Items in this listserv:

**** Top Priority****

FINAL REMINDER - FFA Rosters DUE - October 1, 2020

• Please click here for roster instructions.

• 2020-2021 FFA Dues are $14.00 per member ($7.00 for National dues and $7.00 for State dues)

• Affiliation Fees Schedule

• If you are still considering affiliation for this year, that request must be completed prior to submitting your roster on October 1.  Contact Tammy (tyard@illinoisffa.org) if you have any questions. 

FINAL REMINDER - National Chapter Award - Chapter Strategic Plan DUE - October 1, 2020 

FINAL REMINDER:  GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets

• Twenty-five jackets will be provided each year from 2019-2022. FFA members are asked to answer the question “What does the FFA jacket mean to you?” and share the main goal they wish to accomplish as an FFA member. The application is available at https://bit.ly/BuiltaJacket2020 and is due September 30, 2020, at midnight.

• Questions - Contact: Karen Jones, kjones@growmark.com, 309-557-6184

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Leadership Training School Speeches - Click here for a document that has reflective questions that you can use with each of the Leadership Training School (LTS) speeches. (Yes, I forgot to link them in my last message)

****NEW Information****

1.  2020 Chapter Visits

2.  BUILD Registration

3.  National FFA Update

4.  Illinois FFA Proficiency Award Report for Spring 2021

5.  Finals Hall Speaking Competition - option for your FFA members

6.  ISBE Budget Hearings - Please take a moment to submit written/online support

7.  Managing Stress During the Busy Harvest Season

1. 2020 Chapter Visits

Drum roll please...Check the Youtube Channel on Thursday, October 1, 2020 for the 2020 Pre-recorded Chapter Visits Presentations. As mentioned earlier, each officer has a segment ranging from 7 to 9 minutes in length, as well as an introduction and closing including all five officers.  We have also asked for each Section Officer team to include a segment of their officers working through each of the segments the officers present.  The Section Officer Team videos will be posted on the Youtube Channel as well, as we get them.  If you are interested in having your FFA members meet the 2020-2021 Illinois FFA Major State Officers, please complete the following form.  This “Meet & Greet” is an ideal introduction or follow-up to watching the Chapter Visits Video Presentations.  NOTICE:  You may complete this form more than once in order to conduct this event with more than one class.   Please Click here to sign up for a time to have your FFA Chapter do a “Meet & Greet” with a major.  After the form is submitted, the FFA Center will confirm the meeting and coordinate details with agriculture teachers for the “Meet & Greet”.  

Click here to view the 2020 Chapter Visits Reflection Questions.  

Opening Ceremonies - The major state officers have also added FFA Opening Ceremonies for each Section featuring your Section President as the State FFA Sentinel on https://www.youtube.com/user/ILAgEd  

2.  BUILD Registration

2020 BUILD Conference registration is open.  Go to www.ilaged.org, login, click on Event Registration and then click on BUILD Conference.  

• BUILD Conference Registration is $25.00 per participant.  

• Sponsorship from Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education in Agriculture Committee and Affiliate Companies along with participant registration fees will allow for a robust conference experience facilitated by Illinois Association FFA current and past state officers, conference materials including a 2020-2021 state theme shirt mailed to every participant, and special engagement with Illinois colleges, industry professionals, and a keynote speaker.

• September 29, 2020 - BUILD Conference registration OPEN.  

• October 15, 2020 - BUILD Conference registration CLOSES.

• October 23, 2020 - BUILD Conference in a box mailed to participants.

• November 3 - 5, 2020 - BUILD Conference Option 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• November 10 - 12, 2020 - BUILD Conference Option 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

• Illinois Farm Bureau will once again be offering a financial incentive to attend the conference through its County Farm Bureaus. FFA Chapters who participated in a County Farm Bureau FFA Acquaintance Day Program between August 1, 2019 to October 1, 2020 and have one or more students attend the conference will be eligible to receive funds. The amount will cover the $25 registration fee for up to 5 students from each chapter. Funds will be distributed following the completion of the conference. County Farm Bureau Managers will be in touch with the FFA chapters in their county with more information. 

