Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Eco Friendly Fundraising Ideas for Your DECA Chapter

By SAANVI CHILIVERU

Coppell High School

As a member of Texas DECA, you likely know about the importance of effective fundraising. But what if you could make a positive impact on the environment while achieving financial success? Integrating eco-friendly practices into your fundraising initiatives not only helps the planet but also sets a powerful example for your community. Here are some innovative and easy ways your DECA chapter can reduce its carbon footprint while making a difference!

1. Go Digital with Your Marketing

In today’s digital age, there’s no reason to rely heavily on paper for your marketing materials. Use social media, email newsletters, and communication tools like GroupMe to spread the word about your fundraising events. By creating engaging content, you can reach a broader audience without the environmental cost of printing. Plus, your chapter will save money on materials!

2. Reusable Decorations and Supplies

When planning events, consider using decorations and supplies that can be reused year after year. Instead of single-use items, invest in fabric banners, glass containers, and washable tablecloths. Not only does this cut down on waste, but it also creates a polished, professional look for your events. Encourage chapter members to bring items from home that can be repurposed, fostering a sense of creativity and teamwork!

3. Organize a Community Clean-Up

A community clean-up is a great way to work with your local community while raising awareness about environmental issues. Plan a day where chapter members and community volunteers can come together to clean up parks, beaches, or other public spaces. You can incorporate a fundraising element by seeking donations for every pound of trash collected or by partnering with local businesses that might match the funds raised. It’s a win-win for your chapter and the environment!

4. Host a Recycling Drive

Electronic waste is a big issue, and your chapter can help by organizing a recycling drive for items like old batteries, electronics, and light bulbs. Partner with local recycling facilities to ensure proper disposal and promote the event through your social media. This not only serves the community but also raises awareness about responsible recycling practices!

5. Coppell DECA Spotlight

One example of implementing eco-friendly practices comes from our very own Coppell DECA chapter! Each year, we organize a secondhand business attire drive to make professional clothing more affordable for our peers while promoting sustainable fashion. By giving a new life to gently used items, we not only help our fellow students but also set a great example of how to blend community service with environmental awareness.

Conclusion

As you explore new fundraising ideas for your DECA chapter, consider how you can include eco-friendly practices in your initiatives. Not only will you raise money for your chapter, but you’ll also encourage others to think about their environmental impact. 

Remember, leadership in DECA isn’t just about business—it’s about making a difference in your community and the world around you. By adopting these eco-friendly practices, you can spread a message that extends beyond simply fundraising. Let’s work together to build a sustainable future for our chapters and our planet!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Recruitment Success Story

By mia wang

Texas DECA Vice President, College Park High School

Recruitment Success Story: Kona Ice at College Park High School

One of the standout initiatives our chapter implements to successfully recruit new members is Kona Ice Days. This sweet and engaging activity not only brings our school community together but also effectively showcases our DECA chapter.

Kona Ice trucks are stationed at College Park High School during both fall and spring semesters, providing refreshing treats to all students and faculty. These events take place during all lunch periods, ensuring maximum visibility and participation. Each year there is a continuously high demand with a long line that creates buzz around the event.

To maximize turnout, College Park DECA promotes the event through various channels:

1. Social Media: We utilize our chapter’s social media platforms to generate excitement and sharing countdowns leading up to the event.

2. School Announcements: Regular announcements in the school cafeteria reminding students of the upcoming Kona Ice Days.

3. Television Slides: Our chapter takes advantage of the school’s TV slides, showcasing persistent reminders and inviting everyone to join in.

During the actual day, DECA officers help document the event which became a popular spot where students loved getting their pictures taken with friends. This not only created memorable experiences but also highlighted our chapter’s involvement.

To encourage new memberships, DECA officers strategically placed bulletin boards nearby featuring QR codes that linked directly to our membership sign-up page. This allowed interested students to easily learn more about DECA and join right on the spot. The visibility of our chapter’s presence during Kona Ice Days made a lasting impression, drawing in many new members eager to get involved.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - What Being A Chapter Officer Has Taught Me

By johana gonzalez

Harmony School of Innovation - Fort Worth

Being a DECA chapter officer for the past three years has been an unforgettable experience, teaching me valuable lessons in organization, communication, and innovation through my many positions. From my role as Historian to now serving as Co-President, these skills have helped me lead my chapter and will benefit me in all areas of life, as they are always applicable and will last forever. My advice to anyone considering leadership positions is to embrace these three areas—they’ll help you grow, succeed, and make a lasting impact.

Organization: Keeping Everything on Track

As a chapter officer, organization became my best friend. Between schoolwork, DECA duties, and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But the key to success lies in staying organized. One tool that helped me was using a shared digital calendar to keep track of meetings, deadlines, and events. It allowed me to plan and avoid last-minute stress. For example, organization was crucial when we hosted VEX competitions to raise money. I had to coordinate volunteers for every area, from setting up the event space to helping with clean-up and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. With proper planning and structure, it would have been smooth. Having a solid plan in place helped keep things on track and made the entire event a success.

