36th Annual Iowa FFA Alumni Conference
January 17, 2009
Sponsored by: The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation & Farm Credit Services of America through the Iowa FFA Foundation
The 36th Annual FFA Alumni Conference was called to order by President, Dan Classen at 9:30 a.m. at the Iowa FFA Display Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sixty Iowa FFA Alumni members and guests were present. Guests included the Iowa FFA State Officer team and Steve DeWitt.
Dan Classen introduced the Iowa FFA Alumni Board members.
The Iowa FFA Association greeting was given by Dan Hansen, 2008 – 2009 Iowa FFA President. Mr. Dale Gruis, Iowa FFA Advisor gave a brief introduction.
Wayne Nattress gave highlights from the FFA Foundation. He highlighted the Sharing with Pride and Casey’s Fundraiser program.
Announcements were made about the Outstanding Scrapbook Award.
Brief announcements were made and members broke to enjoy refreshments sponsored by Classen Clippers and pursued the silent auction items.
Ashley Fitzgerald made announcements for the Outstanding Achievement Award. This year the award went to Mr. Wayne Nattress.
Announcements were made regarding the Washington Leadership Conference. We had two recipients for 2008, Trent Butler from the Indianola FFA and Jake Venner from the Boone A&M FFA. They both spoke of there experience at the Washington Leadership Conference. There trip to the Washington Leadership Conference was sponsored by the Iowa FFA Alumni.
President, Dan Classen gave a thank you to our conference sponsors, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Credit Services of America and for their support and sponsorship through the Iowa FFA Foundation.
An announcement was made about the Local Program Grant program.
Announcements were made regarding the Iowa FFA Scholarship. Brady McNeil from the DeWitt Central FFA received the Iowa FFA Scholarship for 2008.
Announcements were made about the Iowa FFA Degree Scholarship by. We had two recipients this year. Bard Hughes from the Cascade FFA and Kevin Derry from the Boone A&M FFA both received there scholarship and certificate.
Steve DeWitt gave the Foundation report. Gave us highlights on progress of the Enrichment Center. The folks could contact one on site to take tours as scheduled. They are working on a web cam so that folk could watch the progress of construction on line.
President, Dan Classen called the business meeting to order.
Minutes of the 2008 Annual FFA Alumni Conference were presented by the Executive Director, Penny Derry. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes. Motion passed.
Resolutions and By-Laws were given by Ashley Fitzgerald.
Motion was made and seconded to approve #1 Article VI, Section 3. Motion passed
Motion was made and seconded to approve #2 Article IV, Section with the change of striking out statement B. Motion passed.
Motion was made and seconded to approve #3 Article X1I. Motion passed.
Motion was made and seconded to approve #4, Re-number XII and Article XIV. Motion passed
Motion was made and seconded to approve #5, Article XI, Section 2. Motion passed.
Motion was made and seconded to approve #6, Article V, Section 2A4. Motion passed.
Motion was made and seconded to approve #7, Article XI, Section 3. Motion passed.
The nominating committee presented its final ballot of election of the 2009 Iowa FFA Alumni Board of Directors occurred. Results were as follows:
President-Elect: Amy Classen
North Central District: Zach Classen
North East District: Sonny Deke
Southwest District: Dale Spencer
Southeast District: David Whitman
South Central District: Mack Rankin
At-Large: Jane Schmidt
At-Large: Ashley Fitzgerald
2008 President-Elect Clyde Johnson will serve as the 2009 Iowa FFA Alumni President.
The 2008 financial summary and the 2009 budget were presented by Clyde Johnson. Motion was made by Clyde Johnson and seconded by Wendell Zimmerman to accept the summary and the budget. Motions were passed.
Ashley Fitzgerald and Dustin Wickman presented information on the Local Leaders Conference to be held on February 28, 2009, in Marion, Iowa. Registration is free thanks to our sponsors, Farm Credit Services of America and Cargill.
DeWitt Central provided the noon meal. Entertainment was provided by Nick Bassett from the Boone A&M FFA.
Chapters that were recognized for 10% increase in membership were; West Bend Hawkeye, Algona, New Hampton, Cascade, Midland-Wyoming, DeWitt Central, Chariton, and Indianola.
New affiliates chartered in 2008 included Oelwein, Osceola, and Past State Officers.
Ann Bassett explained the Iowa FFA Pioneer Affiliate Award.
Explanation of the Iowa FFA Outstanding Affiliate was explained. Application is due March 1.
Clyde Johnson presented our afternoon workshop. He gave a review of 2008. He presented new goals that the Iowa Alumni would like to accomplish in 2009. He explained programs that the Alumni offers and presented the 2009 Alumni schedule.
Amy Classen presented Milt Luckstead, Sr. with the Iowa FFA Alumni Hall of Fame award.
The 2008 Iowa FFA Basket Contest winners were announced. The People’s Choice Award winner was the DeWitt Central FFA Alumni called, “Ready to Tailgate 2009” and the President’s Choice Award winner was from DeWitt Central FFA Alumni called, “Love Your FFA Basket”. Each of the award winning affiliates received a $50.00 check for their achievement.
President Dan Classen gave a retiring statement and presented the gavel to Clyde Johnson as the 2009 Iowa FFA Alumni President.
A few brief announcements were made and the 36th Annual Iowa FFA Alumni Conference was adjourned. The 37th annual Iowa FFA Alumni Conference will be held on January 16, 2010.
The live auction followed the meeting with auctioneer, Steve Maynes, doing the calling. During the auction, the Iowa FFA State Officers introduced themselves and assisted with distributing purchased auction items.
Respectfully Submitted: Penny Derry