Mesa District FFA Constitution ​ ARTICLE I - Name, Mission and Strategies Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Mesa District of the National FFA Organization. ​ Section B. The mission and strategies for this district are as follows: ​ FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. ​ 1. Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership. 2. Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being. 3. Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. 4. Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career. 5. Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs. 6. Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community. 7. Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction. 8. Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism. 9. Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people. 10. Promotes healthy lifestyles. 11. Encourages excellence in scholarship. ​ ARTICLE II - Organization Section A. The Mesa District is a unit of the Texas Association of FFA, which is chartered by the National FFA Organization. ​ Section B. This district accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Association of FFA as well as those of the National FFA Organization. ARTICLE III - Membership Section A. Membership in this district shall be of one kind: It is Active Membership as defined by the National FFA Constitution. Members must be chapter members at the schools of Brownfield, Dawson, Denver City, Klondike, Lamesa, Loop, Meadow, New Home, O’Donnell, Plains, Post, Seagraves, Seminole, Southland, Tahoka, Wellman-Union, or Wilson. The combination of these schools will be referred to as the Mesa District. ​ Section B. The regular activities of this chapter shall be carried on by the active membership. ​ Section C. Active members in good standing may vote, if selected as delegates, on all business brought before the district. An active member shall be considered in good standing when: ​ 1. While in school, be enrolled in at least one agricultural education course during the school year and/or follow a planned course of study. Either course must include a supervised agricultural experience program, the objective of which is preparation for an agricultural career. ​ 2. Show an interest in the affairs of the organization by attending meetings, striving for degrees of membership, and participating in other organized activities of the chapter. ​ 3. Pay all current district dues by the date determined by the chapter. ​ 4. Display conduct consistent with the ideals and purposes of the National FFA Organization. ​ Section E. Names of applicants for membership shall be filed on a district roster. ​ 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 FFA Organization. ​ ARTICLE V - Degrees and Privileges of Active Membership Section A. There shall be five degrees of active membership based on individual achievement. These degrees are: (1) Discovery FFA Degree, (2) Greenhand FFA Degree, (3) Chapter FFA Degree, (4) State FFA Degree and (5) American FFA Degree. All Discovery FFA members are entitled to wear the regulation bronze and blue emblem pin. All "Greenhands" are entitled to wear the regulation bronze emblem pin. All members holding the Chapter FFA Degree are entitled to wear the regulation 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. Discovery FFA Degree – To be eligible to receive the Discovery FFA Degree from a chapter, the member must meet the following minimum requirements: ​ 1. Be enrolled in agricultural education class for at least a portion of the school year while in grades 7-8. 2. Have become a dues paying member of the FFA at local, state and national levels. 3. Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time. 4. Have knowledge of agriculturally related career, ownership and entrepreneurial opportunities. 5. Be familiar with the local FFA chapter program of activities. 6. Submit written applications for the degree. Section C. Greenhand FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to National Constitution.) ​ 1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience program. 2. Learn and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed, Motto, and Salute. 3. Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors. 4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket. 5. Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws, and the chapter Program of Activities. 6. Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook. 7. Submit a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree. ​ Section D. Chapter FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for election: (Refer to National Constitution.) ​ 1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree. 2. Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program and be enrolled in an agricultural education course. 3. Must have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of Activities. 4. Must have earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member's own efforts or worked at least forty-five hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program. 5. Must have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes. 6. Must have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law. 7. Must show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs. 8. Must have a satisfactory scholastic record. 