Communication: Building Stronger Connections

Being an officer taught me that communication is at the heart of leadership. Whether I was reaching out to members about upcoming events or working with other officers, clear and open communication made all the difference. I’ve learned the importance of adjusting your communication style depending on your audience. For example, I keep messages concise and to the point when communicating with our advisors but more detailed when updating chapter members. We also used tools like GroupMe and Remind to ensure everyone stayed informed, especially when plans changed at the last minute. Additionally, we use Instagram as a way to share important information, knowing that members are more likely to scroll through Instagram than check Remind or GroupMe. By consistently sharing updates across different platforms, we created trust between everyone, ensuring that members felt informed and connected. These communication strategies have strengthened our chapter and helped us work together more effectively as a chapter.

Innovation: Creating New Opportunities

The most exciting part of being a chapter officer is the opportunity to innovate. Leadership isn’t just about following tradition. It’s about bringing fresh ideas to the table. I quickly realized that as an officer, I had the power to help shape the future of our chapter. One example of innovation was introducing new fundraising methods to boost our chapter’s budget. Rather than sticking to traditional methods, we experimented with virtual fundraising events and collaborations with local businesses, which turned out to be a hit. We also focused on implementing fun and engaging activities for our chapter, helping to create a stronger sense of community among our members and officers. This helped us reach our goals fun and engagingly while creating a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my time as a DECA chapter officer, I’m grateful for the invaluable lessons I’ve learned in organization, communication, and innovation. These skills have not only shaped my leadership style but have also strengthened the bonds within our chapter. My experience has taught me that leadership is a journey of continuous growth, and I hope to inspire others to take on leadership roles. Embrace the challenges and opportunities that come your way; the skills you develop will serve you well in all aspects of life and enrich both you and your community.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Helping Members Choose Their Competitive Event

By brady smith

Eaton High School

Dip and Pick Night: Helping Members Choose Their Competitive Event

At our chapter, we have created a fun and interactive way to guide members in selecting their competitive events. During our Dip and Pick Night, members enjoy snack such as chips, marshmallows, and other treats, dipping them into sauces like queso, salsa, and chocolate.

While snacking, members explore the various different competitive events DECA offers by discussing their personal interests, strengths, and goals. This relaxed setting helps to foster a collaborative environment, helping each member identify which event aligns best with their skills and their interests.

Dip and Pick night is more than just a social gathering; it’s an opportunity for members to learn more about DECA’s numerous competitive event categories, such as role-plays, written projects, and even professional selling. By making this process more interactive and fun, members feel less pressured and more excited about picking their event. With having causal conversations between members and advisors, everyone gains a better understanding of where they might excel, ensuring that each member can pick a path that suits their talents.

One of the key aspects of our Dip and Pick Night is the support offered by our senior DECA members and our advisors. They share their insights and personal experiences, guiding newer members as they continue to explore different competitive categories. Through these discussions, members received tailored advice, enabling them to make more informed decisions about the events that play into their strengths. This mentorship ensures that all members, whether or not being a returning member, having the resources and the confidence needed to thrive in DECA competitions.

By combining a social event with the serious task of selecting competitive events, Dip and Pick Night creates a stress-free environment where members can bond and have fun while making important decisions on what they’re going to compete in this year. It fosters camaraderie within our chapter as well, ensuring that everyone feels involved and supported within our chapter. This balance of fun and purpose helps motivate members to engage in the selection process, ensuring that they leave the event with a clear idea of what they want to compete in this upcoming competition season.

Key Benefits of Dip and Pick Night:

● Encourages collaboration and mentorship between newer and experienced members.

● Combines fun social activities with event selection, reducing pressure.

● Provides tailored advice to help members find competitive events that align with their strengths.

● Fosters a strong sense of chapter unity and participation.

Dip and Pick Night has quickly become one of our chapter’s favorite traditions, offering both personal growth and team bonding. By merging a fun, food-centered social event with a serious, productive task like competitive events, our chapter ensures that every member can feel engaged and prepared. The relaxed atmosphere also allows members to focus on what truly matters - finding an event that best suits their future interests and their career goals.

Looking forward, we hope to continue improving our Dip and Pick Night by adding more and new interactive elements, such as event simulations or guest speakers to further help members gain better clarity and confidence in picking their event. Ultimately, the success of this event lies in its ability to balance fun with purpose, ensuring that all members feel supported, informed, and ready to take on their DECA journey.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - How Your Chapter Officer Team Bonds

By cameron gutierrez

Clear Brook High School

At Clear Brook DECA, our number one goal is helping our members reach success through competition and bonding. This is something that is of extreme focus for our officer team. With that, our officer team also enacts a unique set of strategies to focus on officer team bonding as well! Below, we’ve provided some things that have worked for us so that you can bring your chapter officers closer together.

