Judges evaluate the Kingfisher FFA team in the Conduct of Meetings LDE on Friday, Oct. 27 at convention. Kingfisher FFA would later be named as the first-ever national champion team in this event.
INDIANAPOLIS – After taps of the gavel from teams representing 39 states, the first National FFA Conduct of Meetings Leadership Development Event (LDE) is in the books.
The event was first proposed in 2008 by a subcommittee appointed by National FFA. An original version of the event began in 2012, known as the National FFA Novice Invitational Parliamentary Procedure Event, sponsored by the Society for Agricultural Education Parliamentarians. The event gained traction and was first piloted by FFA in 2016 as a demonstration; it became an official LDE this year.
The purpose of the LDE is to introduce seventh, eighth and ninth grade FFA members to parliamentary procedure and how to conduct efficient meetings while building their communication skills. Now organized by the National FFA Organization, the national LDE is led by superintendent Janet Rosequist and a committee of agricultural education staff from around the country.
“It is a privilege to be involved with these kids. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and we are proud to host this event,” Rosequist said.
The event requires teams of seven members to take the role of an officer team and perform opening and closing ceremonies and a mock meeting using correct FFA traditions and official parliamentary procedure. Teams also take a written exam at the beginning of the competition to seed teams into preliminary rounds. Like other LDEs, one team from each state is eligible to participate, chosen in a manner determined by the state FFA association.
Kingfisher FFA of Oklahoma was named the first-ever National FFA Conduct of Meetings LDE winner, followed by Asotin FFA of Washington in second, Barrington Middle FFA of Florida in third and Litchfield FFA of Minnesota in fourth.
For their win, Kingfisher FFA also took home a souvenir gavel and will have their names engraved on a traveling gavel to be passed on to next year’s winners.
For more information on the National FFA Conduct of Meetings LDE, visit FFA.org/participate/ldes/conduct-of-chapter-meeting-leadership-development.
Abby Marion is a senior at the University of Florida studying agricultural education and communications. An alumnus of the Florida FFA Association, Marion is serving as a reporter for the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo Newsroom Crew.
