The first Delegate Business Session of the 86th National FFA Convention and Expo was called to order at 10:34 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013. National FFA President Clay Sapp served as the presiding officer. Dr. Barry Glazer served as parliamentarian. A roll call of delegates was accomplished. The following state associations (delegates) were present: Alabama (11), Alaska (2), Arizona (5), Arkansas (11), California (50), Colorado (5), Connecticut (4), Delaware (5), Florida (12), Georgia (25), Hawaii (2), Idaho (5), Illinois (13), Indiana (8), Iowa (9), Kansas (6), Kentucky (11), Louisiana (8), Maine (2), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (6), Minnesota (8), Mississippi (4), Missouri (18), Montana (4), Nebraska (5), Nevada (3), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (4), New Mexico (4), New York (4), North Carolina (15), North Dakota (5), Ohio (14), Oklahoma (18), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (6), Puerto Rico (3), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (6), South Dakota (5), Tennessee (11), Texas (63), Utah (5), Vermont (1), Virgin Islands (2), Virginia (7), Washington (7), West Virginia (5), Wisconsin (14), Wyoming (4). With 52 state associations present and 460 delegates seated, a quorum was met. The minutes of the 2012 National FFA Convention and Expo were adopted by general consent of the delegate body. National FFA Eastern Region Vice President, Joenelle Futrell, presented the report of the National FFA Organization s Auditing Committee. Dylan Dam of Nebraska moved to adopt the report as read. Delaney Gray of New Jersey seconded the motion. The committee report was adopted by a voice National FFA Central Region Vice President, Brennan Costello, presented the report of the National Program of Activities Committee. Bobby Joe Monhollen of Kentucky moved to adopt the report as read. Logan Luse of Florida seconded the motion. The committee report was adopted by a voice Stuart Schumacher of Minnesota presented the report of the Committee for FFA Image and Branding and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. Ashley Willits of New York moved to amend the committee report by inserting the words and whereas, there is limited awareness of FFA s brand beyond our FFA communities, and whereas, there is proven success with past partnerships connecting the FFA with a general audience through non-agricultural media, therefore be it after the final whereas statement in the existing report and inserting the words and be it further resolved, that partnerships be developed with non-agricultural online and social media sites to highlight FFA, such as a Google image celebrating National FFA Week, and be it further resolved, that FFA continue to pursue relationships with sponsors and partners that provide opportunities for greater FFA visibility to a non-agricultural audience, such as the RAM Trucks Super Bowl commercial after the final resolution statement in the existing report. Dane Grossnickle of Maryland seconded the motion. The amendment passed by a voice Jack Roessler of 1
Minnesota moved to correct the spelling of the name of the committee chair in the committee report by general consent. Erin Larson of Minnesota seconded the motion. The motion was passed without objection. Justin Jaques of Utah moved to amend the committee report by striking the words whereas the state and American FFA Degree chains are not considered part of official dress although an overwhelming majority of states and national officers wear them, therefore be it and also striking the words Resolved, that the degree chains be added as proper official dress for state and American Degree recipients on the national website and catalog. Justen Ollendick seconded the motion. Justin Jaques offered discussion in favor of the amendment. The amendment failed by a vote of 192 243. No further discussion was offered. The committee report was adopted by a voice Caleb Gustin of New Mexico presented the report of the Committee for Agricultural Education as a Career and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. Dan Truso of New York moved to amend the committee report by replacing Resolved, that the National FFA Organization offer funding to the National Teach Ag Campaign with the stipulation that they provide a regional agricultural education conference, and be it further with Resolved, the National FFA Organization partner with the National Teach Ag Campaign to develop and deliver state or regional agricultural education conferences. Andy Paul of Georgia seconded the motion. The amendment passed by a voice No further discussion was offered. The committee report was adopted by a voice Josh Earll of Iowa presented the report of the Committee for Integration of the Agriculture Industry and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. No discussion was offered on the motion. The committee report was adopted by a voice Wally Martin of Florida presented the report of the Committee for the Role of FFA in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. Holly Hockett of California moved to amend the report by inserting agriculturally-based between the words and and woodworking so that the final resolution would read Resolved, that FFA develop new programs at a national level including, but not limited to, Ag Sales Proficiency, Biotechnology, and agriculturally-based woodworking. Jonathan Rios of Puerto Rico seconded the motion. Holly Hockett offered discussion in favor of the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment passed by a vote of 345 74. Nick Brumfield of Ohio moved to amend the report by inserting Whereas, there is a lack of variety in career paths that receive academic scholarships at the national level after the final whereas statement in the existing report and inserting the words Resolved that the National FFA Organization examine ways to incorporate a wider variety of career paths that receive academic scholarships through the National FFA Organization after the final resolution statement in the existing report. Joe Schmitz of Ohio seconded the motion. Nick Brumfield of Ohio offered discussion 2
