National FFA
Delegate Process
2015 Delegate Committee Research
Committee for Evaluation of the Delegate Process
Explore allocation and strategies for educating National FFA Delegates.
ARE THERE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCES TO TRAIN DELEGATES ON COMMITTEE TOPICS
AND THE DELEGATE PROCESS?
Any proposed expenses for regional conferences may be submitted by program staff to the National FFA Organization for
budget approval. Funding does not have to come solely from the National FFA Foundation. The Foundation would like to be a
part of the discussions and development of any regional conferences in order to engage current supporters of all of our state
officer programs (Blast Off, NLCSO, SPC and the National Delegate Process). Supporting companies have indicated that they
would appreciate additional state officer and delegate engagement opportunities.
Response provided by Todd Greenwood, Director of Corporate Contributions for the National FFA Foundation.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY DONE TO EDUCATE DELEGATES? WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO DELEGATES?
In 2013 the Official Delegate Handbook was created and made available to delegates, state FFA staff and participants of the
State Presidents’ Conference. This resource contains all of the information on record regarding the National FFA Delegate
Process, and is currently available online at https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments//del_handbook.pdf. A delegate
webinar (“Delegate 101”) is conducted prior to the National FFA Convention & Expo to inform delegates about the delegate
process, set expectations and answer questions they may have leading up to National Convention. This webinar is typically
hosted twice, and a recording is made available for those who are not able to attend in person. All other resources available
to delegates can be found at www.ffa.org/delegates.
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT FORMULA FOR ALLOCATING DELEGATES?
Currently the delegate body consists of two delegates from each state association, and additional delegates determined by
the individual state association’s percentage of the national FFA membership. For more information on calculating the
number of delegates each state receives, please view the “Calculating Delegate Numbers” presentation:
https://ffaorg.webex.com/ffaorg/ldr.php?RCID=7723f28d643ecd1fe05567ebde3f6e30.
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
WHAT IS THE CONTENT OF THE “DELEGATE 101” WEBINAR?
Attached is a copy of the PowerPoint utilized for the 2015 “Delegate 101” webinar.
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE DELGATE PROCESS? WHAT DO WE WANT OUR DELEGATES TO LEAVE
THE EXPERIENCE WITH?
The Delegate Process is a function of the National FFA Constitution. The following are considered to be the “objectives” if the
Delegate Process based on the National FFA Constitution:
Approve the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, Program of Activities Committee and the Auditing
Committee (Article XIII)
Serve on special committees appointed by the National FFA President (Article XIII)
Set the annual dues for the National FFA Organization (Article XV, Section C)
Consider amendments to the National FFA Constitution and Bylaws (Article VXII, Section A)
Section 5 of the Official Delegate Handbook outlines the following as the Educational Theory of the Delegate Process:
“The delegate process is an opportunity for members to direct the work of FFA. It is important for the
delegates to maintain focus on serving the best interests of members in each state association. Since
National FFA
Delegate Process
2015 Delegate Committee Research
delegates represent each of the 52 associations and bring to the process a variety of experiences and
perspectives, it can be challenging for members to synthesize these varying viewpoints for the sake of
progress. The education specialist charged with the delegate process will develop a learning curriculum and
educational theory that maximizes the potential of the delegates.”
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
IS THERE AN EXIT SURVEY FOR DELEGATES?
There is not currently an exit survey for delegates following their experience at the National FFA Convention & Expo. There
are questions asked of leadership delegates following their experience at State Presidents’ Conference in regards to the
delegate process portion of that experience. This information is used internally as a “temperature check” to ensure the
leadership delegates under their role and the function of their committees so that they can facilitate delegate work at the
National FFA Convention and Expo.
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
DOES THE NATIONAL FFA HAVE ANY REQUIREMENTS TO BE A DELEGATE?
There are no national requirements for a student to serve as a delegate. The National FFA Constitution states that “The
delegates shall be selected by the state FFA association” (Article XII, Section B). The only requirements that the National FFA
puts forth are:
If a delegate committee is created based on a state-submitted proposal, a delegate from that state cannot chair the
committee (to ensure the chair remains unbiased).
If a student is participating in another event at convention (CDE, Proficiency, Star, Agriscience Fair, etc.) they are
not able to serve as chair, vice-chair, secretary or sentinel for their committee.
Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs are required to participate in additional Parliamentary Procedure training to ensure
they are able to effectively and efficiently conduct the business of their committees.
This information is more fully explained in Sections 4 and 12 of the Official Delegate Handbook.
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
WHAT LANGUAGE EXISTS IN THE CHARTER/CONSTITUION/HANDBOOK RELATED TO DELGATES
The National FFA Constitution can be found at: https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/about_constitution.pdf
The Official Delegate Handbook can be found at: https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments//del_handbook.pdf
The National FFA Organization Public Law 105-225 can be found at:
https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/about_publiclaw105225.pdf
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization.
WHAT DO SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS DO TO EDUCATE THEIR DELEGATES AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES?
SkillsUSA – provides their delegates with a handbook and then conducts a training session during their national conference.
DECA – provides their delegates with a code of conduct document with procedures
Response provided by Joshua Bledsoe, Chief Operating Officer for the National FFA Organization.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE DELEGATE PROCESS? WHY WAS ALLOCATION
BASED ON MEMBERSHIP?
The current delegate allocation was adopted by the delegates at the 63rd National FFA Convention in 1990. According to the
convention proceedings:
“In serious deliberations, delegates faced crucial issues pertaining to equal representation. The
reapportionment conflict over representation had been bubbling for years, and in 1990, the pot came close
to boiling over. After concern was raised by the Texas Association, the “Fixed 400” delegate proposal was
National FFA
Delegate Process
2015 Delegate Committee Research
amended to a “Fixed 475” system, after approval by the National FFA Board of Directors. The amendment
passed at the Friday afternoon business session. This motion caused more than a 400 percent increase in
the number of delegates from two years ago.”
The Board of Directors minutes from January 28, 1991 indicate the follow:
“It was moved by Ben Nessmith (Dr. Heiman), seconded by Lesa Ann King (Mr. Michael) and carried to
accept and adopt Section B Article 12 of the National FFA Constitution dealing with the 475 delegate body.”
The current model for delegate allocation has been in place since the 64 th National FFA Convention in 1991. Prior to that
point, allocation spent a few years in flux. In 1989 Article XII, Section B of the constitution read:
“At the national convention each state FFA association shall be entitled to two official delegates from its
active membership, plus one additional delegate for each 10,000 active members or major fraction thereof
above the first 10,000. The delegates shall be selected by the state FFA association. A quorum shall exist
when both the following conditions are met at the time business is conducted: a majority of the official
delegates registered at the national convention are present and at least twenty-six (26) state associations
are represented by official delegates.”
This section was amended in 1989, and the Board of Directors minutes from January 25, 1990 reflect the changes adopted
by the delegates at the 62nd National FFA Convention:
“It was moved by Brad Lewis, seconded by Bill Henricksen and carried that the newly established system
based on two (2) delegates per state, plus one (1) delegate per each 2,000 members be allowed to become
fully operative and evaluated in 1990 and that the National FFA Board of Directors propose to the delegates
of the 1991 FFA Convention the proposal calling for two (2) delegates per state, plus one (1) delegate per
each 1,000 members.”
The delegate process for the 63rd National FFA Convention in 1990 was governed by this iteration of Article XII, Section B;
before it was changed to the current “Fixed 475” that we know today:
“At the national convention, each state FFA association shall be entitled to two official delegates from its
active membership to be designated as chair and vice chair of the state delegation, plus one addition
delegate for each 2,000 active members. The delegates shall be selected by the state FFA association. A
quorum shall exist when both the following conditions are met at the time business is conducted: a majority
of the official delegates registered at the national convention are present and at least twenty-six (26) state
associations are represented by official delegates.”
Response provided by Austin Large, Education Specialist for the National FFA Organization
LEADERSHIP DELEGATES WANTED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM STATE FFA ASSOCIATIONS. WE
SURVEYED THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE 2015 STATE PRESIDENTS’ CONFERENCE, UTILIZING THE ASSUMPTION
THAT THESE STATE LEVEL STUDENT LEADERS WOULD HAVE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATE
DELEGATE SELECTION/TRAINING PROCESSES. BELOW ARE THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY.
1.
Mark which of the following activities your state staff does to prepare state delegates for national convention.
National FFA
Delegate Process
2015 Delegate Committee Research
2.
What resources do your state staff provide to your state delegates for national convention? (Mark all that apply)
Association
Texas
3.
