Article I. Name and Purposes Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Firebaugh FFA Chapter. The letters “FFA” will be used to designate the chapter, its activities, and its members.
Section B. The purpose for which this chapter is formed by is as follows: (1) To develop agricultural leadership skills among all members. (2) To develop a global awareness of agriculture. (3) To bestow confidence among agricultural students and the work. (4) To promote agriculture career opportunities through hands-on training. (5) To develop competencies in communication, human relations, and social abilities. (6) To build cooperative attitudes among agricultural students. (7) To encourage improvement in scholastics. (8) To provide organized recreational activities for agriculture students.
Article II. Organization Section A. The Firebaugh FFA Chapter is a chartered local entity of the west Fresno – Madera Section of the San Joaquin Region, of the California Association, made up of local members.
Section B. This chapter accepts in full the provision in the constitution and bylaws of the California Association of the FFA as well as those of the National FFA Organization.
Article III. Membership Section A. Membership is limited to students enrolled in Agricultural Education at Firebaugh High School.
Section B. Membership of graduates is limited to students that were active members in high school.
Section C. The Firebaugh FFA is a 100% affiliated chapter with every student becoming a member of the FFA when they enroll in an agriculture class.
Section D. No student may participate in any FFA activities unless they are members in good standing with the FFA. In order to be in good standing with the FFA a student must owe no money to the FFA, and their name must not appear on the ineligible list.
Section E. The FFA advisors at their own discretion have the right to dismiss any members from the FFA organization at any time with approval of the administration.
Section F. Membership in this chapter shall be of three kinds: (1) Active – Any student enrolled in an agriculture education program. (2) Alumni – Any person who has formerly been enrolled in an agriculture education program or in other ways interested in supporting the FFA. (3) Honorary – Any person who has helped to advance agriculture education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service may be elected to honorary membership.
Section G. The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership.
Section H. Honorary membership in the chapter shall be limited to the Honorary FFA Chapter.
Section I. There shall be four levels of active degree attainment in the Firebaugh FFA Chapter. (1) The Greenhand FFA Degree – All Greenhand Degree recipients are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem charm. (2) The Chapter FFA Degree – All members holding the chapter FFA Degree are entitled to wear the silver emblem pin. (3) The State FFA Degree – All members holding the State FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem charm. (4) The American FFA Degree – All members holding the American FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key.
Section J. Greenhand FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (1) Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. (2) Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute. (3) Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors. (4) Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket. (5) Demonstrate knowledge of history of the organization, chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities. (6) Have access to the Official FFA manual and the FFA Student Handbook. (7) Submit an online application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Section K. Chapter FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (1) Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree. (2) Must be enrolled in their second year of agricultural education and have approved Supervised Agricultural Education Program. (3) Participate in planning and conducting of at least three official chapter functions. (4) Have earned at least $150.00 or worked at least 45 hours and have developed plans for the growth of their SOEP. 5. Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes. (5) Have demonstrated five procedures of Procedure Law. (6) Show progress towards individual achievement in the FFA awards’ programs. (7) Have a satisfactory scholastic record. (8) Submit an online application for the Chapter FFA Degree.
Section L. State FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for the election: (1) Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the National FFA Organization.
Section M. American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (1) Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the National FFA Organization.
Section N. Special committees shall review the qualifications of members and make recommendations to the chapter concerning degree advancement.
Article IV. Officers Section A. The FFA offices for the Firebaugh FFA Chapter shall be as follows: (1) President (2) Vice President (3) Secretary (4) Treasurer (5) Reporter (6) Sentinel (7) Historian (8) Second Vice President if desired
Section B. The Offices shall be elected or confirmed by a majority vote of the active members. * The advisors and current chapter president have the right to operate outside of the constitution for special circumstances not addressed.
Section C. The nominating committee shall be composed of the 12th grade chapter officers and the FFA advisors. Upon reviewing officer applications for chapter office, students will be slated as candidates on the ballot.
Section D. If any officer vacancies occur during the term of office, the chapter officer team can elect no nomination if the team still consists of the constitutional offices, under the circumstances that they are fulfilled.
Section E. Officer Eligibility. Minimum qualifications to run for chapter office: (1) Must be academically eligible to run for a FFA office. (2) For offices of President and Vice President, the applicant must have already completed at least three years of Agricultural classes, and/ or hold the Chapter FFA Degree. (3) Other offices require that they have completed a year of an Ag class, and hold the Greenhand Degree. (4) Failure to appear/attend at officer retreat could result in removal from chapter office.
Section F. Officer Probation due to academic ineligibility Any officer who becomes academically ineligible during their term of office will be put on a one-time probationary suspension until next grade check. While officers are on probation they will not participate in any FFA affiliated activities. If the student meets grade requirements they will be immediately reinstated. If the officer remains academically ineligible they will be immediately removed from office. * Grades will be based on quarter report cards * Officer Participation during the probationary period will be at the advisors discretion.
Section G. Officer Candidate Election Process (1) Firebaugh FFA members will submit an online officer application. (2) Each candidate will be interviewed by the senior chapter officers after the deadline for applications. (3) After the interview process, the senior chapter officers and an advisor will discuss which candidate best fits where depending on their abilities shown during the interview. (4) The chapter officer slate will consist of two or three candidates for President elect, the one or two not elected will serve as vice-president. The other number of candidates will be appointed to one of the following positions: secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel. The position of historian will be discussed on a year to year basis, depending on the number of applicants. (5) The candidates on the ballot will then record two seperate videos, consisting of one minute each, answering a question given by the senior officers, to allow the Firebaugh FFA members the opportunity to get to know the candidates. (6) If they fail to record their videos, he or she will be removed from the ballot. (7) Based on majority vote by the Firebaugh FFA members, the newly elected team will be announced at the end of the year banquet.
Article V. Impeachment of Officers Section A. Immediate Impeachment. The FFA advisors may at any time at their own discretion remove an officer who has repeatedly disregarded his/ hers duties by not fulfilling them to his/her best ability.
Article VI.Committees Section A. Executive meetings shall be held as needed. Section B. Standard meeting paraphernalia shall be used at each meeting. All special meetings shall open and close with the official ceremony. Parliamentary Procedure shall be used in transacting all business at each meeting. Section C. Hats shall not be worn in the meeting room. Section D. Poor conduct will result in that member being dismissed from the meeting room. Section E. Delegates are appointed by the chapter advisor to represent the chapter at the State Convention. Other Delegates may be names as necessary in order to have proper representation at various other FFA meetings within the state. Section F. Executive Finance Committee.- This committee is headed by the chapter treasurer. This committee approves actions on the budget and has the right to abolish any unsound financial movements. Meetings for this committee shall be held twice a month.
Article VIII. Eligibility Section A. Eligibility of members exhibiting at fairs and shows will be based on the advisors discretion. Section B. Members must be academically eligible to participate above the chapter level.
Article IX. Amendments Section A. To Amend the constitution, a majority vote of the Executive Committee is required.
Article X. Ratification of the Constitution Section A. This Constitution shall become effective when passed by the executive committee and advisors.
