Leadership Conference Updates
Greenhand Leadership Conference registration was available to each chapter and packaged in a way that allowed teachers to fit the modules into their class plans and adapt to classroom or distance learning. Usually, this conference is held in thirty locations throughout the state. This year over 250 chapters have participated in the relaunched freshman program.
Made for Excellence, aimed at sophomores, and Advance Leadership Academy, aimed at juniors, conferences were offered to students over three weekends in March with over four hundred student registrations for each weekend. These conferences provided connection via Zoom and were very well received by teachers and students.
Change Makers Summit is scheduled two times this calendar year; once for outgoing seniors in April and August for incoming seniors.
Each conference will occur in person once travel is allowed and will continue to offer a virtual component. Virtual formats increase participation and inclusion for all California FFA members.
Connection to Membership
Sectional Leadership nights were a new look at a traditional program. Typically, State Officers travel to a section within California FFA and meet with the affiliated chapters. This year the State Officer Team conducted virtual sessions with all 338 chapters over three months. The feedback has been positive and enthusiastic.
In March, the California FFA Foundation sponsored a fun run called 5K for FFA, which took place over eight days and encouraged students, families, and businesses to get outside and move. Special pricing for chapters lowered the cost to $10 per runner. The inaugural event included over 1,300 participants and 54 chapters.
The California FFA Foundation also supports scholarships for graduating students, judging for regional and state contests and awards for regional and state competitions.
The organization's website was redesigned this year and includes many resources for students and teachers, event updates, livestock insurance for animal projects, and a dashboard for ag educators with outstanding invoices, deadlines, and news.
