As the school year’s first semester draws to a close, it’s the perfect time for your FFA chapter’s officer team to revisit your Program of Activities (POA), analyze your progress and ensure you’re set up for success in the second half of the school year.
Don’t have a POA in place? It’s not too late to create one. FFA.org offers guidance for developing your chapter’s POA and ramping up your efforts to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture.
Officers, here’s a quick checklist to go through as you review your POA.
1. Take time to reflect.
Madeline Young, a program specialist in the programs and events division of the National FFA Organization, encourages you to look back on the events you’ve held and write down your reflections.
“Once you know what worked well and what you can improve upon, you’re better prepared to host successful events in the future,” she says.
2. Begin planning next year’s activities and events.
It’s never too early to start brainstorming for next year, so think about how you can apply what you’re learning from your current POA to your next one.
“If an activity was a hit, you’ll definitely want to include it in the following year’s POA,” Young says. “Be sure to take notes. Otherwise, you may forget valuable information.”
3. Start your National Chapter Award application.
Get a head start on filling out your National Chapter Award application to avoid last-minute stress in the spring caused by procrastination.
“The items in your POA will help you complete your application,” Young says. “You don’t have to do it all at once, but if you can at least get started, you will be in a better position to submit it on time.”
4. Ask for feedback.
Bring your advisor and fellow chapter members into your POA review by requesting their honest opinions. If your peers prefer to share anonymously, consider creating an online survey that hides their identity.
“Create a safe space for feedback and chances are you’ll receive fresh insight that will help shape your plans going forward,” Young says.”
5. Examine your budget.
Finally, confirm you have the funds to complete the remainder of your planned activities for the school year.
“If you don’t already have a budget for the upcoming months, now’s the time to develop one,” Young says. “You need to know how much money you’ll need to carry out your plans and ensure you’ll have the funds available when you need them.”
