all his/her SAE record books for review by the committee selected to interview the candidates.

5. Changes in the Event and Awards Booklet Rules (Adopted November 19, 1983; Revised June 4, 1993.) Concern: Each year there are several changes in the Iowa Event and Awards Booklet that makes it difficult for the Ag. Ed. instructors to keep current with and therefore, it becomes difficult to participate without getting caught up with some rule change which may eliminate a chapter participant, team, officer book, or award application. Board Policy: Changes in the Iowa Event and Awards Booklet rules should be made every three years.  However, minor revisions could be made by unanimous consent of the State FFA Board of Directors.

4. National FFA Officer Candidate (Adopted November 19, 1983; Revised June 4, 1993.) Concern: Traditionally the most recent retired State FFA President has had the first option to be Iowa’s candidate for National FFA Office.  Other state officers with outstanding leadership have expressed concern that they too would like to be considered for a National FFA Office. Board Policy:  An interview process will determine which American FFA candidate or former American FFA Degree recipient whose active membership would permit a full year of service, will represent Iowa as a National Officer candidate.  The interview process will occur in August.

3.      No change in Judging Event Results (Adopted November 19, 1983; Revised June 4, 1993.) Concern: After judging participants return home from events they sometimes find errors in scoring or recording of the scores on the computer printout and therefore ask for the rankings to be changed and appropriate ribbons provided to them.  This of course creates a problem of some teams not wanting to return their ribbons in exchange for lower placing ones. Board Policy: Event results will not be changed after teams and individuals have been ranked for publication.  The event chairperson and event superintendent have final authority over the events and will review event materials with the scoring chairperson before results are publicized.

2.      No change in Judging Event Answer Keys (Adopted November 19, 1983.) Concern: When judging event official placings or answer keys are changed after scoring has begun, a lot of extra work is required to rescore judging cards and therefore causing a delay in releasing results to teams. Board Policy: Official placings and answer keys for judging events will not be changed after scoring has begun with the exception of clerical corrections.

1.      Proper Operation of FFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee Combined Meetings (Adopted June 2, 1983.) Concern: Currently the FFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee are functioning at combined meetings through a relationship established on tradition.  It would be preferred to have a written statement regarding formal relationships for conducting official business at meetings. Board Policy: The proceedings at any officially called and convened meeting of the State FFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee shall be conducted in a manner that either group may initiate motions and that concurrence by both groups must be achieved before the motion officially becomes valid.  The chairpersons have the power to entertain continued discussion until a motion is accepted or rejected by the combined groups.