DECA Direct | November-December 2016

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

www.decadirect.org

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DECA DIRECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHY DECA MONTH IS THE BEST MONTH

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS

HOW TO GET YOUR CHAPTER TRENDING ON CAMPUS

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EDITORIAL

Publisher Paul A. Wardinski Managing Editor Janelle Arrighi Editorial Committee Jeff Collins, Sarah Williams, Christopher Young Advertising Cindy Allen, Nick Edwards Design Frank Peterson, Shawna Hession

DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS President Donald LeCompte North Atlantic Region Vice President Emily Fraser Central Region Vice President Brandon Allen Southern Region Vice President Victoria Meng Western Region Vice President Rohan Ghiya

COLLEGIATE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS President Alyssa Duncan Vice President Cameron Brown Vice President Mike Rich Vice President Felix Albl Vice President Terrius Harris

3 4 WAYS TO OWN THE REST OF 2016

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DECA CELEBRATES MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP AS MDA UNVEILS NEW BRAND

CAN COMMUNITY SERVICE HELP YOU GET HIRED?

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President Kevin Reisenauer President-Elect Mary Peres Secretary Pam O’Brien Treasurer Ev Vaughan Members Jeff Back, Ginger Hill, Olga Plangianakos, Jackie Schiller NAB Chair Stephanie Wissink Ex-Officio Members Tammie Brewer, Paul A. Wardinski

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE DECA Direct Magazine 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 communications@deca.org

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

CHAPTER BUZZ

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DECA Direct (ISSN 1080-0476) is published four times each year—September/ October, November/December, January/ February and March/April. Copyright ©2016 by the Distributive Education Clubs of America, Inc., 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594. All rights reserved. Annual non-member subscription rate is $5.00. Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, Virginia and additional mailing offices. $1.00 of membership fee goes toward subscription to DECA Direct, a publication of DECA, (USPS 566-200), Volume 5, Number 2.

Postmaster—Send form 3579 for change of address to: DECA Direct, 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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WHY DECA MONTH IS THE BEST MONTH HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

@deca_donald

NOV NOV 1

Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Award and Outstanding Service Award Candidate Nomination

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DECA Idea Challenge begins

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Global Entrepreneurship Week

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Initial online membership dues deadline

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DECA Idea Challenge entries due

17-20

Western Region Leadership Conference Seattle, WA

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Virtual Business Challenge Round 1 ends

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Central Region Leadership Conference Indianapolis, IN Innovations and Entrepreneurship Conference Washington, D.C.

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The Ultimate DECA Power Trip Washington, D.C.

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ACTE CareerTech VISION Las Vegas, NV New York Experience I New York City, NY

DEC 1

Community Service Campaign due Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Award and Outstanding Service Award Application Packet Global Entrepreneurship Week Campaign due Membership Campaign due Promotional Campaign due

7-10

New York Experience II New York City, NY

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Stock Market Game ends

There is no more exciting time to be a DECA member than during the month of November! November is #DECAMonth, and that means it’s time to showcase your DECA pride by being an active member in your chapter.

Here are three ways you can Own Your Future and make a positive impact during DECA Month: COMPLETE DECA’S CHAPTER CAMPAIGNS November is the perfect time to make one final push in DECA’s Membership, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Promotional, and Community Service campaigns. Completing these campaigns will help earn your chapter THRIVE academy allocations at the 2017 International Career Development Conference, and you’ll be recognized as one of the best chapters in all of DECA. November is only 30 days long, so get to work today!

ATTEND YOUR REGIONAL CONFERENCE The Ultimate DECA Power Trip, Central Region Leadership Conference, and Western Region Leadership Conference are right around the corner! These conferences have a large focus on college and career preparation, so they are the place to be if you want to #OwnYourFuture. Be sure to share your awesome experience at your regional conference on social media using either #DECAPowerTrip, #DECACRLC or #WRLC2016. We can’t wait to see your amazing photos!

