Wisconsin FFA Alumni: Convention held

Contact Information:

Regina Oldendorf

Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association

N29452 Brekke Ridge Road, Blair, WI 54616

Phone: 608-989-2187

E-Mail: execdir@wisconsinffaalumni.org

“Success Again in 2010” was the theme for the annual Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association convention held this past weekend, February 12-13. The convention was held at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Sections 8 and 9 hosted the convention where over 275 people attended. The event kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday evening followed by a live auction and entertainment by The New Generation Band of Pulaski.

Saturday morning began with sectional meetings and the Alumni Business Meeting. At the Awards Luncheon, Paul Vidmar addressed the group. Vidmar is a Dale Carnegie Solutions trainer and has been ranked the No. 1 trainer in the world in 2005 and again in 2009. Over the past 25 years, he has trained thousands of individuals in the skills they need to be more productive and successful in their career and lives. He skillfully facilitates programs designed to help people increase their self-confidence, people skills, communication effectiveness, leadership and controlling worry and stress. In the afternoon there were educational workshops titled “Adjust to Change” by Vidmar; “Energy Conservation of the Farm and at Home” by Jennifer Brinker, Focus on Energy; “Ten Habits to a Great FFA Alumni” by Diane Amera, National FFA Alumni president; and a children’s session by the Wisconsin State FFA Officers.

Saturday evening a banquet buffet dinner was served. Mike Austin emceed the final program where Ken Harter of Oconto Falls, 2010 Wisconsin FFA Alumni president, gave his retiring address. President-elect Herman Seebrandt of Neilsville was introduced as his term begins. Many sponsors and guests were introduced as well. The program followed with a live basket auction. Winning affiliates in the basket contest were: Best basket – Sauk Prairie, Most original – Milton, and Best 2010 theme – Brodhead. The evening finished out with live entertainment by the KNX Party Band of Black Creek and Clintonville.

The Stoughton FFA Alumni affiliate was honored as the state’s Top Outstanding Affiliate for its support of local FFA programs and agriculture education. The Denmark FFA Alumni was named runner-up for the award. The Brodhead and Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni affiliates received silver ratings while Sun Prairie, Lena and Neillsville received bronze ratings.

The Outstanding Pioneer Affiliate award is given to an affiliate that is less than three years old. Receiving gold this year was Baldwin-Woodville.

Four alumni members were awarded for their outstanding achievement in going the extra mile for the benefit of youth wearing blue and gold jackets. Rex Roehl of Neillsville and Joyce Gust of Verona were awarded silver certificates. Receiving gold plaques and consideration for national recognition were John Alme of Stoughton and Mike Maternoski of Denmark. Maternoski was selected as the Top Outstanding Achievement member.

Ag instructors recognized for their involvement with their local FFA Alumni included Michelle Kamm, Baldwin-Woodville; Lori Berget, Blackhawk; Lisa Jagielo, Glenwood City; Randy Ehrenberg, Hartford; Dave Rizzardi, Kewaskum; Troy Talford, Sauk Prairie; and Jerry Wendt, Stoughton.

The Distinguished Contributor award went to Karen Lapidakis from Stoughton for her dedication and support of ag education and alumni activities.

The Baldwin-Woodville, Mishicot, Rice Lake and Sauk Prairie FFA Chapters were each awarded a local program grant for curriculum, equipment, FFA supplies or other chapter needs.

Legion of Merit awards are given to recognize individuals who provide leadership and spend their own time and energies to help build the National FFA Alumni Association. To qualify for the Legion of Merit citation, an individual must enroll or renew 15 new or more FFA Alumni members or five new life members. Members honored at the 2009 National FFA Alumni Convention included: Debra Bader, Floyd Behnke, Thelma Behnke, Ed Burhans, Virgie Damp, John Elvekrog, Victoria Harter, Darrell Hines, Robert Keough, Ann Kozlovsky, Larry Lader, Barb Lowe, Mike Maternoske, Edward Reible, Joshua Rusk, Harold Seebecker, Janice Seebecker, Kenneth Seering, Harley Stokstad, Jan Stranz, Jerry Wendt and Robert Wolfe, Sr.

Affiliate membership awards were awarded to affiliates that maintained 100 percent of last year’s membership with a minimum of 10 members. Members are based on those in good standing with the State and National Associations. Receiving bronze for an increase of seven to 14 members were Clinton, Denmark, Edgar, Edgerton, Elkhorn, Glenwood City, Kiel, Lake Mills, Melrose Mindoro, Southern Door and Waunakee. Silver awards for an increase of 15 to 24 members were Blackhawk, Howards Grove and Weyauwega-Fremont.

Melrose Mindoro received the Eagle Award for the greatest annual percentage increase in total membership. The Dr. V.O. Martinson Award for greatest annual increase in membership was awarded to Weyauwega-Fremont with 18 new annual members. Receiving the Ann Martinson Memorial Award was Denmark for achieving the greatest annual increase in life membership in the state.

Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni won the newsletter contest. Denmark also received a gold rating and silver ratings were awarded to Stoughton, Verona, Rice Lake and Waterford.

The scrapbook contest winner was Tigerton. Additional results in the official scrapbook contest were: Gold – Evansville, Milton and Stoughton; Silver – Neillsville, Denmark and Sauk Prairie; and Bronze – Kiel, Ripon and Blackhawk. In the small scrapbook contest gold ratings went to River Falls and Verona. Rice Lake received silver and Fort Atkinson received bronze.

Completing terms from the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Council were Ray Dusel, Section 8; Dan Monson, Section 5; and Don Larsen, Section 6.

Council members for 2010 include: Section 1 – Mike Richter and Randy Bader, Section 2 – Kristy Mayer and Bonnie Walters, Section 3 – Dan Filla and Dan Follendorf, Section 4 – Bob Keough & Anna Keough, Section 5 – Larry Lader and Jim Racknow, Section 6 – Don Larsen and Kathy Breunig, Section 7 – Lance Syring and Chris Langenhahn, Section 8 – Art Plaster and Amy Zernicke, Section 9 – Sherrie Pinkerton and Eric Treml, Section 10 – Ricky Kreif and Wendy Kreif, President – Herman Seebandt, President Elect – Brent Bailey, Vice President – Jim Check and Executive Director – Regina Oldendorf.

The council would like to thank the convention committee and all of the affiliates in Section 8 and 9 for all of their hard work making the 2010 convention a success. The convention chair was Amy Zernicke.

A raffle for the foundation was started at the alumni convention and will conclude at the State FFA Convention in June. For raffle tickets, contact an FFA alumni member or the foundation.

At the conclusion, all were invited to attend the 2011 Wisconsin FFA Alumni Convention in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, February 11-13, hosted by Sections 1, 2, 3, & 7.