YOUR BEST YEAR YET

Catherine Horton, DECA High School Division President

This school year may be starting differently, but that doesn’t mean we won’t make our time together incredible. DECA prepares the next generation to be experienced leaders even in the most unprecedented times. Let’s put our NextLevel leadership skills to the test in membership recruitment, networking and competition to make this the best year yet!

DECA is and always has been all about the members. As a new school year begins, we must think differently to come up with new ways to recruit members through social media and other virtual platforms. We must think outside of the box and remember that “unprecedented” does not mean “impossible.”

At a DECA conference, I once heard the phrase “your network is your net worth.” I have come to realize that this statement could not be more accurate. The value of reaching out to fellow DECA members from other chapters, within your association and across the globe will enhance your experience this year. Continue to enhance your worth by growing your network. Now, more than ever, we must stay connected.

Competition season will be here before we know it, so start preparing now. Make this your best competition year by practicing role-play scenarios, studying for your exam, strategizing for DECA’s online events or getting a jump start on your written project. A little bit of work now can lead to success once the competition season begins – maybe even DECA glass!

Even when the world seems turned upside down, DECA members still know how to go to the #NextLevel. We will take our membership to the Next Level through innovative recruitment. We will take our networking skills to the Next Level through new virtual connections. And we will take our competition skills to the Next Level through hard work and diligent preparation. Together, let’s make this our best year yet!