1. Group chat strategy

• If you’re an officer team, chances are you have a group chat with your fellow officers to keep each other updated on all things DECA. While Clear Brook DECA has a group chat, we also enact a super informal strategy to foster a sense of friendship between us. After all, DECA isn’t just all business: we’re here to have fun! Throw in a funny profile picture, and open your group chat up to more than just DECA.

2. Officer Meetings 

• Officer communication is key. At Clear Brook DECA, we host biweekly officer meetings with our chapter advisor to keep up with all things DECA. Plus, our officer meetings are pretty laid back: we have lunch together, engage in funny conversation, and overall keep it pretty casual!

3. Organization

• While your officer team should have a close bond, it’s also important to realize that you all serve a specific purpose: guiding your chapter members to success! Therefore, some level of organization and clarification must be done so that your chapter operates as efficiently as possible. At Clear Brook DECA, for example, we utilize a shared Google Drive and a shared Google Calendar in order to ensure that all information we have is centered and easy to access, eliminating any stress.

4. Host a Social

• Socials aren’t just for chapter members: they can also be for officers specifically! If your chapter has a large amount of officers, then great: a simple ice cream social between everyone is a great way to foster unique connections! At Clear Brook DECA, our officer team only consists of 6 people. Therefore, we try to host socials with other officer chapters in our school district. Not only do these bring us together, but they foster a sense of district spirit and allow us to bounce ideas off of each other! 

5. Connect with your Advisor

• Your advisor is the backbone of your DECA chapter, and without them, your DECA chapter simply wouldn’t exist. Therefore, make sure that you include your advisor in some officer events as well! As mentioned, at Clear Brook DECA, we loop our advisor in on officer meetings, as well as any events we host. 

6. Participate in Campaigns

• From service campaigns to the “Bring a Friend” campaign, national and Texas DECA campaigns serve the great purpose of bringing together your chapter. However, they can also directly connect your officer team! Try working on campaign ideas together, as well as partaking in them together and, along the way, helping members Be the One when they participate in campaigns. Not only will you foster that unique officer and chapter connection, but you’ll be making a difference in your community. 

7. But… why even focus on officer connections?

• Connecting with your officer team is one of the greatest ways that you can bring your chapter together. When your chapter sees your officer team connecting, it encourages its members to do the same, thus increasing your chapter spirit! 

Whether you’re a team of 2 or 30, bringing your officer team together is key to a successful membership year. On behalf of your Clear Brook DECA officers, we hope that this list of tips proves helpful in your Texas DECA chapter!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Let's Get Started - How to Be The One from the Beginning

By Gargi chaudhari

Heritage High School

When the school year gets under way, DECA chapters—especially new ones—are full of possibilities. A good start often translates into a great pace for the remainder of the year. Whether you are an advisor or student leader, here is a specific plan to get your chapter off on the right foot and ensure a worthwhile beginning immediately.

Lay the Groundwork

A solid base is the start of an effective and successful year in DECA, and this is derived through effective recruitment and membership drives. Hold an introductory meeting that highlights the benefits and opportunities for students through DECA. This must be engaging yet informational, showing a clear vision of what DECA can do for its members. By promoting your chapter on popular social networking sites, you raise your chapter's visibility while attracting the interest of prospective members. School officials are another group of people with whom communication is necessary. Their approval is the equivalent of resources and publicity for your chapter.

Plan and Organize

After your chapter has been established, the next thing to do would be to plan and organize your events for the upcoming year. Next, you'll want to make a yearlong plan for your chapter, including goals of your chapter, key dates of events, competition dates, and fundraisers. Having clearly defined goals will direct you in a purposeful direction. Also, having assigned roles and responsibilities within the chapter will help generate ownership and ensure specific duties are taken care of. Set a regular meeting schedule and place them on the school calendar so that everyone can be on the same page. In these meetings, compelling formats and engaging interactions will keep members motivated and participating.

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A well-prepared chapter is one that builds skills and strengthens knowledge. Skill-building workshops are a good way to prepare members for competition and business. Business session topics should focus on public speaking, business etiquette, and strategies in competing. To that end, DECA has provided much useful online training material and a series of webinars which will help advance the members' prowess and knowledge. Applying these assets will keep the chapter competitive and up-to-date with information.

Participate in Community Service

Community service is another important aspect of a successful DECA chapter. Planning and executing community service activities develops teamwork and serves the community. More than that, however, engaging in the local business community can lead to networking opportunities leading to sponsorships to support your chapter. Building those relationships now will pay dividends in both fundraising and community exposure.

Prepare for Competition

With DECA competitions, it is important that preparation is involved if success is to be achieved. This starts by going over competition guidelines so all members are aware of the rules and categories involved. The hosting of mock competitions can also acclimate members to the experience; this will help them build confidence and improve their performance. The more prepared they are, the better they will feel, and the more likely they are to actually win at a competition.