TAKE PART IN GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK Running from November 14-20, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of entrepreneurs who bring their ideas to life. You can unleash your creative abilities and get involved by submitting an entry in the DECA Idea Challenge 2016. The mystery item will be revealed on November 10, so get your team together today and get ready to compete for your chance to win $750! You can share your entire experience on social media too with #GEW2016 and #DECAIdeaChallenge.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

DONALD LECOMPTE

These are just three ideas to keep in mind, but many associations have other ways for you to get involved with #DECAMonth. Keep an eye out on social media to learn even more ways that you can Own Your Future this November!

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4 WAYS TO OWN THE REST OF 2016 COLLEGIATE DECA EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT

@decapresalyssa

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30-Dec.3

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DEC

Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Award and Outstanding Service Award Candidate Nomination

Collegiate Leadership Academy, New York City, NY

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Virtual Business Challenge begins

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DECA Idea Challenge begins

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Global Entrepreneurship Week

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Initial online membership dues deadline

ACTE CareerTech VISION Las Vegas, NV

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Membership Campaign Goal—25 or more submitted Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Award and Outstanding Service Award Application Packet Stock Market Game winners announced Virtual Business Challenge winners announced

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Advocacy and Mentorship Campaigns due

How is your chapter going to OWN the rest of 2016? If you give the rest of 2016 your all, and finish the year strong, your 2017 will be off to an incredible start!

Here are just a few ideas to get you started: 1. KEEP WORKING ON YOUR LEADERSHIP PASSPORT PROGRAM How is your Leadership Passport Program coming along? Whether you’re working to achieve this award as a chapter or as an individual, it’s always a good idea to do a quick check up on your progress before the hustle and bustle of finals and winter break sneak up! For more great tips on completing your passport program requirements, check out decadirect.org.

2. CELEBRATE DECA MONTH Did you know November is official #DECAMonth? This is the best time to promote your chapter on your campus and on social media. Be sure to take part in the DECA Month Photo Challenge and check decadirect.org for more details and information on how to participate. Also, use #DECAMonth in all your chapter’s social media posts so @DECAInc can see how you’re celebrating!

3. SHOW OFF YOUR INNOVATIVE SIDE November is not only DECA Month, but also hosts Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 14-20! During #GEW2016, the DECA Idea Challenge takes place to encourage students of all age groups to think outside the box and develop a brand new product using an everyday, household item. The mystery item will be revealed on November 10, so be sure to get your team together and check decadirect.org! Don’t forget, the finalist team in the collegiate division takes home $750!

Stock Market Game ends

4. PREPARING FOR #CDECAICDC The Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference may not be until April 2017, but you can start preparing now! Host fundraisers during the holiday season to help raise the necessary funds to pay for your trip to Anaheim, or hold mock competitions to help your members brush up on their competition skills. The more you do now, the more you’ll enjoy your #CDECAICDC experience later.

Virtual Business Challenge Round 1 ends .

With these tips in mind, I challenge every Collegiate DECA chapter to go out there, give it all you got, and OWN the rest of 2016!

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DECA Idea Challenge entries due

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

ALYSSA DUNCAN

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#DECAMONTH IDEAS FOR YOUR CAMPUS

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According to U.S. News & World Report, almost 70% of college students graduate with student debt; the average amount being $37,172. The good news is that doesn’t have to be you! Today there are hundreds of thousands of scholarships available to students that you can apply for! It may be a little confusing going about it all, so here are some frequently asked questions answered:

Where can I apply for scholarships?

You can apply for scholarships pretty much anywhere! Some good websites that you can use are fastweb.com, cappex.com and scholarships.com. On these websites, you can create your own virtual profile where you answer many questions based on your GPA, grade level, intended major, etc., so that you’re looking at scholarships catered specifically to you!

What kinds of criteria are required to apply for a scholarship?

Every scholarship has its own specific criteria; some may be academic and others based on unique qualities. There are scholarships for just about anything nowadays, from being left handed to being over 6 feet tall. Many scholarships do, however, have a minimum GPA requirement and require a letter of recommendation so keep those grades up and keep your connections close.

Who should I ask to write my letter of recommendation?

Your letter of recommendation should come from someone who has a sense of your character in many ways and has known you for at least one year. Your DECA advisor is a very apt choice for letters of recommendation, since he or she gets to see many sides of you inside and outside of the classroom.

