2017 Electric City FFA Parent Handbook

What is FFA?

FFA is an intra-curricular STUDENT
organizaƟon for those interested in
agriculture and leadership. It is one
of the three components of
agricultural educaƟon. You MUST
be enrolled in an Agriculture course
to belong to the FFA.

“FFA makes a positive differ-
ence in the lives of students by
developing their potential for
premier leadership, personal
growth and career success
through agricultural education. “

Learn more about the National FFA Organization at FFA.org

Travel & Chapter Points

Travel Expectations and Guidelines

The policies and procedures established in the CMR Handbook [page numbers appear in ()] and will be followed. There are allowances for a
coach or advisor to enforce stricter guidelines than stated in the Handbook. These will be established and be known ahead of time!

Eligibility to Travel

• By District policy, in order to be eligible for participation in interscholastic activities, a student must have received passing grades in five
(5) subjects. This is established in the MHSA eligibility guidelines (45)

• Members must pay all required funds on or before established deadlines. Members with outstanding fees may be prohibited from further
travel.

• Each member is required to sell one poster ad, one book of ten raffle tickets, or pay $60 to the chapter to travel out of the FFA District
• The Chapter By-Laws require the attendance of at least one practice to attend a competitive event.

Personal Behavior

• Public display of affection (kissing, hugging, etc.) is not tolerated at school or at school activities (23)
• Normal speaking volume (not yelling or loud, disruptive) (24)
• Appropriate language (inappropriate language and profanity are not accepted) (24)
• Maintaining a clean room, bus seat by putting all litter in trash cans
• Students shall not use, have in possession, sell, or distribute alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, or abuse prescription or non-prescription

drugs. (47)
• Students are responsible for coursework missed in classes while they are on a field trip or activity. (44-45)
• Appropriate dress is an expectation. Students are expected to present themselves with adequate personal hygiene habits and in clothing

that conforms to the guidelines (24-25)
• No sweats or pajamas on the bus. We need to look presentable at stops.
• No boys and girls sharing seats.

Any student caught breaking the law will be reported to local law enforcement. Parents will be responsible for picking students up from the
local authorities. Any student acting irresponsible or inappropriate will be taken to the local bus station and sent home at their own expense.
The hotel and competition sites have strict enforcement about noise and safety, the entire group will be asked to leave if any member of the
team violates these policies.

Chapter FFA Points System

The points system is designed to reward and track POSITIVE FFA participation. The “Points System” will be used to deter-
mine end of the year sweepstakes awards, invitations for travel, and other activities where appropriate.

Earning Points:

• 5 points for each CDE/ LDE participant per competition
• 1-10 points for placing in CDE/LDE above the chapter level ( 1st place=10, 2nd=9, 3rd=8, etc.)
• 5 points for attendance to chapter meetings or chapter activities listed in the POA
• 20 points for serving as an officer or standing committee chair
• 5 points for attending an FFA or leadership Conference or Convention
• 5 points for attending an Agricultural Industrial Conference, convention, or meeting with FFA chapter
• 1 point per every 10 hours of SAE recorded (June 9– April 30) in theAET.com points awarded at the end of April
• 1 point per every 5 hours community service recorded (June 9-April 30) in theAET.com points awarded at the end of April
• 2 points per thank you note written to sponsors, supporters, donors, coaches, or other community volunteers not part of

officer duties and shown to advisor(s) or student advisor
• 5 points per chapter newsletter article written and submitted on time

Fees & Fundraising

FEES $$$

DUES– Local, State, and National Dues are provided through a State of Montana Grant
ENTRY FEES– Each Conference, Convention, and Career Development Event has a fee assessed to help cover the cost of the host.
TRAVEL FEES– The chapter attempts to keep costs as affordable as possible by doing economic meals, sharing transportation, and
rooming multiple students per room. Meal money is collected BEFORE trip departure and distributed to students. We typically figure
meals at ($4 breakfast, $6 lunch, and $15 dinner).
CHAPTER T-SHIRTS— The Chapter will have a t-shirt unique to our members. We will pre-order and have them made, the cost will run
from $10-15. These are not mandatory but are HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED to make each member feel apart of the group.
OFFICIAL FFA DRESS— The official FFA Jacket with official tie/scarf typically runs about $62 plus shipping. The chapter will order
several times throughout the year to reduce this cost! Black pants/skirt and white button-up shirts are also required. The chapter does have
limited items to borrow and financial assistance may be available.

Fundraising

There are three types of fundraising activities:
• Personal Expenses— Money raised will cover personal travel, meals, lodging, and registration costs.
• Chapter Expenses— Money raised will be put into the Chapter Funds to cover meeting and activity expenses, transportation, and other expenses that

affect many members
• Community Service Donations.— Money is raised with the intent that they are to become a charitable gift
Fundraising Activities: (Other opportunities may arise. Check Facebook and the ElectricCityFFA.theAET.com for updates.
GFPS Education Foundation Truck Raffle- (Per sonal Expenses) Tickets ar e obtained fr om Mr s. Koter ba. Tickets may be sold fr om 7/4/16 to
10/27/16. Tickets cost $10 each. For each ticket sold, $6 goes into the member’s FFA account and $4 goes to the GFPS Foundation. Tickets are given to
members but must be returned as unsold or with money after being sold.
*** Any member selling 10 tickets can receive their personal FFA jacket and scarf/tie***
Chapter Poster Sponsorships- (Chapter Expenses) Each member is r equir ed to sell at least one ad space. Ad spaces cost $100. Poster s will then be
printed and distributed to area businesses. Individuals attending National FFA Convention may utilize the $100 for personal travel expenses AFTER their
requested one ad. Individuals not selling poster ads can dedicate their first book of truck tickets or pay $60.
WIX box tops- (Chapter Expenses) WIX filters will donate $.25 per WIX box top submitted. Box tops will be collected at area businesses.
Celebration Dinner and Auctions- (Chapter Expenses) A dinner with dessert, labor, and silent auctions will be held during National FFA Week. The
proceeds from this event pay for chapter travel to the many activities throughout the year.