Communicate and Celebrate

This will be an effective method of sustaining morale and motivation through communicating effectively and celebrating the achievements along the way. Publishing your chapter's news through newsletters, social media, and school announcements will also keep everyone in the know and inclusive. You will create a positive and energetic atmosphere in your chapter by celebrating milestones and acknowledging each member's achievements.

With these building a firm foundation, planning and organization, developing skills, community involvement, competition preparation, and celebration of achievements-your DECA chapter has the potential to get off to a great start at the beginning of the year and stay successful through the school year. 

Citations

“DECA Inc. - DECA Inc.” DECA Inc, 2014, www.deca.org/. 

Partner. “Texas DECA.” Texas DECA, 2014, www.texasdeca.org/txdecapartnerr.

“DECA Direct Online | High School Division.” Decadirect.org, 2024, www.decadirect.org/.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Hook your members with a fun chapter social!

By brady smith

Eaton High School

MEETING INTRODUCTION: Kick off your meeting by highlighting the importance of engaging chapter social in building a strong and connected DECA community. These social events/meetings can help attract new potential members and strengthen your bond with existing members.

Types of Socials you can HOST!:

Themed Socials                                                                                                             

Choose a fun and relatable theme, such as "Throwback to the 90s" or "Olympics," to create an exciting atmosphere. Encourage members to dress up according to the theme, making the event visually memorable and providing great photo opportunities. Plan events/activities that relate to your theme and are fun and intriguing for your social event. You can also incorporate different team-based competitions that tie into the theme, helping foster collaboration and competition among members. Themed socials are visually engaging and offer members a chance to express their creativity. They are easy to promote on social media, which can attract potential members. Themes also allow for greater engagement as they provide a unifying concept that can be carried through decorations, costumes, activities, and even refreshments. This cohesiveness creates a memorable experience for attendees and fosters a sense of belonging and community within the chapter    

Community Service Socials                                                                                          

Combine fun with giving back by organizing a social that involves a community service project, such as a park cleanup or a charity fundraiser. After the service activity, host a casual get-together with snacks and games to reward the group's efforts. These projects and socials become even more enjoyable when you collaborate with other local chapters! Engaging in service also helps foster a sense of your community and shared purpose, helping to amplify the impact and create long-lasting connections among members. These socials not only foster teamwork but also highlight DECA's commitment to community involvement, making members feel good about their contribution and promoting a positive image of your chapter. By participating in meaningful activities, members are able to build a stronger bond and create a deeper sense of pride within their chapter. Additionally, these events can attract potential members who are passionate about giving back, further strengthening your chapter's presence and influence in the community.

Networking Socials                                                                                                        

Organize a social-focused on networking where members can connect with local business professionals, alumni, or even DECA officers. This can include icebreakers, speed networking sessions, and a Q&A panel with the guests. To help make these socials more impactful, provide members tips on how they can make a good first impression, prepare thoughtful questions for the panel, and follow up with the connections they make. Networking socials help offer real value to members to provide different opportunities for professional growth and learning. They help emphasize DECA’s mission of preparing professional growth and learning. They also help emphasize DECA’s core mission of preparing emerging leaders. These events also allow members to gain insights into various career paths, receive mentorship, and gain an understanding of industry trends from professionals. Additionally, networking socials can inspire them to set and pursue their own career goals, fostering a deeper commitment to their personal and professional development within our DECA community.

Games to Play

• Scavenger Hunt

• Create a list of the items or tasks that are related to our particular social theme. Members can compete either individually or in teams to find or complete the items within a time limit. The first to finish wins a prize. To make it more challenging, include a mix of both easy and some more challenging tasks, and consider even adding bonus points for creativity or teamwork. This activity not only encourages friendly competition but also encourages members to learn more about DECA and bond over their shared love of experiences.

• Minute to Win It Challenges

• Set up a series of quick, 60-second challenges that are easy to play but hard to master, such as stacking cups or moving a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands. Participants can compete in pairs or small teams, adding an element of friendly competition to the event to add more excitement, consider adding more by incorporating a timer and keep score for each challenge to track the progress and determine the winners. These challenge can be tailored to fit the theme of your event or the interests of your patcipcant making them even more engaged.      

• Trivia Night

• Organize a trivia competition based on DECA, business topics, or your social’s theme. Members can compete individually or in teams, answering questions in rounds, with each round increasing in difficulty. To make the event more interactive, include a mix of multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions. You can also have a "lightning round" where participants must answer as many questions as possible within a set time. Consider offering small prizes for the winning team or individuals to keep the competitive spirit alive.

• Karaoke Night

• Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app, and let members choose their favorite songs to perform. Encourage participants to sing songs related to your social’s theme or DECA-related tunes, or simply let them pick any song they love. This activity allows members to showcase their talents, have fun, and break the ice in a relaxed and entertaining environment. To add more fun, consider awarding prizes for the best performance, most creative song choice, or best group performance.