Remember to give whomever you choose at least three-four weeks to write your letter of recommendation. Chances are you won’t be the only person who will have asked and they will be taking time out of their own schedule for this favor, so be sure to thank them for their time.

Most of these scholarships are only a couple hundred dollars, and my college expenses are in the thousands. Is it even worth applying?

Yes! While the scholarships may not seem like a lot in the moment, enough of them will easily add up to quite a bit of money! Each scholarship application and essay shouldn’t take you more than two hours. If the scholarship is worth $500, you just made $250 an hour!

Does DECA have any scholarships available for me?

Yes! DECA’s Scholarship Program awards over $300,000 to high school and collegiate members each year. The deadline to apply for DECA scholarships is January 13, 2017, so get started today at deca.org/scholarships.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

DECA prepares its members for many things in life with one of the most important being college. Continuing your education is an amazing experience, and going to college allows you to pursue your passion, learn more about yourself and have new opportunities. But it’s going to cost you!

ROHAN GHIYA

Western Region Vice President

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HOW TO GET

YOUR DECA CHAPTER TRENDING ON CAMPUS The common goal for every Collegiate DECA chapter is to constantly grow. With more and more organizations starting each year on campus, it gets tough to stand out to potential members. Check out the tips below on how you can help your chapter be the talk of the town:

2. DON’T JUST SAY IT - SHARE IT! Explaining how awesome being a collegiate DECA member is can only do so much.

Why don’t you show your potential members what life as a member is really like with your chapter hashtag? Encourage all your members to share their own collegiate DECA experience on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using your chapter’s hashtag, whatever you have decided that will be. Then, you can promote that hashtag to any potential members you meet so they can see firsthand the awesome trips, professional experiences, networking opportunities and more that come with being a member.

3. LEAVE THE QUAD AND GO INTO THE CLASSROOMS This last tip is my favorite! For most schools, all incoming business freshmen take the same classes, and these are most likely the same classes you took! Send an email to the professor and ask if you could take the first or last five minutes of class and talk to the students about joining collegiate DECA. You would be surprised that most professors would love to help out. During this time, it’s important to make it fun by throwing out candy to students who show interest or inviting them to your chapter’s next tailgate.

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COLLEGIATE DECA

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY COLLEGIATE DECA

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COLLEGIATE DECA

UNIVERSITY OF LAS VEGAS COLLEGIATE DECA

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

1. DON’T BE AFRAID OF REJECTION Remember that time you had a huge crush on a girl in middle school, and you finally had the nerve to ask her to go get ice cream and she said no? Did that rejection kill you? No! So don’t be afraid to go up to students on your campus and talk about DECA. If they don’t give you the time of day, don’t sweat it! Chalk it up to conversation experience, and move onto the next one.

With these tips, your Collegiate DECA chapter will be the hit on campus! Remember to have fun and be one big family. If you need someone to man the grills at your next BBQ, let me know at @decavpcam on Twitter!

CAMERON BROWN

Collegiate DECA Vice President

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

DECA CELEBRATES MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP AS MDA UNVEILS NEW BRAND

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As an organization that empowers leaders and entrepreneurs across the country, DECA members, chapters and advisors know that leadership is much more than success in business and driving the bottom line. Leadership is about serving others and making our communities a better place.

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For 35 years, DECA members have contributed to significant progress in helping kids and adults with muscular dystrophy and related muscledebilitating diseases through our partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This progress is helping ensure individuals with diseases that severely limit physical strength and mobility can live longer, maintain independence and thrive — as leaders, parents, entrepreneurs and anything

else they dream for their lives and their families.

DECA’s commitment shines through by the more than $6.7 million that chapters have raised over the life of their partnership by selling MDA Shamrocks, hosting Miracle Minutes at meetings and events, participating at MDA Muscle Walk and volunteering at MDA Summer Camps.

In addition to serving the communities where we live and work, leadership is also often about the ability to embrace and adapt to change. Our friends at MDA recognize that it must continue to evolve and change if it wants to remain the leader in the fight against muscular dystrophy while engaging the families it serves and attracting new supporters and volunteers.

