Officer Application — Winter Park FFA

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Section One

About you

About 25 minutes total. Your answers save to this device as you type, so you can stop and come back. The basics first, so I can reach you and your parent about interviews.

Your full name *

Your grade this coming year *

School you're coming from *

Your email * One you actually check over the summer — not your school email.

Your cell *

Mailing address *

Parent or guardian name *

Parent cell *

Parent or guardian email *

Current GPA * Report it honestly — I verify every one before interviews.

Ag class you're taking * Not final yet? List what you requested.

Where are you with that course right now? * Being enrolled in an agriculture class all year is the one requirement that isn't negotiable. If it's not on your schedule, say so here and I will personally help you get it added — that's not a strike against you.

It's already on my schedule I've requested it and I'm waiting Not yet — I need help getting it added

Do you already have an official FFA jacket? * This is inventory, nothing else. We keep a loaner rack and we fundraise for jackets, so your answer has zero effect on whether you're selected.

Yes, I have my own No, I'll need one Not sure

Chapter t-shirt size *

Which FFA do you already have? *

FFA degrees are levels you earn as you go, a little like belts in karate. Greenhand is the first one — you learn the Creed, the emblem, and the Code of Ethics, and you turn in a short application. Most members earn it in their first year. Chapter comes next and takes real work: a running SAE, community service hours, and leading a discussion in front of people. State and American take years and are a genuinely big deal. If you're new, you have none yet — that is completely normal and it does not count against you here.

None yet — I'm new to this Discovery Degree Greenhand Degree Chapter Degree State Degree American Degree

Upload a resume Optional, but it helps the panel get to know you before interviews. PDF or Word doc.

Upload a headshot or photo Optional — a clear photo of your face, any background is fine. Helps the panel and gets used for officer materials if you're selected.

Section Two

The job you want

Not sure what these actually do? Tap any office name.

First choice office *

What each officer actually does

President — runs meetings, keeps the team pointed the same direction, speaks for the chapter.
Vice President — owns the committees and the calendar. Steps in when the president can't.
Student Advisor — ranked under the vice president. The membership's voice in the officer room and the officers' check on themselves: mentors new members, carries what the general membership is actually thinking into officer meetings, and advises the president and vice president.
Secretary — minutes, membership roster, correspondence. The chapter's memory.
Treasurer — the money: dues, fundraisers, the budget, the receipts.
Reporter — social media, the newsletter, photos, the school announcements. Our public voice.
Sentinel — the room itself: setup, cleanup, greeting people at the door, making sure a new kid isn't standing alone.
Historian — builds the record of a chapter that has no history yet. You're literally writing page one.
Parliamentarian — keeps meetings orderly and fair using parliamentary procedure, the rulebook for how groups make decisions.
Chaplain — leads the chapter's moment of reflection and looks out for the team's morale and wellbeing.

Three committee chairs run the chapter's actual program of work. Each owns one division of the National Chapter Award, which is the standard every FFA chapter in the country is measured against:

Growing Leaders Chair — everything aimed at the members themselves: leadership training, scholarship, healthy living, personal growth, career readiness.
Building Communities Chair — everything aimed outward: service, environmental work, citizenship, community partnerships, economic development.
Strengthening Agriculture Chair — everything aimed at the industry: advocacy, agricultural literacy, safety, recruitment, and our support groups.

A fourth working seat covers what this chapter needs on the ground day to day:

Barn Manager & Livestock Committee Chair — barn upkeep, feeding schedules, and coordinating the students carrying market and breeding projects this year.

These are not junior offices. A chair plans and documents real events, and their work is what a National Chapter Award application is built from.

Check every office you'd be willing to serve in * Checking more does not hurt your chances. It helps me build the strongest team.

