March 2023 Newsletter – The Announcer

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Upcoming Section Meetings

Some of the sections are holding informational meetings this spring for members. Please contact your individual section representatives for additional information.

  • March 30 – Section 8 – 6 PM social, 6:45 dinner at Northwinds banquet hall in Marion. Meal reservations required. Meeting and auction to follow.
  • April 10 – Section 5 – Zoom meeting at 7 PM. Link available upon request.
  • April 11 – Section 10 – 6:30 PM dinner on your own, followed by 7 PM meeting at The Real McCoy’s in Whitewater.
  • April 20 – Section 9 – 6 PM meeting at Howards Gove High School.
  • April 22 – Section 1 – Time and Location to be determined.

Please note that we are still in need of volunteers to fill some open council section representative seats. The sections that have openings are section 5 and 8. Elections will be held as part of these spring meetings.

Thank you to those who currently serve the sections. They include:

  • Section 1 – Dave Clausen & Jerry Larsen
  • Section 2 – David Meyer & Agnes Buttke
  • Section 3 – Chris Blank & Derek Trescher
  • Section 4 – Rick Bockhop & Nick Huffman
  • Section 5 – Dan Ziegler
  • Section 6 – Brook Woodbury & Matt Damm
  • Section 7 – William Litzer & Mason Gukenberger
  • Section 8 – Rene’ Lehman
  • Section 9 – Missy Steffes & Nicole Wallander
  • Section 10 – Gene Hetebrueg & Jim Schneider

2023-24 Wisconsin FFA Alumni Council

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Page 2 : 2023 convention review
  • Page 3: 2023 convention continued, 2024 convention, grants, taxes, gift of blue jackets & matching grant funds.
  • Page 4: WLC scholarships & sponsorships
DOWNLOAD MARCH 2023 FULL NEWSLETTER HERE

 

The Announcer [September 2022] Newsletter

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Fall Section Meetings for Local Leaders and Members Set

The Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters Council has been working hard to be more resourceful for the local alumni chapters throughout the state. As part of our commitment to serve you, we are bringing back fall leaders meetings for each section in hopes to build connections and provide assistance. Each section may look a bit different in their meeting style, but a standard agenda will be provided for uniformity among sections. Also, many sections will be having elections for new council members, as several member’s terms have ended. If you are interested in learning more about how you can serve, or are willing to volunteer for your section, please reach out to your section reps or let Cheryl Steinbach at execdir@wisconsinffaalumni.org now.

Dates scheduled include:

  • Section 1 – Sat. Sept. 24 @ 3 PM @ Village Pizzeria in Amery
  • Section 2 – Thurs. Oct. 6 @ 7 PM @ Menomonie High School Ag Room
  • Section 3 – Wed. Sept. 21 @ 6 PM @ Whitehall High School with FFA FLW
  • Section 4 – Mon. Oct. 3 @ 5:30 PM @ Lancaster High School Ag Room with FFA FLW
  • Section 5 – Sun. Oct. 9 @ 1 PM @ Verona High School
  • Section 6 – Tuesday, Oct. 11 @ 7 PM via zoom
  • Section 7 – Was held Sat. Sept. 10 @ 6:30 PM @ Auburndale
  • Section 8 – Thurs. Oct. 20 @ @ Doc Harley Hog Barn in Bonduel. The Hog Barn is located behind the dealership and attached to the TimeLine Saloon. Social time, registration, and check in auction items will begin at 6:00 pm. 6:45 pm meal served – Broasted Chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, vegetable, coleslaw, rolls & butter, milk & coffee. 7:20 pm Business Meeting, 8:00 pm Live Auction. Reservations due Oct. 10.
  • Section 9 – Thurs. Oct. 20 @ 6 PM Social, 6:30 PM Meal, 7 PM Meeting, auction to follow @ Millhome in Kiel . We ask that all Alumni chapters provide Auction items. Please RSVP by Oct 8th to Missy Steffes @ 920-948-6034 or missysteffes@gmail.com
  • Section 10 – Wed. Oct. 12 @ 630pm with light supper and tour @ Mayville High School

IN THIS SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE:

Pg. 2 – Life Membership Campaign & Member Benefits
Pg. 3 – State Alumni Convention, Grants and Website Survey
Pg. 4 –Member Roles, Online Auction and Calendar of Events

Download Full PDF Newsletter here

Lifetime Membership Campaign Running Now

Being a lifetime member of the FFA Alumni & Supporters has added advantages for individual members, as well as FFA chapters and members throughout the state. Because of the benefits to Wisconsin we are currently running a campaign to promote lifetime membership investments.

For a one-time fee of $ 350, individuals can become a life member. $200 of that investment goes directly to National FFA, where funds are invested and then proceeds from the funds are distributed in the form of leadership dollars to our state association each year. These are the funds that we use to sponsor WLC scholarships, leadership conferences and other programs that benefit members around the state. This amounts to nearly $ 10,000 each year as we receive a percentage based on the number of lifetime members that we have. The more life members we have, the greater the funds that are dispersed to us.

