The Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators

Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators

Meeting Minutes

October 8, 2009

Call to Order

The October 8, 2009 meeting of the Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators was called to order at 10:06am by Delegate Council President, Marie Carity at the Ohio FFA Center.  The invocation was given by Suzie Davis. Members present included Suzie Davis, Kellie Warner, Jaime Chenevey, Kim Weiss, Marie Carity, Michelle Brunson, Robin Curley, Michael Gower, L.H. Newcomb, Eric Van Fleet, Abby Readshaw, John Poulson, Harold Benson, Stacie McKee, Anna Creswell, Lucy Bambauer, Lindsay Bowen, Ike Kershaw and Valerie Graham.

Officer Reports

The minutes of the previous meeting were sent via email to all members following the previous meeting.  Kellie Warner reviewed the New Business that had been presented at the May 15, 2009 meeting.  Jaime Chenevey asked for additions or corrections to the minutes.  None were made, and Jaime announced that the minutes were approved as presented.

Michelle Brunson presented the treasurer’s report.  The current balance of the U.S. Bank Account as of June 30, 2009 was $37,176.96.  The increased balance was due to the fact that dues were being collected at that time and had not been paid.  There are 3 CDs at U.S. Bank.  The Finance Committee will be discussing options for CDs because interest rates are extremely low.  Jaime Chenevey announced that the report was approved as presented. 

Updates

President Jaime Chenevey thanked everyone for attending.  She reported that the Delegate Council has been working at keeping people involved and informed.  The group will be working quite a bit more on this in the next few months.  Executive Committee members attended the various District meetings throughout the fall to keep the lines of communication open.  The Exec. Comm. would like the Council to start working on restructuring committees, as well as strategic planning for the Council and OAAE.  There will be a Delegate Council meeting on Jan. 8 that will focus on strategic planning.  It is vital to have all Delegate Council members in attendance.

Ike Kershaw reported on behalf of ODE.  Main points included:

·        State Staff members are attending fall district meetings.  Javonne Mullins, who is the newest member of the staff is making great contributions to the work of ODE.

·        ODE is making plans to transition Ag Ed in Ohio to a course structure.  Teachers are being asked to test the model and provide feedback to ODE. 

·        ODE was involved in the Beginning Teacher Workshop last week.

·        Ohio is one of five states that has been selected to be a part of the Green Focused Program of Study.  The purpose is to clearly identify the components and explain how they might operate in an Ag Ed program.  At HOT Conference, ODE hopes to show their findings.

·        Ag Ed is slated for test development this year.  Teachers will be asked to participate in development of the state testing that is being developed.

·        The Ohio State Fair is a struggle when it comes to non-livestock events.  Ike encouraged the group to consider what Ag Ed and FFA might contribute in the future.

L.H. Newcomb, Chair of the Department of Human and Community Resource Development at The Ohio State University was in attendance. 

·        The department has been going through a transition period.  The Rural Sociology faculty will be moving to the School of Natural Resources. 

·        Dr. Newcomb reported that discussion was held at OSU as to whether or not to keep the teacher education programs.  Traditionally, the performance of the department has not been enough to stand on its own.  He suggested that we offer notes of appreciation to Bobby Moser, Linda Martin, Steve Slack, and Keith Smith, who were the individuals who made the decision to keep the Ag Ed programs.

·        Dr. Newcomb reported that numerous new staff members are working with the department, providing great leadership and enthusiasm to the department.  Marlene Eick has been hired for recruitment and retention for the department.

·        The HCRD Department will be continuing their teacher education, extension education, and communications education programs.  The department is also trying to add leadership, youth development, and international programs. 

·        Dr. Newcomb will be working with the department for 2 years and will provide leadership for the proposed strategic planning process.

·        Ike asked that individuals with news to report should submit their information to the Ag Ed Newsletter.  Districts can submit items, as can individuals.  News needs to be to Brenda Correll by Monday morning each week.

Jamie Chenevey took a break from the agenda for attendees to introduce themselves. 

