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Sectional Information - Section Seven
Jeanie Untiedt - Sentinel
Colby FFA Chapter - Section 7
juntiedt@wisconsinffa.org
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Farm Forum
Mar. 13, 2010
The week didn’t end there. After the Spencer Workshop I head of to Wisconsin Rapids Farm Forum. We had our February Board meeting, and then attended a great conference put on by Wisconsin Farm Bureau. This conference is to get students excited about Farm Bureau, and the opportunities that they have after high school. As a Farm Bureau member myself, I fully promote all of the amazing things that Farm Bureau can offer you. With the largest attendance yet for Farm Forum, we enjoyed amazing food, watched a great discussion, and learned the importance of protecting American Agriculture. Thanks to all of the presenters and coordinators for conducting such a great conference.
FFA Week
Mar. 13, 2010
The focus of National FFA Week is to tell the community and the country about the great opportunities available through FFA. It is also a celebration of the National FFA Organization, its accomplishments, and what the organization stands for. That is what over 17,000 Wisconsin FFA member did February 21-27, 2010.
You might be wondering what a State Officer’s role is during FFA Week. A state officer role’s is and promote FFA week throughout the State. I started my FFA Week promoting on February 17, 2010. Kristen and I did a TV interview for Channel 13. It was really fun, to actually be on television. I sent numerous news releases to local newpapers, and did a variety of radio interviews to promote the week. I also had the opportunity to attended many local FFA chapter events for the week. I experienced Casino night in Marshfield, ate an amazing Breakfast in Colby, and saw some interesting taste testing in Auburndale. Thank you to all of the chapters that invited me to come to your events. It was nice to reconnect with the students that you met at chapter visits.
The Wisconsin Association of FFA hosted Western Region National FFA Vice President Randa Braune for the weeklong celebration. Randa met with representatives in agriculture education, conducting interviews, and presenting workshops for FFA members. She put on workshops with various State Officers in Sauk Prairie and Whitehall. Randa was in Section VII conducting a workshop for middle school members at Spencer High School held on Thursday February 25th. Both Greenwood and Stratford attended this event. It was an amazing opportunity to work with Randa, and learn from a National FFA Officer. Thanks again to all of the Chapters who allowed me to come and celebrate FFA Week with them.
American Degree Due
Mar. 04, 2010
Send American Degree Applications to Wisconsin FFA Center American FFA Degree applications are due postmarked Friday, March 5. Send your American Degree applications to the Wisconsin FFA Center, P.O. Box 110, Spencer, WI 54479.
2010 National FFA Week
Feb. 22, 2010
2010 National FFA Week - February 20-27
Check out http://www.ffa.org/index.cfm method=c_programs.FFAWeek for the official National FFA Week guide, logos, ad slicks, certificates and templates. It is time to celebrate and time to tell your story. This is an excellent opportunity to spread the word about what FFA can do for young people, for schools and for communities. Now more than ever, public relations efforts are needed to continually gain support for Agricultural Education and to tell people what FFA can do in helping students develop premier leadership skills, grow in their personal skills and prepare for career success.
State FFA Officers are available to present programs and assist your chapters.
Make sure to contact local news broadcasters and other media to share your chapter's success stories. Don't forget to contact them about the great things happening in your Agricultural Education Departments and FFA Chapters.
2010 CO-OPS YES!
Feb. 22, 2010
The CO-OPS YES! Youth Leadership Conference will be held April 19-20, 2010 at the Plaza Hotel and Suites, Eau Claire Wisconsin. High School students (grades 10, 11, 12) are eligible to participate in this exciting and educational program. We proudly offer this program as an opportunity for young people to develop an understanding and appreciateion of the purpose, operation and scope of cooperative business. A snack cooperative will be formed and operate during the conference. Students will also learn from speakers with powerful messages about leadership and the value of cooperation. And, CO-OPS YES! will provide students with an opportunity to develop new friendships and meet youth leaders from around Wisconsin.