THE ROAD TO RELEVANCE Every brand and organization must continue to evolve and grow to stay relevant and ensure it continues to meet the needs of its stakeholders. This was true for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which revolutionized philanthropic giving in America with telethons, celebrities and cause marketing decades ago. Today, they are once again bringing revolutionary ways of thinking to the forefront as they unveiled a revitalized brand in January 2016 and launched an innovative campaign that urges Americans to defy their limits to live unlimited during the summer.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016 TOP 10 FUNDRAISING DECA CHAPTERS FOR MDA: 1. Rosemont DECA - Minnesota

The MDA brand is iconic and now has a fresh identity that matches our passionate commitment to our mission,” said Steve Ford, MDA’s chief communications and marketing officer. “The new campaign is inspired by the courageous kids and adults we serve who model strength, break down barriers and defy limits, overcoming in many cases formidable health struggles. MDA families are the inspiration behind everything we do.

“We began 2016 with families at the heart of our mission, literally with a heart representing them in our refreshed logo design,” said Steven M. Derks, MDA’s President and CEO. “As we continue to work alongside partners like DECA to fight for individuals with neuromuscular diseases — and the families who love them — we are excited to lead with a strong new brand that reflects a deepened commitment to accelerate treatments and cures for the kids, adults and families we serve.”

What it means to live unlimited is different for everyone, but it’s about refusing to believe in the word “can’t,” a consistent push to go above and beyond what we think is our limit and showing the world that limits don’t define us.

This year’s promotion featured celebrities, families, influences, partners and more. New strategies included the

2. Rolla Tech DECA - Missouri 3. Norman North High School DECA Oklahoma 4. Blue Springs DECA - Missouri 5. Waynesville DECA - Missouri 6. Monett Scott Tech DECA - Missouri 7. Elk River DECA - Minnesota 8. Grayson County DECA - Kentucky 9. Arrowhead DECA - Wisconsin 10. Olentangy DECA - Ohio

first ever digital takeover of its kind by a charity on Facebook Live, a 24-hour variety show streamed online, numerous stories from MDA families and an easyto-use tool that allowed all Americans to share how they Live Unlimited by creating a customized image at the campaign’s online hub at mda.org/ LiveUnlimited.

Earlier this summer, MDA launched a campaign called “Live Unlimited” to empower everyone to transform perceived limits into unlimited possibilities to live life to the fullest.

It was inspired by the strength of MDA families who do remarkable things every day despite the physical and societal limits diseases like muscular dystrophy and ALS often create.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

As part of its renewed focus, MDA has charted a bold mission plan to double spending on research toward drug development and clinical trials and to increase the number of families who receive MDA care and support by 50 percent to 150,000 individuals annually by the year 2020. Additionally, MDA also plans to send 20,000 kids to its life-changing, weeklong MDA Summer Camps at no charge to their families.

CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM TOGETHER MDA is pleased to continue its involvement in the annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) by participating in the DECA 5K Fun Run/Walk to benefit MDA, hosting a booth in the exhibit hall and hosting a luncheon for the top MDA fundraising DECA chapters.

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DECA prepares our members to be community oriented. We do this the same way we prepare our members for college and careers - by working with the very best partners to support classroom instruction, apply learning and promote competition to measure accomplishment. For over 35 years, MDA has been one of our major partners in achieving this outcome. Through our partnership, DECA members have raised over $6 million dollars to help fight devastating neuromuscular diseases, like MDA. PAUL WARDINSKI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DECA INC.

The tradition continues this school year – with many opportunities for chapters to get involved. We hope you will join us for another meaningful and impactful year of partnering together to help kids and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases live longer and grow stronger.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Contact your local MDA office through mda.org, or reach out to the DECA Inc., to connect your school with the MDA office in your hometown.

All MDA programs, or any local event or project conducted on behalf of MDA, can be a part of a Community Service Project that you can enter into your local and state competition and, hopefully, take all the way to #DECAICDC! Learn more about MDA at mda.org.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (1) Publication Title: DECA Direct. (2) Publication Number: 0566-200. (3) Filing Date: 9/30/2016. (4) Issue Frequency: 4 times/year: Sept./Oct., Nov./Dec., Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr. (5) Number of Issues Published Annually: 4. (6) Annual Subscription Price: $5.00. (7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer): DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Contact Person: Paul Wardinski. Telephone: 703-860-5000. (8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. (9) Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Paul Wardinski, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Editor: Christopher Young, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. Managing Editor: Janelle Arrighi, DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594.