District Reports

District 1:       No report from Abby Readshaw.   John Poulson asked why

individuals who have paid ACTE dues are receiving notices indicating that they have not paid.  Valerie explained that the reason is that the two organizations are on different calendars, and thus ACTE may not have record of the dues being paid at this time.  Valerie reassured the group, however, that if dues were paid to OAAE, they have been paid to ACTE/OACTE.

District 2:       No report from Lindsay Bowen.  Lindsay thanked Jaime Chenevey

for attending the District 2 meeting.

District 3:       No one present

District 4:       No report from Lucy Bambauer.  District 4 will be meeting soon.

District 5:       Michael Gower reported that there are concerns in District 5

about granting science credits for Ag Science. Ike Kershaw responded that information is presented in the weekly newsletter as an opportunity to provide adequate information to teachers and administrators.  Ike welcomed inquiries and questions. Teachers or administrators should contact Ike for more information or support, as needed.  Ike is working with the ODE science dept. to make sure accurate information is communicated throughout the state. 

District 6:            Kim Weiss reported thanked Marie Carity for attending the District 6 meeting.  The District did not have any business for Delegate Council, but does have suggestions for FFA/CDEs.

District 7:            Scott Sharp reported that District 7 has many questions about FFA/CDEs.  Scott also expressed concerns about plans being made with STRS.

District 8:       Eric Van Fleet reported that the District has not met this fall.  The

District is continuing to work on a District Policy Guide.

District 9:       No report from Stacie McKee.

District 10:     Harold Benson expressed concern about the website not being

practical for use at a critical time. 

Taxonomy Reports

Animal Care:            Robin Curley reported that the taxonomy will have their professional development conference on Nov. 5 and 6 at Penta Career Center.  The agenda looks great!  Everyone is invited to attend, as the agenda will be educational for all teachers.  Registration is due Oct. 23.  Individuals who need registration information and can not access it on the website may contact Robin Curley.

Production:     No one present to report.

Foundation:   Marie Carity reported that the Board will be meeting next week.

Natural Resources:            Anna Creswell reported that the Forestry CDE was last

week, with 205 students and 37 teams.  Next year Hocking may be offering a mock contest/practice the night before the event.   The Environmental CDE will be an official event this spring and will be a national qualifying event.  The top 5 teams in Forestry, Soils, Nature Interpretation, and Wildlife Management will be invited to participate.

            FFA Camp Board:            Scott Sharp will serve as the new representative.  He

reported that restrooms are planned for the dorms that do not have them.  The current latrine building will be developed into a facility to house teachers.  This is important because many outside groups will not come to camp b/c the teachers currently have to stay in the same dorms as the students.  Todd Davis is working with Hocking College to explore opportunities for both organizations.  Scott encouraged Ag teachers to share FFA Camp opportunities with other groups in their schools, both as an effort to fill open dates, as well as to recruit for the FFA chapters.  Kim Weiss reported that his District recommends that FFA Camp charge a $25 fee for registering students and not showing up. 

            Mentoring:    Mentor chair Lucy Bambauer reported that they held a beginning

teacher workshop last week.  There is a small group of new teachers this year.  Javonne Mullins discussed the new course structure, discussion was held about school law, Ike Kershaw visited with the teachers, etc.  Feedback is coming in right now via a zoomerang survey.  Jaime Chenevey commended the committee for the work that they are doing. 

Skills Liaison:  Tom Holton reported that Jim and Carol Ogden have been

granted a 5-year contract.  CDEs that will have online testing this year are listed on the CDE website.  The Environmental Natural Resources CDE will be held near Toledo, and will be the first year as an official national-qualifying event.  The event will be a 2-day function.  John Poulson asked the Council to explore the connections between CDEs and the state standards, and how CDEs should be tied to the classroom.

            Agrimechanics:  Jack Mescher reported that the Taxonomy recently met with

Steve Gratz to develop courses and plan for testing across the state.

            Agriscience:  No one present to report.  A new chair is being sought.

            Horticulture: No one present to report.

