R  E  G  I  O  N  A  L     U  P  D  A  T  E  S

Greetings from the western states. With fall weather, the forest fires that made our region so famous this summer have receded, and winter is rapidly approaching…if not already here. I enjoyed seeing many of you at the National FFA convention.

There are some upcoming activities that you need to be aware of. The annual scholarship auction will be held at the California Host State Social. Each state needs to bring an item appropriate for the silent auction. Contact me for further information. It is also time to begin approaching your outstanding young members, programs and teachers to encourage them to apply for state and regional recognition. The awards will be presented at the 2001 convention in New Orleans – a nice place to visit!

Have you taken the time to encourage the new teachers in your area to join NAAE? Shared with them the benefits of becoming a member of the state and national professional organization for agriculture teachers? Personal contact is the best way to increase membership. Region One had a tremendous turnover in teachers this year…let’s work together to increase their membership.

Remember, Region One conference is April 25-28 in beautiful Carmel, California. The California Association is working hard in planning tours showcasing the unique agriculture in the coastal area. Put it on your calendar!

Sue Poland, (208) 257-3311 or spoland@mail.sd432.k12.id.us

Soon, NAAE will be in "the city by the bay." I look forward to seeing you as we transact the business of NAAE. The future looks bright for NAAE but as always, it takes you as members to make it work. In San Diego, we will elect a new Region II Vice President and Alternate Vice President. Please consider these opportunities to serve NAAE.

Congrats to our Region II winners, as well as those from the other regions. For Region II: Outstanding Young Member, Matthew Schweer, KS; Outstanding Teacher, Richard Jay Thomas, OK; Outstanding Program, Center Point School District, AR; Postsecondary All-Star Team, Autry Tech Center, OK; and Ideas Unlimited, Jeff Moore, OK.

Summer 2001 will bring us to Hot Springs, AR for our regional conference. Plans are looking great thanks to Melvin Daniels and James Cannon. This conference brings our families together informally and it provides great programs and staff development. It also allows members to voice their concerns with others, take care of business, and select award winners.

Serving as your Region II Vice President for three years has been more than I could have imagined. It has been a great honor to serve as your voice on the board. Thank you! I look forward to seeing you in San Diego. Here’s hoping for your safe travel and a great trip. Thanks for all you help in our organization and profession. Keep up the good work!

James Dawley, (254) 562-2831 or jdawley@mexia.isd.tenet.edu.

Here’s hoping everyone is making plans for the 2000 NAAE Conference in San Diego. The agenda looks great. Your board has taken your advice and put together a half day that includes tours for those who wish and an open evening so if you wish to do some sight-seeing on your own you will have that opportunity.

Congratulations to the regional award winners to be recognized at the convention: Outstanding Teacher, Merle Richter, WI; North Dakota State College of Science, ND, Post Secondary All Star Team; Scott Thiel, ND, Outstanding Young Member; Weyauwega-Fremont High School, WI, Outstanding Program; Brian Feldspausch, IA, Ideas Unlimited; Quintin Cristman, ND, Honorary Life Membership; John Murray, MN, Outstanding Service; and Pfizer Animal Health, PA, Outstanding Cooperation. All of these winners are truly worthy of their honors.

I would encourage each of you to visit with and read up on the two fine people that we have running for president-elect this year. Learning as much as possible about each will help you make an informed choice for NAAE leadership the next two years.

Enjoy San Diego and Region III wishes to invite everyone to Chamberlain, SD for our Region III Summer conference in June of 2001

Chuck Stranberg, (320) 693-3350 or chuck_stranberg@litchfield.k12.mn.us.

In writing my final regional update, I hope that each member in Region IV understands my feelings about representing you on the NAAE board of directors.

Mr. Jeff Maierhofer has worked tirelessly with me as our Region IV alternate VP. Jeff, your continued service to our organization will lead us to a brighter future. I have had the pleasure to work with 18 state presidents who have shared my vision about our profession and helped me to look at the big picture. Thanks to each of you for your leadership, service and professionalism. I am proud that each state association in our region has received the Distinguished PSA award each year over my term and under your leadership. I have been fortunate to work with quality dues remitters and membership chairs who have shared my vision about membership. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Region IV membership is up 192 members over the past three years during our term together. To Dena Wuebker and the Ohio Association, Dave Butcher and the Indiana Association, and Harold Eckler and the Missouri Association, thank you for three outstanding summer leadership conferences. And, congratulations to all of our Region IV award winners these three years–you represent the best of Region IV.

Thank you doesn’t seem fitting; thank you does not tell you how much I care for the differences that you have made in our organization and in my life. But sometimes, thank you is the best thing a person can offer to another. Thank you, Region IV, for allowing me the opportunity to serve. I believe we can look back with pride. I look forward to seeing many of you in San Diego as we "Chart the Future." Please take full advantage of what the NAAE has to offer. The greatest benefit of membership in any professional organization is the fellowship that we share. It has been truly an honor and a privilege to represent and serve you. Thank you.

Bryan Gause, (765) 458-5136 or bgause@uc.k12.in.us.

Hello to all from the southeast, Region V. I hope everyone is having an enjoyable year. I also know that everyone is looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.

Congratulations to Harvey Burniston, Jr. from Mountain City, Tennessee. Harvey was selected to the USA Today All-USA Teacher First Team. I know that everyone is proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations Harvey!

It was really good to see several of you at the FFA Convention. It is always good to see you and to renew old friendships and make new ones.

I am looking forward to seeing several of you at the NAAE Convention in sunny southern California. We will again renew the old friendships and make new ones. Let’s everyone get involved and take back something from the convention to use in the classrooms and with our fellow teachers. I ask that if possible, could you please bring an auction item for the convention. Also, let’s all stay until the end. I know your board has planned an exciting convention for you and many items need to be discussed.

If you are unable to attend the convention, take care and have a good holiday season. 

Roger Teeple, (828) 686-3852 or rteeple@vistatech.net.

I am very much looking forward to seeing lots of Region VI members in San Diego for the NAAE convention. We have a great program lined up with terrific general session presenters and both on-site and off-site professional development workshops. There is something for everyone at the NAAE convention.

Congratulations to the Region VI award recipients that will be recognized in San Diego, including: Outstanding Teacher, Andy Seibel, VA; Postsecondary All-Star Team, SUNY-Cobleskill; Outstanding Young Member, Ben Cummings, WV; Outstanding Program, Hampshire High School, WV; Ideas Unlimited, Andy Seibel, VA; Honorary Life Membership, Philip Henry Ogline; Outstanding Service, Doyle Elwood Paul, PA; and Outstanding Cooperation, The Honorable Samuel Hayes, PA.

I want to encourage you to become active in your state association and to look for ways to represent your profession and your state at the national level. Involvement is the key to getting the most from your association membership.

The MD association is planning our regional conference at the BWI Marriott (Baltimore), July 6-9, 2001. If you have program suggestions, contact Naomi Knight at rascal@starix.net.

Sarah Osborn Welty, (240) 236-7200, ext. 67263 or sowelty@yahoo.com.