Opening Ceremonies – 89th National FFA Convention & Expo

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.