• Escape Room Challenge

• Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app, and let members choose their favorite songs to perform. Encourage participants to sing songs related to your social’s theme or DECA-related tunes, or simply let them pick any song they love. This activity allows members to showcase their talents, have fun, and break the ice in a relaxed and entertaining environment. To add more fun, consider awarding prizes for the best performance, most creative song choice, or best group performance.

IN CONCLUSION: hosting a well-planned chapter social is a powerful way to engage members, foster a sense of community, and reinforce the values of DECA. Whether through themed events, community service projects, or interactive games, these socials offer opportunities for members to connect, learn, and have fun in a relaxed environment. By incorporating elements that appeal to both current and potential members, chapters can build stronger bonds, promote active participation, and create lasting memories that highlight the positive impact of DECA. These events not only enhance the member experience but also contribute to the overall success and visibility of your chapter within the community.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - What if I don’t want to compete?

By ANVI SAXENA

Liberty High School

Do you think DECA is all about the spotlight of competition? Well, picture this: You're at a concert, and while the performer steals the show, the real magic happens backstage—where the sometimes overlooked heroes create unforgettable experiences. DECA is no different! While competition might be the star, a whole world behind the scenes is just as exciting and impactful. Whether you don't have enough time to prepare for competition, missed registration, or haven't met the business credit requirements for your chapter, there are still plenty of ways to stay actively involved in DECA.

As an officer last year, I faced the challenge of engaging hundreds of members who couldn't compete. As a leader and someone passionate about DECA, it became crucial for me to involve members in the many activities DECA offers. Here are three main opportunities beyond competition that my chapter took advantage of:

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CHAPTER CAMPAIGNS

DECA's Chapter Campaigns are like the viral dance challenges of the DECA world—everyone can join in, and the more creative you are, the better! There are five national campaigns your chapter can participate in, along with several state-specific campaigns. These campaigns help develop your chapter's leadership program and provide a chance for your chapter to earn recognition on a national level. 

By participating in these campaigns, your chapter can earn awards such as certificates, pennants, plaques, flags, and even allocations to attend the Thrive Academy at DECA's International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Familiarize yourself with the guidelines to ensure your chapter meets the qualifications.

Many chapters need to be made aware of these opportunities. As a chapter leader, you can introduce these campaigns to your members or delegate their management to fellow officers. If your chapter already participates in these campaigns, attending related events can be a great way to network and have fun with friends. For chapter officers, these campaigns are also a fantastic way to engage members who might not be competing.

Texas DECA Case Study Challenges

If you're more into strategy than spectacle, think of Texas DECA's Case Study Challenges as the "escape rooms" of DECA. They're intense, immersive, and require quick thinking. These challenges allow you to participate in mock role-plays that simulate real-world business scenarios. By engaging in these challenges, you'll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as you analyze cases and devise strategies on the spot.

Participating in the Case Study Challenges also hones your ability to communicate effectively under pressure, a vital skill in any business environment. You'll learn how to present your ideas clearly and persuasively, essential for leadership roles within DECA and beyond. Plus, your submission could earn you a spot at ICDC and scholarship opportunities, keeping you connected to the DECA community.

Even if you're not competing in the traditional sense, the Case Study Challenges allow you to experience the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of applying your knowledge in a practical setting. You'll still be part of the DECA community, contributing to your chapter's success and building relationships with fellow members.

DECA Corporate Challenges

If you're the kind of person who loves a remix—taking something old and making it new—then DECA's Corporate Challenges are your jam. These challenges, designed in partnership with corporate sponsors, allow you to work on real-world problems that society faces today. Participating will give you valuable experience in project management, teamwork, and innovation.

These challenges require you to think outside the box, develop creative solutions, and work within specific timelines—highly sought-after skills in any career field. You'll also improve your ability to collaborate with others, as many of these challenges involve teamwork and collective brainstorming.

In addition to these practical skills, participating in the Corporate Challenges keeps you actively involved in the DECA community. The top performers are recognized on-stage at ICDC, providing a sense of accomplishment and allowing you to network with peers and professionals. You'll be part of a broader effort to make a positive impact, all while building a solid foundation for your future career.

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So, whether you're on stage, behind the scenes, or remixing something unique, DECA has a place for you. Just like at a concert, where the magic isn't just in the spotlight but in every role that makes the experience unforgettable, DECA offers a variety of ways to shine. Even if competing isn't on your agenda, dive into the many opportunities DECA has waiting for you—you're sure to find your rhythm in the DECA community!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Ideas for Fall Fundraisers

By Ananya Gogula

Uplift North Hills Prep

Fall is the perfect time for fundraisers – before DECA competitions and before school becomes too busy! 

Here are some basic ways to promote all of these events: 

• Flyers – Make eye-catching flyers to hang around school or even local businesses (for some events). Make sure to include information like time, date, location, and cost of the event!

