Springlake –Earth FFA
By-Laws
Springlake – Earth High School
[TX0245]
July 2019
Article I – Organization
Section A: The name of the organization shall be the Springlake-Earth FFA Chapter of the National Organization, commonly called Springlake – Earth FFA. The chapter shall abide by the rules and regulations in the constitution and by- laws found in the latest edition of the national official FFA manual.
Section B: The Springlake – Earth Chapter of the FFA is a chartered local unit of the Texas FFA Association; Area I Association; Plainview District which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.
Section C: This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and by-laws of the texas ffa association of ffa as well as those of the national ffa organization.
Article II – Name and Purpose
Section A: The name of this organization shall be the Springlake – Earth Chapter of the FFA. The letters FFA may be used to designate the chapter, its activities, or members thereof.
Section B: The purposes for which this chapter has been formed is the development of premier Leadership, Personal Development, and Career Success. This mission is accomplished by the following:
- To develop competent, aggressive, agricultural leaders
- To develop an awareness of the global importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being
- To strengthen the confidences of agriculture students in themselves and their work
- To promote the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career
- To stimulate development and encourage achievement in individual agricultural experience programs
- To develop competencies in communications, human relations, and social abilities
- To improve the economic, environmental, recreational, and human resources to the community
- To develop character, train for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism.
- To build cooperative attitudes among agricultural students
- To encourage wise management of resources
- To encourage improvement in scholarship
- To provide organized recreational activities for agricultural students
Article III – Membership
Section A: FFA members must be in good standing in order to participate in any ffa activity. An ACTIVE member shall be considered in good standing when:
1. The member is enrolled in the springlake – Earth Schools and attends local chapter meetings where the local chapter is established.
2. The member shows an interest in and takes part in the affairs of the chapter
3. The member pays current national, state, area, district and local dues regularly and acts in a manner consistent with the ideas of the organization
4. The member is enrolled in an agricultural Science and technology course
5. The member abides by the FFA Code of Ethics.
Section B: Membership and all priveleges thereof will be revoked immediately by officers and advisers if a student misconducts him/herself while participating in any FFA activity so as to bring disgrace to this chapter.
Section C: Membership in this chapter shall be of four kinds: (1) Active; (2) Alumni; (3) onorary, as defined by the National Constitution; and Jr FFA as defined by the Texas FFA Constitution and By-laws.
Section D: The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership
Section E: Honorary membership in this chapter shall be limited to the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.
Section F: JR FFA MEMBERSHIP is for those students at least 8 years of age and in 3rd grade through 7th grade only. Participation in Jr FFA is limited to LIVESTOCK EXHIBITION and local chapter ffa activities. Active membership includes grades 8 – 12. Students in grades 8 – 12 are not eligible as jr ffa members.
Article IV - ACTIVE Membership Degrees and Privileges
Section A: There shall BE FOUR degrees of active membership in the chapter. These Degrees are (1) the Greenhand FFA Degree; (2) the Chapter FFA Degree; (3) the Lone Star [state ffa] Degree; and (4) the AMERICAN FFA Degree. The greenhand and chapter ffa degrees are conferred on the local level while the lone star degree is awarded by the state association and the american ffa degree is awarded by the national organization. All greenhands are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin. Chapter ffa wears the silver emblem degree pin; lone star – gold charm; and american – gold key.
Section B: GREENHAND: Minimum Qualifications for election
1. Be regulary enrolled in a class in agricultural education, and have a satisfactory plan for a supervised experience program.
2. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and FFA Mission Statement
3. Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and explain proper use of the ffa jacket
5. Demonstrate KNOWLEDGE of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and by-laws and the chapter program of activities.
6. Personally own or have access to an official ffa manual.
7. Submit a written application
Section C: CHAPTER FFA: Minimum qualifications for election
1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree
2. Must have satisfactorily completed at least 180 hours of systematic instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, and have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program and be enrolled in an agricultural science program.
3. Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least 3 OFFICIAL functions in the chapter program of activities.
4. Have earned and productively invested at leat $150 by the members own efforts or worked at least fourty five hours in excess of scheduled class time, or combination thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement.
5. Have effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes
6. Have demonstrated five procedures of Parliamentary law
7. Show progress toward individual achievements in the ffa award program
8. Have a satisfactory scholastic record
9. Submit a written application for the chapter ffa degree
Section D: State FFA Degree – Qualifications for the state ffa degree are those set forth in the constitution of the state association
Section E: American FFA Degree – Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the constituition of the National FFA Association.
Article V – Officers
Section A: The officers of the chapter shall be as follows: President; Vice President; Secretary; Treasurer; Reporter; Sentinel; and Student Advisor. The Advisor shall be the teacher(s) of Agricultural Science in the school in which the chaper is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of the repsective offices as listed in thee Official FFA Manual.
Section B: Officers shall be elected annually. Candidates must submit an application and contract in order for his/her name to be placed on the ballot. Candidates must be in the 10th – 12th grade and hold the chapter FFA Degree. In the event there are not enough qualified candidates to fill the ballot, incoming 9th graders will be given the opportunity to apply for office. The deadline for submission of application and contract is January 31st of each year. Members will rank the candidates as to their preference for each contistutional office.
Section C: The officers of the chapter together with the chairmen in charge of the major sections of the annual program of activities shall constiture the Chapter Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with the actions taken at chapter meetings and varios regulations or by-laws from time to time.
Section D: Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold any ofifice in the chapter except that of advisor.
Section E: Chapter Officers must hold the degree of the chapter ffa and have a satisfactory scholastic record, and, a commendable citizenship and conduct record.
Section F: To hold an office in the springlake-earth ffa chapter, a member must be enrolled in ag agricultural SCIENCE CLASS both semesters of the year the office is being held. The member must maintain a satifactory scholastic record and be currenty involved in an acceptable supervised ag experience program. failure to do so will result in officer relinquishing that office.
Section G: Officers are expected to attend district, area, and state conventions, leadership camps, and meetings. only the advisor may excuse an officer from participating.
Section H ALL officer candidates are to know and agree to abide by the FFA Code of Ethics.
Section I: Officers may be removed from office for failing to meet the qulifications as stated in these by-laws.
Article VI- General Provisions concerning officers and members
Section A: Membership may be denied or revoked for failure to abide by the code of ethics.
Article VII – DUES
Section A: FFA Dues will collected at the beginning of each school year according to the constitution of the National FFA Organization, the By-Laws of the Texas FFA, the Area I Association, the Plainview District, and the Springlake-Earth FFA Chapter. Jr FFA Dues are set by the by-laws of the Texas FFA and the Springlake-Earth FFA Chapter.
Section B: The Yearly dues schedule is as folows: Springlake Earth FFA Participates in the affiliation Program and dues are set at $25 and includes the following breakdown
National FFA Dues . . . $5.00
State FFA Dues . . . . . . . $5.00
Area I FFA Dues . . . . . . $1.50
District FFA DUES . . . . $1.50
Chapter FFA Dues . . . . $12.00
Section C: Jr FFA Dues are $5 for State and $10 for Chapter.
Section D: Dues must be collected by October 15 of each year in order to remain in good standing. A member is not considered in good standing until all National, State, Area, District, and Chapter dues are paid in full.
Section E: Chapter Dues are established by a majority vote of the active members at the August Chapter Meeting.
Article VIII – Awards and Scholarships
Section A: Awards will BE PRESENTED to members for outstanding performance in the various phases of agricultural science and technology and FFA.
Section B: Award Areas will be Agsc I; Agsc II; Agsc III, Agsc IV; Ag Mechanics; Lambs, Barrows, Steers, and Market goats; Aggie of the Year; and Jr Aggie of the Year.
