ARTICLE I – Name and Purposes

Section A

The name of this organization shall be the “El Capitan – Lakeside Chapter of the Future Farmers of America” and the letters, “FFA” may be used to designate the chapter, its activities, or members thereof.

Section B

The purposes for which this chapter is formed are as follows:

1.

To develop competent and assertive agricultural leadership.

2.

To create and nurture a love of agricultural life.

3.

To strengthen the confidence of students of vocational agriculture in themselves and their work.

4.

To create more interest in the intelligent choice of agricultural occupations.

5.

To encourage members in the development of individual occupational experience programs and establishment in agricultural careers.

6.

To encourage members to improve their home and its surroundings.

7.

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

8.

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

9.

To participate in cooperative effort.

10.

To encourage and practice thrift.

11.

To encourage improvement in scholarship.

12.

To provide and encourage the development of organized recreational activities.

ARTICLE II – Organization

Section A

The El Capitan Chapter of FFA is a chartered local unit of the California Association of Future Farmers of America which is chartered by the National FFA Organization.

Section B

This chapter accepts in full the provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the California Association of FFA 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; and (3) Honorary, as defined by the National FFA Constitution.

Section B

The regular work of this chapter shall be carried on 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:

1.

They attend local chapter meetings at least 70% of the time.

2.

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

3.

Are properly affiliated with the state and national FFA organizations.

4.

Must be currently enrolled in an agriculture education class atEl CapitanHigh School.

Section E

Names of applicants for membership shall be submitted to the secretary and kept on file in the office.

ARTICLE IV - Emblems

Section A

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

Section B

Emblems used by the members shall be designated by the national organization of FFA.

ARTICLE V – Membership Degrees and Privileges

Section A

There shall be four grades of active membership in this chapter. These grades are: (1) The Greenhand FFA Degree, (2) The Chapter FFA Degree, (3) The State FFA Degree, and (4) The American FFA Degree.

All “Greenhands” are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin. All members holding the Degree of Chapter FFA are entitled to wear the silver emblem pin All members holding the State FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem charm. All members holding the American FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation gold emblem key.

Section B

Greenhand FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to State Constitution for a complete list of degree requirements.)

1.

Be regularly enrolled in a class in vocational education course for an agricultural occupation and have satisfactory and acceptable plans for a program of supervised farming, and/or other agricultural occupational experiences.

2.

Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute.

3.

Describe the FFA emblem, colors, and symbols.

4.

Explain the proper use of the FFA jacket.

5.

Have satisfactory knowledge of the history of the organization.

6.

Know the duties and responsibilities of the FFA members.

7.

Personally own or have access to Official FFA Manual.

8.

Submit written application for the Degree for Chapter records.

Section C

Chapter FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to State Constitution for a complete list of degree requirements.)

1.

Must have the Degree of Greenhand and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities of the local chapter.

2.

Must have satisfactorily completed at least one year of instruction in vocational agriculture, have in operation an approved supervised farming, and/or other agricultural occupational experience program, and be regularly enrolled in a vocational agriculture class.

3.

Be familiar with the purposes and programs of activities of the state association and national organization.

4.

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

5.

Be familiar with parliamentary procedure.

6.

Be able to lead a group discussion for fifteen minutes.

7.

Must have earned by his/ her own efforts from his/ her supervised farming and/or other agricultural occupations program and deposited in a bank or otherwise productively invested at least $150 or worked 100 hours on his/her SAE in excess of scheduled class time.

Section D

State FFA Degree: Minimum qualifications for election:

1.

Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the State Association.

Section E

American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election:

1.

Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the Constitution of the National FFA Organization.

Section F

Special Committees shall review the qualifications of members and make recommendations to the chapter concerning degree advancement.

ARTICLE VI - Officers

Section A

The officers of the chapter shall be as follows: President, Vice

President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Sentinel and Historian. The chapter members will also elect two delegates, and two CTE Ambassadors, to represent El Capitan at all official FFA meetings above the chapter level. The local Advisor(s) shall be the teachers of vocational agriculture in the school where the chapter is located. Officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices.

Section B

Candidates for chapter office will be screened by a screening committee consisting of outgoing senior officers, advisors and an administrator or counselor if available before the annual awards banquet. The screening committee will select a slate of officers to be placed on the ballot based on the interview and the application of each candidate. Candidates may be left off of the ballet if the screening committee does not feel they are qualified to be a chapter officer. Officers shall be screened and elected annually by a vote of the members present at a regular meeting. The candidates receiving the most votes will be considered for Chapter Office.Offices will be determined by combining the advisors vote (25%), the screening committee recommendation (25%) and the popular vote (50%).The candidates receiving the most votes will be selected for one of the available offices based on the screening committee’s recommendation and the advisors recommendation. Two (2) delegates will be elected along with two (2) CTE Ambassadors, in the same manner annually.

Section C

The officers of the chapter and advisors, together with the chairmen in charge of the major sections of the annual program of activities, shall constitute the Chapter Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have full power to act as necessary for the chapter in accordance with actions taken at chapter meetings and various regulations or bylaws adopted from time to time. The Executive committee shall prepare the program of activities every year at the annual chapter retreat.

Section D

Honorary members shall not vote nor shall they hold any office in the chapter except that of Advisor.

Section E

Chapter officers must hold the Chapter FFA Degree, except during the first year after the chapter is organized.

ARTICLE VII - Meetings

Section A

Regular chapter meetings shall be held once a month during the school year and once during the remaining months of the year at such time and place as is designated by the Chapter Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called at any time. The executive committee will meet once a month at least one week prior to the regular chapter meeting.

Section B

Standard meeting equipment shall be used at each meeting. All regular meetings shall open and close with the official ceremony. Parliamentary procedure shall be used in transacting all business at each meeting.

Section C

Delegates, as specified by the State Constitution, shall be elected annually from the active membership to represent the chapter at the State Leadership Conference. Other delegates may be named as necessary in order to have proper representation at various other FFA meetings within the State.

Section D

A majority of the active members listed on the secretary’s membership roll shall constitute a quorum, and a quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or a vote taken committing the chapter to any proposal or action.

ARTICLE VIII - Dues

Section A

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

Section B

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

Section C

No member shall be considered as active and in good standing unless he pays full local, state, and National FFA dues.

ARTICLE IX - Amendments

Section A

This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular chapter meeting 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 may be adopted to fit the needs of the chapter at any regular chapter meeting by a 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.