CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
The Texas DECA Chapter of the Year program is designed to guide chapters in building a strong, well-rounded program of work. Chapters earn points by completing a variety of activities throughout the year. The top 10 scoring chapters will be recognized on social media ahead of the State Career Development Conference. At SCDC, the top 3 overall chapters and the top 3 new or second-year chapters will be honored on stage, with the highest-ranking chapter in each category receiving a plaque.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each section, including descriptions, helpful resources, and how to submit your entries. Click on a section to view all details.
2021 - 2022 |
2022 - 2023 |
MEXIA HIGH SCHOOL
BEN BARBER INNOVATION ACADEMY
2023 - 2024 |
REEDY HIGH SCHOOL
2024 - 2025 |
GLENDA DAWSON HIGH SCHOOL
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
All Texas DECA chapters with the exception of first and second year chapters will be included in the Chapter of the Year scoring.
NEW CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Texas DECA chapters in their first or second year are eligible to compete in the New Chapter of the Year category. Once a chapter places in the top 3 of this category, it will no longer be eligible for New Chapter of the Year recognition in future years—even if it is still within its first or second year of existence. Instead, the chapter will be evaluated in the main Chapter of the Year category.
Some scoring categories have modified criteria specifically for new chapters. These adjustments are noted within the individual category descriptions below.
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Using the guide below to what a Program of Leadership (POL) is and what criteria to include, create your own as a chapter officer team. Once you’ve got all of your ideas laid out, fill out the POL document below and uploaded the completed version using the form below.
NEW CHAPTER OF THE YEAR MODIFICATION: Deadline extended to October 15
DOWNLOAD POL DOCUMENT TO FILL OUT
Submission Required
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The Presidents Club is designed to connect chapter leaders across the state and give them the tools they need to guide their chapter as the reach all of the goals they set for the year.
Presidents can join at bit.ly/txpresclub
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The Rising Stars program is designed to recognize and empower underclassmen student member across Texas DECA. Advisors must nominate students based on the given criteria to receive this award. After advisors give their nominations to the students, the student must fill out the form to accept their nomination.
To receive credit for this category, at least one student must have filled out the nomination form by the deadline.
Verified by Texas DECA
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Submit pictures and a description of {up to} 2 recruitment activities. You will receive 10 points per activity.
SUBMIT PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS HERE
Submission Required
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Host and submit your bring a friend challenge. See challenge details and submission requirements here.
Submission Required
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1 Point/% Growth (max 30) | 1 Point/# Growth (max 20)
At the end of the Texas DECA Membership Campaign, Texas DECA will calculate scores for these two sections.
You’ll receive 1 point for each percent increase your chapter has (max 30 points). You will also receive 1 point for each new member your chapter has (max 20 points). These will be calculated based on membership increases from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026. Find your previous year's membership total here.
NEW CHAPTER OF THE YEAR MODIFICATION: 1 Point per Member up to 20 Members; not based on actual or percentage increase
Verified by Texas DECA
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The Texas DECA Day of Service is a statewide initiative encouraging every chapter to plan and host a community service project on the same day.
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Membership Campaign | Innovation + Entrepreneurship Campaign | Promotional Campaign | Community Service Campaign
Complete and submit the national chapter campaigns above to earn points. Texas DECA will verify with DECA who completed the campaigns. You can find more information on these campaigns at deca.org/chaptercampaigns.
Verified by Texas DECA
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10 Points for 1 Activity; 25 Points for 2 Activities
Network and engage with chapters around you! Learn more about the Texas Two Step Campaign and how to submit here.
Submission Required
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Receive 5 points for each chapter meeting you host during the Fall Semester (up to 5 meetings). Snap a few pictures at your meeting and submit them with a few details about your meeting!
Submission Required
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Chapters will receive 5 points per post for up to 5 posts. Only 4 posts may be in the same month. You can not receive points for both DECA month posts and Chapter social posts. To receive credit for a chapter social post, you must use #txdecacoy in the original post. Your post will not receive credit without the hashtag in the original post. Stories will only receive points if they are included in a Highlight reel named chapter highlights, chapter information, or something similar.
