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INSIGHT

It’s no secret that building membership using DECA’s new brand is an opportunity for DECA chapters to serve more students. Nine DECA state associations participated in DECA’s first-ever “focus on membership development” meeting held at DECA Inc.’s headquarters in Reston, Va., on September 20-21, 2010.

“Our new mission offers great opportunities for our chapters and state/provincial associations to provide the DECA experience to more students with expanded career interests,” said Ed Davis, executive director of DECA Inc. “This meeting was an opportunity to use our new messages and programs across the career areas of

marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and management to develop highly targeted membership campaigns.”

A team of one state advisor and one chapter advisor from the states participated in a series of case studies, discussions and activities designed to develop a state-specific comprehensive membership campaign.

Each state association developed two plans – one for building membership in current chapters and one for expanding its membership base through new chapters – with goals, action steps, accountability measures and incentives. At the conclusion of the working session, the teams shared the campaigns that they will execute in their

state associations.The campaigns are posted at http://www.

deca.org/news/38/ to provide best practices and ideas to all chapters and state/provincial associations. The nine state associations will be engaged in a variety of on-going activities throughout the membership year.

Scott Ferguson, assistant state advisor for Georgia DECA, a state association that has experienced high growth rates in the past five years, served as a membership coach. Melissa Zelinski, Tennessee DECA state advisor, shared membership development ideas via Skype, and Ryan Witzig, Virginia DECA state advisor, also provided ideas.<Initial Membership Deadline: November 15

PARTNER WITH DECA’S NAB Develop relationships with local NAB representatives.> PAGE 2

THINK BIG!DECA chapters celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week. Be part of this global movement.> PAGE 3

$300,000 IS WAITINGDECA members can apply for their share of DECA scholarships.> PAGE 4

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

November/December 2010No. 2

PARTICIPANTS

> Jim Brock, Arkansas DECA> Chris Dorman, Arkansas DECA> Brycen Woodley, California DECA> Laurie Andrews, California DECA> Emily Eaton, Indiana DECA> Amanda Graham, Indiana DECA> Paul Grethel, Louisiana DECA> Sandra West, Louisiana DECA> Pat Lamborne, New Jersey DECA> Sandy Helfand, New Jersey DECA> Mary Peres, New York DECA> Ellen Katz, New York DECA> Jerry DiGiovanni, Pennsylvania DECA> Michelle Jackson, Pennsylvania DECA> Deanna Shepard, Texas DECA> Vince Merrell, Utah DECA> Karsten Walker, Utah DECA

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

State associations develop campaigns to increase membership and build new DECA chapters

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As the National Advisory Board Chair, I would like to share with you

what the NAB has been doing over the past year to support you and your members.

First, let me say that the NAB is a great team of individuals who want to make a difference. We share with DECA our resources and expertise. We do it because DECA members are our customers, our future employees and the next generation of community and business leaders.

NAB members typically fall into one of four general categories with corresponding interests: employment partnerships, sales and marketing/school-based enterprises, colleges and universities, and foundations and associations.

We connect with DECA primarily in three ways:SCHOLARSHIPS

NAB members provided over $300,000 in scholarships to DECA members last year. We provide the scholarships because we know how important a college education is to their future.

Please encourage your students to submit applications at http://www.deca.org/scholarships/. We want them to take advantage of this opportunity to help continue their education.EMPLOYMENT

Experiencing the real world by working part-time is a great way to build a resume for college and for a career. It helps develop the work habits, people skills and understanding of business operations that will pay dividends for life. NAB members want employees who are DECA members. I encourage you to make local connections and develop relationships with local NAB associates. COLLEGE RECRUITMENT

Colleges and universities value the DECA experience. I talked about scholarships earlier. There is another whole category of DECA scholarships that NAB colleges and universities provide. Over $10 million in tuition discounts were given to DECA members last year.

