bang, bang The convention hall will come to order.
We're now holding the first general session of the 89th national FFA
convention and expo. Madam Vice President,
are all officers at their stations?
VP: I shall call the role of officers to determine if they are at their stations
and report back to you, Madam President. The Sentinel
Sentinel: Stationed by the door. VP: Your duties there?
Sentinel: Through this door passed many friends of the FFA. It is my duty to see
that the door is opened to our friends at all times. And that they are welcome.
I care for the meeting room and the paraphernalia. I strive to keep the room
comfortable, and assist the president in maintaining order.
VP: The Reporter.
Reporter: The Reporter is stationed by the flag.
VP: Why by the flag? Reporter: As the flag covers the
United States of America, so I strive to inform the people in order that every man
woman, and child may know. That the FFA is a national organization that reaches
from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico. And from the State of Maine to Hawaii.
VP: The Treasurer
Treasurer: Stationed at the emblem of Washington.
VP: Your duties there? Treasurer: I keep a record of receipts and
disbursements. Just as Washington kept his farm and house.
Carefully and accurately. I encourage thrift among the members and strive
to build up our financial standing through savings and investments.
George Washington was better able to serve his country because he was
financially independent. VP: The Secretary
Secretary: Stationed by the ear of corn. VP: Your duties there?
Secretary: I keep an accurate record of all meetings and correspond with other
secretaries. Wherever corn is grown, FFA members meet.
VP: The Advisor Advisor: Here by the owl.
VP: Why stationed by the owl? Advisor: The owl is a time honored
emblem of knowledge and wisdom. Being older than the rest of you,
I'm asked to advise you from time to time as the need arises.
I hope that my advice will always be based on true knowledge and ripened with
wisdom. Madame Vice President, why do you keep a plow at your station?
VP: The plow is the symbol of labor and tilling of the soil.
Without labor, neither knowledge nor wisdom can accomplish much.
My duties require me to assist at all times in directing the work of our
organization. I preside over meetings in the absence of our president who's
placed beneath the rising sun.
Advisor: Why is the president so stationed?
VP: The rising sun is a token of a new era in agriculture.
If we will follow the leadership of our president, we shall be led out of the
darkness of selfishness, into the glorious sunlight of brotherhood
and cooperation. Madam President, all officers are at their stations.
President: Thank you Madam Vice President. bang
The secretary will call the role of members.
Secretary: I'm pleased to announce that at this, the first general session,
of the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo, there are 53,101 members,
advisors, and guests present Madam President.
music and applause
President: Thank you. FFA Members, why are we here? bang, bang, bang
In unison To practice brotherhood, honor our cultural opportunities and
responsibilities, and develop qualities of leadership which an FFA member
should possess. bang
President: May we accomplish our purposes and I declare this first general session
of the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo dually open for the transaction
of business, or attention to any matters which may properly be presented.