• Announcements – Take advantage of lunch or morning announcements! 

• Social media – Make consistent posts, videos, and stories leading up to the event! 
  

BAKE OFF

1. Having a baking competition with winners being voted on by students/guests can be a great fundraising idea – I mean who doesn’t like baked goods! You can charge an entry fee for tasting as well as for competing. 

2. Promotion:

1. Flyers! – Make sure the flyer contains important information like prices to enter or taste the baked goods; you can even include a QR code to sign up. Post these around school and even local businesses. 

3. Planning: 

1. Make sure your school allows the sale of homemade food and get the event approved!

2. Materials: tables, signs, cutlery + bowls, etc. 

3. You may need volunteers to guide people coming and to manage the food.

4. To incentivize joining the contest, add a prize to win; it could be anything from a gift card to a DIY themed trophy. 

Game Night

1. Game nights are very versatile events; you can pick the type of game, make it a competition, or make it more of a hangout! 

2. Promotion: 

1. Social media – Use social media not only to promote, but to give people coming choices! Make polls or open-ended responses to figure out the type of games people want. 

3. Planning: 

1. Make sure you get all the games you need! Borrow them from people or buy them. These could be board games, video games, or even games like chess. 

2. If you are making it a tournament/competition have an idea for how you want to run it, brackets or free-for-all? 

3. If you want the event to be more self-paced, maybe you could have a movie running in the background! 

Movie Night 

1. This is also a very versatile event that can be very low cost! Play a movie (themed for fall or Halloween) and that’s it! 

2. Promotion

1. Social media – Use social media not only to promote but to give people choices! Make polls or open-ended responses for movie selection. 

3. Planning: 

1. Depending on the number of people coming, you may want to use a classroom projector or a movie screen with a projector. 

2. If you want to sell snacks for the movie, have those ready! 

Pie a teacher/officer

1. This is a fun, low-cost fundraiser! Have people come and pie a volunteer teacher or club officer for a price. 

2. Promotion: 

1. Flyers! – There is a lot of opportunity for a fun, eye-catching flyer! Take advantage of visuals of the event.   

3. Planning

1. Make sure you have people willing to be pied! 

2. Have supplies like whipped cream and pie tins ready! 

Hot Chocolate Stand

1. A hot chocolate stand is a very fun and seasonal event idea! There’s not too much planning as well! 

2. Promotion: 

1. Announcements! – Be specific with the announcements to let people know what they can get (this is important if you are selling more than just hot chocolate). 

3. Planning

1. Figure out the logistics of making and distributing the hot chocolate! Buy a hot chocolate mix and use a thermos! 

2. Sell extra treats if you want – things like cookies and cupcakes!

Hopefully these fundraisers can help your chapter raise money in fall! Make sure to have fun with these ideas! 

Chapter Campaigns Ideas

MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN

Brainstorming Questions list:

How many members did we have last year?
What groups of students are most involved in our chapter?
Where could we expand within our school’s student population?
Where do most people get their information on campus?
What are other chapters doing for recruitment?
What are our biggest sale points as a chapter?
Do we have alumni who have recently graduated?
Does our advisor or other teachers at our school know our chapter's alumni?
Are there DECA alumni in our school’s faculty?
What professional organizations do we work with?

MEMBERSHIP IDEAS:

Bring-a-friend meeting
Posters/flyers around the school announcing our club
School PA system announcements
Fun social media content
Advertising at your school’s orientation or registration
Recruitment contests for current members
Reach out to recently graduated seniors and ask them to help build an alumni network
Create a social media post looking for DECA alumni
Ask parents to become professional members
Reach out to a local chamber of commerce for professional members
Visit feeder campuses and CTE classes to encourage joining DECA

PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN

Brainstorming Questions list:

What school events are happening soon that we could become a part of?
Where do most students get their information on campus?
How can we reach a lot of students?
Do we know of any successful alumni?
Do we know recent graduates that could connect us with alumni?
How does DECA help students thrive in their future?
Where does most of our community get its information?
Are there any large community centers nearby?
What do community members like to see from a school organization?
Is our community especially focused on a specific industry/activity?

PROMOTIONAL IDEAS:

Promote your chapter in a school event like a football game or pep rally
Partner with another organization on campus to host an event
Follow a popular trend on social media with a DECA twist to it
Make an announcement promoting DECA on a PA system
Share stories of alumni thriving in college
Find faculty at your school or parents of members who were in DECA and share their stories
Share about your chapter in a local newspaper or news station
Put up flyers in a local community center like a library
Volunteer at a community event wearing your chapter’s shirts
Request recognition from your town’s mayor

COMMUNITY SERVICE CAMPAIGN

Brainstorming Questions list:

What community service activities does our chapter already do?
What community service activities are students in our school involved in?
What local charities are nearby?
What are the needs of the local community?
Have any major events recently left people nearby in need?
What are the members of our chapter passionate about?

