Fellowship Background
Throughout the past few years, the Texas FFA Association has fostered a relationship with the Soderquist Center for Ethical Leadership of John Brown University. The relationship began when a program was sponsored through the Texas FFA Foundation to provide leadership – “Values & Ethics” training for the Texas FFA state officers. The officers continually expressed the value of the training and regarded it as “one of the best training programs” they had experienced.
In an effort to provide more Texas FFA members the opportunity to participate in such training, the Soderquist Center conducted half-day training at the State Leadership Conference in 2009 for all 73 Area Officers. The training was well received. Many areas showed an interest in Ethical Leadership training at the area level. This fellowship provides an opportunity for this training at the area, district, and chapter level.
Fellowship Overview
Fellows Training by the Soderquist Center
In June of 2010, a new Ethical Leadership Project initiative was launched by the Texas FFA through the support of the Texas FFA Foundation. Three past FFA members who are still enrolled in post-secondary education were selected as Ethical Leadership Fellows. On June 1st, the three Fellows began a train-the-trainer program at the Soderquist Center in Siloam Springs, AR. It includes three days of training and curriculum development.
At the conclusion of the training, the three Fellows will created a leadership curriculum that merges the methods and philosophy of the Soderquist Center with their own background and knowledge of FFA resulting in a hybrid curriculum made especially for FFA members. The curriculum focuses upon ethical and value based leadership through FFA activities.
State and Area Conference Sessions
These three fellows conducted a half-day training session at the state leadership conference. They also worked with the area associations that were interested in the program to conduct training at the area leadership conferences. These training sessions were free of charge to the areas; however, the areas covered travel expenses and costs for supplies and materials for the officers.
State Convention and Teachers Conference
Ethical Leadership Fellows facilitated a training session open to members at the State Convention. The Ethical Leadership Fellows' workshop at state convention was well received.
Ethical Leadership Training at the Chapter Level
The fellows are available for chapter training following the state and area conferences. The trainings will be of minimal costs to chapters. Contact information for each of the fellows is provided on this webpage. Chapter advisors interested in Ethical Leadership Training by the Fellows may contact the fellows directly and schedule chapter officer or chapter member training.
To book a Fellow, contact them directly:
Laila Hajji (Past National Officer)
Tyler Handrick (Past State Officer – Area VII)
Jade Keith (Past State Officer – Area II)
Pricing Schedule Per Fellow
Chapter Officer Training (under 20 people)
- $50 per hour, 2 hour minimum
- Max of $150 per day
Chapter Development (more than 20 people)
- $150 for 3 hours or less
- $200 for more than 3 hours
Camps (with more than one chapter participating)
- $150 per day (2 day minimum)
- $200 for a one-day camp
(Pricing Schedule does not include supplies and travel costs. Travel shall be expenses at $0.40 per mile or flight arrangements agreed to by all parties)
For more information about the program, contact:
Blaze Currie
Leadership Development Coordinator – Texas FFA Association
Special Thanks
This fellowship was made possible by a donation through the Texas FFA Foundation from Bruce and Margie Cobb of Amarillo, Texas. Bruce is a past member and Texas FFA State Officer. Bruce and Margie have continually put an emphasis on ethical and value based leadership as foundational components of leadership development. Their interest in creating a better future for Texas through building young ethical leaders is very appreciated by the entire Texas Ag Ed Family.