February 2012 - South Dakota Team Ag-Ed

SD FFA Foundation Board Meeting Minutes
February 14 th, 2012 @ AmericInn, Ft. Pierre
Members present: Gerri Eide, Jeff VanderWilt, Jeff VanderWal, Sandy Osterday, Nora Kohlenberg,
Laura Nordlund, Linda Petersen, Dani Herring, Kelly O’Donnell, Chelsey Abler, Kiley Kaufman, Greg
Janisch, Tara Beitelspacher, Bridget Twedt, Jeff Hoffman, Jamie Brown, and Michelle Nelson.
President Sandy Osterday called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Secretary’s Minutes: Nora Kohlenberg noted the date should be July 31 instead of August 31.
Minutes stand approved as corrected.
Investment Report: Brad Reinke from Reinke Gray Wealth Management presented written reports
on the Foundation Combined Account Portfolio and the Association Scholarship Account.
Jeff VanderWal moved to transfer $2500 from our cash account to our investments. Kelly O’Donnell
second. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report was given by Jeff VanderWal. We have the following balances in our accounts as
of 2/13/2012:
• Checking: $90,408.10
• Reinke-Gray: $146,078.07
• CD: $10,000.00
• Bob Bell: $27,648.49
• Mary Hanson: $63,496.26
Treasurer’s Report was approved as read.
Introductions of those present. Gerri Eide noted that we have an opening for the District 5
representative. She is hoping to have an email vote and bring the new representative on before
State Convention.
Gerri announced that former Foundation president and ag instructor, Walt Johnson, passed away
last week. A memorial has been established in his name for the SD FFA Foundation.
Alumni Report: Alumni director position is currently open. A few people have expressed interest.
Alumni event at State Leadership CDE – three members spoke as well as the new advisor from
Stanley County. We received positive feedback from those who did attend. Weather issues
prevented a large attendance. Invitations were mailed to supporters in the Pierre area for the first
time event. Some interest was expressed in having events throughout the state. Linda Petersen
commented that an alumni event would be best during a time when ag teachers are not as busy – at
State Convention we would not have a good turnout. Watertown Farm Show, Black Hills Stock
Show, Sioux Empire Farm Show, DakotaFest would all be great places to have an event.

State of the Foundation Report:
• Budget process
• Annual report – full color for the first time, new design
• Annual brochure – full color for the first time, new design as well
• Display board – the 2007-2008 state officer team is working on the new display board for
the Foundation. Currently the plan is to feature the Star Sponsor program, Jacket program,
and the three-part ag education model. If you have ideas or feedback, please let Gerri know.
They have secured an additional $400 from the SDSU College of Ag and Bio. They also have
$800 from a donor through the Foundation.
• Tribute to the American Farmer CD – Don Jacobs from Swenson Commodity Groups
approached Gerri about doing a fundraiser for the Foundation. Steve Azar wrote a song and
we will receive 2500 CDs of the single to sell. The cover features the Foundation logo.
Radio stations will start playing it three weeks before State Convention to promote it. Some
will be sold at the radio stations, some sold on Steve’s website, and about 1800 will be at
convention to sell. We will also receive 50 copies to use as gifts. The song was played for
the board. It was suggested to have members create a music video for the song.
• Jacket program – the price will be increasing because National FFA increased the price of
jackets. The sponsorship will be $65 now. We are hoping to make it more user-friendly so
the certificates don’t need to be mailed in. They can also be redeemed at National
Convention. Gerri is looking to have the due date moved up so the recipients can be
announced and the certificate mailed out before National Convention. In 2011 we had 112
applicants, 69 jackets. For 2012, at least 45 jackets are covered by the Star Sponsors. Gerri
and Gretchen are looking to restrict it to a certain number of applicants per chapter instead
of the 10% membership. It was suggested to use last year’s membership numbers.
• E-newsletters – about 200 individuals are subscribed.
• K bar J - paid 2 Newell FFA members $800 to go to National Convention. We received $834
from his sales. He will not be going to National Convention in the future.
• Phon-a-thon report – Chelsey and Kiley reported: went well, they incorporated prizes to
help engage the volunteers. We had more than past state officers to help this year. Kiley
asked for teachers to let her know if they have seniors that are very involved in FFA that
would be good to help with the Phon-a-thon this year. Comments: if you know the person,
don’t go with the script, just have a conversation.
• Here by the Owl – Plan is to send the state degree recipients database the Here by the Owl
in June. We have over 2000 new names and contacts thanks to Kiley’s research with the
state degree recipient database. Intent was to recognize the advisors on stage at state
convention. Suggestion was made to display the comments at state convention or put on
the Foundation webpage. The Here by the Owl comments can be made online. Other
suggestions: Twitter/Facebook contest for students.
• Convention career fair – letters went out, Career Fair has been moved to the HPER.
Teachers please make time to visit – some exhibitors want to talk to teachers.
• Star Partner Program – Tri-State Neighbor has agreed to print 50 copies in-kind for us.
Sandy binds them for us. We are working to restructure the program – PAS is no longer