in favor of the amendment. No further discussion was offered. The amendment passed by a standing Alex Klapoetke of Wisconsin moved to amend the report by striking the final resolution which reads Resolved, that FFA develop new programs at a national level including, but not limited to, Ag Sales Proficiency, Biotechnology, and agriculturally-based woodworking. Winston Edgin of Tennessee seconded the motion. Alex Klapoetke of Wisconsin offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Erika Nigh of Ohio offered discussion against the amendment. Maegan Olson of Maryland offered discussion against the amendment. Rachel Ralston of Tennessee offered discussion in favor of the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment failed by a voice No further discussion was offered on the report. The report was adopted by a voice Spencer Hartman of Nebraska presented the report of the Committee for Enhancing SAE Involvement and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. Kyle Clement of New Jersey moved to amend the report by inserting the words within the eight career pathways of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster to the fifth existing resolution so that the resolution would read Resolved, that the SAE program be evaluated and redefined to encompass more projects, and provide a wide spectrum of possible projects for agricultural education students within the eight career pathways of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster. Tommy Justison of Illinois seconded the motion. Kyle Clement of New Jersey offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Anthony Scala of North Carolina offered discussion against the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment passed by a voice Alan Green of Michigan rose to a point of information. Tanner Mellon of Arizona rose to a point of information. Erica Comeau of New Hampshire rose to a point of information. No further discussion was offered on the motion. The report was adopted by a voice National FFA President Clay Sapp put the session into recess at 12:31 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013. The session was called to order again at 9:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013. National FFA President Clay Sapp served as the presiding officer. Dr. Barry Glazer served as parliamentarian. A roll call of delegates was accomplished. The following state associations (delegates) were present: Alabama (11), Alaska (2), Arkansas (11), California (50), Colorado (5), Connecticut (4), Delaware (5), Florida (13), Georgia (25), Hawaii (2), Idaho (5), Illinois (13), Indiana (8), Iowa (9), Kansas (6), Kentucky (11), Louisiana (8), Maine (2), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (6), Minnesota (8), Mississippi (4), Missouri (18), Montana (4), Nebraska (6), Nevada (3), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (4), New Mexico (4), New York (4), North Carolina (15), North Dakota (5), Ohio (16), Oklahoma (18), Oregon (5), Puerto Rico (3), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (6), South Dakota (5), Tennessee (11), Texas (63), Utah (6), Vermont (2), Virgin Islands (2), Virginia (7), Washington (7), 3
West Virginia (5), Wisconsin (14), Wyoming (4). With 50 state associations present and 455 delegates seated, a quorum was met. Kyle Clement of New Jersey presented the report of the Committee for the Promotion of Agricultural Literacy and moved for its adoption. Being that this was a committee report, there was an implied second. Daniel Myers of Maryland moved to amend the report by striking the words Resolved, that the National FFA Organization partner with Google to possible change the Google logo during National FFA Week, and be it further. Kristianne Dowd of New Jersey seconded the motion. Daniel Myers of Maryland offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Sarah Rutledge of Oregon offered discussion against the amendment. Delaney Gray of New Jersey offered discussion in favor of the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment failed by a standing Kristianne Dowd of New Jersey moved to correct the spelling of the name of the committee chair in the committee report by general consent. Catie Rowe of New York seconded the motion. The motion is passed without objection. Ricky Southward of Michigan moved to amend the report by striking the words Resolved, that National FFA create a definition of agricultural literacy, and be it further as well as striking the corresponding statement which reads Whereas, the National FFA Organization has no official definition of agricultural literacy, and. Alan Green of Michigan seconded the motion. Mitch Wallace of Virginia offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Sarah Crosby of Michigan offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Stuart Schumacher of Minnesota offered discussion against the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment failed by a standing Erica Comeau of New Hampshire moved to amend the report by striking the third and fifth resolutions which read Resolved, that the National FFA re-evaluate PALS to include more agricultural literacy and participation in the program, and be it further and Resolved, that the National FFA Organization partner with Google to possible change the Google logo during National FFA Week, and be it further. Kayla Hoenert of Indiana seconded the motion. Kayla Hoenert of Indiana offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Bobby Fagundes of Nevada offered discussion against the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment failed by a voice Justin Watson of Florida moved the previous question. Dylan Dam of Nebraska seconded. The previous question was passed by a standing The report was adopted by a voice National FFA President Clay Sapp presented the recommendation made by the National FFA Board of Directors regarding the setting of membership dues for the 2014-2015 school year. Brian Chism of Kentucky moved to set dues at $7.00 for the 2014-2015 school year. Trey Mogensen of Nebraska seconded the motion. No discussion was offered on the motion. The motion was passed by a voice National FFA President Clay Sapp presented the list of candidates for the 2013 American Degree. Abrah Meyer of Iowa moved to approve the list of candidates for confirmation. Anthony Brooks of 4
Delaware seconded the motion. No discussion was offered on the motion. The motion was passed by a voice National FFA President Clay Sapp presented the amendment to the National FFA Constitution proposed by the Illinois FFA Association. The 2012-2013 National Officer Team voted zero in favor and six against the adoption of this amendment. Sam Detwiler of Illinois moved to adopt the amendment. Lindy Bilberry of Kansas seconded the motion. Sam Detwiler of Illinois offered discussion in favor of the amendment. August Schetter of Illinois moved to vote by secret ballot. David Strange of South Dakota seconded the motion. The motion to vote by secret ballot failed by a vote of 103 337. Brennan Plowman of Ohio moved to limit debate to two speakers in favor, two speakers against on all debate pertinent to the main motion. Gwynn Simeniuk of Montana seconded the motion. The motion passed by a voice Levi Colquitt of Alabama offered discussion against the amendment. Alan Green from Michigan offered discussion in favor of the amendment. Joe Schmitz from Ohio rose to a point of information. Lindy Bilberry from Kansas offered discussion in favor of the amendment. No further discussion was offered on the amendment. The amendment failed by a vote of 199 253. No new business was brought forward from the floor. National President Clay Sapp adjourned the meeting at 10:54 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Respectfully submitted, Kalie Hall, National FFA Secretary 5