Code of Conduct & Ethics

CODE OF CONDUCT

The FFA is an integral part of Agricultural Science and Natural Re-
sources Education programs in Montana and provides training in
citizenship, responsibility, and cooperation. Because individual
conduct and appearance is a part of this training, it becomes the
responsibility of all members and adults participating in an FFA ac-
tivity to adhere to the Code of Conduct form the time they depart
from home or school until they return. Attendance and participation
in district, state, or national FFA activities and conventions is a privi-
lege. Knowing any organization is judged largely by the behavior
and appearance of its participating individuals, the following Code
of Conduct is subscribed for members, guests, chaperons, and ad-
visors.

1. All participants are expected to always attend the scheduled sessions and/or activities. (Prior approval of advisor/
chaperone is required for any exceptions.)

2. Official FFA dress is expected while attending all sessions and/or activities. (See Official FFA Manual)
3. The National FFA Code of Ethics will be strictly adhered to (see Official FFA Manual).
4. No ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR ILLEGAL DRUGS in any form shall be possessed or used at any time or under any

circumstances on public or private properties. Smoking during activities, events, or in official FFA dress will not be per-
mitted and is further restricted according to each advisor/school policy.
5. Curfew regulations shall be interpreted to mean that all members shall be in, and remain in, their assigned rooms 1/2
hour after the last scheduled activity or the return to housing. Advisor/chaperones and/or scheduled activities may re-
quire adjustment of the curfew regulations as the situation warrants. 11:00 p.m. shall be the curfew when other factors
are not present.
6. All Cell Phones on overnight trips will be turned into Mrs. Koterba by 11:00pm (when other factors are not present) and
will be given back to students at 7:00 am.
7. FFA members attending FFA conventions and/or activities are guests using the facilities. Special care shall be taken to
avoid defacing or destroying property. The individual or chapter responsible will pay for damages to any properties or
furnishings in hotel/motel rooms or other facilities.
8. All participants shall read and be familiar with any special rules and guidelines for specific activities, such as the National
FFA Convention Guidelines of Duties and Responsibilities.

2016-2017 Electric City FFA Calendar

(All events are subject to change! See hƩp://ElectricCityFFA.theAET.com for most up-to-date informaƟon)

Executive Committee (Officer s, Committee Chair s, Advisor s) meet on the fir st Thur sday of each month in r oom 401 fr om
4-5PM

Community Service Activities ar e ar r anged thr ough many local civic or ganizations and community activities. These events
appear in yellow on the chapter web page and are announced with as much advance notice as possible!

Agricultural and Educational Conferences and Conventions often invite FFA member s to par ticipate in their activities.
These are extremely valuable experiences for students to interact with industry leaders and future employers. These events appear
in purple on the chapter web page and are announced when available.

Competition Team Practices ar e scheduled accor ding to coach and par ticipant availability. The Chapter By-Laws require
the attendance of at least one practice to attend a competitive event. One practice is not sufficient to be successful and multiple
practice opportunities are made available. These practices appear in green on the chapter web page.

2017

September 12th DLS West Chester, Mt
September 14 @ 5:15 PM CMR 401
September 21 PARENT MEETING TBA

September 26th September Chapter Mtg Sheridan
October 10th (Chapter Picture) ???????? Choteau, Mt
October 12th CMR 401
Ruby Valley Invitational
October 16th Billings
October 25th – 28th Greenhand Seminar Indianapolis, Indiana
November 9th – 11th Bozeman
November 16th October Chapter Meeting- Greenhand Initi- CMR-401
December 21 ation CMR-401
December 23-Jan 2 GFPS
NILE Livestock & Ag Sales contests
December 31st Bozeman, Foundation Office
January 5th – 7th National FFA Convention Bozeman
January 18 CMR 401
January 19th – 20th John Deere Ag Expo – MLC, MALC Great Falls
January 27th November Chapter Mtg Lewistown
February 17-24
February 20th December Chapter Mtg Shelby, Mt
February 22 TBA
March 3rd Winter Break Conrad
March 14th Cascade, Mt
March 15th 2018 CMR-401
March 29-April 2 GFPS
April 4th – 7th FFA Scholarships Due Billings
April 19th CMR 401
April 23rd – 24th Torgerson’s GOLD Conference Lewistown
April 30th - May 1st
May 18th January Chapter Meeting TBA
June 14th – 17th Highwood
June 18th – 20th KMON/Meats CDE, District Ag Sales Red Lodge

Fergus Mechanics/Winter Meeting

National FFA Week

District Leadership Events

Chapter Celebration Dinner

Conrad Crops & Mechanics

District Mechanics & Agronomy

March Chapter Mtg

Spring Break

State FFA Convention

April Chapter Mtg- Officer election
Envirothon (ENR CDE)

Montana CDE Days

May Chapter Meeting- Annual Awards
Alumni Leadership Camp

Montana Range Days

Contacts/Communications

Electric City FFA

Jodi Koterba– Advisor

C.M. Russell High School

228 17th ave NW office: 268-6213
Great Falls, MT 59404 cell: 788-8816 (texting)

Web Page: http://koterba.weebly.com/
Office Located in 401 CMR

Current and Past
Chapter Newsletters

Most Up-to-Date Past Monday
calendar Updates

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