• Once you register for the BUILD Conference, you will receive a google form for your members to complete that indicates the size of shirt, address to mail the conference in a box, etc.

3.  National FFA Update

Include lots of great information about the National FFA Convention, be sure to check out the National FFA Update.  

National FFA Convention Schedule 

4.  Illinois FFA Proficiency Award Report for Spring 2021

The Illinois FFA Proficiency Award Report that will be used at the District and State level is live and ready for you and your members to begin working with.  Simply login in to AET click on Reports - FFA Awards Degree/Application Manager.  On December 8, 2020, Jason Perry, agricultural teacher/FFA Advisor at LeRoy High School will be conducting a workshop on the new report award program.  

5.  Finals Hall Speaking Competition - option for your FFA members

Below you'll find some information about a free (big plus) FFA experience for students who may have been hoping to find themselves in the Finals Hall at the National Convention this year.  This competition can provide your students an opportunity to feel excited and to get to apply the skills they wanted to show off.

The event is virtual via YouTube and has a Creed & Prepared division.  Registration opens next week and there are opportunities for judges and speakers.  

Details are below including some promotional flyers and the contact information for the coordinator.  I hope this adds some easily-won value to your day.

Title: Finals Hall Speaking Competition

• Virtual contest hosted via YouTube

• Creed and Prepared Division

• Registration is from 9/28/20-10/5/20

All information can be found at www.jasonwetzler.com/fhsc

6.  ISBE Budget Hearings - Please take a moment to submit written/online support

Upcoming FY22 Budget Hearings have been set by the Illinois State Board of Education.

ISBE is excited to invite educators, parents, students, and community organizations to give their input on state funding for public education at three virtual budget hearings, Oct. 7, 14, and 16, 2020.  The input ISBE receives will inform the agency’s advocacy for equitable funding for all students in FY 2022 and provide the basis for ISBE’s budget recommendation to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly in January 2021.

Testimony at past hearings has led to investments in innovative teacher preparation programs and continued funding for parent mentoring and after-school programs. Now more than ever, ISBE wants our school leaders, classroom teachers, parents, and community advocates to tell us what investments would make the biggest difference for their students. So please visit ISBE.net/budget to fill out a budget feedback form and to register for the virtual hearings. Those wishing to participate must submit their testimony in writing by completing the form at ?www.isbe.net/budget. Please note ISBE will give equal consideration to all written and oral testimony.

7.  Managing Stress During the Busy Harvest Season

Click here to view the flyer for promoting to farmers you and your students are in contact with.

**** PREVIOUS Information Shared****

**** WORTH Sharing Again****

Career Development Events:  

Ag Sales Product - Now Available

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

2020 Illinois FFA CDE Schedule (2021 CDE Schedule TBA)

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center

IAVAT:

IAVAT Dues/Donations

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

IAVAT Fall 2020 Professional Development Series

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

 IAVAT Committees

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

SAE Committee State Proficiency Survey - PLEASE Take a Moment to Complete

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center 

Membership Memos

• Please complete this form if you would like to notify the Illinois FFA Center about an event in the lives of someone in our FFA Family. 

IACCAI:  

• Officers - Jeff Landers, JJC - President, Brian Clement, College of Dupage - Vice President, Doug Robb, WVCC - Treasurer, Jess Smithers, Richland - Secretary, Pete Fandel, ICC - Past President

• 2020 Conference = Click here for listserv from FFA Center to collect feedback

PAS: 

• Officers - President - Gwen Heimerdinger, 1st Vice-President - Ryan Reeverts, 2nd Vice-President - Rob Janssen, 3rd Vice-President - Mazi Walker

Illinois FFA:

National Chapter Award Chapter Strategic Plan

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Section CDE Registration Reminder

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

2020 National FFA Results for Agriscience, National Chapter Award and Proficiency Results

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center ~ Click Here to view the full results for all of our Illinois FFA Entries.  

