Team Goals and LDE Time!

College Station was my next destination as I headed down to Aggieland. Now on our team we are all responsible for a certain team goal. Each member is held accountable for following through and making sure that our team goal is carried out. This year I am in charge of the team goal, Promotion of our program through website and video. Our team has come up with several ideas of how to promote the FFA through technology and through media. Throughout the year our team has been capturing video footage of our travel experiences as State Officers in hopes to compose a video at the end of the year. We are trying to establish a video that everyone will be able to view expressing our journey as State Officers. Making sure this goal is successful is not a one man job, so I have had the privilege of working with Texas FFA Foundation Director, Aaron Alejandro. We have been working on a new idea of putting the video on the FFA website so those interested in running for State Officer can see more of what we get to do as an officer, or the general public who is interested in what State Officers for the Texas FFA are able to do can view the material as well. This week I have been working on capturing and editing our video footage for the first half of the year. Other ideas of how we plan to implement video technology include video footage of contests and providing classrooms with a copy of a DVD of what each contest consists of. Whether we are traveling are sitting at a computer behind a desk there are always ways to promote our organization and look for better ways to improve the FFA. Allowing the general public to see actual material of what goes on in our travels as well as at contests, camps, and conventions draws more supporters, and allows for more knowledge of our organization. The weekend finally rolled around and I was headed back to Stephenville to Tarleton State University who was hosting the Area IV Leadership Development Event contests. I arrived Saturday at the contest site, and as I was sitting and talking with FFA members, there was a part of me that wishes I still had the ability to stand in that room full of judges and recite the FFA Creed, or compete in one more Chapter Conducting contest, or walk up to the front and receive that blue and gold banner just one more time. It was a humorous view but yet a joy getting to witness the numerous members chomping on their fingernails, and wiggling around in their seats nervously anticipating the results, as I could tell how passionate each student was about their contest. The nerves, excitement, and butterflies in your stomach shows just how much you care about what you are competing in.
Regardless of the results from your past competitions, I challenge each student to do one thing, plan your work, and most importantly work your plan. With all placings and banners put aside, I challenge each member to plan to have a successful year in whatever activities you might be involved in and to follow through with that plan and regardless if are are advancing to the next level of competition or not, if each member does that, I promise you will have a tremendous year!

Week 9!

This past week, all of the officers were given the first two days off for rest and recovery. National Convention was awesome and a great experience, but wore us down a little bit as well. After almost five straight weeks of traveling without being home, I was finally able to head to Stephenville for a few days to see the family. The entire officer team has been very blessed to have the awesome opportunity to serve our state for a year; however it is enjoyable to take time off and visit the ones who helped bring us here. Monday through Wednesday I was able to stay in Stephenville, visit and hangout with my family, as well as meet up with some old high school buddies. After a few days of rest, relaxation, and recuperation, it was time to start back to work. Saturday, I was invited alongside Alli to attend Area III Greenhand Camp located at Caney Creek High School. Thursday Alli and I prepared material on what we would go over during the camp, and Friday we were able to meet and discuss exactly what we would present the following day. Saturday morning we were up early and headed to Conroe for the Greenhand Camp. It was awesome to see the turnout of students at an FFA activity on a Saturday. All the students present truly wanted to be at the camp and already had passion for the FFA. The majority of the greenhand students were freshman and this was their beginning impression on what the FFA was. I was able to sit through the Area III officer’s workshops and interact one-on-one with numerous members. After the workshop period was concluded we grabbed a quick lunch and prepared for our presentation. Alli and I delivered a presentation revolving around the camp’s theme, Transformers. We discussed transformation in our lives that we experienced through the FFA, and to get involved because there is so much more than just “meets the eye.” After we wrapped up our segment, we were able to listen to remarks from newly elected National FFA Officer, Randa Braune. The camp was concluded and after taking a few pictures, we hopped in the truck and headed back home. Once again seeing hundreds of young students that look up to you and the leadership and standards that you hold yourself to reminded me of my purpose for being an officer. “It’s all about them” is what I continue to tell myself towards our year of service. It’s about the over 63,000 members in the Texas FFA, the 1,300+ agriculture teachers that dedicate their lives and professions to the Texas FFA, the 9 other state officers on my team that join me in a year of service to the Texas FFA, the staff that works for this great organization, and of course the hundreds of volunteers and supporters that are involved in this organization as well. A third of our year as a state officer is almost up and I can honestly say that it has been everything I could have asked for and wanted so far, and some more. As we wrap up the week, our thoughts and prayers continue to go out towards Kooter, the Booker FFA, and the friends and family of him as well. We’re all pulling for you bud!!