President Vice President Student Advisor Secretary Treasurer Reporter Sentinel Historian Parliamentarian Chaplain Growing Leaders Chair Building Communities Chair Strengthening Agriculture Chair Barn Manager & Livestock Committee Chair

Why that office in particular? What about the job fits you? *

If you're not picked for an office, would you serve on a committee? *

Yes, absolutely Yes, depending on the committee No

Section Three

Your story

These are the ones that actually decide it. A solid paragraph each is plenty — honest beats impressive, every time.

Why do you want to be an officer of Winter Park FFA? *

This chapter starts at zero. What do you want it to look like in three years — and what will you personally do to get it there? *

Tell me about a time you did something that needed doing without being asked or reminded. *

Describe a time you disagreed with someone on a team. What did you actually do? *

A freshman walks into their first meeting knowing nobody. What do you do? *

Name one person you'd bring into this chapter — and how you'd actually get them to show up. *

What are you not good at yet that this job would force you to get better at? * There's no wrong answer here and I'm not looking for a humble brag. Nervous about public speaking is a real and common answer.

Officers show up when it's inconvenient — early mornings, weekends, jobs nobody wants. Tell me about a commitment you kept when it got hard. *

Section Four

Your time

Be straight with me here. I'd rather know in July than find out in October.

Everything else you're committed to * Sports, band, clubs, a job, church, watching younger siblings — all of it.

Which of those will collide with FFA, and how will you handle it? *

Dates you are not available for the officer retreat and planning meetings * No conflicts? Just write "no conflicts."

Section Five

Your record

This replaces the paper résumé. "Nothing yet" is a perfectly acceptable answer anywhere on this page.

Ag and FFA activities, contests, honors Includes , fairs, shows, camps, conventions. New to this? Write "none yet."

CDE stands for Career Development Event — a team competition in an actual ag skill, like livestock judging, forestry, floriculture, or ag mechanics. LDE is a Leadership Development Event — the speaking and meeting-running side of it, like public speaking, job interview, or parliamentary procedure. Most people call both of them "contests."

Any speaking or leadership contests you competed in last year

School and community activities, honors, leadership — outside of FFA * Sports, clubs, student government, NHS, church, volunteering, scouts. Include the years.

Your job and your

SAE means Supervised Agricultural Experience — your own hands-on ag project outside of class. It counts whether it's raising a show animal, working at a nursery or vet clinic, growing something to sell, running a lawn business, or a research project. If you don't have one, that's what your first year is for. Just tell me what you'd want to start.

A teacher, coach, or boss who'll vouch for you * Anyone but me.

Their email *

Section Six

What this actually requires

Read this part with your parent before you check anything. Nothing here is a surprise later. Everything below is also spelled out on the chapter handbook page.

What the interview on August 19 is actually like

Interviews run after school on Wednesday, August 19, starting at 2:00. You will sit down with a panel — industry professionals and school administrators asking you questions together, rather than one person across a desk. That sounds more intimidating than it is. They are not trying to trip you up; they are trying to find out who you are.

Part one: your speech. Up to five minutes, prepared ahead of time. Two or three minutes is plenty — five is a ceiling, not a target, and nobody has ever been marked down for finishing early. Cover who you are, why you want this office, and what you would do with it.

Part two: questions. The panel asks you a round of questions and you answer them. There is no trick question. "I don't know, but here's how I'd find out" is a genuinely good answer.

The whole thing is short. Wear Official Dress if you have it; if you don't have a jacket yet, dress nicely and that is completely fine — it is not part of the scoring.

What actually helps: practice your speech out loud at least twice, to a person, not a mirror. That is the entire preparation secret.

Official Dress is required — here’s exactly what that means and what it costs

Official Dress is mandatory for officers. Not encouraged, not preferred — required, at every competition, banquet, and formal chapter function. It is the same nationwide, and it is part of why this organization looks the way it does.

The official FFA jacket — blue corduroy, with your name and chapter on it. Worn zipped all the way to the top, collar down, cuffs buttoned.
A white collared shirt or blouse, plus the official FFA tie or the official FFA scarf.
Black slacks with black socks, or a black skirt with black nylons.
Black dress shoes with a closed heel and closed toe. This is the one everybody gets wrong — no sandals, no open-toe flats, no boots. Check before contest day, not the morning of.

