Waterford FFA - How to Join
 |
Membership in the Waterford FFA can provide a student with opportunities that few if any other student organizations can match. Membership is relatively simple and straightforward but it can be daunting on the first try. If you have any questions at any point, do not hesitate to contact Mr. Kohn in Rm 209 or email at ckohn@waterforduhs.k12.wi.us. You can also call at 534-3189 x 7309.
Return to Ag Sciences Homepage
Table of Contents
Overview and How to Get Started
Overview & How to Get Started
Joining the FFA is pretty simple. There are only a few things you need to do:
- Complete and submit the Membership Application.
- Pay your $20 dues* in the Ag Office, Rm 209.
- Complete all required paperwork for the school (see Ms. Dummer in the activity office in the locker room hallway). You are required to pay a $20 activity for taking part in an extracurricular at WUHS (this is a one-time fee that covers all organizations - if you've already paid it, you're set).
- Enroll in an agricultural sciences course or complete an SAE project.
- Stay active in the FFA by attending chapter meetings, participating in activities, and selling fruit in November.
*Note: students enrolled in Agriscience are not required to pay dues. They are still required to pay the $20 activity fee.
FFA Membership Application
The Waterford FFA Membership Application can be accessed by clicking here: Membership Application. This is the first step towards membership and is relatively short (10 questions).
This form is necessary for us to acquire the necessary information to include students as members. FFA is unique in that it is a federally-run program through the US Department of Education. Because of this, we have to keep accurate data on all members. You will not receive SPAM or unwanted mail as part of your membership - this information is simply needed for management of the program.
Please make sure all information is accurate and entered correctly - if you enter your contact information incorrectly, you will not receive the newsletter, notices, or announcements.
The 9th question asks you to describe your SAE - this is simply the personal project you have or intend to have that is related to ag or biosciences. This can be anything ranging from a hobby to a job to a project. It simply has to be ag or science-related and has to occur outside of regular class hours.
The last question asks for activities you might like to be a part of in the FFA. This is not a sign-up for these activities; rather, it is simply a way for the officer team and advisor to gauge what activities to promote to which people based on their responses.
NOTE: Keep in mind that Waterford Union High School has requirements for involvement in any activity or sport, including a code of conduct. Please visit Ms. Dummer in the Activities Office for more details.
FFA Dues
Because the FFA is a federally-run program, it does require some funding. Some of this funding comes from the FFA members themselves as part of their dues. For each FFA member, the Waterford FFA Chapter is required to pay money to the state and national associations. Any remaining money covers local operating costs and member T-shirts. No one profits off of these dues - all money is returned to members through services provided to the FFA.
Dues can be paid by check or by cash. Checks can be made out to "Waterford FFA". All money should be paid in the Ag Office in Rm 209.
NOTE: members enrolled in the Agriscience course are not required to pay dues and are automatically enrolled as members of the Waterford FFA.
FFA Involvement
Once a member has completed the membership application, paid their dues, and completed all related paperwork for the school, they are officially considered members of the FFA at the local, state, and national levels.
Members are encouraged to be as active as possible in their own areas of interest. All members should attend the monthly Chapter FFA Meetings, held the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Rm 209. Members should read the monthly newsletter (if you do not receive one within a month of completing your membership application, please contact Mr.Kohn).
The annual FFA Fruit Sale, held each November, is the primary source of funding for the FFA. The Waterford FFA does not receive any direct financial support from the school or other government agencies and is financially independent from the school. For this reason, it is especially important that every FFA member contributes by participating in the Fruit Sale fundraiser. Our goal is for each FFA member to sell at least $250 in fruit (roughly 10 boxes). Remember, every FFA members receives 10% of their sales or more!
Other than meetings and the fruit sale, there are no mandatory events in the FFA. It is the responsibility and privilege of every FFA member to find and explore their own personal areas of interest. Whether it be showing at a fair, participating in the WIHA Equestrian team, conducting scientific research, working in environmental service, completing community service, participating in the public speaking competitions, serving as an officer, or any other of hundred opportunities available, FFA members should seek out the activities that interest them the most. For a summary of the activities available in the FFA, visit the FFA Activities Page.
Misc.
Please read a few extra details regarding FFA membership below:
- FFA is a student-run organization. This means that the students are in charge! If there is an activity that you want the FFA to have, speak with the officer team in order to have it brought up as a motion at a monthly chapter meeting.
- All FFA members who wish to show at the county or state fair are required to participate in at least 15 FFA events. At least 4 of these 15 events must be FFA meetings.
- FFA Members who have graduated high school are not required to complete 15 events to show at the fair.
- Students can be FFA Members up until their second National FFA Convention after graduation (this usually means that students can be FFA members for two years after graduation).
- Students who violate the WUHS Code of Conduct will be subject to suspension from FFA Activities. These violations are handled on a case-by-case basis; decisions regarding activity involvement are made jointly between the Activities Director (Mr. Blair) and FFA Advisor (Mr. Kohn).
Additional Links
|
What is FFA?
How to Join
Activities
Calendar of Events
Fair Exhibitor Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications
Scientific Research & Experimentation
Travel & Conferences
FFA Newsletter
 |