NEBRASKA FFA ASSOCIATION
State Officer Application
THIS APPLICATION AND ALL REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS AND
DOCUMENTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MARCH 1.
SEND ALL COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Nebraska FFA Association
Attn: Anita Wollenburg, State Officer Manager
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509
Application Checklist
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Part I: Candidate Information with picture
Part II: State Officer Biography
Part III: State Officer Blog Entries and Social Media Use
Part IV: Advisor’s Confidential Statement sealed in an envelope
Part VI: State Officer Personal Commitment Statement
Part VII: Signature Page
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NEBRASKA FFA ASSOCIATION
State Officer Application
Part I: Candidate Information
Name:
FFA Chapter:
Age:
High School Graduation Year:
Home Address:
City: Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number:
Email Address:
Parent Name(s):
FFA Advisor’s Name:
FFA Advisor’s Cell Phone Number:
FFA Advisor’s Email Address:
Please attach a recent wallet-sized photo of yourself in the space below.
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Part II: State Officer Biography
As a state officer, a biography will be published about you on www.neaged.org so that when
stakeholders view the website, they can easily read about your involvement in agricultural
education and develop an introduction of you based on your biography if you attend one of their
functions.
On the following page, develop a biography of yourself that is 500 words or less. Include the
following information in your biography. (Note, the items need not appear in the following order
within your biography.) Consider each of the audiences that may read your biography as you
develop it.
Your name
Hometown
Family information
Your agricultural background
Your agricultural education background
Three strengths you bring to a team
Three FFA activities in which you have been involved
Three activities outside of FFA in which you have been involved
A description of your SAE and how it connects to your career goals
What you value most about the agriculture industry
The message you desire to share with FFA members
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Part II: State Officer Biography
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Part III: State Officer Blog Entries and Social Media Use
As a state officer, you’ll be asked to regularly contribute to the Nebraska FFA Blog at
http://nebraskaffa.wordpress.com/. You’ll also be asked to make thought-provoking and
informative posts on the Nebraska FFA Association Facebook or Twitter pages. Complete each
of the following tasks, given the information provided.
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1. Develop a 150-word (or less) blog entry to describe, with specific examples, your most
effective communication method.
2. Develop a 300-word (or less) blog entry to describe the process you engaged in to plan and
execute a specific project with a team of people. Include your role(s) within the process and
the results of the project.
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3. Develop a 200-word (or less) blog entry to describe how you currently lead in each of the
following ways:
Position: people follow you because they have to
Permission: people follow you because they want to
Production: people follow you because of what you have done for the organization
People Development: people follow you because of what you have done for them
Pinnacle: people follow you because of who you are and what you represent
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4. Develop a Facebook or Twitter post encouraging students to use social media to promote the
agriculture industry.
5. Develop a Facebook or Twitter post encouraging students to promote their agricultural
education program.
6. Develop a Facebook or Twitter post that engages the parents of FFA members.
7. Develop a Facebook or Twitter post that engages financial contributors of the association.
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Part IV: Advisor’s Confidential Statement
Your advisor must write and provide in a sealed envelope, a statement about your qualifications
to serve as a state officer for Nebraska FFA. The advisor’s statement may not exceed one page in
length and must address the following questions:
Do you recommend the candidate as qualified to complete the duties of a state officer?
Why or why not?
What qualities of the candidate best qualify him or her to serve as a state FFA officer?
Provide specific examples.
What challenges do you see your candidate potentially facing as a state officer?
What do you most appreciate about your candidate as a student leader?
How do you see your candidate most growing either through the state officer selection
process or through the state officer experience?
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Part V: State Officer Responsibilities
Please review the following information regarding time commitments you’ll be expected to make
in order to fulfill your state officer duties and responsibilities.
Date
April 10, 2015 (following the
final convention session)
April 14-16, 2015
April 27-28, 2015
May 12-14, 2015
May 18, 2015
Event
New State Officer Orientation and Dessert
Reception (Immediate family is invited to attend.)