Section C: SCHOLARSHIPS: Springlake – Earth FFA Boosters will provide scholarships to graduating seniors who meet the folowing requirements:
1. the student is a graduating senior at Springlake – Earth High School
2. Has taken at least three years of agscience courses and was a bonafide member for the entire period
3. has maintained above satisfactory scholastic record in high school
4. documented involvment in ffa participation in leadership development; served as an officer; participated in career development, completed saep projects; AND, is a recipient or applying for the state ffa degree.
5. has been accepted to attenda college or university and plan on majoring in an ag-related career.
6. maintains a 2.5 gpa to receive the second installment (if available)
7. submits an application for consideration
Section D: The amount of the scholarship will be determined by the amount of money set aside for that year for scholarships divided by the number of qualified applicants. Amount not to exceed $1000.00
Section E: Scholarships will be provided in two equal installments and will be forwarded to college or university at the recipients request.
Section F: In order to be considered for awards and scholarships, members must be dues paying members in good standing with the ffa chapter.
Section G: The deadline for submitting applications for awards, degrees, and scholarships is APRIL 1ST EXCEPT for the national ffa scholarships and that deadline is prior to the postmark deadline of february 15th.
Article IX – Meetings
Section A – REGULAR Chapter Meetings will be held each month with the exception of January, February, or March. Dates of meetings will be posted in the calendar at the first published meeting. The November meeting is mandatory for all members entering LIVESTOCK SHOWS. All FFA and Jr FFA members must attend the Quality Counts Training at a meeting to be announced.
Section B: In order to participate in FFA sponsored activities. FFA members must be present at a majority of the meetings held prior to the scheduled event. Jr FFA members need only attend those meetings in which they are notified.
Section C: Meetings will be conducted according to rules of Parliamentary Procedure and will include both opening and closing ceremony. A quorum of 50% of the members is required to conduct business at any regulary scheduled meeting.
Article X – Participation in FFA sponsored events
Section A: Members of Springlake-Earth FFA are given the opportunity to participate in all local, district, area, and state activities including leadership development, career development, supervised ag experience, and meetings, camps and conventions.
Section B: Members must be enrolled in an agscience and technology class at the time of the scheduled event.
Section C: Members must be dues paying members in good standingJ
Section D: Members must be academically eligible prior to and at the time of the scheduled event
Section E: Members must abide by the ffa code of ethics and the rules governing extracurricular events established by the administration of the springlake- earth Schools.
Section F: Jr ffa members are limited to local activities and participation in livestock exhibition on the state level. Jr FFA Membership is limited to Students in 3rd - 7th Grade.
Article X I– School Absences for Participation in Activities
Section A: Extracurricular Activities
Each student is allowed 10 absences during the school year to participate in an approved extracurricular activity. The school board and administration have also allowed for students to qualify for three additional absences for participation in extracurricular activities ACCORDING TO the following stipulations:
Article XII School and FFA Equipment
Section A: All members will show pride in the organization by properly caring for and using school and chapter facilities, facilities, equipment, and paraphernalia
Section B: FFA Feeding Facilities are availabel for Members and Jr FFA members only. Only FFA members or Jr FFA members in good standing, enrolled in an agscience class at springlake-earth high school [when applicable] are eligible to use the facilities and equipment
Section C: Members using the facilities must complete and agree to abide by the guidelines of the facilities. Failure to abide by these regualtions will result in immediate removal from the facilities.
Section D: A fee of $15/hd will be established for lambs, wehter goats, or barrows at the feeding facilities. No other species/sex of animal may b kept at the pens.
Article XIII Amendments
Section A: This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active membership present providing that (1) previous notice was given and (2) it is not in conflict with the State Association Constitution or that of the national ffa organization.
Section B: By-laws may be adopted to fill the needs of the chater at any regular chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present providing such by-laws conflict in no way with the constitution and by-laws of either the state association or the national ffa organization.
It is the policy of the springlake-earth ffa, springlake-earth isd, advisers, and administration not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, or religion
The mission of ffa is the development of premier leadership, personal development and career success