9. Must submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree. ​ Section E. State FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for selection: ​ 1. Qualifications for the State FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the Texas FFA Association and National FFA Organization. ​ Section F. American FFA Degree. Minimum qualifications for selection: ​ 1. Qualifications for the American FFA Degree are those set forth in the constitution of the National FFA Organization. ​ ARTICLE VI – District Officers Section A. The offices of the Mesa District shall be: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel, and student advisor. Other officers may be elected as deemed appropriate by the district officer committee. The teacher(s) of agricultural education shall be the District FFA advisor(s). Mesa district officers shall be elected annually by the voting delegates present at the Mesa District Spring Meeting. ​ ARTICLE VII - Dues Section A. Mesa District dues in this district shall be reviewed annually by the delegates. ​ Section B. Full local, district, area, 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/she pays full local, district, area, state and national FFA dues. ​ ARTICLE VIII - Amendments Section A. This constitution may be amended or changed at any regular district 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 district at any regular district meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active delegates present providing such bylaws do not conflict in any way with the constitution and bylaws of either the state association or the national organization. Bylaws Article I – Delegates ​Section A. District Delegates ​ 1. In order for a school to receive delegates the school must be in good standing with the district, area, state, and national organizations. 2. Each school will have two (2) delegates as representatives as long as that student is a member of that schools chapter. 3. Delegates themselves must be in good standing with their chapter to serve as representatives from that chapter. 4. In order to represent a chapter and serve, as a delegate the member must be in official dress. 5. The Mesa District holds regular meetings in the fall and spring of each year. At the spring meeting the delegation will select the Mesa District Officer team for the following year. The members will also vote on the area and state officer elections with their votes going toward a percentage of those candidates’ final score. At the fall meeting, the delegation will vote on the Talent Contest to determine which team will represent Mesa District at the Area II Contest. ​ Article II – Officer Elections ​Section A. District Officers ​ 1. The district officers will consist of members from schools located within the Mesa District. 2. Any member who is about to complete their first year of Ag classes may apply for a district office. 3. Members must have been enrolled in two (2) Ag classes to apply. 4. Each chapter may select one (1) representative to apply for district office. If there are not enough applicants, schools may submit two (2) applicants. 5. Each chapter must submit candidate name to the spring meeting contact person fourteen (14) days in advance of the Mesa District Spring Meeting. Twelve (12) days prior to the meeting, the spring meeting contact person will notify chapters if they are allowed to enter two (2) district officer candidates 6. Each candidate will receive a behavioral interview by the officer interview committee. The advisors in the district will select this committee. The candidates score from this committee will count as a quarter (1/4) of the candidates final score. 7. Each officer candidate will complete the online district officer test developed by the state designated company. This score will count as a quarter (1/4) of the candidates final score. 8. The candidates will deliver speeches to the delegates at the regular spring meeting of the Mesa FFA District. These speeches will be timed and can be no longer than four (4) minutes. 9. The delegates will vote for their choice of two (2) candidates for President, and the votes will be tallied by advisors who do not have candidates in the election. The delegate votes will count as half (1/2) of each candidates final score. 10. In case of a tie a runoff election will be held. The runoff election will consist of a one (1) minute speech, and a thought question. The delegates will vote for one (1) candidate. 11. Each officer elected is required to order a jacket for their new office. These jackets are paid for up front by the officer’s school. The cost of the standard jacket will be reimbursed to the school upon receiving a copy of the receipt. No individuals will receive reimbursement. Receipts must be furnished to the Mesa District Advisor Secretary by December 1st of the year the office was secured. Any receipts not received by December 1st will not be reimbursed. No other part of the official dress will be covered by the district. The Mesa District President receives a jacket from the Area II Association, and is not required to pay or order a jacket since one is provide by the Area II Association and ordered by the Area II Advisor. 12. An example of scoring is as follows: If you have 24 delegates present, this means that the interview and test each count 24 points towards the total, which today would be 96 possible total points. ​ Candidate “A” Test score: 88 (out of 100, or 88%) Interview score: 92 He/she gets 13 votes Test = 24x88%= 21.12 Interview = 24x96% = 23.04% Votes 14x2=26 Total Score for Candidate “A” = 70.16 ​ Candidate “B” Test score: 74 (out of 100, or 74%) Interview score: 87 He/she gets 14 votes Test = 24x74%= 17.76 Interview = 24x87% = 20.88% Votes 14x2=28 Total Score for Candidate “A” = 66.64 ​ Candidate “A” Wins ​ ​ Section B. Area Officers 1. The Mesa District will elect one (1) member to represent the Mesa District as an Area II Officer. 2. Applicants must meet all requirements set forth by the Area II Association. 3. Applicants must be finishing their third year of high school and will be a senior in the next school year. 4. There is no limit to the number of applicants that may apply for an office per school. 5. Each applicant will receive a behavioral interview and be scored by the officer interview committee. This score will count as one-fourth (1/4) of the candidate’s final score. The advisors in the district will select this committee. 6. Each officer candidate will complete the online district officer test developed by Clay Ewell. The score from this test will count as one-fourth (1/4) of the candidate’s final score. 7. Each applicant will deliver a speech to the delegates at the regular spring meeting of the Mesa FFA District. These speeches will be timed and can be no longer than five (5) minutes. 8. The delegates will vote for one (1) candidate for Area II office, and advisors who do not have candidates in the election will tally the votes. The tallied votes will count as one-half (1/2) of the candidates final score. 