Other, please describe
State Delegate Handbook in addition to national book
Does your state offer parliamentary procedure training to your national convention delegates?
4. Please describe the training on parliamentary procedure.
Association
Description
North Carolina
We walk through the basics of Parliamentary Procedure
Pennsylvania
Definition of motions and when to use worksheet
Vermont
Getting together and talking about it
New York
Practice exams and going through the book capitalizing on important things
South Carolina
Our 6 state officers serve as our 6 delegates and we are briefed on parliamentary procedure before
national convention
Kentucky
Many of us have competed in the Parli contest, and therefore we do a review of the “basics.” We cover a
few of the more advanced topics as well
Puerto Rico
We do a reunion in which we present different topics and discuss them adding the parliamentary
procedure
5.
Does your state have non-state officer delegates to national convention? Please briefly describe the selection process
for non-state officer delegate to national convention.
National FFA
Delegate Process
2015 Delegate Committee Research
Association
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Georgia
Texas
Arkansas
Wisconsin
Indiana
Tennessee
Kansas
Alabama
Minnesota
Iowa
Description
They are required to fill out an application as well as interview at state convention. The interview
discusses their knowledge of the delegate process as well as their ability to talk to others about FFA.
Past State Officers
Our major state officer team allows our section presidents to submit an application for a national
delegate position. These applications are scored. Interviews are also held for the delegates. Both the
interview and application are considered when selecting our delegates. In Illinois, we have five major
State officers and 25 Section Presidents. We hold interviews among the Section Presidents to determine
who will fill the remaining positions.
Open application for anyone in 11th grade or Higher. There is an application process that the members
have to go through. After all applications are received, the state staff and state officer team, come up
with a list of candidates who will serve our state best.
10 state officers, each area gets 5 delegates to assign (usually the area association officers), then the
extra 2 are given to the largest 2 areas
Interview process during our state's Chapter Presidents' Conference
Those applying to be delegates submit an application and resume that is scored. They then go through
interviews to select who the delegates will be.
Anyone from the state executive committee can apply: district presidents, section directors, band
president, and chorus president. They apply and then interview.
It goes to the Regional Presidents
I know that we have an extra delegate but I am aware of the training and selection process used.
We have 11 Delegates. We take our 6 state officers, 3 district presidents, an additional district officer
and chapter officer selected by our state staff.
Anyone can apply and the top two qualified people get to go.
Application that our District FFA Officers can fill out. The selection committee consists of Past State
Officers and the State FFA President
IN PREPARATION FOR CONVENTION, DISCUSS THESE ITEMS WITH YOUR STATE ASSOCIATION
STAKEHOLDERS (MEMBERS, TEACHERS, ALUMNI, STATE STAFF, ETC.) TO GAIN A WELL ROUNDED
PERSPECTIVE ON THE NATIONAL FFA DELEGATE PROCESS.
Tab 3-4C (3)
National FFA Organization
Housekeeping Items
Welcome to the broadcast!
• Please keep your phones muted
throughout the call.
“Delegate 101”
• Turn on the appropriate panels for this
session
Thursday, October 8, 2015
8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT
• Please use the “Raise Hand” button
to indicate that you have a question.
We will begin tonight’s
broadcast shortly.
• You may also submit questions using
the “Q&A” feature.
Your microphone is currently muted.
Please do not unmute.
• The presentation is being recorded
and will be available online for
streaming and download.
“Delegate 101”
Our Supporters
Delegate Training Session
“Delegate 101” and the National FFA Delegate Process is
sponsored by
Austin Large
Education Specialist
National FFA Organization
6060 FFA Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-802-4226
[email protected]
as a special project of the National FFA Foundation
Additional Resources
Official Delegate
Handbook
www.ffa.org/delegates
What is the role of a National
FFA Delegate?
Delegates to the National FFA
Convention & Expo are charges with
representing the interests of FFA
members within their state while
working to forward the progress of
the entire National FFA
Organization.
1
Tab 3-4C (3)
Who is the Delegate Body?


104 Leadership
Delegates
(two per state association)
• There are two constitutional amendments that will be considered
by the delegates at the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo.
371 Committee
Delegates
• There are six special committees, each formed at State
Presidents’ Conference, who will make recommendations to be
considered by the delegate body.
475 Total
Delegates
• Convention Delegates are also responsible for approving American
Degree candidates, the auditing committee report, the Program of
Activities committee report, and for setting annual National FFA
Dues.




