CONVENTION TIP of the DAY - Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - Workshop Schedule

Workshop Schedule for the 94th Illinois FFA State Convention

All workshops will be held on Tuesday, June 14, and Wednesday, June 15, in the lower level of the Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plz, Springfield, IL 62701. 

Tuesday, June 14

10:00am

“$AE Entrepreneurship Opportunities” - FCAE - Room B1

Looking for new ways to fund your Entrepreneurship Immersion SAE? Stop by for our workshop to learn more about selecting a SAE, planning your next steps, and funding your project with available grants.

10:30am

“Lights, Camera, Act with Purpose” - Stetson Urlacher, North Dakota FFA State Officer - Room B4W

In Hollywood, it takes hundreds of people coming together to write, film, and produce a blockbuster hit! Our lives are very simliar. It takes hundreds of people playing many different roles to help us grow. In this workshop, we will go behind the scenes to learn all about the different roles we can play in the lives of others.

“CREW Engagement” - Illinois FFA Section Presidents - Room B6

We are SUPER excited to announce to our membership our initiative to gather our leaders together to formulate our State Leadership CREW (Chapter Representatives Engagement Webinars). Our goal is to formulate a way for FFA members to be involved at the state level throughout the year and empower them to contribute to the conversations and ways of connecting FFA members with more opportunities throughout FFA. Join some of your section Presidents for fun games and to find out how you can be a part of CREW!

“Create Your Leadership Legacy with Illinois State!” - Illinois State University - Room B8

As Illinois’ first public university, Illinois State University has a legacy of leadership. This 60 minute, interactive session will help you explore your leadership potential and identify tips for a successful transition to college. Have the chance to talk with current Illinois State students and create your legacy in agriculture at Illinois State!

“Explore U of I Aces” - University of Illinois - Room B9

Students will be able to identify obstacles in their lives and find solutions and strategies to move past them.

11:00am

“Teach Ag - We Need YOU!” - FCAE - Room B1

Do you enjoy working with youth and teaching others? Do you hope to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be noticed for years to come? We are here to TAG you to TEACH AG! A shortage of agriculture teachers currently exists. Advantages of teaching agriculture, majoring in ag education, and teaching resources will be covered.

11:30am

“Call Me Maybe” - Anna Mathis, Former National FFA Secretary - Room B6

By now, we’re pretty familiar with texting, Instagram, Snap filters, and a FaceTime here or there. But how good are we at actually communicating? Together, we’ll retweet good communication behaviors and learn to block the occasional mixed message like “call me…maybe?”

12:00pm

“Transforming Our Passions Into Our Purpose” - Molly Warner and Shelby Basham, 4H Representatives - Room B4E

Are you passionate about many different things? Playing the guitar, shooting hoops, or maybe even the FFA. Molly and Shelby both know your pain. Loving so many activities can truly be a blessing but how can we create goals to help us impact the organizations we are deeply connected to? Join this session to implement strong personal goals to transforming your passions into your purpose.

“INITIATE Leadership Opportunities” - Trenton Eilander, Iowa FFA State Officer - Room B4W

Join State Officers from other states to take the opportunity to INITIATE your potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success!

“Maneuvering a Bumpy Road” - Amara Jackson, Michigan FFA State Officer - Room B8

In Hollywood, it takes hundreds of people coming together to write, film, and produce a blockbuster hit! Our lives are very simliar. It takes hundreds of people playing many different roles to help us grow. In this workshop, we will go behind the scenes to learn all about the different roles we can play in the lives of others.

“Teach Ag - We Need YOU!” - FCAE - Room B1

Do you enjoy working with youth and teaching others? Do you hope to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be noticed for years to come? We are here to TAG you to TEACH AG! A shortage of agriculture teachers currently exists. Advantages of teaching agriculture, majoring in ag education, and teaching resources will be covered.

3:30pm

“INITIATE Your Leadership” - Gage Miller and Emma Freebairn, Former Illinois FFA State Officers - Room B4E

During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to test and progress their leadership skills to bring back to their own FFA chapters.

“Lights, Camera, Act with Purpose” - Stetson Urlacher, North Dakota FFA State Officer - Room B4W

In Hollywood, it takes hundreds of people coming together to write, film, and produce a blockbuster hit! Our lives are very simliar. It takes hundreds of people playing many different roles to help us grow. In this workshop, we will go behind the scenes to learn all about the different roles we can play in the lives of others.

“The Three Steps to Developing Any Skill” - Josiah Cruikshank, National FFA Western Region Vice President - Room B6

As we pursue career success as FFA members, there are many skills we’ll need to acquire. Regardless of what those skills are, we’ll maximize our potential by learning about and implementing the 3 steps of skill development: Training, repetitions, and gear.

“Unlocking Saluki Success” - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale - Room B8

Put your detective skills to the test as you work alongside fellow FFA members to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock success! Join SIU Agriculture for an interactive experience that will set you up for success during and even after you take off your blue jacket. Explore what opportunities await you as a leader in agriculture and as a future Saluki.

“INITIATE Leadership Opportunities” - Trenton Eilander, Iowa FFA State Officer - Room B9

Join State Officers from other states to take the opportunity to INITIATE your potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success!

