WEBVTT

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

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

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convention and expo.
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
to determine if they are at their stations

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and report back to you, Madam President.
The Sentinel

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

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

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

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

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comfortable, and assist the president in
maintaining order.

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VP: The Reporter.

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Reporter: The Reporter is stationed by the 
flag.

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VP: Why by the flag?
Reporter: As the flag covers the

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

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

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from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico.
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 
Washington.

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

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disbursements. Just as Washington kept his
farm and house.

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Carefully and accurately. I encourage 
thrift among the members and strive

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to build up our financial standing
through savings and investments.

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George Washington was better able to
serve his country because he was

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financially independent.
VP: The Secretary

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

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

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secretaries. Wherever corn is grown,
FFA members meet.

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VP: The Advisor
Advisor: Here by the owl.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Without labor, neither knowledge nor 
wisdom can accomplish much.

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

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organization. I preside over meetings
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 
stationed?

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

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

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darkness of selfishness, into the 
glorious sunlight of brotherhood

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

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

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The secretary will call the role of
members.

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

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

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advisors, and guests present
Madam President.

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<i>music and applause</i>

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

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

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responsibilities, and develop qualities of
leadership which an FFA member

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should possess. <i>bang</i>

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

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

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