(varies by state association)




Items to be Considered by
Delegates
(determined by constitution)
Divided among six
committees.
See Section 3
National FFA Constitutional
Amendments
Constitutional Amendments
• According to Article XVII of the National FFA Constitution,
amendments to the National FFA Constitution and/or Bylaws much
be submitted by January 1 for review by the National FFA Board of
Directors at their January meeting.
• Likewise, as per Article XVII, the National FFA Advisor is required
to submit all constitutional and bylaws amendments to state
associations by March 1.
• These provisions have been met and the Board has asked that the
delegates consider two constitutional amendments at the 88th
National FFA Convention & Expo.
Constitutional Amendment I
2015 National FFA Constitutional
Proposal I
Amending the Number of Maximum
Delegates Allowed per State at the
National FFA Convention
Submitted by: New York FFA Association
Current Constitution
At the national convention an official delegate
assembly limited to 475 delegates will convene.
This delegate body will consist of two official
delegates from each state association to be
designated as the chair and vice chair of the
state delegation, plus additional official
delegates based on the individual state
association’s percentage of national FFA
membership. The delegates shall be selected by
the state FFA association.
2
Tab 3-4C (3)
Proposed Constitution
At the national convention an official delegate
assembly limited to 475 delegates will convene.
This delegate body will consist of two official
delegates from each state association to be
designated as the chair and vice chair of the
state delegation, plus additional official
delegates, not to exceed 30 total delegates
per state, based on the individual state
association’s percentage of the national FFA
membership. The delegates shall be selected by
the state FFA association.
Constitutional Amendment II
2015 National FFA Constitutional
Proposal II
The Process for Amending the National
FFA Constitution and Bylaws
Submitted by: Wisconsin FFA Association
& Pennsylvania FFA Association
Proposed Constitution
An amendment to the National FFA Constitution may be
adopted by a two-thirds vote of the official delegates
and ratification by a majority of the state
associations with official delegates at the national
FFA convention.
An amendment to the Bylaws shall require a majority
vote of the official delegates and ratification by a
majority of the state associations with official
delegates at the national FFA convention.
Motion
To amend the number of maximum delegates
allowed per state at the National Convention by
inserting “, not to exceed 30 total delegates
per state,” prior to the words “based on the
individual state association’s percentage
of the national FFA membership” in Article
XII, Section B, of the National FFA Constitution.
Current Constitution
An amendment to the National FFA Constitution
may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the
official delegates at the national FFA
convention.
An amendment to the Bylaws shall require a
majority vote of the official delegates at the
national FFA convention.
Motion
To amend the vote by which amendments to
the Constitution and Bylaws may be amended
by inserting “and ratification by a majority
of the state associations with official
delegates” prior to the words “at the
National FFA Convention” in Article XVII,
Section B, of the National FFA Constitution.
3
Tab 3-4C (3)
2015 Delegate Committees
2015 Delegate Committees
Increasing Graduation Communication and Engagement
Discuss ways to increase communication and involvement with
recently graduated FFA members.
Increased Awards and Recognition Opportunities for Younger
Members
Identify ways to increase awards and recognition programs for 7 th-9th
grade FFA members.
Enhancing Leadership Development Opportunities for All
Members
Discuss opportunities for regional, national and international
leadership development experiences for all FFA members.
How were these Committees
Created?
2015 Delegate Committees
Strategies to Increase FFA Participation
Explore FFA engagement opportunities for all Agricultural Education
students.
Each year, state associations, National FFA staff, and the National
FFA Board of Directors submit proposals to the state officers who
attend the State Presidents’ Conference.
Evaluation of the Delegate Process
Explore allocation and strategies for educating National FFA
Delegates.
SPC attendees, consisting of the state president plus one additional
officer per state, review the proposals and prioritize them according
to importance to the national organization.
Clarifying Official Dress and Related Policies
Review and clarify the FFA visual brad as related to official dress and
related policies.
The results of the prioritization are then tallied by adult volunteers
know as delegate coordinators.
See Section 9
How were these Committees
Created?
The results of this ranking are then presented to the national FFA
officer team. National officers can only see numerical results; they
cannot see how individual state prioritized the proposals.
The national officers, while using the perspective of their travels as
well as the prioritization results, will identify six issues and establish
committees to convene at the National FFA Convention & Expo to
consider these issues.
