advocacy

When the new coronavirus (COVID-19) became a worldwide pandemic, National FFA events previously scheduled to take place in person had to transition to virtual events swiftly. This summer, two leadership and professional development trainings—with audiences spanning from in-service teachers to state FFA officers—still took place despite the limitations surrounding in-person gatherings. The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA training took place in June, while the State Officer Summit took place in July. National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA Training: June 8-12 and June 15-19, 2020 2020 Format: Live Zoom sessions, pre-recorded video messaging and networking time in Zoom Typically, the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA term begins with a summer training where ambassadors convene in Indianapolis in mid-June. Not only do ambassadors get to network and meet each other, but the training also provides an opportunity for ambassadors to learn about FFA educator resources and brainstorm how they will share the resources with their peers through interactive workshops. This essential training also outlines the expectations of the ambassadors. The team at National FFA executed virtual training—using Zoom—that took [...]

Supporting state FFA officers While each state FFA officer’s journey is different, the National FFA Organization supports states and their officers through a blended learning model that includes face-to-face training experiences, digital and print resources, and online education—all of this to guide in the development of world-ready leaders. Who are they? The 2020-21 state FFA officers Three hundred and seventy-one state officers served the 2020-21 term. During their terms, 64% of these officers were in college, while 15% were high school seniors, 11% were business owners, 9% were taking a leave of absence from school to serve as state officers, and 2% were high school juniors or younger.1 Setting a strong foundation for an effectual year of service Officers from 47 states and Puerto Rico completed 119 trainings with National FFA and within their states; these trainings were Base Camp and Checkpoints. Focus areas of Base Camp and Checkpoints included sound character, positive influence, professionalism, time management, conversation skills, public speaking, effective communication, team dynamics and workshop facilitation. We asked attendees five questions related to each [...]