(PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
OFFICERS RETREAT … The officers visited the Universal Lettering Company in Van Wert, Ohio. The team witnessed how the iconic FFA jacket is manufactured.
The officers of the Evergreen FFA Chapter traveled to Celina, Ohio for the annual officer retreat at the end of July. The main focus for the retreat was planning the 2024-2025 FFA year of events and activities.
Throughout the three-day trip, the officers participated in various training and team building activities. The team conducted a SWOT analysis and created a strategic plan.
On the first day of the retreat, the team stopped at the Auglaize County Fair and conducted a scavenger hunt. The team was split into two teams of four and each team raced to complete a scavenger hunt before the other team.
At the first training session of retreat, the team brainstormed and decided on a word of the year. The team decided the 2024-2025 word of the year to drive them in goal development and activities is “Engage”.
The word would be used throughout the year to ensure the team meets the goals for the next school year. On the second day, the team traveled to the Ohio Caverns in West Liberty, Ohio. This was not only an amazing experience, but one where the officers supported each other throughout the caverns.
Following the Ohio Caverns experience, the team returned to the cottage where they developed goals for the 2024-2025 academic year. Later in the evening, the team began the program of activities planning and committee setup for the school year.
Following the training sessions, the officers participated in the night Olympics. Each person on the team competed in various competitions.
These activities helped form an even greater relationship between the officers. After the intense night Olympic games, the team enjoyed a campfire with s’mores.
On the final day of retreat, the team held one last training session where the committees for the academic year were finalized. On the way home, the officer team stopped at Universal Lettering in Van Wert, Ohio.
Universal Lettering is where all of the FFA jackets are embroidered and shipped from. The team witnessed the assembly process of an FFA jacket along with the embroidering of the jacket.
At the conclusion of retreat, the officer team held a Parent Meet & Greet. During this time, the team made dinner for their parents and presented their plans for the year.
The meeting allowed the team to explain to their parents what being an officer means and the responsibilities each officer would have over the course of the next academic year.
The Evergreen FFA would like to thank Anderzack-Pitzen Construction, Country Charm Cafe, Cris Johnson Trucking, Elvey Family, Machacek Concrete, Metamora State Bank, Pro Ag LLC, and Triple H Farms for sponsoring the retreat this year!
