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Rugby FFA chapter defends its state Parliamentary Procedure title

By Staff | Oct 8, 2009

The trophy is staying put.

Rugby’s FFA Parliamentary Procedure team defended its title at the state contest held in Bismarck on Oct. 7.

This marks the seventh time the program has been judged state best.

“The kids performed very, very well,’ said Jason Mongeon, Rugby who serves vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor with fellow vo-ag teacher Rick Vannett,

Team members included: Zach Rameden, president; Jacey Shively, vice president; Kelsey Mongeon, secretary; Christy Mattern, treasurer; Josh Stutrud, reporter; Chris Fedje, sentinel; Michael Ostrem, parliamentarian; Josie Klein, historian; Dustin Jundt, student advisor.

Rameden said the title proves all the 6:30 a.m. practices really made the difference, adding his fellow members worked hard to attain their goal of another title.

Rugby advanced to the state finals by way of a top two finish at the district competition level. The competition tests FFA chapters on how effectively they can conduct a meeting using Robert’s Rules of Order. Each team only has 10 minutes to prepare to discuss two topics during a meeting in front of a panel of judges. The meeting must be conducted under 10 minutes.

Sixteen teams participate in the finals. Napoleon’s chapter was runner-up with Wishek third and Minot fourth. Rugby’s seven overall titles is only second to Napoleon’s nine.

Although the state winner advances to the national competition during the national convention, Rugby won’t be eligible to compete. That’s because some members of last year’s state winning team are part of this year’s team and already competed at nationals. As a result, runner-up Napoleon will represent the state at the convention to be held in Indianapolis, Oct. 22-24. Several members of Rugby’s chapter, however, will attend the convention.

“Parliamentary procedure is a very important skill,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, who attended the event and helps to sponsor the national team. “People who know how to effectively conduct public meetings have a head start in attaining leadership positions in organizations, communities and government at all levels.”