“$AE Entrepreneurship Opportunities” - FCAE - Room B1

Looking for new ways to fund your Entrepreneurship Immersion SAE? Stop by for our workshop to learn more about selecting a SAE, planning your next steps, and funding your project with available grants.

Wednesday, June 15

11:00am

“Careers in Agriculture” - Chad Follis, Hummert - Room B4E

Presenting careers in the agriculture industry that require a range of education and skills. Agriculture is changing and becoming more precise with a range of educational and personal skills to be successful.

“INITIATE Your Communication” - Jordi Oliver, Former Illinois FFA State Officer - Room B4W

In this workshop presented by Jordi Oliver who served as your 2020-2021 State Secretary, we will dive deeper into how we can better communicate within

our chapter and communities. We will partake in fun team building activities that test your knowledge and teamwork abilities. We then will reflect on how communication can help within our chapters and in our future careers! We would love to see how we as an organization can Initiate our Communications!

“CREW Engagement” - Illinois FFA Section Presidents - Room B6

We are SUPER excited to announce to our membership our initiative to gather our leaders together to formulate our State Leadership CREW (Chapter Representatives Engagement Webinars). Our goal is to formulate a way for FFA members to be involved at the state level throughout the year and empower them to contribute to the conversations and ways of connecting FFA members with more opportunities throughout FFA. Join some of your section Presidents for fun games and to find out how you can be a part of CREW!

“Farm Bureau: Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” - Illinois Farm Bureau - Room B8

As FFA members, you care about being a part of an organization that works for the good of the ag industry, and the good of the member. These opportunities don’t have to stop when you hang up the blue jacket. Join Mary and Vanessa, Youth & Collegiate Program Coordinators at Illinois Farm Bureau, as they walk you through the different paths this professional ag organization can take you. No matter your background, interests, or goals – there’s a place in Farm Bureau for you!

“Effective Communication: From Introduction to Interview” - GROWMARK - Room B9

What does it mean to communicate in a “professional” manner and to do so effectively? This session will offer specific insights and developmental opportunities explaining what organizations mean by professional communication. Expect to engage in activities that will emphasize the significance of empathetic listening, fundamental communication principles, and answering behavioral-based interview questions to prepare you to apply these critical skills in your future career.

“Teach Ag - We Need YOU!” - FCAE - Room B1

Do you enjoy working with youth and teaching others? Do you hope to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be noticed for years to come? We are here to TAG you to TEACH AG! A shortage of agriculture teachers currently exists. Advantages of teaching agriculture, majoring in ag education, and teaching resources will be covered.

12:00pm

“The Western Experience” - Western Illinois University - Room B4E

The activities and events associated with the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University. These activities and event will provide students with an edge in securing gainful employment in the agriculture industry.

“Maneuvering a Bumpy Road” - Amara Jackson, Michigan FFA State Officer - Room B8

In Hollywood, it takes hundreds of people coming together to write, film, and produce a blockbuster hit! Our lives are very simliar. It takes hundreds of people playing many different roles to help us grow. In this workshop, we will go behind the scenes to learn all about the different roles we can play in the lives of others.

“Call Me Maybe” - Anna Mathis, Former National FFA Secretary - Room B6

By now, we’re pretty familiar with texting, Instagram, Snap filters, and a FaceTime here or there. But how good are we at actually communicating? Together, we’ll retweet good communication behaviors and learn to block the occasional mixed message like “call me…maybe?”

“Explore U of I Aces” - University of Illinois - Room B9

Students will be able to identify obstacles in their lives and find solutions and strategies to move past them.

“Teach Ag - We Need YOU!” - FCAE - Room B1

Do you enjoy working with youth and teaching others? Do you hope to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be noticed for years to come? We are here to TAG you to TEACH AG! A shortage of agriculture teachers currently exists. Advantages of teaching agriculture, majoring in ag education, and teaching resources will be covered.

1:00pm

“FFA - Focused Forward Always” - Emma Kuhns and Margaret Vaessen, Former Illinois FFA State Officers, Room B4E

Emma and Margaret will be applying primary concepts utilized in the FFA organization in scenarios in both our professional and personal lives.

“DISCover What You’re Made Of” - PAS - Room B4W

Join past PAS officer, Alexis Carroll, in learning about the Professional Agricultural Student Organization and how you can be involved in agriculture after high school! Students will have the opportunity to take the DISC personality test to provide insight on how they can work efficiently in groups and independently.

“The Three Steps to Developing Any Skill” - Josiah Cruikshank, National FFA Western Region Vice President - Room B6

As we pursue career success as FFA members, there are many skills we’ll need to acquire. Regardless of what those skills are, we’ll maximize our potential by learning about and implementing the 3 steps of skill development: Training, repetitions, and gear.

“Unlocking Saluki Success” - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale - Room B8

Put your detective skills to the test as you work alongside fellow FFA members to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock success! Join SIU Agriculture for an interactive experience that will set you up for success during and even after you take off your blue jacket. Explore what opportunities await you as a leader in agriculture and as a future Saluki.

“Teach Ag - We Need YOU!” - FCAE - Room B1

Do you enjoy working with youth and teaching others? Do you hope to leave a lasting impact on the world that will be noticed for years to come? We are here to TAG you to TEACH AG! A shortage of agriculture teachers currently exists. Advantages of teaching agriculture, majoring in ag education, and teaching resources will be covered.