We have accomplished a lot in the past few years. The individual

involvement by several NAB members has been the key to our success. Although we accomplished a lot in the past few years, we still have work to do. I am still very excited

about the opportunities ahead of us. My goal has been to broaden our base of

support from the NAB. Last year we asked several NAB members to step up and join the executive committee of the NAB. This required more involvement and time on their part. We needed their involvement if we are going to be successful. The good news is they were all very enthusiastic and eager to get involved and support the organization.

One thing that is clear to me is that DECA partnerships are actually relationships – whether that’s a relationship with the DECA staff or at the local level. When the relationship ends, the partnership weakens and in some cases it ends. DECA staff has a responsibility to strengthen those relationships, but they can only do so much.

That’s where we need your help and support. I encourage you to take the

time to introduce yourselves to the local NAB representative in your area. I’m in the sports business. It’s all about team. Together Everyone Achieves More! We need to work together as a team. We really need your help. I want to thank you for your commitment and support to our great organization. We really appreciate all your hard work and commitment to DECA and your members. Without you, there is no DECA. You are definitely the ones who make a difference.

Have a great year.

Michael MarchettiExecutive Vice President of Store OperationsFinish Line Inc.Chair, DECA’s National Advisory Board

Published four times each year (Sept./Oct., Nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., April/May) by DECA Inc. Copyright © 2010 by DECA Inc.

INSIGHTPUBLISHEREdward L. DavisEDITORChristopher YoungEDITORIAL COMMITTEEShirlee KyleShane ThomasMichelle Walker

CORRESPONDENCEDECA INSIGHT1908 Association DriveReston, VA 20191-1594(703) 860-5000(703) 860-4013 faxwww.deca.orgchristopher_young@deca.org

HOW DO I TAP THE NAB RESOURCES TO SUPPORT MYCLASSROOM?

Partner with DECA’s National Advisory Board

<For more information about DECA’s National Advisory Board, contact John Fistolera, Director of Development at DECA Inc., at john_fistolera@deca.org or (703) 860-5000.

> Visit the NAB page at http://www.deca.org/partners/ and see which companies have stores, services or programs in your community.

> Determine which NAB companies best fit your classroom goals.

> Print those NAB companies’ pages and contact their local representative to schedule a meeting. If you cannot determine who a company’s local representative is or have any questions about the partnership, contact the designated DECA staff person for assistance.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL NAB REPRESENTATIVE?

> You should expect a return call and an appointment. Remember, the NAB partnership only works if it works at the local level - in both directions. If you have any problem contacting your local representative, please contact DECA staff.

> You should expect to return the value that your local partner provides such as helping place students for employment or trying products in your store and for chapter sales projects.

> You should expect this to become an ongoing, local partnership.

MIKE MARCHETTIDECA’s National Advisory Board Chair

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FOR THE SECOND QUARTER

THINK BIG DURINGGLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK1

Global Entrepreneurship Week has grown dramatically in a very short period of time, because it’s driven by grass roots organizations like DECA chapters. DECA is one of only seven national partners with Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA. Many DECA chapters promote entrepreneurship so why not make your event official and use November 15–21, 2010, as your catalyst. Your activities can come from any of the following:

Riding the heels of an exciting DECA Week, your enthused members are looking to get a lot out of DECA, and DECA has a lot to offer them. The second quarter is the

time when many advisors start helping students get a competitive edge with additional preparation. It’s also a time for focused learning projects with a unique twist, such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, community service activities and school-based enterprises. Here are some ideas for using DECA activities to engage your students in your classroom and extend learning beyond the classroom.

Sign up as a partner + promote your activity.Be sure to sign up as a partner at www.gewusa.org. This gives you exposure and the feeling of being part of something big. It adds relevance to your activity. Share your event with your local media, and report it to deca_dimensions@deca.org. You can even consider entering your event in DECA’s Entrepreneurship Promotion Project, which provides an opportunity for chapter members to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a campaign to educate chapter members and a targeted group about the opportunities available for becoming an entrepreneur.<http://www.deca.org/events/gew/

10 ACTIVITIES

DECA PREPARES EMERGING LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS IN MARKETING, FINANCE, HOSPITALITY AND MANAGEMENT.

