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Recuitment help

Discussion created by Jimmie on May 14, 2009
Latest reply on Jun 17, 2015 by Erik Fargo

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It is the end of a successful school year. I am starting to think about the up comming year and about back to school activities to have in August around the start of school but I am lost about what to do. This will be mainly to recruit new 7,8,9 grade into joining FFA. One idea is to have a back-to-school cook out with acitivities planned for the students to particate in and the parents can help with. I am working on a tight budget for this activity. What are some other Ideas that your chapters have done in the past or will do in the future?

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Lee Smith May 15, 2009 3:50 PM
We host a movie night for just that age group. We require students to have their dues paid to attend and the senior officers coordinate games and leadership activities. We pop popcorn and have snowcones and watch a movie.

You could do this cheaply and with parental assistance. Also, you might want to invite all junior high students and let the officers do some FFA promotion during the evening. Just make a 'sign-up' requirement and send letters home about behavoir expectations.
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Chad Warnick May 15, 2009 5:41 PM
Our chapter has a freshman party right after the high school gives all freshman an introduction for the high school. We do allot of activities outside, give them a quick tour and eat some popsicles. We usually have students go right to the counselors office and change their schedule after that.
Also, earlier in the spring, we send every incoming freshman. a letter with ag classes that are available a week before they register. This has doubled our freshman class for the last two year straight.
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Ellen Thompson May 21, 2009 3:18 PM
We've done a couple of things in the past.

An invitation only breakfast at the end of the year. Officers and chapter members nominate students and create individualized invitations to the breakfast and hand deliver them to the nominees. There are a variety of items at the breakfast; door prizes (old t-shirts, donated items, etc.), food, get out of class, presentations and mingling with current members. This makes it special for them but does exclude all students. We've also done this same format as more of an open house rather than invitation only. If I were to change it I would do it at the beginning of the next school year again as a follow-up or do a hot dog lunch with the same format and more discussion about activities. For me after school events are not an option because of bussing and rides. Also doing things during lunch is tough because the junior high students each lunch at a different time than the SH and there would be class conflicts and we try to avoid that at all cost.

Officer presentation to the entire 8th grade class during their home base time. An interactive presentation put on by the officers explaining the FFA organization and different things students can get involved in and why they joined FFA.

I also send out a letter to all incoming freshman parents with the Back to School materials in the fall. This way parents know about the opportunities and that FFA is alive and well in the school. I have attached the letter if you are interested.

New Recruits Campfire- Invite potential freshman to a campfire and smore roast. The officers line up special activities to engage the new members with current members so they feel welcome. This could also be fun as a hay ride.

Have a great summer!
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- 9thGradeParentLetter.doc28.0 KB
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Kala Miller @ Ellen Thompson on Jun 15, 2015 12:31 AM
Thank you for the example!
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Bill Costanzo Jun 1, 2009 11:40 AM
First I am always recruiting kids in and out of school to my program. If I see a student in the halls I ask them why they aren't in an Ag class. I also go to my Jr. High and do a recruitment with the 8th grade students. I have a couple of my best officers and a couple of active freshman put on the presentation. I use the Opening Doors PowerPoint from the National FFA which I have modified for my school. We also quiz the 8th graders at the end of the session and give out a bunch of cheap prizes from the FFA Blue Catalog. We do a petting zoo during FFA week at the Jr. High and we use the Food for America CD for the Core Catalog with the first grade students. Next year we are expanding that to 4th grade also and we are starting a PALS program with the 6th grade teacher. If you want to get good kids and a lot of them in your program you must start young. Don't be afraid to go to 4-H meetings and talk about FFA. I know many of my students are still in 4-H, but they show in FFA. Since I have started this my enrollment has increase 10-15% each year. It takes time, but use your officers to help out.
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Erik Fargo Jun 17, 2015 9:10 PM
We have used Open House events, Parent Information Nights, booth at local 4-H fair, visited sending district middle schools, hosted 8th grade tours with Guidance, organized Guidance Counselors Breakfasts with information and demonstration, and hosted a State Ag Education Advisory Committee meeting. Lots of work for all the above and very educational for me; but, the two main things the greatest positive difference in program enrollment: changing the program name from "Horticulture Tech.", to "Agricultural Science", and have a well educated in house Guidance staff to help spread "the word". I feel that having the term "Science" in the name is attractive to students. Enrollment has nearly doubled in two years due to these two simple things. I know not everyone needs a program name face-lift; however, for some it may be worth considering with the help of administration, an advisory committee, and your current students.
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