Verified by Texas DECA
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How is your chapter preparing your members for competition? You must host 2 prep sessions to receive points. Prep sessions and chapter meetings can not overlap for points (if you submit the same event for a meeting and competition prep, it will only count toward points for one).
Ideas for competition prep sessions: Have members pair up and do roleplays with one another, host a testing game with kahoot or quizlet, get together and listen to each others presentations, host a mock competition. These are just ideas for events you might host. You do not have to host one of these specifically. Get creative! You may host two of the same kind of events but they must be held a two different times.
To receive credit, you’ll need to submit a description and two photos of each event.
SUBMIT COMPETITION PREP SESSIONS
Submission Required
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We want to see how much fun your chapter is having this year! You must host 2 engagement activities to receive points. Engagement activities and chapter meetings can not overlap for points (if you submit the same event for a meeting and an engagement activity, it will only count toward points for one).
Ideas for chapter engagement: Host a pizza party, host an ice cream social, host a chapter movie night, attend a DECA day event, go on a chapter field trip. These are just ideas for events you might host. You do not have to host one of these specifically. Get creative! You may host two of the same kind of events but they must be held a two different times.
To receive credit, you’ll need to submit a description and two photos of each event.
Submission Required
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Host a community service event with your chapter and let us know what you did!
SUBMIT COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT
Submission Required
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Complete all 3 activities linked to the guiding principle, Academically Prepared.
Click on the link below or learn how to find the parent activity to submit.
Host an Introduction to Competition Meeting
Host a Competition Prep Session - to submit see ‘Host Competition Prep Sessions’ below
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Complete all 3 activities linked to the guiding principle, Community Oriented.
Click on the link below or learn how to find the parent activity to submit.
Participate in your District Service Project - participation verified by district leaders
Participate in Texas DECA’s Day of Service
Host a Chapter Community Service Project - see section below for ‘Host a chapter Community Service Project’ to submit
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Complete all 3 activities linked to the guiding principle, Professionally Responsible.
Click on the link below or learn how to find the parent activity to submit.
Give a Dress for Success Presentation
Give a Presentation to a Middle School/Elementary
Invite a Business Professional to Speak at a Chapter Meeting - tip: this is part of the Innovation + Entrepreneurship Campaign for National DECA too!
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Complete all 3 activities linked to the guiding principle, Experienced Leaders.
Click on the link below or learn how to find the parent activity to submit.
Nominate a Rising Star - no submission, verified by Texas DECA
Chapter President Joins Presidents Club - no submission, verified by Texas DECA
Engage with District Officers by attending PCM’s - no submission, verified by Districts
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After the deadline, Texas DECA will calculate scores for these two sections.
You’ll receive 1 point for each percent of your chapter members who complete at least 1 practice exam (max 30 points). You will also receive 1 point for each member in your chapter who completes at least 1 practice exam (max 20 points). Find out more at texasdeca.org/practicetesting.
Verified by Texas DECA
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Attend your districts fall leadership conference and network with members from across your district! There is no requirement as to how many members you must take to receive points. Look out for more information from your district director on when and where your Fall Leadership Conference will be held! Texas DECA will receive a list of chapters in attendance from Districts.
Attendance Verified by Texas DECA
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For every Rising Stars call that at least one Rising Star from your chapter attends and actively participates in, you will earn 5 points.
Active participation means engaging in the call with cameras on.
Call schedules will be communicated with the Rising Stars.
Participation will be verified by Texas DECA.
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For every Presidents Club call that your chapter president attends and actively participates in, you will earn 5 points.
Active participation means engaging in the call with cameras on.
Call schedules will be communicated with members of the Presidents Club.
Participation will be verified by Texas DECA.
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Complete all 12 Guiding Principles activities to be recognized as a Lone Star Legend Chapter.
See the activities for each guiding principle above under the respective section.
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At least one chapter officer must attend your districts’ monthly PCM to earn points. District Officers will verify monthly attendance.
NEW CHAPTER OF THE YEAR MODIFICATION: To encourage a habit of joining the calls and taking advantage of the resources shared: 10 Points per PCM attended
Verified by Texas DECA
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Texas DECA may post new engagement tasks each month. New tasks will be shared via email to those subscribed to the Texas DECA Newsletters, to advisors, and on our social media.