The additional $ 150 from the fees are then utilized at the state level. Half of that amount is added annually to our investments, which are being grown to
help support the FFA program for decades to come and the other half is used to support our local FFA and Alumni chapters through grants, awards, and convention sponsorships. (If you have watched the state FFA convention livestream the past couple of years, this is another example of how we use the funds.)

Besides helping the state association, your lifetime membership can provide many personal benefits as well. These include being able to participate in numerous leadership and agricultural tour programs sponsored by the national FFA organization, as well as, numerous discounts at businesses. Your life membership can also earn you a $500 rebate when you purchase a Dodge/Ram vehicle, hotel and resort discounted packages, restaurant deals and so much more.

There is a Forever Blue network established that you are able to subscribe to that will regularly send you updated and current travel discount opportunities.

If you are interested in investing in a life membership please contact your local chapter leader before November 1, 2023 and for each lifetime member submitted by individual chapters, that chapter’s name will be thrown in a drawing to be announced at our annual convention in February. The winning chapter will have their annual chapter fees paid for the 2023-24 year, which is a value of $ 300. If you do not have a local chapter, but would still like to become a life member, please contact execdir@wisconsinffaalumni.org

The Announcer [November 2021] Newsletter

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Wisconsin FFA Alumni had an Awesome Year at the National Convention!

The Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association was named the Outstanding Alumni and Supporters State Association last month in Indianapolis. This is the highest honor given to an Alumni Association. We are excited that our efforts to support the local FFA Alumni chapters and Agriculture Education programs were once again recognized with such a prestigious honor.

Local FFA Alumni chapters can also receive national recognition as an Outstanding FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Alumni and Supporters was named the Central Region winner and earned a spot on the stage. We also had two wonderful Wisconsin FFA Alumni members honored at the convention with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Jeremy Krerowicz from Denmark and Melanie Huchthausen from Stoughton received this honor. Congratulations to all of the award winners!

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Pg. 2 – Convention & Hotel Info
  • Pg. 3 – Convention Info Continued
  • Pg. 4 – Business Meeting, Council & VP Open Positions, State Cash Raffle & Living to Serve Sponsorships
  • Pg. 5—Convention Registration
Download Full PDF Newsletter

 

The Announcer [July 2021] Newsletter

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Thank You 2020-21 Wisconsin State FFA Officers for your year of service in such challenging times. We look forward to your future leadership in Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters.

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Page 2: Convention continued & Membership
  • Page 3: New Sponsorship options, New Alumni chapter award, 2022 Alumni convention update & Facebook reminder.
  • Page 4: RDC Conference, National Convention, Auction upcoming & Tractor update.
  • Page 5: Commemorative Tractor Order
Download Full Newsletter PDF

Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters Active at State FFA Convention

The 92nd Wisconsin FFA convention was a great success and it was awesome to be back in person. Wisconsin FFA Alumni & Supporters provided the financial support to livestream the event for those who were unable to attend in person. If you missed it, or would like to go back and rewatch portions of the convention, you may find the session links at wisconsinffa.conferencestreamsolutions.com.

Wisconsin FFA Alumni was also active at the convention in several other ways. We conducted a workshop for FFA members and provided chaperones and helpers for several other events. Many
alumni members also served as judges for the convention. We were very excited to be back at the expo as well, meeting with FFA members to share our mission and how they can become involved.

We also held a drawing for a free FFA jacket at our booth. Not only did we sponsor the livestream for convention, we also helped to sponsor two proficiency awards that were not sponsored through the Foundation partners this year. Those areas that we sponsored were Swine Production Placement and Turf Grass Management. We were also a Gold convention sponsor, meaning that we contributed $ 5000 towards general convention expenses.

The highlight of the convention was recognizing the 2020-21 Wisconsin FFA officer team with lifetime memberships to our association, along with the retiring of the blue corduroy jackets for the alumni blazers. FFA Alumni & Supporters President Nate Zimdars addressed the convention attendees and shared the message that they are our future, as potential members, and our present, as we advocate for agricultural education and FFA.

Wisconsin FFA Alumni Council Recognized at FFA Convention

We are excited to report that a few of our FFA Alumni state council members were recognized at this years’ state FFA convention earlier in the month.

Current state FFA Alumni & Supporters President Nate Zimdars received the Honorary State FFA degree:

Past President Rudy Kaderly also received the Honorary State degree citation:

In addition, retired agriculture instructor Dan Ziegler, who now serves as one of the Section 5 representative on our council, was presented with the VIP Award:

Congratulations to all of these gentlemen, as well as the many others recognized at this years convention.

Many FFA Chapters and individuals, as well as businesses, alumni and other sponsors were all honored at the event.