Attached are more details about the conference as well as the registration form. Registration is due no later than March 29, 2010. If you have more questions, please contact Jessica Cummuta - (608) 258-4400 - jessica.cummuta@cooperativenetwork.coop
Send registration, payment and permission slips to:
Cooperative Network
131 W. Wilson St., Suite 400
Madison, WI 53703-3269
Fax: (608) 258-4407
2010 FFA Alumni
Feb. 18, 2010
On February 12-13, 2010, the State Officer team had the opportunity to attend the 2010 State FFA Alumni Convention. At the convention, chapters celebrated receiving affiliation awards, Team Ag ED National Distinguished contributor, Scrapbook Winners, Newsletter Winners, and Outstanding Agricultural Education Instructor Recognition. Section VII’s own Herman Seebandt, from Neillsville, is now the State FFA Alumni President. Mrs. Regina Oldendorf official took over at the Alumni convention as State Alumni Executive Director.
Two Big announcements were given by the State Officer Team at FFA Alumni Convention. Every officer now has a lifetime membership in the Wisconsin FFA Alumni. Did you know that anyone can be a member of the alumni? You don’t need to be a past FFA member. Your local alumni chapter is important, they are always willing to help at events, donate time and money. Most importantly they are there for the students whenever they need help. If parents, grandparents, or local business owners want to get more involved, ask them to be an alumni member. The FFA Alumni is open to anyone and everyone.
Our second announcement was the music video done by Sac Prairie FFA and UW-Madison Collegiate FFA. Thank you to BJ Chrisler for putting all of your hard work into editing and producing the video. The State Officer Team can’t wait for everyone to see it at State Convention.
CTSO Day
Feb. 18, 2010
February 11, 2010 the State Officers and myself headed to the Capital in Madison to spend the day with all of the Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSO). What is CTSO? CTSO stands for Career & Technical Student Organizations which involves the FFA, FCCLA, HOSA, DECA, FBLA, and Skills USA. They are six organizations of community minded youth that share goals of leadership development, civic consciousness, career understanding, and citizenship enhancement.
We spent the day visiting with our local legislators talking about the importance of keeping career & technical classes in the school. All of our legislators said that they understand the importance of these classes, but it is tough with the economy and budget cuts. When talking with Pat Krietlow, he had said “As a legislator we can try our hardest to promote the importance of career technical classes. But what we need is for the students, teachers, parents, and alumni to come and show their support as well. These individuals need to talk to their school boards members and the communities about the importance of their students taking these classes.”
SOCK
Feb. 16, 2010
State Officer Candidate Kick-Off hosted by UW-Madison Collegiate FFA
Do you have a student interested in serving as a Wisconsin state FFA officer? Do you and your student have a lot of questions about the application and candidate process?
UW-Madison will host the State Officer Candidate Kick-Off (SOCK) on March 6, 2010 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm on the UW-Madison campus.
Throughout the day, past state officers will offer their experience and expertise of the entire candidate process - from resumes to interviews to speeches. In the past,students have found this workshop to be very valuable in their quest for state office. The entire day - including lunch - is completely free of charge. Parents and advisors are also welcome. To register for the conference, contact Jared Wendt (jjwendt2@wisc.edu) with the following information: student name, student email, chapter, advisor name, advisor
email. Please register by Friday, February 20.
Hello FFA Advisors and Members,
Feb. 16, 2010
FFA week is just around the corner. This is a time for celebrating 83 years of FFA history and getting students excited for the next half of the FFA year. We want to help each chapter to be as prepared as possible, and ready to go. The State FFA Officer team would like you to take this time to help them reach their goal of 18,000 members for the 2009‐2010 year. We are sending out a reminder of a few things you can do and some resources for your chapter.
Still looking for some cool activities to do during National FFA Week? These are some great ideas that anyone can use. Here are some places to look…
• http://www.ffa.org/documents/ffaweek_ideas.pdf
• http://www.wisconsinffa.org/GAS_Station_View.php?Cat=Membership_Recruitment
• Call a neighboring chapter and ask them what they do.
