DECA Insight

$300,000 IS WAITING

DECA members can apply for their share of DECA scholarships. > PAGE 4

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

INSIGHT 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 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 November/December 2010 No. 2

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

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in 1 marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Partner with DECA’s National Advisory Board

A

s 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.

W

e 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 2

about the opportunities ahead of us.

My goal has been to broaden our base of support from the NAB. Last year we asked MIKE MARCHETTI several NAB members to step up and join DECA’s the executive committee of the NAB. This National required more involvement and time on Advisory their part. We needed their involvement if we Board Chair 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 HOW DO I TAP THE NAB partnerships are actually relationships RESOURCES TO SUPPORT MY – whether that’s a relationship with the CLASSROOM? DECA staff or at the local level. When the relationship ends, the partnership weakens and in some cases it ends. DECA staff > Visit the NAB page at http://www. deca.org/partners/ and see which has a responsibility to strengthen those companies have stores, services or relationships, but they can only do so much. programs in your community. > Determine which NAB companies

T

hat’s where we need your help and best fit your classroom goals. support. I encourage you to take the > Print those NAB companies’ pages and contact their local time to introduce yourselves to the local representative to schedule NAB representative in your area. I’m in the a meeting. If you cannot sports business. It’s all about team. Together determine who a company’s local Everyone Achieves More! We need to work representative is or have any together as a team. We really need your help. questions about the partnership, I want to thank you for your commitment contact the designated DECA staff and support to our great organization. We person for assistance. really appreciate all your hard work and commitment to DECA and your members.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT Without you, there is no DECA. You are AFTER CONTACTING MY definitely the ones who make a difference.

LOCAL NAB REPRESENTATIVE? Have a great year.

Michael Marchetti Executive Vice President of Store Operations Finish Line Inc. Chair, 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.

> 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.

PUBLISHER

INSIGHT

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

Edward L. Davis EDITOR

Christopher Young EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Shirlee Kyle Shane Thomas Michelle Walker

CORRESPONDENCE

DECA INSIGHT 1908 Association Drive Reston, VA 20191-1594 (703) 860-5000 (703) 860-4013 fax www.deca.org christopher_young@deca.org

10

ACTIVITIES

FOR THE SECOND QUARTER

R

iding 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.

1

THINK BIG DURING GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK November 15–21, 2010

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:

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.

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/

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

3

2

ENCOURAGE YOUR MEMBERS TO APPLY FOR DECA SCHOLARSHIPS More 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/

3

LEARN + SERVE: PERFORM A CHAPTER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

The 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.

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.

4

> 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.

PREPARE YOUR DIAMOND LEVEL MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN ENTRY

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/

4

5

ENHANCE YOUR COMPETITIVENESS

While 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 threetime 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/

6

LEARN + EARN: SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISES AND FUNDRAISING

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 schoolbased enterprise integrates into your curriculum. Opportunities are also available for professional development through the Schoolbased Enterprise Academy at the DECA International Career Development Conference.

Deadline: January 14, 2011 <http://www.schoolbasedenterprises.org

5

7

ENGAGE BUSINESS PARTNERS

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/

cer Team DECA State Offi The Wisconsin oup Sales Gr s aukee Buck ilw M ith w ts ee m sch.

John Hummitz Representative,

8

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

HOST A SOCIAL ACTIVITY

The 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.

9

SUBMIT YOUR MEMBERSHIP

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/

10

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ASKING THESE PEOPLE TO JOIN?

BUSINESSPEOPLE ALUMNI ADMINISTRATORS “Without DECA, I wouldn’t even be an entrepreneur.

That’s how significant DECA is to my life.”

– Diane Keng, California DECA alum

BREATHE + GET READY FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER

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.

6

Assist your students in preparing for DECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

GIVE US A CALL | 703.860.5006 MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. est.

SHOP OUR STORE www.deca.org/shop 7

8