active in SD so the Team Ag Ed stakeholders met yesterday to determine what to do. PAS
will be replaced by SD Future Ag Leaders – all organizations at the collegiate or postsecondary
level. As of right now we have four 1-star (RDO Equipment, North Central
Farmers Elevator, Farm Credit Services, C & B Operations) five 2-star (DEKALB, Pioneer,
ADM Benson Quinn, Channel Bio, SD Soybean Research & Promotion), and 1 distinguished
(Northland Ford Dealers). It makes a huge difference if the ask is made by someone on the
board who has a contact. Gerri has a letter that can be adapted and used by the board
members. We need to be making asks in March to bring on July 1, so the revisions need to
be done soon. We are also looking at doing banners to display at different events.
Jeff VanderWal moved to order signs for our Star Partners. Dani Herring second. Motion passed.
• Placemats – were used at Legislative Breakfast. Give them to legislators to put on their
desks the week before LB. We ordered 10,000 placemats – 9,000 were ordered by chapters.
Chapters received 25 free, and they cost $2 for every 25 after that.
• Estate planning events – Foundation is looking to go and speak at estate planning events.
• Christmas letter – Net income of $900.
• Association “Wish list” items – Priorities: State Degree Banquet Banner, backdrop for SC
photos.
• Community Service Project – Sandy is working with KAH for State Convention again this
year. KAH has agreed to do the fundraising for us again. Will be the same format as last
year. Possible projects benefitting SD were discussed.
Goal Setting for Foundation: Would like to develop a strategic plan and incorporate more
community service to give back. Discussion also on adding a start-up grant for new chapters. Star
Partner Program – concentrate on that and also ask those partners for their suggestions. We also
talked about adding more hours for Gerri and Gretchen’s contracts to account for additional time
spent fundraising and the benefits of the Foundation having more hours put towards it.
Possible sponsors for the 2012 Sponsorship Opportunities were discussed.
Events calendar: Foundation Board members are encouraged to attend State Convention.
Bylaw changes were presented for the last time – no changes were suggested.
Kelly O’Donnell moved to approve the bylaw changes. Dani Herring second. Motion passed.
Next meeting will be at State Convention on April 15 at 5:30 PM in the HPER classroom and July
29 th at the Ramkota in Pierre during SDACTE/SDAAE Conference.
Tara Beitelspacher moved to adjourn. Bridget Twedt second.

Statewide Sponsoring Committee Meeting
• Evaluation of past 6 months:
• Discuss current award areas without specific sponsors:
o Jeff VanderWal has a confirmed sponsor for Goat Production Proficiency
o Wendy is working on Public Relations and Meat CDE supplies
• State Convention
o Laura, Sandy, Jeff VanderWal, Jeff VAnderWilt, and Wendy plan on attending.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Nelson
SD FFA Foundation Secretary