Schedule an existing entrepreneurial activity.If you’re already planning an event that focuses on entrepreneurship, align it with GEW to increase visibility and attract new participants. It could be as simple as an entrepreneurship activity in your class.

Select an activity from the Ideas Bank.Check out the November/December issue of Dimensions for excerpted ideas from www.gewusa.org that you can organize as a DECA chapter.

Be creative + innovative.Design your own activities based on your chapter members’ interests. You can access resources to brand your activity at www.unleashingideas.org/resources.

November 15–21, 2010

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LEARN + SERVE: PERFORM A CHAPTER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

3The holidays are a friendly reminder to consider why we are thankful. Get at the heart of the season by encouraging your DECA members to perform or participate in a community service project. Conduct this as a learning activity in your class where students perform tasks relating to project management, event management, personnel management, public relations and more. Consider using DECA’s Community Service Project as a guide and allow your chapter leaders to turn their learning into an entry for this competitive event.

PREPARE YOUR DIAMOND LEVEL MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN ENTRY4

Achieving Diamond Level, the highest level of the membership campaign, means your chapter has made an impression on the community, and it means special recognition for your chapter at the International Career Development Conference where representatives of the chapter are invited to appear on stage.

Qualified membership campaign activities can happen any time from the beginning of the school year through November 12, 2010. Visit the website below for submission details.Deadline: December 1, 2010<http://www.deca.org/events/membershipcampaign/

ENCOURAGE YOUR MEMBERS TO APPLY FOR DECA SCHOLARSHIPS2More than $300,000 is up for grabs for DECA members wishing to continue their education. Encourage your DECA members to engage in this professional development activity that requires them to reflect on their educational achievement, explain their involvement in DECA activities and express their career goals and ambitions.

All scholarship applications, including those for the Harry A. Applegate Scholarship, must be submitted online by January 21, 2011. Applications will be reviewed and those making the second round of consideration will be asked to mail additional information such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, chapter roster, etc. to DECA.

DECA’s corporate partners provide scholarships based on employment, career interest, entrepreneurship and leadership.Deadline: January 21, 2011<http://www.deca.org/scholarships/

IDEAS OF ACTIVITIES> Hold a contest between classes or grades to collect

nonperishable food items to donate to a food bank.> Adopt a family with a local organization.> Host a penny war and donate the proceeds to MDA.> Volunteer to ring the bell for donations.> Volunteer at a food pantry.> Create holiday cards for senior citizens or military

serving overseas.

> Collect items to donate to a local children’s hospital.> Collect mittens, scarves and coats to donate to those

in need.> Hold a “cutest pet contest” where people donate

money to the cutest pet photo and give to a cause.> Volunteer to read to elementary school students.> Consider hosting a “elves workshop” to help

elementary children make crafts for holiday gifts.

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LEARN + EARN: SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISES AND FUNDRAISING6

Need to raise funds for your DECA chapter? Use this need as an opportunity to integrate your sales activities into your curriculum and apply learning. School-based enterprises and sales projects incorporate key performance indicators from instructional areas such as accounting, marketing research, merchandising/display, management, accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, promotion and more. They allow members to actually experience entrepreneurship.

DECA’s school-based enterprise certification program provides learning activities for your DECA members to accomplish while earning a level of certification. Participating in this program is a great opportunity to validate learning and show how your school-based enterprise integrates into your curriculum. Opportunities are also available for professional development through the School-based Enterprise Academy at the DECA International Career Development Conference.Deadline: January 14, 2011<http://www.schoolbasedenterprises.org

5While effective DECA advisors incorporate DECA’s competitive events into classroom instruction, many advisors and members spend time outside of class to polish presentations or to study more in-depth. Here are some resources available to help your members in and out of class.

The November/December issue of Dimensions features 10 tips for conquering the competition from a three-time international champion. Suggestions for studying for the exam and keeping the written entry free from penalty points are also included. Consider assigning this as a reading exercise.

