By MEGGIE. I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Blue corduroy jackets will soon fill the velvet seats of Elliott Hall of Music on the campus of Purdue University as the 81st annual Indiana State FFA Convention kicks off June 14-16.
“We are very excited to see the FFA members that we’ve seen throughout the past year,” said 2009-10 State FFA President Travis Martin of Dearcreek, Ind. and past member of the Carroll at Flora FFA Chapter. “We want to make it the best we can because this is really their convention.
All in all, Martin is pretty confident that Hoosier FFA members will be pleased with the line-up of workshops and activities planned for the 2010 convention.
Besides a completely new stage set-up from previous years, additional entertainment opportunities in the form of a laser light show during the first and third sessions on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, Martin highlighted a series of new leadership workshops offered at this year’s convention. Members will have the opportunity to attend workshops on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
“We try to place the workshops when members aren’t as busy so they have the opportunity to attend the ones that interest them,” added Martin.
Firstly, Elanco Animal Health will offer a session to encourage teamwork with a focus on enticing chapter members to participate. While Risk Management has planned a simulation, where FFA members will be asked to make a decision based on a specific scenario they are given. Once a decision is formulated, the simulation generates the associated risks and opportunities to give chapter members a better look at the bigger picture in decision-making, according to Martin.
Also, current National FFA Western Region Vice President Randa Braune will present a workshop during the annual convention. Braune’s leadership session will focus on staying true to yourself. In addition, Braune serves as a keynote speaker during the fifth and final session of the State Convention on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Former Oklahoma State FFA President Rhett Laubach, a professional and personal insight expert, as well as current owner of YourNextSpeaker, LLC will also present a workshop for Indiana FFA members and kickoff convention festivities with a keynote address during the first general session Monday at 7 p.m.
Besides providing an entertaining address sure to generate roars of laughter across Elliott Hall, Laubach will discuss the importance and effect of making an impact in local communities, said Martin.
While not presenting a workshop, Sam Glenn will keep the ball rolling during the second general session at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Glenn, a professional speaker will present his well-received Kick in your Attitude message, while incorporating a chalk painting into his keynote, as he has done with more than two million people and audiences as large as 75,000 in nearly every industry.
Martin expects nearly 3,500 FFA members, guests, parents and foundation sponsors to attend the annual State Convention. Additionally, he noted that 369 members will receive the coveted Hoosier FFA Degree this year. Also, throughout the five general sessions, state winners in proficiency areas and winners from Career Development Events will be credited on stage for their success. During the final session on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. the new state officer team made of up of seven of the most outstanding FFA leaders in the state will be inducted to serve during the 2010-2011 school year.
In the next several days, Martin and his fellow state officers, who began planning for the big convention during a retreat in February, will soon conclude their service for the state FFA organization. However, Martin said “my time with FFA is not finished yet.
“I have really enjoyed getting to meet members from across the state, building many new relationships and new friendships along the way,” he explained.
“I want to continue that influence and look forward to connecting with more FFA members, while reflecting on the new friends that I made through this opportunity.”
After Martin presents his retiring address and passes the gavel to the incoming 2010-2011 state president, he will prepare for his first year in college at Purdue University, where he plans to major in agricultural economics.
Future plans for the soon-to-be former state president include absorbing the college experience, continuing his FFA involvement and finding a career in ag business.
Besides Martin, additional members of the state officer team include: Emmy Kratz, state northern-region vice president; Heidi Melton, state reporter; Daniel Bechman, state treasurer; Kyle Malcolm, state sentinel; Joe Rust, state southern-region vice president and Blaire Boyer, state secretary.
For more details and final results after the convention, visit www.indianaffa.org |