Official garb of a recognized religion may be worn with Official Dress, and so may any personal protective equipment a contest requires.

Ordering: jackets are ordered at ShopFFA.org. Pick your size first — if you don't know it yet, stop and come try one on with Dr. Paterson before ordering, since official jackets cannot be returned, exchanged, or credited. Then add to cart and click "Click Here to Personalize": enter chapter number FL0096 (auto-fills the state/chapter back lettering), advisor name Amy Paterson, and the student's name on Front Line 1. Leave the second "Back Chapter Name Line" field blank. Full instructions are on the Program page.

Cost: the jacket runs about $75. The rest you may already own, and black pants and a white shirt are cheap.

Nobody misses out over money. We fundraise for jackets and we keep a loaner rack. If cost is a concern for your family, apply anyway and email me — that conversation stays between us.

Day to day, officers wear a chapter polo and khakis. Much less formal.

I understand officers are responsible for all of the following *

Getting and wearing Official Dress at official events A chapter polo and khakis for regular events Arranging rides to meetings and events Attending chapter events and the banquet A prepared speech of up to five minutes at a panel interview

The FFA Code of Ethics — read before agreeing below

I'll conduct myself so as to be a credit to this organization, chapter, school, and community by: dressing appropriately for the occasion; respecting the rights of others and being courteous; being honest and not taking unfair advantage of anyone; respecting other people's property; being mindful of how I speak to and about others; avoiding loud, boisterous talk, swearing, and unbecoming conduct; showing good sportsmanship in the show ring and in contests; arriving to meetings on time and respecting others' opinions; following proper order of business; taking pride in this organization and in agriculture; sharing what I learn; building my skills toward a career; and appreciating and promoting diversity in this organization.

The officer agreement — check every line * This is the paper contract you'd have initialed line by line.

I'll give this chapter real priority in my schedule when it counts. I'll attend officer meetings and chapter events unless it's cleared ahead of time. One unexcused absence is a warning; two can cost me the office. I'll be at the officer retreat. I'll work as a team with the other officers, even the ones I don't know yet. I'll follow the Code of Ethics above and all school and district policies. I'll be a role model — in person and online. I'll take on the full duties of whatever office I hold. I'll work the fundraisers. I'll help with setup and cleanup, including the banquet. I'll answer messages promptly and keep it positive. I'll stay enrolled in an ag course all year. I'll keep my grades and eligibility where they need to be. I understand that not doing these things can cost me the office.

Section Seven

Signatures

Typing your name here counts as your signature.

Student — type your full name * By typing your name, you're agreeing to the Code of Ethics and the officer agreement.

Parent or guardian — type your full name * By typing your name, you confirm you've read the requirements and the agreement, you give permission for your child to run for office, and you'll support the time commitment.

Today's date *

Photo permission * Our reporter posts photos from events on @winterparkffa and in the chapter newsletter. Parent or guardian, please choose one. Saying no does not affect selection at all.

Yes — my child may appear in chapter photos and video Group photos only — no close-ups, no names No — please keep my child out of posted photos

Interviews start at 2:00 on August 19. Which slot works best? * I'll confirm your exact time by email.

2:00 – 2:30 2:30 – 3:00 3:00 – 3:30 Any time after 2:00

Does a 2:00 interview create a conflict for you? *

No, 2:00 works Yes — I have a conflict

If so, what is it? Tell me what it is and I'll try to work around your schedule. Practice, a job, a ride, picking up a sibling — whatever it is, say it. This has no effect on selection.

How did you hear about this? * Check everything that applies. This genuinely helps me know where to put my effort next year.

My middle school ag teacher or FFA chapter A Winter Park teacher or counselor Instagram A flyer or poster at school Morning announcements A friend A parent or family member

Anything else I should know?