(10) Owner: Full Name, Complete Mailing Address: DECA Inc., 1908 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1594. (11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. (12) Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates): The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. (13) Publication Title: DECA Direct. (14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 19, 2016. (15) Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months/No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: (a) Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 120,013/93,500. (b) Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541. (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies): 111,198/87,692. (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies) 0/0. (3) Paid distribution outside the mails: 0/0. (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 6,575/4,408. (c) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)]: 117,773/92,100. (d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (2) Free or Nominal Rate InCounty Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0/0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 0/0. (e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)): 0/0. (f) Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 117,773/92,100. (g) Copies not Distributed: 2,240/1,400. (h) Total (Sum of 15f and g): 120,013/93,500. (i) Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100): 100%/100% (16) Electronic Copy Circulation: (a) Paid Electronic Copies: 0/0. (b) Total Paid Print Copies + Paid Electronic Copies: 117,773/92,100. (c) Total Print Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies: 117,773/92,100. (d) Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies): 100/100. I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price. (17) Publication of Statement of Ownership: Publication required. Will be printed in the November/December 2016 issue of this publication. (18) Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Paul Wardinski, Publisher. Date: 9/30/2016.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

CAN COMMUNITY SERVICE HELP GET YOU HIRED? JANELLE ARRIGHI DECA INC. COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Most high school students know the importance of community service when it comes to building their college application and résumé, but does the same notion apply to your professional résumé as well? Can doing community service really help you get hired after graduation? The answer is yes!

“Employers are interested in classroom achievement, but they also want to know how a student has applied his or her education outside of academia,” said Patrick Groves, Director of Talent Acquisition/HRIS for Gordmans. “Community service is an important marker of practical application because it implies that the student was willing to sacrifice his or her time for an important cause.”

Having community service activities on your college résumé shows you’re a well-rounded student, and having these same pointers on your professional résumé shows potential employers that you’re a well-rounded human, with the potential to be an outstanding employee.

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“More and more companies are asking their employees to get involved with community service,” explained Marie Davis, Manager of National Recruitment Programs and Partnerships for Chipotle Mexican Grill. “For example, Chipotle participates in community service events to help out in the community.

Some examples include gardening or volunteering at community food banks. We want employees who are comfortable and open to participating in these types of activities and can even bring their own community service ideas to the table. Students should definitely carry their community service experience onto their professional résumé. More companies are looking to learn about the whole person and not just the type of skills developed in college or through work experience.”

It makes sense, right? If you care enough about your community to take time out of your evenings or weekends to lend a helping hand, you’ll most likely apply this same attitude to your job, like helping others with their projects, getting to know your coworkers inside and outside of the office, and being a genuinely caring employee.

“At Chipotle, we hire for the 13 characteristics, and don’t necessarily look for experience, but instead we want to know how you have made others better,” said Davis.

“We’re looking for the person who looks beyond themselves. It’s not only about their ambition or where they’re going, but what they can do to make others better and stronger, and how they can take their skills and qualities to positively impact those around them, especially those directly in their community. That’s the person I want to hire.”

So what’s the best way to showcase your community service activities to your potential employer? First, don’t think of your experiences as just supplemental activities, but instead, use those as practical examples of your soft skills.

“Showing you’re involved in community service is a great way to demonstrate your soft skills,” Davis stated. “The skills you take away from volunteering or doing community service, like compassion, understanding, empathy, even communication, are all skills that make you an excellent member of a team and even a stronger leader.”

In addition to discussing your activities during an interview, Groves also suggests keeping a thorough list of all your volunteer experience on your LinkedIn résumé too.

“The job market is a competitive landscape, and every advantage you can leverage to create a point of differentiation between you and another candidate deserves to be showcased,” Groves explained. “The fact that you’ve taken time to give back to your community is commendable.

Publicly displaying that you are proud of that work is completely acceptable and advantageous to you.”