COMMUNITY SERVICE IDEAS:

Community Service ideas:
Host a drive at your school for a local charity
Fundraise money for a specific cause
Partner with a service organization on your campus
Volunteer as a chapter at a local food bank or shelter
Adopt a street/highway and host cleanups there
Help support a keep _ beautiful initiative 
Write letters to veterans or seniors for the holidays
Create inspirational bookmarks for kids in need
Take a trip to help kids at a local elementary school
Conduct a miracle minute for a charity

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN

Brainstorming Questions list:

What ethical topics are we passionate about?
What students in our chapter are comfortable creating or being in front of a camera?
How can we share videos that we make with others?
What leaders are on our campus that have to be ethical?
Where can we reach a large portion of our campus?
Are there any organizations or groups on campus that would benefit from learning about ethical leadership?
What leaders in our community have to make ethical decisions?
Where can we reach a large portion of our community?

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IDEAS:

Follow a trend as part of your ethical leadership challenge submission
Reward students for submitting entries
Share your ethical leadership entries on your chapter’s social media
Interview a principal or teacher about ethics
Create flyers informing about ethics
Work with a youth government or student council to discuss ethics
Host a community panel with community leaders to discuss ethics
Interview local professionals about ethical leadership
Highlight ethical decisions in the community
Post the ethical principles on social media
Host an interactive ethics quiz

ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

Brainstorming Questions list:

How many people know about CTE at our school?
What CTE courses are offered at our school?
Where can we learn more about the importance of CTE courses?
How much of our school is enrolled in a CTE course?
Where does our school receive its information?
What policy makers affect us?
What are the local CTE programs?
What do local CTE programs need from policy makers to thrive?
Where does our community get its information?
What benefit do CTE courses bring to our community?
Are there any CTE alumni in our community?
What local businesses connect with CTE programs?

ADVOCACY IDEAS:

Reach out to local business to form partnerships with CTE programs on your campus
Present to students at your school about CTE and its benefits
Write to local politicians about the importance of DECA and CTE
Ask for things your CTE programs need from local policy makers
Make a social media post for each day of CTE month promoting CTE courses and DECA
Partner with other CTSOs at your school to hold CTE events

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - What is the Bring-A-Friend Challenge?

By Brady Kilgore

Sweetwater High School

What is the Bring-A-Friend Challenge?

The Texas DECA Bring-A-Friend Challenge is an easy way to introduce new members to DECA and expand your chapter’s reach. The concept is simple: each of your current members invites a friend to a meeting, doubling your chapter’s reach.

what to consider when you plan

When creating a plan, answer the 5 Ws: Who, When, Where, What, Why, and How.

For example:
Who: Chapter Officers, Members, and friends
When: Thursday at 3:45 after school
Where: The Library
What: Bring-A-Friend Meeting
Why: To promote DECA to non-members
How: Chapter officers will help provide snacks, distribute them, and ensure the meeting goes smoothly.

How to complete the Bring-A-Friend Challenge

1. Promote your event: Create flyers to promote your event.

2. Host the meeting: Each of your members brings a friend (or two, or three!)

3. Post: Share your meeting on social media and tag @texasdeca

4. Submit: Submit a photo of your promotional materials, a photo of the event, and a description! You will be recognized at the Texas Career Development Conference in March with a ribbon for your name badge!

Tips for a successful meeting

Since most of the attendees for your meeting will be new potential members, you could do a presentation over DECA, the leadership styles quiz, or play Texas DECA Bingo. Another great incentive is snacks! Here are some easy snack ideas:

• Cookies

• Chips

• Ice Cream

• Rice Krispies

• Brownies

• Fruit Snacks

• Cupcakes

As you plan snacks, be cautious of those with allergies, like nuts or lactose intolerance. Make sure you have options for everybody!

Promoting your event doesn’t have to be hard!

Here are 3 Canva templates to promote your event: (click on the image to open an editable Canva file)

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Ways to Get Your Chapter Engaged

By Kathryn Lock

Round Rock High School

Whether you’re leading a chapter of 10 or 500, engagement is crucial to a successful DECA chapter. I’ve broken down engagement into 3 categories: competition, community service, career preparation. 

COMPETITION

EVENT SELECTION

• Keep prospective members interested in joining DECA by hosting ‘speed dating’ for various events. Have stations where veteran members give a 1-2 minute pitch of the event. By the end of the meeting, members will have an accurate understanding of several events.

TEST PREP

• Host a live Kahoot tournament using cluster exam questions. Bring snacks and increase the stakes by offering DECA swag to the winner!

