Official Ffa Ceremonies Opening Ceremony
Official FFA Ceremonies - Opening Ceremony
Official FFA ceremonies are a source of pride, identity and tradition among FFA members and chapters.
Ceremonies emphasize the purpose of meetings, the duties of officers and the significance of recognition given to
individuals.
All official FFA ceremonies are to be memorized, rehearsed and conducted with pride and dignity. A "walk-
through" in the room where the meeting, banquet or special function is to be held will ensure a smooth
performance if proper physical arrangements are complete and all parties know their responsibilities and
speaking assignments. Never forget that you and your chapter are on display. Your performance should reflect
sincerity and leadership.
Use correct terminology according to gender. For example, use "madam president" in addressing a female
president. Often it is possible to replace gender specific terms with non-sexist language, i.e. Mary Smith
presiding; Fred Jones presiding.
Opening Ceremony
Opening the Meeting
(When the time set for the opening of the meeting arrives, the president, after quietly arranging for any
necessary officer substitutions, rises, raps for attention, secures order, and proceeds as indicated below. The
other officers rise as called upon by the vice president, and remain standing until seated by the president.)
President:
"The (meeting room, banquet hall, etc.) will come to order. We are now holding a meeting of the (chapter,
district, etc.) FFA (chapter, district, etc.)
Mr./Mdm. Vice President, are all officers at their stations?"
Vice President: (Rising and facing the president) "I shall call the roll of officers, determine if they are at their
stations and report back to you, Mr./Mdm. President."
Vice President: (Calling roll of officers) "The sentinel."
Sentinel: "Stationed by the door."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Sentinel: "Through this door pass many friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see that the door is open to our
friends at all times and that they are welcome. I care for the meeting room and paraphernalia. I strive to keep
the room comfortable and assist the president in maintaining order."
Vice President: "The reporter."
Reporter: "The reporter is stationed by the flag."
Vice President: "Why by the flag?"
Reporter: "As the flag covers the United States of America, so I strive to inform the people in order that every
man, woman and child may know that the FFA is a national organization that reaches from the state of Alaska to
Puerto Rico and from the state of Maine to Hawaii."
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Vice President: "The treasurer."
Treasurer: "Stationed at the emblem of Washington."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Treasurer: "I keep a record of receipts and disbursements just as Washington kept his farm accounts—carefully
and accurately. I encourage thrift among the members and strive to build up our financial standing through
savings and investments. George Washington was better able to serve his country because he was financially
independent."
Vice President: "The secretary."
Secretary: "Stationed by the ear of corn."
Vice President: "Your duties there?"
Secretary: "I keep an accurate record of all meetings and correspond with other secretaries wherever corn is
grown and FFA members meet."
Vice President: "The advisor."
Advisor: "Here by the owl."
Vice President: "Why stationed by the owl?"
Advisor: "The owl is a time-honored emblem of knowledge and wisdom. Being older than the rest of you, I am
asked to advise you from time to time, as the need arises. I hope that my advice will always be based on true
knowledge and ripened with wisdom.
"Mr./Mdm. Vice President, why do you keep a plow at your station?"
Vice President: "The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil. Without labor, neither knowledge nor
wisdom can accomplish much. My duties require me to assist at all times in directing the work of our
organization. I preside over meetings in the absence of our president, whose place is beneath the rising sun."
Advisor: "Why is the president so stationed?"
Vice President: "The rising sun is the token of a new era in agriculture. If we will follow the leadership of our
president, we shall be led out of the darkness of selfishness and into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood and
cooperation. Mr./Mdm. President, all officers are at their stations.
President: (Rises and faces the vice president) "Thank you, Mr./Mdm. Vice President." (All take seats at tap of
gavel.) "The secretary will call the roll of members."
Secretary: "There are .......... members and ............ guests present, Mr./Mdm. President."
President: "Thank you. FFA members, why are we here?" (All members stand at 3 taps of gavel.)
All members in unison: "To practice brotherhood, honor agricultural opportunities and responsibilities, and
develop those qualities of leadership which an FFA member should possess." (All are seated at 1 tap of gavel.)
President: "May we accomplish our purposes. I now declare this meeting of the (chapter, district, etc) FFA
(chapter, district, etc) duly opened for the transaction of business, or attention to any matters which may
properly be presented."
(Proceed with the regular order of business)
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Document Outline
