Planning, organization, development and implementation of the Oklahoma Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The major purpose of the report was to document the background situation and steps undertaken to establish the Oklahoma Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association as fully affiliated with the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association. Other purposes included that of making an assessment of the effectiveness of techniques and procedures used by the Executive Committee in: (a) developing a proposed constitution (b) creating and sustaining an interest among teachers in the establishment of a strong democratic organization (c) adoption of the constitution, and (d) establishment of the nationally affiliated organization.

Findings and Conclusions: The formation of the Oklahoma Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association has established the fact that prospective members of an organization will respond in a satisfactory manner when they are challenged with the possibility of really becoming a part of a democratically functioning unit. It also established confidence in the validity of the assumption that potential members will respond to the "we" feeling of belonging to and having part in formation of policy and implementing democratic organization. There is a strong implication that the Oklahoma Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association will remain a strong functioning organization as long as the more democratic aspects of the organization are adhered to. One very important finding of the study was that younger men are not as ready to give their efforts to the organization as are the older group. This would strongly imply that a number of younger men should be given positions of responsibility on the various committees established and that they should be consulted regarding any change of policy or of procedure. There is also a strong implication that staff members of the State Department of Vocational Agriculture and of the Department of Agricultural Education at Oklahoma State University will be receptive to the functioning of a strong teacher directed program of vocational agriculture as long as they feel a definite part of the organization. Results of the study strongly imply that teachers also feel the need for a cooperative operation resulting from the efforts of teachers, supervisors, and teacher educators.