“At Gordmans, one component of our Core Values is to enhance the quality of the lives of our guests and we strive to hire associates that align with our passion for giving back to the community.” — Patrick Groves Besides listing community service experiences on your résumé, you can also discuss your passion for volunteering or a particular charity during your interview process.

“At Gordmans, one component of our Core Values is to enhance the quality of the lives of our guests and we strive to hire associates that align with our passion for giving back to the community,” said Groves.

So next time you’re helping your DECA chapter collect canned goods for a food drive, clean up a local highway or participate in an MDA walk, remember to add that to your résumé when you get home. The small acts of kindness you perform in your community now could help you land the job of your dreams in the future!

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

“At Chipotle, we hire for the 13 characteristics, and don’t necessarily look for experience, but instead we want to know how you have made others better.” — Marie Davis

are, and we make this known to candidates, it generally makes it easy to ensure both parties – candidate and company – are aligned before an offer is extended,” said Groves.

“As a candidate at Gordmans, you’re likely to be asked a series of questions about your experiences. If relevant to the situation, I would definitely encourage a candidate to speak about community service, as well as business experiences.”

Since community involvement is such an important part of who we 19

Winter break

is usually a great time for students, with no school, plenty of free time to hang out with friends and the holiday spirit all around. It seems like students begin to count down the days until winter break as soon as they feel a chill in the air!

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Blacksburg DECA loves to participate in service activities, not only to help those in our community, but also to remember a former member, Ayesha Wintersdorff, who was instrumental in introducing Blacksburg High School to Home for the Holidays. Ayesha sadly passed away in a car accident in 2008, and we continue to support Home for the Holidays in remembrance of her contributions to DECA, our school and the entire community.

Every elementary school in our area (Blacksburg, Va.) has students with families who struggle during these times, and the Blacksburg DECA chapter strives to assist these families as much as we can every year.

Home for the Holidays is an amazing service project in Blacksburg, Va., that provides elementary-school aged

children and their families with food to get them through their two-week holiday break.

Blacksburg DECA members hold multiple food drives leading up to winter break in order to collect food donations for these families. After these food drives are completed, Blacksburg DECA members will purchase any remaining food items still needed by using money from raffle fundraisers.

Finally, the bags of food will be packed up and delivered to the Blacksburg High School guidance office, where teachers from the local elementary schools come to pick them up and distribute the food to families in need.

Home for the Holidays is a community service initiative we love to support, not only because it is a good cause, but because it is also a great time for our chapter members to bond with each other and make connections in our community.

Follow Blacksburg DECA on Twitter @blacksburg_deca.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

While most students, especially younger children, look forward to their holiday breaks, some dread it.

No school means no cafeteria lunch, and for many students who rely on the National School Lunch Program, this could mean little to no food for themselves or their families until school resumes in January.

This holiday season, Blacksburg DECA encourages you and your chapter to find a special community service project in your area that you can dedicate your time and resources to.

When your chapter members are able connect with each other and those in your community through service, it not only strengths your hometown, but your entire chapter as well.

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CHAPTER BUZZ ▼ HAMDEN DECA | CONNECTICUT

Hamden DECA was thrilled to install its newest officer team and initiate its new members for the 2016-2017 school year. With the largest number of new members yet, Hamden DECA is looking forward to a very productive and very successful year.

▲ CORAL GLADES DECA | FLORIDA

Senior chapter officers from Coral Glades DECA enjoyed hosting their last ice cream social, an annual event where members get to learn more about DECA and prepare for the upcoming year.

◀ PITTSBURG DECA | TEXAS Pittsburg DECA held a back to school meeting to kick off the new year, and current members shared their own versions of “My DECA Story” with new recruits.

▶ BEND DECA | OREGON

Members of Bend DECA were hard at work in one of their school-based enterprises, The Bear’s Cave, during a varsity football game.

◀ UNLV COLLEGIATE DECA | NEVADA

▲ MAPLE HEIGHTS DECA | OHIO

Maple Heights DECA members sported their pink “Refuse to Sink” shirts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to show support for their high school principal’s and DECA advisor’s mothers, who are both breast cancer survivors.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

Collegiate DECA chapter members at the University of Las Vegas Nevada are ready to own their future in 2016-2017!

