Affiliate Information

Affiliate Information

The Michigan FFA Alumni and Friends is always excited to add new affiliates to our state membership. Below is a list of resources you can use when establishing a new FFA Alumni affiliate.

Start an Alumni Affiliate Chapter

Establishing an Affiliate

Step 1: Lay the Foundation

Select a nucleus of potential members. A strong, well-organized local organization begins with a strong nucleus or steering committee. Three to five interested individuals can be the key to starting off on sound footing. Merely use the leadership the FFA has developed in your area. (NOTE: Too many people in the nucleus could lessen the effectiveness.)

Step 2: Organize the Nucleus

Call an organizational meeting. Once the individuals for the steering committee are selected, call them together for an organizational meeting. At this meeting a framework should be established for which the local affiliate can be developed. Make use of the Michigan FFA Alumni c ouncil member in your area.

The agenda for this Steering Committee meeting may include:

  1. Discuss the purpose and benefits of a local affiliate.
  2. Review the procedure for chartering a local affiliate.
  3. Consider membership eligibility and the potential of the area.
  4. Determine who will serve as the acting chairman.
  5. Decide on the time, date, and place for the first general organizational meeting. The meeting should be within a month to a month and a half of the steering committee meeting. Consider refreshments for the meeting. Dinner, pie & coffee, etc.
  6. Make a list of potential members and divide up the responsibility for contacting each.
  7. Develop a tentative local constitution and bylaws prior to the organizational meeting.

Step 3: Make it known to potential members

Secure all publicity possible relative to your first meeting. Good publicity underscores the importance of the meeting and of the organization itself.

  1. Send a press release to local newspapers and radio stations. Ask them to announce the meeting and invite all eligible members to attend and join the organizational effort.
  2. The current FFA chapter members may want to hand write an invitation.
  3. Telephone contact by the steering committee to prospective members is strongly suggested.
  4. Personal contacts get the best results, so do as many as the committee possibly can.

Step 4: Conduct the organizational meeting

The idea of a local FFA Alumni affiliate must be sold to all in attendance in a well-planned meeting. Therefore, care should be taken to have an organized agenda.

  1. The temporary chairman and the committee should present the purposes of the meeting, explain purposes and objectives of a local affiliate, and discuss possible activities to help accomplish them. Use FFA Alumni promotional materials. These can be obtained from the Michigan FFA Alumni Association. You are encouraged to secure one of the state FFA Alumni council members to assist in the presentation of purposes and objectives.
  2. The temporary chairperson asks for a motion to form an affiliate.
  3. Following the motion to affiliate, the constitution and bylaws, as proposed by the steering committee should be adopted. Copies should be provided to everyone in attendance and each item discussed.
  4. Based on the structure of the bylaws, election of officers and council should be conducted. Affilates have the ability to send a non voting delegate to the State Alumni Council that meets quarterly in Lansing.
  5. Local dues should be established. National dues are $10 and state dues are currently $10. The option of National Life Membership, currently $150, should be discussed.
  6. The length of time from the first organizational meeting in which a potential member can be considered a charter member should be set. ( Most affiliates allow one month. The shorter the time, the better.) It is a good idea to promote this chartering period through the use of a press release to local newspapers and radio stations.
  7. Set the next meeting date for the local FFA Alumni council. The annual meeting of the local membership may be set at the next council meeting.
  8. Have all members pay dues immediately following the meeting. This way they can be assured of being chartered members.
  9. Complete the roster, an application for local charter, and send with a copy of the local affiliate’s constitution, bylaws and list of officers to: Michigan FFA Alumni & Friends, c/o Burt Henry, 8854 W. Lincoln Rd, Elwell, MI 48832

Resources to Develop Your Affiliate

The following is a model constitution and bylaws designed after the National FFA Alumni Constitution which may be used as a guide by local FFA Alumni affiliates. Certain alternate possibilities have been suggested. You may add, delete or modify to make it functional for your local conditions.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF THE (name of local) FFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

Section A. The name of the organization shall be the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

Section B. The purpose of this organization shall be:

  1. To support and promote the FFA organization, FFA activities and agricultural education on local, state and national levels.
  2. To provide a tie to the FFA and to assist FFA and agricultural education personnel to involve former members and others interested in supporting worthy activities.
  3. To promote greater knowledge of the agricultural industry and support education in agriculture.
  4. To cooperate with the (name of local) FFA chapter, Michigan FFA Alumni Association and National FFA Alumni Association.
  5. To promote and maintain an appreciation of the American free enterprise system.
  6. To promote the personal development aspect of the FFA.

ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION

Section A. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Association is a chartered affiliate of the Michigan FFA Alumni Association which is chartered by the National FFA Alumni Association.

Section B. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Association accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Michigan FFA Alumni Association and the National FFA Alumni Association.

Section C. The area to be served by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Affiliate shall be (describe).

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section A. Membership shall be open to former active, collegiate and honorary FFA members, present and former professional agricultural educators and parents of FFA members and others interest in the FFA, upon payment of dues.

ARTICLE IV. EMBLEM

Section A. The gold FFA emblem with the word “Alumni” below it shall serve as the emblem of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BODY

Section A. The executive body of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council.