9. The Area II Association officer from the Mesa District will be the applicant with the highest total combined score from the interview, test, and vote. ​ Section C. State Officers ​ 1. The Mesa District can elect one member to represent the Mesa District and the Area II Association as a state officer. 2. Applicants must meet all requirements set forth by the Texas State Association. 3. Each applicant will receive a behavioral interview and application will be scored by the officer interview committee. This score will count as one-fourth (1/4) of the candidate’s final score. The advisors in the district will select this committee. 4. Each applicant will take a State Officer Test developed by Clay Ewell. The score from this test will count as one-fourth (1/4) of the candidate’s final score. 5. Each applicant will deliver a speech to the delegates at the regular spring meeting of the Mesa FFA District. These speeches will be timed and can be no longer than five (5) minutes. 6. The delegates will vote for one (1) candidate for state office, and advisors who do not have candidates in the election will tally the votes. The tallied votes will count as one-half (1/2) of the candidates final score. 7. The state officer from the Mesa District will be the applicant with the highest total combined score from the interview, test, and vote. ​ Article III – Contest ​ Section A. Leadership Development Events ​ 1. In the fall of each year the Mesa District will hold the district LDE contests in compliance with the adopted State FFA LDE Rules. 2. In order to compete in team events the chapter must be in good standing with the district, area, state and national organizations. Along with this each individual on the team or in an individual event must also be in good standing. 3. Each school in the district, if in good standing, may enter two (2) teams in competitions. The highest two (2) teams and the highest two (2) individuals in each of the contest will represent the Mesa District at the Area Contest, even if they are from the same school. 4. Awards for the Mesa District LDE contest will be awarded at the Mesa District Banquet. In all competitions the first three (3) teams/individuals will receive awards. 5. FFA members may only participate in up to two (2) contests. 6. All entries must be made seven (7) days prior to contest date in order to generate an appropriate schedule and secure judges for each event. 7. All entries made seven (7) days prior must be paid for in full the day of contest. 8. Materials for the Junior Quiz, Senior Quiz, Senior Chapter Conducting, and Junior Chapter Conducting contest will be purchased from Sam Houston State University. ​ Section B. Career Development Events ​ 1. The Mesa District does not sponsor or oversee any district CDE contest, and all contests in CDE are deemed as team events. 2. In order to compete in team events the chapter must be in good standing with the district, area, state and national organizations. Along with this each individual on the team must also be in good standing. 3. The district placing for the CDE events will be determined by that schools placing in the area contest. In events where the Area II Association does not sponsor a contest the district that schools placing in the state contest determine placing. 4. Awards for the Mesa District CDE contests will be awarded at the Mesa District Spring Meeting. The three (3) highest qualifying teams will receive awards. 5. Each chapter will notify the district president of the teams for area one (1) week prior to area contest in order to have awards ordered. ​ Section C. Speaking Events ​ 1. In the spring of each year the Mesa District will hold the district speaking contests. 2. In order to compete in the speaking events the chapter must be in good standing with the district, area, state and national organizations. Along with this each individual in the speaking event must also be in good standing. 3. Each school in the district, if in good standing, may enter three (3) members in the speaking event competitions. The highest two (2) individuals in each of the contest will represent the Mesa District at the Area Contest, even if they are from the same school. 4. Students may enter in two (2) speaking contest. 5. All speakers must be entered to the Mesa District Spring meeting contact person fourteen (14) days prior to the contest date. 6. Awards for the Mesa District speaking contests will be awarded at the Mesa District Banquet. In the speaking events the three (3) highest individuals will receive awards. 7. Each contest will have a superintendent. Superintendents will be elected at the Mesa District Fall meeting from the District FFA Advisors. Superintendents will be in charge of getting students to their contest on time and providing the judges with their needed materials for the contest. ​ Section D. Talent Contest 1. Mesa District will hold a talent contest at the Mesa District Banquet held during the fall. 2. In order to compete in the talent event the chapter must be in good standing with the district, area, state and national organizations. Along with this each individual on the team or individually must also be in good standing. 3. Each school in the district, if in good standing, may enter two (2) teams in the talent contest. For the purpose of this contest only, a team may consist of one or more individuals. Only the first place team in the talent contest will represent the Mesa District at the Area II Contest. 4. Each team in the talent contest will receive ten (10) minutes of practice time prior to the beginning of the contest. At the end of the practice period the talent teams will draw numbers and they will compete in the drawn order. 5. In front of the Mesa Delegation the talent teams have eight (8) minutes to perform, and this shall be timed. 6. The Mesa District delegates will vote on the talent teams. Each delegate will vote for two (2) teams. 7. Awards for the Mesa District talent contests will be awarded at the Mesa District Banquet. The three (3) highest qualifying teams will receive awards. ​