The national officer team is also responsible for creating a purpose
statement for each of the six committees to assist in guiding their
work.
See Section 9
Who sits on a delegate
committee?


Committee Secretaries 
Committee Sentinels 
Discussion Group Leaders 
Committee Chair
Committee Vice Chairs







17 Leadership
Delegates
(approx.)
Assigned to committee by
lottery at SPC.
Responsible for operating the
committee.
80 Committee
Members
63 Committee
Delegates
(approx.)
Pass recommendation.
(approx.)
Assigned to committee by state
staff in Sept.
Responsible for developing
recommendation.
See Section 12
4
Tab 3-4C (3)
What committee work has
happened already?
• At SPC, committees were formed and met to learn their purpose
as well as any background information.
• Committee leadership determined that information was needed
from state associations and National FFA in order to meet their
purpose.
• Committee leadership positions were filled
–
–
–
–
–
–
Sydnie Sousa (CA), Chair, Graduate Communication & Engagement
Matthew Klopfenstein (OH), Chair, Awards & Recognition for Younger Members
Sam Harris (AR), Chair, Enhancing Leadership Development Opportunities
Chandler Vaughn (VA), Chair, Strategies to Increase FFA Participation
Michael Tupper (IA), Chair, Evaluation of the Delegate Process
Sarah Millspaugh (NY), Chair, Clarifying Official Dress and Related Policies
Delegate work at Convention
What should Delegates be
doing right now?
• Identify your committee assignment.
• Learn more about your committee’s purpose and obtain any
background information from committee leadership.
• Review the National FFA research findings for your committee
posted online at www.ffa.org/delegates.
• Have conversation around your committee’s purpose with FFA
stakeholders in your state to gain the perspective of those whom
you represent. Work with your state staff to prepare testimony
that reflects the position of your stakeholders.
• Regularly check www.ffa.org/delegates for updates between now
and your arrival in Louisville!
Delegate Training Session
• Leadership delegates convene to finish final preparations to begin
committee work.
• Committee delegate receive training to…
– Understand the process
– Be prepared to participate
– Build enthusiasm
Committee Meetings
Delegate Hearings
• Only delegates may testify.
• Meet in small groups to review delegate testimony.
• Testimony represents the state opinion.
• Hear from subject matter experts who have been asked to testify
before your committee.
• Testimony must be delivered in written form with the option of
also being delivered orally.
– States may only deliver testimony once per committee
– A maximum of (15) five-minute time slots for oral testimony are created per
committee
– Time slots are awarded via lottery and a schedule of testimony is posted outside
of each committee room
• Engage is productive discussion.
• Synthesize multiple perspectives and thoughts.
• Capture main themes and concepts for later review.
• Testimony must be submitted to Delegate Headquarters by
Tuesday of Convention week at 9:00 a.m.
See Section 16
5
Tab 3-4C (3)
Public Hearings
Final Committee Meetings
• Anyone (student, teacher, state staff, etc.) can sign up to testify
on any committee.
• Revisit previously captured concepts.
• Evaluate input from public hearings.
• No advanced copy of testimony is needed.
• All testimony is oral; no written testimony will be accepts or
distributed.
• Public testimony is limited to (10) five-minute time slots per
committee.
• Draft and approve your committee recommendations.
• Prepare the final committee recommendation for presentation at
the Delegate Business Sessions.
See Section 16
Delegate Business Session &
Beyond
See Section 17
Business Sessions
• Operate under the same order of business as a regular meeting.
• Approval of Auditing and Program of Activities committee reports.
• Delegates vote on committee recommendations and constitutional
amendments.
• Approval of candidates for the American FFA Degree.
• Dues are set for the following membership year.
See Section 18
Thanks for Joining!
After Convention
“Delegate 101” Training Session
• Recommendations made by the delegates are submitted to
National FFA.
– Those requiring action by the Board of Directors will be acted upon at the
January Board of Directors meeting.
– Those that require operational action will be acted upon by the National FFA
Organization’s Executive Management Team.
• A progress report will be given on any “open case”
recommendations on a regular basis until the recommendation is
fully implemented.
Austin Large
Education Specialist
National FFA Organization
6060 FFA Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-802-4226
[email protected]
www.ffa.org/delegates
See Section 20
6