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<i>bang, bang</i> The convention hall will come[br]to order.

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We're now holding the first general[br]session of the 89th national FFA

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convention and expo.[br]Madam Vice President,

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are all officers at their stations?

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VP: I shall call the role of officers[br]to determine if they are at their stations

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and report back to you, Madam President.[br]The Sentinel

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Sentinel: Stationed by the door.[br]VP: Your duties there?

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Sentinel: Through this door passed many[br]friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see

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that the door is opened to our friends at [br]all times. And that they are welcome.

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I care for the meeting room and the [br]paraphernalia. I strive to keep the room

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comfortable, and assist the president in[br]maintaining order.

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VP: The Reporter.

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Reporter: The Reporter is stationed by the [br]flag.

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VP: Why by the flag?[br]Reporter: As the flag covers the

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United States of America, so I strive to [br]inform the people in order that every man

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woman, and child may know. That the FFA[br]is a national organization that reaches

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from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico.[br]And from the State of Maine to Hawaii.

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VP: The Treasurer

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Treasurer: Stationed at the emblem of [br]Washington.

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VP: Your duties there?[br]Treasurer: I keep a record of receipts and

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disbursements. Just as Washington kept his[br]farm and house.

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Carefully and accurately. I encourage [br]thrift among the members and strive

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to build up our financial standing[br]through savings and investments.

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George Washington was better able to[br]serve his country because he was

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financially independent.[br]VP: The Secretary

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Secretary: Stationed by the ear of corn.[br]VP: Your duties there?

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Secretary: I keep an accurate record of [br]all meetings and correspond with other

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secretaries. Wherever corn is grown,[br]FFA members meet.

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VP: The Advisor[br]Advisor: Here by the owl.

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VP: Why stationed by the owl?[br]Advisor: The owl is a time honored

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emblem of knowledge and wisdom.[br]Being older than the rest of you,

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I'm asked to advise you from time to time[br]as the need arises.

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I hope that my advice will always be based[br]on true knowledge and ripened with

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wisdom. Madame Vice President,[br]why do you keep a plow at your station?

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VP: The plow is the symbol of labor and[br]tilling of the soil.

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Without labor, neither knowledge nor [br]wisdom can accomplish much.

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My duties require me to assist at all [br]times in directing the work of our

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organization. I preside over meetings[br]in the absence of our president who's

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placed beneath the rising sun.

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Advisor: Why is the president so [br]stationed?

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VP: The rising sun is a token of a new era[br]in agriculture.

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If we will follow the leadership of our [br]president, we shall be led out of the

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darkness of selfishness, into the [br]glorious sunlight of brotherhood

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and cooperation. Madam President, [br]all officers are at their stations.

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President: Thank you Madam Vice [br]President. <i>bang</i>

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The secretary will call the role of[br]members.

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Secretary: I'm pleased to announce that[br]at this, the first general session,

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of the 89th National FFA Convention[br]and Expo, there are 53,101 members,

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advisors, and guests present[br]Madam President.

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<i>music and applause</i>

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President: Thank you. FFA Members, [br]why are we here? <i>bang, bang, bang</i>

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<i>In unison</i> To practice brotherhood,[br]honor our cultural opportunities and

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responsibilities, and develop qualities of[br]leadership which an FFA member

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should possess. <i>bang</i>

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President: May we accomplish our purposes[br]and I declare this first general session

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of the 89th National FFA Convention [br]and Expo dually open for the transaction

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of business, or attention to any matters[br]which may properly be presented.