Items included in this message

1. IAVAT Board of Director Updates

2. 2022-2023 IAVAT Membership Reminder

1. IAVAT Board of Director Updates

Greetings Illinois Ag Teachers!

The IAVAT board held a Zoom meeting on Thursday, September 22.  Many items were on the agenda but the main topics that are important for members are:

-The board included some clarification regarding the Agriculture Sales CDE. We will be utilizing the National FFA rubrics linked in the state rules for the district and state competitions. Due to a change in the National FFA Ag Sales rubrics, this does mean that points for the Team Event will increase from 150 to 175 to reflect new point values in the national rubrics.  We will also be utilizing all of the products (there will be no pared-down lists for districts or state).

-The board approved an addition of a keep/cull class to the State Meats CDE according to the recommendations from the CDE committee during IAVAT Conference.

-The board also approved a clarification of the Veterinary Science CDE rules from the CDE committee.  The rules will now state: 

 “Live animals may be used only in the handling practicums where there is little to no danger to the student or animal. Furthermore, for any students with allergies or learning disabilities, there will be an alternative provided if live animals are used.”

     **We would like to point out this is not a change in the rules, simply a clarification of current practice.

-The board is working on compiling information about the IAVAT for our 100th anniversary.  If there are any programs with ag communications students who would like to help with this, please contact Kirsten Wyatt at kwyatt@pblpanthers.org.  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at dpage@rthsd212.org.

Thank you,

Donna Page

IAVAT President

2. 2022-2023 IAVAT Membership Reminder

As a professional organization for teachers and supporters of agricultural education, it is obvious that nothing we do would be possible without our members. To those supporting agricultural education through membership in IAVAT, please note the following:

IAVAT policy states that all IAVAT membership must be paid by October 31 to remain in good standing with the organization. Dues must also be paid by this date to receive IFG credit for IAVAT membership. IAVAT Policies along with the Dues Statement Letter, Dues Structure sheet, and Reasons to Join IAVAT are available to view on the website here.

As a reminder, in honor of the IAVAT 100th Anniversary, the IAVAT Board of Directors is offering a limited time opportunity to sign up for lifetime membership utilizing a convenient annual payment plan. More information can be found on a flyer (here) and those interested can sign up for the payment plan here. For clarification, lifetime membership is applied to an individual teacher and would follow that teacher throughout their teaching career. Lifetime membership is non-transferable. If associate members would like to take advantage of this lifetime membership opportunity, please contact Lori Copsy (lcopsy@illinoisffa.org).

IAVAT Student Branch - IAVAT Student Branch membership is available to any student enrolled in a community college or university with the intent to pursue a career in agricultural education. Dues are only $5/student/year. IAVAT Student Branch membership is also due no later than October 31. Invoices will be sent directly to student branch members, but colleges/universities may opt to pay for all student branch members as a group. Advisors should contact Lori Copsy (lcopsy@illinoisffa.org) to discuss their preferred method of payment for their student branch members. Student branch members should contact their advisor to determine how payments are being handled.

Click here to submit 2022-2023 IAVAT membership information in order to receive an automated invoice to pay dues.

If you have questions about membership, please contact Lori Copsy- lcopsy@illinoisffa.org. Please be aware that membership questions are processed in the order they are received. During the busiest season of membership renewal, it may take up to a few days to respond to your request.