This week is a great time not only to celebrate with your students, but it is also wonderful to share this experience with teachers, principal, staff members, alumni and communities. This is a time for you and your officer team to reach out to students still thinking about joining FFA. It is not too late to join. You can use this time to highlight what the National FFA Organizations has to offer its students, parents, and community. Here are some ways to do it…….
• Invite your principal, staff members, your alumni and your community to the events that the chapter is hosting.
• Inform the Media.
o Write an article for your school newspaper and local community paper
o Call up the local news and radio station and invite them to the events that you are having
• This year Caitlin Roberts State FFA Reporter has made a special Wisconsin News Release for everyone to use. You can download it on the Wisconsin FFA Website. This can be used in your school or local community papers.
o http://www.wisconsinffa.org
You can find the press release in the What's New section.
• Have a variety of activities that all members will want to be involved in.
If you haven’t heard, the Wisconsin Association of FFA will also be hosting Western Region National FFA Vice President Randa Braune as she travels around the state during National FFA week, conducting workshops and talking to numerous radio and television stations around Wisconsin. Good luck to all of the chapters during National FFA Week!!!
State Office for you????
Feb. 08, 2010
If you are interested in running for State Office feel free to send me an email, and I will send you my resume and application to look at. Also, begin looking at the State Officer Candidate Handbook on the Wisconsin FFA website. This will tell you what to study and give you the applications to fill out. If you have any questions send me and email at juntiedt@wiscosninffa.org. Good luck, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
District Fun……
Feb. 07, 2010
This past week was a week of talent. Monday I headed off to Loyal for the District 20 Speaking Contest. My duties included moderating for discussion, mingling among members and advisors, and hand out awards. I had a good time moderating the FFA Discussion Meet. All of the students had great inpute and ideas on the topics. I am proud to wear the blue and gold jacket because of how much the National FFA Organization has to teach students, speaking being one of the many things. Thank you to BJ Chrisler for filling in at Pittsville for the District 17 Speaking Contest. He said everyone did a wonderful job, and were great to work with.
On Tuesday, I was off to Gresham for the District 21 Speaking Contest. I filled in for Andy Moravec, Section VIII Officer, who had to attend another speaking contest in his section. I had a great time working with students that I may otherwise have never met. Good job to all of the Section VIII Sectional qualifiers.
I was on the road to DC Everest on Thursday for the District 22 Speaking Contest. Congratulations to all of the winners moving on to Sectionals. If you didn’t move on to Sections don’t give up. You can take what you learned this year and apply it for next year. Thank you to all of the advisors for having me attend the speaking contests, I had a great time mingling among members and being able to working with them.
Tips that I Learned for Discussion
•Remember it is a discussion. Ask others what they might think about that certain topic, or if they have anything to add. Try to bring students in who are not talking as much.
•Whatever the issue is, remember to talk about education, and how FFA helps students to accomplishthat.
•Smile, Smile, Smile
•Know your information. Don’t guess the facts.
•Have Fun.
Tips that I Learned for Job interview
•When going in for an interview, you need to tell the judges why YOU are the best person for the job.
•Before going in, do some research about your job
•Think of it as a friendly discussion.
•Smile, Smile, Smile!
•Look professional with clothes, hair, and makeup.
•Don’t forget to ask some questions at the end of your interview.
•When entering the room shake the judges hands with a good hand shake and introduce yourself.
•When you leave thank the judges by name for their time.
Tips for getting ready to Compete
•Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice……..
oIn front of a mirror to watch yourself, a teacher, a friend, or your family
oAlways ask for ways of improvement
•If you get nervous…….
oPractice, Practice, Practice, Practice
oI personally wiggle my toes in my shoes. No one can see you wiggling your toes.
oBut again Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice
oThe more you do it in front of people, the less nervous you will be.