◀ BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST DECA | KANSAS

Over 40 Blue Valley Northwest DECA members volunteered at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk and raised over $2,000 to donate to the cause!

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CHAPTER BUZZ ▼ MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS | FLORIDA

Members and advisors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas DECA worked with the local middle school business teacher to introduce DECA to the middle school students.

▲ APPLETON EAST DECA | WISCONSIN

Appleton East DECA officers gave presentations in marketing/ business classes to promote DECA and recruit new members to join this year.

◀ UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA COLLEGIATE DECA | NORTH DAKOTA

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

Collegiate DECA members from the University of North Dakota took on Washington, D.C., and now they’re ready to take on the next challenge this year and OWN their future!

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CHAPTER BUZZ

▲ WAUSAU WEST DECA | WISCONSIN

Wausau West DECA recently held its annual tailgate, where seasoned members welcomed the new freshmen and got them excited about what DECA has to offer for the upcoming year. Free refreshments and food were provided by their current business partners.

u WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL DECA | CALIFORNIA

The Washington High School DECA officer team successfully recruited tons of new members to build up their chapter size at their Club Rush Week!

▲ COPPERAS COVE DECA TEXAS

Copperas Cove DECA chapter members gave back to their community by hosting a food drive to help feed students in need.

◀ THOMAS JEFFERSON DECA FLORIDA The Thomas Jefferson DECA school-based enterprise got a revamp this year, going from a cart to an official building! Chapter members are excited to sell coffee and donuts from their new location.

▲ BROOKFIELD CENTRAL DECA WISCONSIN 26

Brookfield Central DECA owned its first chapter meeting of the year by creating a custom Snapchat geofilter for members to share and use.

▲ SOUTH FORSYTH DECA | GEORGIA

Members of South Forsyth DECA kicked off their new school year by holding a chapter members’ dinner at a local restaurant, because DECA is all about good food with great friends!

◀ NORTH BRUNSWICK DECA | NEW JERSEY

Mondays are DECA days! Every Monday, all the North Brunswick DECA chapter members wear their DECA shirts to present a unified, professional team of hardworking students and promote DECA to the rest of the school.

▲ PINNACLE DECA | ARIZONA

Pinnacle DECA recruited members by dressing up for a day at school and handing out cookie coupons to anyone who asked about DECA.

◀ GLENBROOK NORTH DECA | ILLINOIS

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER | 2016

Glenbrook North DECA members parTIEd with their principal during a homecoming week block party.

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CHAPTER BUZZ ◀ LUIS LLORENS TORRES DECA PUERTO RICO

Chapter members from Luis Llorens Torres DECA participated in a coastal cleanup, where they had the opportunity to help clean the beach in their hometown.

▲ ROGERS DECA | MINNESOTA

Rogers DECA had a terrific start to the 2016-2017 school year! Are you ready to #OwnYourFuture?

◀ ATLEE DECA | VIRGINIA

Atlee DECA members volunteered at the Cameron Gallagher Foundation SpeakUp5k, an annual event that brings awareness to teenage anxiety and depression. Atlee DECA has adopted the Cameron Gallagher Foundation as its chapter project for the 2016-2017 school year.

◀ FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY COLLEGIATE DECA | FLORIDA

Full Sail University Collegiate DECA members raised over $1,700 by holding a photo shoot fundraiser called, “Be a Warrior and Stand up to Autism.” All proceeds went to benefit a nonprofit school located in Natick, Mass., called Crossroads.

▼ ELK RIVER DECA | MINNESOTA

Elk River DECA members celebrated Tackle Cancer Week by selling t-shirts, bracelets and ribbons. They raised over $2,000 for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research Fund!

▲ NILES WEST DECA | ILLINOIS 28

◀ FIT COLLEGIATE DECA NEW YORK

FIT Collegiate DECA officers recruited over 75 new members during their college club fair! Be sure to follow FIT Collegiate DECA on Instagram and Twitter @FIT_ DECA to keep up with their chapter this year.

Before heading to the Homecoming assembly, Niles West DECA members first had to show their DECA pride!

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