Sample Constitution and Bylaws

The following is a model constitution and bylaws designed after the National FFA Alumni Constitution which may be used as a guide by local FFA Alumni affiliates. Certain alternate possibilities have been suggested. You may add, delete or modify to make it functional for your local conditions.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF THE (name of local) FFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

Section A. The name of the organization shall be the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

Section B. The purpose of this organization shall be:

1. To support and promote the FFA organization, FFA activities and agricultural education on local, state and national levels.
2. To provide a tie to the FFA and to assist FFA and agricultural education personnel to involve former members and others interested in supporting worthy activities.
3. To promote greater knowledge of the agricultural industry and support education in agriculture.
4. To cooperate with the (name of local) FFA chapter, Michigan FFA Alumni Association and National FFA Alumni Association.
5. To promote and maintain an appreciation of the American free enterprise system.
6. To promote the personal development aspect of the FFA.

ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATION

Section A. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Association is a chartered affiliate of the Michigan FFA Alumni Association which is chartered by the National FFA Alumni Association.

Section B. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Association accepts in full the provisions in the constitution and bylaws of the Michigan FFA Alumni Association and the National FFA Alumni Association.

Section C. The area to be served by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Affiliate shall be (describe).

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section A. Membership shall be open to former active, collegiate and honorary FFA members, present and former professional agricultural educators and parents of FFA members and others interest in the FFA, upon payment of dues.

ARTICLE IV. EMBLEM

Section A. The gold FFA emblem with the word "Alumni" below it shall serve as the emblem of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BODY

Section A. The executive body of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council.

Section B. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall consist of (number) persons. (Adapt to local conditions.)The (number) council members shall consist of the following:

1. (Number) persons shall be elected-at-large by the membership. (and/or)
2. (Number) representative(s) from: (consideration may be given to geographic location of residence, age, occupation, organization membership, length of residence in community, parents or non-parents.)
3. The current chairman of the (name of local) FFA chapter Alumni Relations Committee.
4. The immediate past FFA chapter president.
5. The past FFA Alumni president and the local FFA advisor(s) shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting member(s).

Section C. All members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council must be active members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association, with the exception of the current FFA chapter representative and immediate past FFA chapter officer, and shall serve two year terms on a staggered basis.

Section D. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall elect annually a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer from the council membership. The treasurer's books should be audited annually by a qualified person.

Section E. Duties of the officers shall be consistent with those usually appertaining to these positions. (Additional officers may be added if necessary.)

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section A. The (name of local) FFA Alumni Council shall meet (number) times per year. Additional meetings may be called by the president or by a majority of the council members upon petition to the secretary.

Section B. There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association. Additional membership meetings may be called by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council. (The annual meeting might be held in conjunction with or immediately following the local FFA banquet.)

ARTICLE VII. DUES

Section A. The annual dues of the (name of local) FFA Alumni shall be recommended by the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council and fixed by a majority vote of members present at the annual meeting. State and national dues must be paid on a calendar membership year basis for all active FFA Alumni members. No member shall by considered an active member and in good standing unless full dues are paid.

PROPOSED (name of local) FFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

ARTICLE I.

Section A. These bylaws shall be considered a part of the constitution of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE II. LOCATION OF THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE

Section A. The principal office of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be located at (consideration should be given to a place that will not change regularly.)

ARTICLE III. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION OF (name of local) FFA ALUMNI COUNCIL

Section A. The (number) members of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council that are selected from the membership-at-large shall be elected by vote at the annual meeting. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote. (Consideration should be given to ensure that terms are staggered.)

Section B. The (number) representatives from each of the following areas (same as constitution) shall be elected by vote at the annual meeting. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to vote. (Consideration should be given to ensure that terms are staggered.)

Section C. The current FFA chapter representative and the immediate past FFA chapter officer shall serve as members of the council by virtue of their positions. The local FFA advisor and past council president shall serve as ex-officio non-voting members.

Section D. All voting council members, other than those provided for in Section B, and C shall serve a (number of years) year term.

Section E. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the (name of local) FFA Alumni Council, other than the expiration of their terms of office, the local FFA Alumni Council shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of office.

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES OF THE ALUMNI COUNCIL

Section A. It shall be the duty of the FFA Alumni council to direct the operation of the association in accordance with its constitutional purposes. It shall be responsible for planning the programs and activities in which it is advisable for the association to participate.

Section B. The FFA Alumni may appoint such committees necessary to further the work of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association.

ARTICLE V. TIME OF MEETINGS

Section A. The annual meeting and other necessary meetings of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be held at such time as may be prescribed by the local FFA Alumni council. The annual meeting shall be held prior to the annual state meeting at a time either in correlation with the local FFA chapter banquet or some other appropriate time.

ARTICLE VI. FISCAL YEAR

Section A. The fiscal year of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association shall be (Michigan FFA Alumni's fiscal year is September 1 through August 31) each year.

Section B. Books and records of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association may be inspected by any member or his agent or attorney at any reasonable time.

Section C. There shall be an annual audit of the (name of local) FFA Alumni Association. The treasurer, or anyone authorized to handle and account for funds, should be bonded in sufficient amount to protect the FFA Alumni association.