Good luck to all Sectional qualifiers I can’t wait to see you March 22, 2010 at Colby High School. If you cannot compete on this day please let Mrs. Zimmerman know right away. This will give a chance to the students who came in placing third or fourth. Good luck, and can’t wait to see you all there!
Agents in Traing
Jan. 29, 2010
2010 EDGE Conference Registration Materials
Want to expand your FFA knowledge and skills? This is the conference for you!!
Online Registration!!!! Go to http://www.wisconsinffa.org/registration_mfe.php to register your members now!! You can also get to this site by going to the Wisconsin FFA Website at http://www.wisconsinffa.org on the home page or under Conferences.
Please consider sharing rooms so that we can fill all spaces. Space is limited!! So register now!!
Looking for a great leadership conference for your 7th & 8th grade FFA members? The 2010 Wisconsin FFA EDGE Conference will be held at the Ramada Hotel in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, March 19-20, 2010. This is a Friday night/Saturday schedule. The EDGE Conference is designed for 7th and 8th graders entitled "Agents in Training". This is a great conference presented by National FFA Staff to focus on personal development of middle school FFA members. Registration is due online March 1 to the Wisconsin FFA Center. Don't miss out!!
Go to http://www.wisconsinffa.org/registration_mfe.php to register your members now!!
Hundreds of Wisconsin FFA members have attended these conferences over the years. EDGE is an opportunity your students won't want to miss!!
Registrations are due submitted online March 1, 2010. Registrations submitted after March 1 will be charged a $20.00 late fee.
Complete and submit the registration form online and send payment to the Wisconsin FFA
Center, P.O. Box 110, Spencer, WI 54479.
State Honors Band and Chorus
Jan. 25, 2010
The State FFA Honors Band and Chorus consists each of about sixty to eighty musicians/singers which rehearse and perform at both the Wisconsin State FFA Convention and the Wisconsin State Fair. These members are selected through an application and audition tape reviewed by the State FFA Honors Band and Chorus Directors. The Wisconsin Association of FFA Band Director is Monte Dunnum and the Chorus Director is Peter Engh, both of Westby High School. No FFA member will be allowed to participate in the State FFA Honors Band or Chorus for more than a total of four years. Band members must provide their own instruments and music stands for various performances.
How to Apply? Applications are located online at http://www.wisconsinffa.org/pgapplications.php Applications, audition tapes/CD and fees must be sent to: Cheryl Zimmerman, State FFA Executive DIrector, Wisconsin FFA Center, P.O. Box 110, Spencer, WI 54479. Applications, tapes/CDs and fees must be postmarked February 5. All audition tapes must be the work of the applicant and tapes/CDs should be a top quality performance to accurately review the applicants musical ability. Audition tapes must be a standard size cassette tapes or CD. The application gives more instructions on creating the audition tape.
Each applicant must send a $10 fee with the application and audition tape to cover processing, mailings and music expenses. Make checks payable to the Wisconsin FFA Center. Applications should be submitted only by those who will be available at two mandatory official FFA Honors Band and Chorus functions.
1. State FFA Convention: In June, (June 15 17, 2010) the State FFA Convention is held in the Exhibition Hall of the Alliant Energy Center of Dane County in Madison. Local FFA chapters are responsible for housing and covering expenses of members participating at this event.
2. Wisconsin State Fair: August 12-15, 2010, the band and chorus performs at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis,m Wisconsin. Participants will be housed and provided meals in the State Fair dormitory located on State Fair grounds. Each member will be charged $35 for lodging, meals and admission to the Fair. The Wisconsin Association of
FFA covers the balance of the expense for the above items. This amount will need to be paid at the State FFA Convention to confirm participation. Also the participants are asked to wear polo shirts for the State Fair and orders for these are taken through the Directors. Chaperones are always welcome to supervise the dorms and assist the directors. There is no fee charged to chaperones other than their travel expense to and from the fair and parking.
