Providing a safe environment for the youth we serve is a top priority. As part of the National FFA Member Safety Policy, National FFA has updated the process for selecting judges for the Creed, Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking LDEs. Potential judges must now be submitted in advance to complete required youth protection measures, helping provide added peace of mind for volunteers, participants and families.
What Judges Must Complete
Before serving, volunteers must:
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Complete the required training and sign a waiver
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Pass a background screening
Note: Background screenings are valid for two years and can be used for all National FFA volunteer opportunities.
What you need to do
1. Identify your potential judges, keeping in mind the following:
- Preliminary Speaking rounds are Wednesday, Oct. 21, as noted in the Speaking Judges Expectations and Schedules.
- Creed and Extemporaneous judges must be available for semifinals if their state's participant advances.
- Advisors, coaches, relatives of participants or anyone with a vested interest in a contestant may not judge for that event. They may judge a different event.
2. Submit judge information by Aug. 17
There is no limit to the number of volunteers you may submit.
You will need
- First name
- Last name
- Email Address
Please submit information below!
What Happens Next?
· State staff will receive confirmation of their submissions
· National FFA will email each submitted volunteer with instructions to begin the approval process.
· Volunteers must complete the process themselves to be considered.
· Volunteers who do not wish to serve may opt out by emailing cde@ffa.org.
· After approved volunteers are identified, state staff will be contacted to make final judge selections and receive convention registration details.
Important
Any volunteer identified through the National Sex Offender Registry check will be ineligible to serve under National FFA safety policies.