Have you ever been to a meeting that is out of control, ran poorly or ineffectively? Meetings like this can be frustrating and a waste of time. In the FFA Organization, there is a certain method of running a meeting which is called the Opening and Closing Ceremony. The ceremony is preformed by the officer team and advisor at the start and finish of each FFA meeting or formal event. To begin the meeting, the president calls upon the vice president to call the roll of officers and determines if they are at their stations. Then, each officer has a part in which they explain their duties to the chapter. After which all FFA members in attendance recite the FFA pledge. The meeting proceeds with any business which must be discussed. To end the meeting, the president asks if there is any further business, announces his final remarks and ends the meeting. The Opening and Closing Ceremony sets an example for the members and guests to speak when spoken to and also explains why we are here: to promote agricultural opportunities and premier leadership.

On Wednesday November 9th, Fillmore FFA members competed at Santa Paula High School at the 2011 Ventura FFA Section Opening and Closing Ceremonies Contest. As members perform the Opening and Closing Ceremonies with pride and dignity, they are judged on how well they recite their parts, are dressed, and on how they present as a team. Fillmore FFA was proud to send the Officer Team, Open Team and Novice Team to the contest. After all teams competed and the judges tallied up the scores the Ventura FFA Section Officer Team began the awards ceremony. The Novice Team placed 3rd, the Open Team placed 4th, and the Officer Team placed 2nd. Along with team awards, the judges choose individual awards for each position. Marc Zavala was awarded Outstanding Individual Treasurer and Sierra Blankenship was awarded Outstanding Individual Secretary. Congratulations to all who competed!

Brooke Aguirre is Fillmore FFA's Chapter Reporter