Want to show your members what to expect in DECA’s Competitive Events Program? Check out sample video presentations available at www.deca.org/competitions/5/. These web resources provide examples – complete with the event guidelines – for DECA’s Principles of Business Administration Events, Individual Series Events, Chapter Team Events, and Marketing Representative Events. While showing these in your class, you may wish to make copies of the evaluation forms and ask your members to evaluate the presentation. A DECA Direct segment also gives an overview of the competitive events process.

Providing your members with suggested assignments or study materials during the extended break encourages them to continue preparing. DECA advisors send DECA members home with performance indicator lists, sample role-plays and sample exams during the break.

DECA Images has provided a list of resources specific to each competitive event to help DECA members prepare for competition. Visit the competitive events guidelines page, and you’ll notice a column for DECA Images Resources.

NOTE: DECA introduced a new rule this year: “Materials appropriate to the situations may be handed to or left with judges in all competitive events.” To clarify, items of monetary value can be handed to but cannot be left with judges. Items such as flyers, brochures, pamphlets and business cards may be handed to or left with the judge. For participants in the Principles of Business Administration Events, Team Decision Making Events and Individual Series Events, the materials handed to the judge must be created using the materials provided during the designated preparation period.

<http://www.deca.org/competitions/highschool/

ENHANCE YOUR COMPETITIVENESS

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HOST A SOCIAL ACTIVITY8The holiday season is a great opportunity to host a chapter social activity

so your members can spend time together. If you don’t have time to arrange a social activity for the entire chapter, try at least to express appreciation to

your leadership team through some small thank-you or special treat.

IDEAS FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES> Host a holiday breakfast for DECA members. Encourage them to share in

the holiday spirit by inviting a potential DECA member.> Organize a gift exchange among members at a meeting.> Organize a “secret DECA pal” with a full week of exchanging.> Participate in a “DECA Day” at a college or professional football,

basketball or hockey game. > Enter a float or walk in your local holiday parade. > Consider activities like bowling or movie night.> Hold a pizza party to recognize your members’ accomplishments in the

first semester.

BREATHE + GET READY FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER10

SUBMIT YOUR MEMBERSHIP9

Organize your member names and dues so you can submit them on DECA’s online membership system by November 15. Some states/provinces have earlier deadlines for competitor eligibility. <http://www.decaregistration.com/hs/

ENGAGE BUSINESS PARTNERS7

Asking business professionals to help you is one of the smartest decisions you can make. They provide a reality check for your students as classroom speakers and mentors for competitive events projects.<http://www.deca.org/partners/

IDEAS FOR BUSINESS PARTNER INVOLVEMENT> Advising students on competitive event projects> Contributing resources, such as survey data, demographic

information and more, that are available to their businesses > Reviewing instructional materials for technical accuracy> Providing equipment and facilities for specialized learning> Providing tours, field trip experiences, speakers, judges> Conducting job interviews> Obtaining contributions, including scholarship funds> Performing liaison work with the rest of the business community> Publicizing the chapter’s activities in the community

Use your break as an opportunity to evaluate your first semester. Come up for air and step back to see where you stand with your goals for this year. Review your chapter’s program of work with your officer team and members. Consider where you may need to make adjustments in both your program of work and teaching. The second semester is full of DECA excitement with the competitive events season coming at full steam.

The Wisconsin DECA State Officer Team

meets with Milwaukee Bucks Group Sales

Representative, John Hummitzsch.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ASKING THESE PEOPLE TO JOIN?

BUSINESSPEOPLE ALUMNIADMINISTRATORS

“Without DECA, I wouldn’t even be an entrepreneur. That’s how significant DECA is to my life.”

– Diane Keng, California DECA alum

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GIVE US A CALL | 703.860.5006MONDAY - FRIDAY8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. est.

SHOP OUR STOREwww.deca.org/shop

Assist your students in preparing for DECA’s Competitive Events with these bell ringer

activities. Each CD-Rom comes with 180 performance indicators along with a brief

explanation of each performance indicator. Start each class with a discussion about these

topics. CD is Windows formatted and can be run direct from the CD or downloaded onto

your computer.

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