This month, the state officer team traveled up and down the coast of California, meeting FFA members, visiting chapters, and enjoying many unique experiences along the way! Our month started in the South Coast Region, visiting more outstanding chapters and sharing leadership development workshops with FFA members. Next, we traveled up to Santa Rosa where our team participated in one of the North Coast Region’s Sectional Leadership Nights.
From Santa Rosa, we made our way over to Hollister for the South Coast Region’s Chapter Officer Leadership Conference (COLC) to help FFA members build their future with the region’s theme, “Construct Your Path.” Our team enjoyed a full day of workshops filled with life knowledge, leadership skills, and South Coast Region fun. Next, our travels continued down the coast to Pismo Beach where we enjoyed sand, sunshine, and the epitome of supreme California weather. Soon, it was time to continue our travels along the California coastline. Five hours later, we arrived at the home of three California state officers—the Southern Region!
Chapter visits combined with the Southern Region’s COLC made up much of our time in the southern part of the state. Our team enjoyed the different aspects of agriculture the sunny Southern Region has to offer. We ended the month by traveling back north, this time to Rio Vista, for another North Coast Region Sectional Leadership Night. This was the final Sectional Leadership Night hosted by the North Coast Region. The region’s theme “Beyond Capable,” highlights the positive attitude and determination of their FFA members.
Most recently, our officer team boarded a plane destined for the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, where we served as national delegates representing California. Our state representation included 46 national delegates who proudly served and represented California Association FFA at the national level. Being a delegate includes participating and presiding over committee meetings and business sessions. Delegates share ideas for moving the organization forward, which culminates with recommendations presented to the National FFA Board of Directors. According to Nico Donati from the Gridley FFA Chapter, serving as a delegate is a meaningful FFA experience. “The delegate process is really interesting to me,” said Donati. “We’re all learning so much about the issues affecting FFA and what kind of difference we can make on a national level.” In the past, adopted recommendations have altered the opening ceremony script and official dress. Only time will tell what impact our delegates will have in 2022.