            FBPA:            No one present to report. Ike suggested that the group consider how to

handle FBPA in the future, as the group is no longer administered through ODE, and is thus somewhat far-removed from the organization.

            Alumni:  John Poulson reported that state membership increased by 3% and Ohio

is the 3^rd largest in the country (2,504 lifetime members, 1,032 annual members).  There are 6 new affiliates this year: Greenon, West Holmes, Patrick Henry, Harrison Central, Delphos, and Twin Valley South.  The IRS is asking that each Alumni file an E-990.  Affiliates can contact Lexie Poulson for help with this.  The Alumni is working with TSC on the Harvest For America program.  Programs that are conducting food drives are encouraged to participate in this pilot program.  The Alumni is selling a cookbook for $15.  The State newsletter received a Gold rating on the national level.  Marilyn Mason from Anthony Wayne was selected as one of 3 Outstanding Achievement winners on the national level.  Hardin Northern received a Silver rating on their scrapbook, and Talawanda received a Silver rating on their affiliate award application.  Ohio is looking for 18 delegates for the national convention, which will be held on Fri., Oct. 23 at 9:30am

            VEPD Contact:  No one present to report.

Old Business

Marie Carity reviewed the summer meeting.  The Zoomerang surveys are being reviewed.  Numerous compliments were given for the OAAE day.  Marie asked for questions or input.

The meeting recessed for committee meetings and lunch at 11:45am.

The meeting reconvened at 12:30pm and committee reports were given.

Committee Reports

Legislative Committee:  Marie Carity reported on behalf of the Legislative Committee.  The committee will be asking teachers from across the state to serve on the Quality Facilities Standards committee. The committee will meet throughout the year.  The committee also made plans for handling representation on the special committee for evaluating CTE funding, as well as efforts to share information about STRS changes with our membership. 

Professional Development/Induction:  Lucy Bowen reported on behalf of the Professional Development/Induction Committee. OAAE has been contacted by Marlene Eick (OSU) about coordinating a “National Teach Ag Day” program.  The committee also discussed plans and changes for the upcoming summer OAAE meeting.  The committee discussed how CDEs relate to classroom instruction and materials that could/should be used.  The committee would like to have 4 CDE workshops at the summer HOT Conference.

Membership Relations:  Michelle Brunson reported on behalf of the Membership Relations Committee.  The committee discussed putting the names of dues-paying members on the website.  The committee would like to further discuss what else to put on the website for informational purposes at the Jan. strategic planning.  The group once again emphasized the importance of one-on-one interaction.  The committee encourages everyone to maintain unity in paying both OAAE/NAAE dues and ACTE/OACTE dues.  The committee will work on developing a system for electing officers each year.  Job descriptions will be created for each officer position to educate people on what the responsibilities of each officer position includes. The committee would like to implement a nominating process, which would involve each district nominating candidates for office, then the candidates writing an explanation of their qualifications/plans for office.  

New Business

Marie Carity moved that Scott Sharp serve as the Delegate Council Camp Board Representative.  Robin Curley seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

Eric Van Fleet moved to partner with OSU and Wilmington College for National Teach Ag Day activities.  Lucy Bowen seconded the motion.   The motion passed.

John Poulson moved that the Executive Committee drafts a proposal to take to the annual meeting to make a constitutional change to eliminate FBPA from the Delegate Council. Stacie McKee seconded the motion. 

Michael Gower moved that OAAE endorse a “yes” vote on state Issue 2. 

Scott Sharp seconded the motion.

Jaime Chenevey reported that OAAE has delegates attending NAAE in Nashville in November.  Ohio will also be hosting the Region IV conference on June 22-24, 2010 in Sidney, OH.   Help will be needed gathering donations for door prizes and gift bags. 

Marie Carity moved to adjourn the meeting.  Lindsay Bowen seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:20pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kellie Warner

OAAE Secretary

OAAE~6870 Licking Valley Road~Frazeysburg, Oh 43822
740-828-3832

E Mail:  mvgraham@agristar.net

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