Section B. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall consist of (number) persons. (Adapt to local conditions.)The (number) council members shall consist of the following:

  1. (Number) persons shall be elected-at-large by the membership. (and/or)
  2. (Number) representative(s) from: (consideration may be given to geographic location of residence, age, occupation, organization membership, length of residence in community, parents or non-parents.)
  3. The current chairman of the (name of local) FFA chapter Alumni Relations Committee.
  4. The immediate past FFA chapter president.
  5. The past FFA Alumni president and the local FFA advisor(s) shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting member(s).

Section C. All members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council must be active members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association, with the exception of the current FFA chapter representative and immediate past FFA chapter officer, and shall serve two year terms on a staggered basis.

Section D. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall elect annually a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer from the council membership. The treasurer’s books should be audited annually by a qualified person.

Section E. Duties of the officers shall be consistent with those usually appertaining to these positions. (Additional officers may be added if necessary.)

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section A. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall meet (number) times per year. Additional meetings may be called by the president or by a majority of the council members upon petition to the secretary.

Section B. There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association. Additional membership meetings may be called by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council. (The annual meeting might be held in conjunction with or immediately following the local FFA banquet.)

ARTICLE VII. DUES

Section A. The annual dues of the (name of local) FFA Alumni shall be recommended by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council and fixed by a majority vote of members present at the annual meeting. State and national dues must be paid on a calendar membership year basis for all active FFA Alumni members. No member shall by considered an active member and in good standing unless full dues are paid.

PROPOSED (name of local) FFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

ARTICLE I.

Section A. These bylaws shall be considered a part of the constitution of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE II. LOCATION OF THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE

Section A. The principal office of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be located at (consideration should be given to a place that will not change regularly.)

ARTICLE III. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION OF (name of local) FFA ALUMNI COUNCIL

Section A. The (number) members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council that are selected from the membership-at-large shall be elected by vote at the annual meeting. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote. (Consideration should be given to ensure that terms are staggered.)

Section B. The (number) representatives from each of the following areas (same as constitution) shall be elected by vote at the annual meeting. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote. (Consideration should be given to ensure that terms are staggered.)

Section C. The current FFA chapter representative and the immediate past FFA chapter officer shall serve as members of the council by virtue of their positions. The local FFA advisor and past council president shall serve as ex-officio non-voting members.

Section D. All voting council members, other than those provided for in Section B, and C shall serve a (number of years) year term.

Section E. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council, other than the expiration of their terms of office, the local FFA Alumni Council shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of office.

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES OF THE ALUMNI COUNCIL

Section A. It shall be the duty of the FFA Alumni council to direct the operation of the association in accordance with its constitutional purposes. It shall be responsible for planning the programs and activities in which it is advisable for the association to participate.

Section B. The FFA Alumni may appoint such committees necessary to further the work of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE V. TIME OF MEETINGS

Section A. The annual meeting and other necessary meetings of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be held at such time as may be prescribed by the local FFA Alumni council. The annual meeting shall be held prior to the annual state meeting at a time either in correlation with the local FFA chapter banquet or some other appropriate time.

ARTICLE VI. FISCAL YEAR

Section A. The fiscal year of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be (Michigan FFA Alumni’s fiscal year is September 1 through August 31) each year.

Section B. Books and records of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association may be inspected by any member or his agent or attorney at any reasonable time.

Section C. There shall be an annual audit of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association. The treasurer, or anyone authorized to handle and account for funds, should be bonded in sufficient amount to protect the FFA Alumni association.

Application for Local Charter – Michigan FFA Alumni

  • Agricultural career day for county
  • Work with skills and leadership teams
  • Contribute to complete new agricultural building
  • Finance trip to national convention
  • Send students to Washington Leadership Conference
  • Assist with poultry improvement contest
  • Pork raffle
  • Hog roast for all Alumni, FFA members and incoming freshmen
  • Fruit & Nut sale
  • Swine chain
  • Steak fry
  • Scholarships to college to study agriculture
  • Support county fair auction
  • Cater spring awards banquet
  • Contribute to Michigan FFA Foundation
  • Pizza party for leadership teams
  • Provide transportation for BOAC tour, state tractor driving contest
  • Assist with FFA banquet
  • Hold chicken BBQ
  • Judge chapter proficiency applications
  • Assist with land lab
  • Play basketball and softball against FFA members
  • Host fitting and showing clinics
  • Transport animals to shows
  • Hold summer potluck
  • Host baby animal barn at county fair
  • Serve as resource people for classes
  • Help FFA present Food For America program
  • Assist in collection of weeds for weed identification
  • Sponsor bed race in community festival
  • Hold pancake brunch as fund raiser
  • Barnyard BINGO
  • Sponsor administrator on Administrators’ Field Trip

The following companies have signed contracts with the Michigan FFA Alumni to provide agricultural products at a fair price and support the State Alumni with a contribution to our general fund. These companies have been in business for many years and provide a quality product.

Plant Sales

Specializing in perennials. Two or three day sales. Plants delivered to sale site and the unsold picked up after the sale ends. You pay for only what you sell.

Red Barn Greenhouse
60175 Rambadt Rd.
Centreville, MI 49032
Contacts: Bill & Janice Butcher
Email: rbgmhome@aol.com
Phone: 269 467-4175
Fax: 269 467-4048

Fruit, Nuts & other Food Items

Specializing in Citrus Fruit, nuts and meat products.

Florida Farm Bureau
7705 US Hwy 441
Leesburg, FL 34788
Contact: Roy Singleton
E-mail: roy@fwffb.com
Phone: 800 654-0941