Article I – Name and Purpose

Section A.        The name of the organization shall be the “Miami East FFA Chapter.”  The letters of the FFA may be officially used to designate the organization, its activities, and members thereof.

Section B.        The purpose for which this chapter is formed are as follows:

• To develop competent, aggressive, rural and agriculture leadership.

• To create and nurture a love of agricultural life.

• Strengthen the confidence of students of agricultural education in themselves and their work.

• To create more interest in the intelligence choice of agricultural occupations.

• To encourage members in the development of individual Supervised Agricultural Experience programs and establishment in agricultural careers.

• To encourage members to improve their home and its surroundings.

• To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvement of the industry of agriculture.

• To develop character, train for useful citizenship and foster patriotism.

• To participate in cooperative effort.

• To encourage and practice thrift.

• To encourage improvement in scholarship.

• To provide and encourage the development of organized rural recreation activities.

Article II – Organization

Section A.        The Miami East FFA Chapter is a chartered local unit of the Ohio FFA Association, which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.

Section B.        This chapter accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Ohio FFA Association 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, 3) Honorary, as defined by the National FFA Constitution.

Section B.        The regular work of this chapter shall be carried out 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:

• They show an interest in and take part in the affairs of the chapter.

• They pay dues regularly; members and incoming freshman by October first (1).

• Competes in at least one (1) contest per school year.

• Activity participates in the chapter fundraisers.

• Attends 75% of the local chapter meetings.

• Exhibits at least one project at the Miami County Fair.

Section E.        Honorary Membership

• The chapter shall award honorary degrees to qualified supporters each year.

• Candidates for the degree to be voted on by the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting.    

• Awards are to be presented at the annual parent-member banquet.

Article IV – Emblem   

              Section A.        The emblem of the FFA shall be the emblem for the chapter.

Section B.        Emblems used by the members shall be uniform and those obtained from concerns officially designated by the National Organization or with permission of registered trademark use.

Article V – Membership, Degrees, and Privileges

Section A.        There shall be 3 grades of active membership in the chapter.  These grades are the Greenhand, the Chapter FFA Degree, and the State FFA Degree, while he/she is still in school.

              Section B.        Greenhand Degree, minimum qualifications for election:             

• Be regularly enrolled in a class in agricultural education and have satisfactory and acceptable plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.

• Be familiar with the purpose of the FFA and local chapter, show knowledge of Greenhand trivia, and attend all but one unexcused meeting since entering the agricultural education program.

• Recite from memory the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.

• Receiving a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the chapter.

• All “Greenhands” are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin.

Section C.        Chapter FFA Degree, minimum qualifications for election:

• Must have held the Greenhand FFA Degree and have a record of satisfactory participation in the local chapter.

• Must have satisfactorily competed in at least one year of instruction in operation of a Supervised Agriculture Experience program and be enrolled in an Agricultural Education class.

• Be familiar with the purpose and program of activities of the State Association and National Organization.

• Be familiar with Parliamentary Procedure.

• Be able to lead a group discussion for fifteen minutes.

• Be familiar with the provisions of the constitution of the local chapter.

• Must have earned by his/her own efforts by his/her Supervised Agricultural Experience at least $150 or worked an equivalent of 45 hours above scheduled classtime or combination thereof.

• Receive a majority vote of the membership present at a regular local chapter meeting.

• Must be present for initiation ceremonies unless otherwise specified by the chapter officers.

• All members holding the Chapter FFA Degree are entitled to wear the silver pin.

• Cannot miss more than 3 meetings (unexcused).

• Candidates in question of meeting standards are to be interviewed by a special committee appointed by the President.

• Must have a C average in Agricultural Education.

• Must have participated in 80% of all committee meetings.

Article VI - Officers

Section A.        The officers of the Miami East FFA Chapter shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel, and Student Advisor.  The local Advisor shall be the teacher of Agricultural Education in the school where the chapter is located.  Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective positions.

Section B.        Officer elections shall be followed in the following order: application, committee interview, committee nomination, and election by a majority vote of the members present at a regular chapter meeting.  The officer interview committee may consist of but is not limited to: current senior officers, teachers, administrators, community members, board of education members, and local business personnel. The committee’s decision is final.

Section C.        The officers and assistant officers of the chapter together with the chairpersons of the program of activities committees shall constitute the chapter executive committee.  This executive committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with the actions taken at chapter meetings and various regulations and bylaws adopted from time to time.

Section D.        Honorary members shall not nor shall hold office with the exception of the Advisor.

Section E.        Chapter Officers must hold the Greenhand FFA Degree.  They will serve as a positive role model for their fellow chapter members in the community. Reprimanding and/or removal of chapter officers will be at the discretion of the Miami East Agricultural Education Advisory Committee.

Section F.        Chapter officers, to be eligible for election to and serving of their position must have a B- average or above in Agricultural Education, must be passing all subjects, have updated and accurate record books, and be interviews by the nominating committee.

Section G.        Chapter Officers must give 24 hour notice to missing any officer or regular meeting and cannot miss more than 2 meetings without the approval from the executive committee.  Each time that an officer acquires two unexcused late to any official officer function, they will be treated as one unexcused absence.  Accumulation of 2 unexcused absences or the equivalent will be terms for dismissal from the officer team with the assistant officer for that position to become the new officer.

Section H.        Members wishing to receive an assistant officer must acquire at least the Greenhand Degree.

Article VII – Meetings

Section A.        Regular chapter meetings shall be held once a month, during the school year at such time and place as is designated by the Chapter Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called at any time.

Section B.        Delegates shall be selected annual from active membership to represent the chapter at the State FFA Convention.  Other delegates may be named as necessary to have proper representation at various other FFA meetings within the chapter.

Section C.        Standard meeting paraphernalia and agenda shall be used at each meeting.  All regular meetings shall open and close with the official ceremonies.  Parliamentary procedures shall be used in transacting all business at each meeting.

Article VIII – Dues

Section A.        Local dues in this chapter shall be fixed annually be a majority vote of the active members.

Section B.        Full local, state, and national dues shall by paid by all active members.

Section C.        No member shall be considered as active and in a good standing unless he/she pays full local, state, and national dues.

Article IX – Amendments

Section A.        The constitution may be amended or changed 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       Bylaws may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter meeting by two-thirds vote of the active members present providing such bylaws conflict in no way with the constitution and bylaws of either the state association or the national organization.