Illinois FFA State Officer Team Updates 

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

FFA Rosters DUE - October 1, 2020

• Please click here for roster instructions.  

Illinois FFA Names Two American FFA Degree Star Finalists

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Tallo-AET SAE Grant Winners

• Click here to view the listserv message about Olivia Charles, West Carroll FFA

• Click here to view the listserv message about Dennis Wollin, South Central FFA

State Theme t-shirt, Convention t-shirts & Buttons

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

FFA Board Updates - August 2020

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

 Notes of Thanks to Virtual Convention Sponsors & Friends

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Donate to Virtual State FFA Convention

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center 

Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters:

Illinois FFA Alumni Ranger Raffle 

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

Alumni - National Outstanding Chapter Applications

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

• Click here to find the folder with those forms.  

Illinois FFA Alumni Council Officer Letter of Intent

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Alumni Update - August 2020

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Illinois FFA Alumni Annual Meeting & Auction Update 

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Illinois FFA Center:

How to Pay Account Balances with a Credit Card  - For Teachers

• October 12, 2020 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Columbus Day

• November 26 - 27, 2020 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Thanksgiving

• December 24, 2020 - January 4, 2021 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Winter Break

Celebrate our Staff - Patti Davis, Proudly Serving Illinois FFA Center since August 23, 2010

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

Celebrate our Staff - John Edgar, Proudly Serving Illinois FFA Center since July 6, 2015

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center 

Celebrate our Staff - Tammy Yard, Proudly Serving Illinois FFA Center since April 30, 2007

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center

Illinois Foundation FFA:

2019 - 2020 Illinois Foundation FFA Annual Report 

• Click here to view the 2019 - 2020 Illinois Foundation FFA Report

Industry Friends of agricultural education posts:

GROWMARK Announces 2021 Essay Contest Theme

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

4-H Sustaining the Future Award

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets

• Click here to view the listserv sent from the FFA Center

National FFA:

National Awards Judges Needed

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

The Horizon Conference

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 9/8/2020

National FFA Updates

• Please find a National FFA report at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci. 

• Find a detailed list of updates and additional national information at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember***

• October 1, 2020 - FFA Rosters DUE - Roster Instructions

• October 1, 2020 - National Chapter Award - Chapter Strategic Plan DUE

• October 1, 2020 - Illinois FFA Alumni Council Officer Intents DUE

• October 12, 2020 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Columbus Day

• October 13, 2020 - Administrative Council Meeting - 3:30 pm

• October 14-15, 2020 - Virtual Elite Conference

• October 17, 2020 - Horse Evaluation Virtual CDE - 10 am to 2 pm - More CDEs

• October 22, 2020 - FFA Board Online Meeting - 3:30 pm

• October 27 - 29, 2020 - National FFA Virtual Convention - More Information

• October TBA - FFA State Officer Team Online Meeting

• November 1, 2020 - FFA Roster Administrator Approval DUE

• November 1, 2020 - FFA Dues payment received by the Illinois FFA Center

• November 6, 2020 - GROWMARK Essay Contest Deadline

• November 16 - Celebrating 19 years of Lori Nelson at the Illinois FFA Center

• November 19, 2020 - FFA Board Online Meeting - 3:30 pm

• November 19, 2020 - FFA State Officer Team Online Meeting - 6 to 8 pm

• November 21, 2020 - Ag Sales -  Assigned Times - More CDEs

• November 26 - 27, 2020 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Thanksgiving

• December 3, 2020 - FFA State Officer Team Online Meeting - 6 to 8 pm

• December 12, 2020 - Agronomy Virtual CDE - 10 am to 2 pm - More CDEs

• December 24, 2020 - January 4, 2021 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Winter Break