Participants in the Wisconsin Association of FFA Honors Band and Chorus receive a pin for their FFA jacket at the conclusion of the Wisconsin State Fair. Members interested in participating in the National FFA Band or Chorus must be officially nominated by the State FFA Honors Band or Chorus Directors. Members then need to complete the National FFA application and audition requirements and are selected by the National FFA Directors.
We made it
Jan. 25, 2010
Then it was to January 7th. The entire team headed to Stevens Point, through the horrible weather, to begin our decorating. It was amazing to be a part of Half-Time. I was able to see just a normal hotel be transformed to the world of Dr. Seuss. We began decorating at 2 p.m. and didn’t finish until 3:30 a.m. During that time, we worked on our rooms, the hallway, the banquet room, on skit and reflections. The next day we were up at 6:30 a.m. to finalize any decorations and to practice our skit again. Not only as a State Officer are you preparing for Half-time but you have a December meeting with the Board. Board meetings are one of the many favorite parts of being a State Officer. This is time when we get to work alongside our advisors. At this board meeting we discuss what is happening in Wisconsin FFA and about issues that are accruing. After the board meeting, you and your advisor go and help with registration. Each officer has their own role; some make sure all of the costumes and decorations are in order, one does do all of the checking of the sound systems, and the rest have a role in registrations.
Then the conference kicks off. All of your work comes down to this moment, all of your practice, preparations, and planning is put to the test. Even though we put in long hours, and stressed out a few times, it was all worth it. To seeing the faces of all those FFA students knowing the difference that you are making in their lives. I have never been to Half-Time before this moment, but looking back, I wished I had gone. Thank you, Wisconsin FFA members; you made my first Half-Time experience truly memorable. Not only did we have the largest attendances ever, but you made an impact on me. As State Officers we want the students to have a good time, but most importantly, we want to them to take the information that they learn and use it for themselves and their chapter. Your excitement was all worth it. Thank you. Seeing your faces makes all of our work worth it as a State Officers. I don’t think we say thank you enough. Thank you to the advisors for bringing the students, and caring about them. Finally, thank you to the students for coming, without both of you there would be no need for State Officers. Half-time was amazing.
One of the many highlights that occurred at Half-time. Is that we would like to announce that The Wisconsin Association officially has a song. It will be uploaded to www.wisconsinffa.org very soon, so everyone can listen.
Secondly, thank you to all of the students for making the goody bags, during the service workshop. We made over forty bags and the hotel staff loved them. Thank you.
Finally, don’t forget to take a look at all of the pictures on Wisconsin Association of FFA Facebook page. In hope you all enjoyed the conferences. Thanks again. Being a State Officer can be a lot of work some times, but you all make it so worth it, thank you.
Half-Time
Jan. 25, 2010
Through the eyes of a State Officer. Do you ever wonder what it takes to put on a conference? What kind of preparations, planning, and developing? This past year, I have had the opportunity to help put on Sectional Leadership Conferences, Fire Conferences, and 23 chapter visits. Each of these events had many hours of preparation, planning and developing.
Half-Time takes the cake. We already started planning Half-time in July, at the National Leadership Conference for State Officers. Our goal was to make this the best Half-Time yet. At our December meeting, we began our planning. We found who we would be presenting with, decided on a theme, picked the topics we wanted to present and worked on outlines. After our December meeting, we would soon be headed off to Sauk High School to start the construction of our skit, workshop, and hallway decorations. We worked four days at Sauk designing our rooms. We wanted to make sure that when you walked into Half-time, you felt like you were walking in to Seussville. We even took time to start recording our movies for convention.
We headed home to spend time with our families for the holidays, still with Half-Time on our minds. After New Year’s, Adam, Alicia, and I headed once again, to Sauk, to work on our workshop supplies. We worked all day and then headed home. I was on the road for 6 hours, and worked on supplies for 7. We wanted to have a great workshop.
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