State Officer Images Training
State Officer Team Training
Facilitation Training
COLT Facility Preparation
May 19-20, 2015
COLT Session 1
May 21-22, 2015
COLT Session 2
May 26-27, 2015
COLT Session 3
May 28-29, 2015
COLT Session 4
June 16-19, 2015
National Leadership Conference for State Officers
(NLCSO)
July 6-8, 2015
NPower Preparation
July 9-10, 2015
NPower Conference
July 20-24, 2015
State Presidents Conference (State President and
State Secretary only)
June, July and August 2015
Summer Chapter Events
Early August 2015
Business and Industry Visit Training and Visits
September 2015-April 2016 Weekly Team Meetings
September 3-7, 2015
State Fair
Fall 2015
Pathways to Careers Conference
District Discovery and Greenhand Leadership
Fall 2015
Experiences
October 26-October 31, 2015 National FFA Convention
November 23, 2015
Commissioner’s Recognition
Early January, 2016
International Leadership Seminar for State Officers
(ILSSO) – Optional
January 2016
Business and Industry Partner Visits
January 25, 2016
Legislative Day
January 25-March 15, 2016
Chapter Visits
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Location
Lincoln
Lincoln area
Lincoln area
Lincoln area
Aurora – The
Leadership Center
Aurora – The
Leadership Center
Aurora – The
Leadership Center
Aurora – The
Leadership Center
Aurora – The
Leadership Center
Ankeny, IA
Lincoln area
TBD
Washington, D.C.
Varies
Varies
TBD
Grand Island
TBA
TBD
Louisville, KY
Lincoln
TBA
Varies
Lincoln
TBA
Date
Spring 2016
Spring 2016
Spring 2016
April 6-8, 2016
August 2015-April 2016
August 2015-April 2016
April-May 2016
Event
State Convention Planning Meetings
Activate/Leverage Conferences and State
Convention Planning
State Officer Preliminary Interviews
State FFA Convention
Business and Industry Visits
Chapter Events
Chapter Banquets
Location
TBD
Kearney
Kearney
Lincoln
TBD
As requested
As requested
The list above does not account for additional work and preparation days needed for each of the
events included on the list. Additional events may be added to the list throughout the year.
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Part VI: State FFA Officer Personal Commitment Statement
State FFA officers are required to perform a demanding and exciting schedule. It is necessary
that those who aspire to become officers be highly qualified, able and willing to perform the
tasks associated with the role. Please read the following personal commitment statement closely. When you are fully convinced that, if elected, you will, without any reservations, be fully able
to carry out the role and responsibility of a state FFA officer, then sign and return with your state
officer application. If elected to serve Nebraska FFA as a state officer, I will: 1. Commit the time required for state officer activities. 2. Grow my knowledge of the industry of agriculture through active participation in and
research of the industry.
3. Grow my knowledge of agricultural education and FFA current events. 4. Prepare and practice to develop myself into an effective public speaker and workshop
facilitator.
5. Regularly and on time write all letters, thank you notes, reports and other correspondence
which are necessary and desirable. This includes making and returning phone calls. 6. Work constantly to improve my ability to carry on meaningful and enjoyable conversations
with individuals of all ages and walks of life. 7. Accept and seek constructive criticism and evaluation of my total performance. Evaluate
constantly my personality and attitudes making every effort to improve myself. 8. Serve as a member of the state FFA officer team, always maintaining a cooperative and
supportive attitude. 9. Take and follow instructions as directed by those responsible for me. 10. Maintain and protect my health. 11. Follow the State Officer Code of Ethics: a. To forego all alcohol and tobacco while involved in official or unofficial FFA activities
and to avoid places or activities which in anyway would raise questions about my moral
character or conduct. b. To project a positive image on any personal websites or blogs, including Facebook,
Twitter and MySpace. The following guidelines will be followed:
• Pictures—all posted pictures are appropriate, promoting positive morals and behaviors.
• Groups—any groups in which you participate should reflect a positive purpose.
• Profiles—all interests, hobbies, etc. are appropriate. c. To behave in a manner which conveys and commands respect without any air of
superiority. d. To use wholesome language in all speeches and informal conversations and to maintain
proper dress and grooming for all occasions. e. To treat all team members with respect, acceptance and understanding. f. To treat all FFA members equally and to avoid participation in any conversations which
belittle or downgrade FFA members, fellow officers or adults. 12
I have read and understand the above points. If elected to state office, I will carry out my
responsibilities in accordance with these statements and understand that I may be removed from
office at any time by the State FFA Executive Committee if I do not adhere to these established
standards for state officers. Parent or Guardian Signature
Applicant Signature
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VII: Signature Page
I understand that as a state FFA officer, I am required to devote the necessary time to complete
all required duties and responsibilities, both at specific events and in preparation and follow-up
of the respective events. I will devote the time needed to conduct the duties of a Nebraska FFA
Association state officer.
Applicant Signature
I understand that my child will be responsible for communicating with the State Officer Manager,
Anita Wollenburg, and that Anita will communicate with my child. My child is responsible for
communicating with me and that Anita will contact me if necessary.
Parent or Guardian Signature
We, the members of the FFA Chapter
recommend as a qualified state FFA officer candidate.
Chapter Officer Signature
FFA Advisor Signature
School Administrator Signature
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