COMMUNITY SERVICE

COLLAB WITH OTHER SCHOOLS

• Members can connect with students from other schools and also reconnect with people they’ve met at previous conferences/events

• If you are a small chapter this is a great way to pull off a bigger service event

• Offering the opportunity to connect with students outside of competition allows members to see DECA as more than just a competition club

• Bonus: you can work towards completing your Texas Two-Step campaign

CAREER PREPARATION

GUEST SPEAKERS

• Ask community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from diverse background to talk on a topic of your choice

• Topics can include different paths to careers, roles within a start-up, or how to get experience while still in high school

• Having guest speakers highlights the connections that DECA can bring

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Understanding Different Leadership Styles within a Team

By VEDA GANESAN | DISTRICT 12 PRESIDENT | ANALYZER LEADERSHIP STYLE

Marcus High School

Be the one this school year and learn what type of emerging leader you are! There is no one DECA definition of an emerging leader, since you are the one crafting your own story. Each leader is the voice of many, so it's very crucial to fully understand yourself before you attempt to understand your fellow peers. 

The DECA Leadership Styles assessment will help you identify your sweet spots and blind spots as a DECA leader. Having an awareness of your DECA Leadership Style will enable you to communicate better, assess others’ needs, and build productive relationships within your leadership team. A leader’s ability to identify these differences and quickly adapt to address individual needs can be the difference between leadership success and failure. Learn more about what type of emerging leader you are below!

Nature + Nurture + Choices

One-third of your leadership is based on nature: how you were uniquely wired and what types of genetics you received at birth. Another third of your leadership is based on nurture: the type of environments you have faced and the training you have received. It is a mixture of how you were raised and influenced by family, friends, heroes and others in your life. The final element of your leadership style is based on your choices: the lessons you have learned from the outcomes of your life decisions. 

The DECA Leadership Styles Quiz below provides insight into your nature, or how you are naturally programmed to lead. It provides a glimpse into your natural tendencies and how you were born to act and react to life situations. Your natural style often emerges when you are the most stressed, tired or operating in new or unfamiliar environments. As a leader, there is often the chance you will face one of these situations with your team, so understanding each others’ leadership styles is necessary to navigate uncharted terrain. As you gain confidence and comfortability in leadership, the nurture and choice aspects of your leadership style will emerge. This cultivation of nature, nurture and choice reveals the emerging leader within you. 

The Quiz

Take the interactive quiz here and learn a little bit more about your leadership style below.

Why understand the leadership styles in your team?

Here's why understanding leadership styles is important:

• Enhanced collaboration: Knowing different leadership styles allows leaders to work together more effectively, leveraging each other's strengths and compensating for weaknesses. Delegation and collaboration become much easier. 

• Improved communication: Leaders who understand their team’s leadership styles can tailor their communication approach, fostering clearer and more empathetic interactions. This results in better alignment and fewer misunderstandings.

• Adaptability: Leaders who are aware of various leadership styles can more easily adapt their approach based on the situation or the team they're working with. This flexibility is crucial when leading diverse groups.

• Personal growth: By recognizing different leadership styles, leaders can identify areas for their own personal development and can broaden their leadership repertoire. 

• Conflict resolution: Understanding different leadership approaches helps in resolving conflicts more efficiently among leaders. It allows teams to find compromises that respect diverse leadership styles and perspectives.

• Mentoring and development: Leaders who understand different styles are better equipped to mentor and develop the next generation of emerging leaders, helping to cultivate a strong leadership legacy within the organization.

• Decision-making: Understanding various leadership styles enables more informed and inclusive decision-making at the top level. It allows leaders to consider different perspectives and approaches when solving problems or setting organizational direction.

• Morale: Understanding the team’s leadership styles promotes a more inclusive environment, respecting and admiring diversity. 

By recognizing and appreciating the different leadership styles within your leadership team, your team can work together more harmoniously, capitalize on each other's strengths, and create a more cohesive leadership structure for your DECA chapter or association.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Preparing to Be The One | A Chapter Officer's Outlook

By JP JEWELL | Texas deca vice president

Glenda Dawson High School

Dawson DECA’s summer is spent preparing for an amazing year ahead. From in person officer meetings to our annual bootcamp we’re constantly working to be ready to implement an engaging year for all of our members. Read below to find out the steps we take to become the one!

1. CLEARLY DEFINING OUR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - At the end of each school year, a group of officers is selected to operate the Dawson DECA chapter. Each officer receives a title they will carry throughout the next school year that entails different responsibilities. In order to ensure that all officers understand their role, each officer is given a description of their duties and a list of key deliverables to complete throughout the year in our Dawson DECA Officer Handbook. It is then up to that officer not only to complete those duties and fulfill their deliverables but also to go above and beyond towards improving the chapter.

2. ESTABLISHING CLEAR COMMUNICATION - With over 30 officers at Dawson DECA, it can be difficult for us to quickly share important information unless we have a clear line of communication. At the start of the summer, our officer team sets up a large message group with specified sub-channels on platforms such as Slack or Discord to use throughout the year. Additionally, our smaller groups set up text group chats such as our Executive team and VPs, or our VPs and their groups of directors.

3. ENSURING THAT EVERY OFFICER HAS AN ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF DECA AND CHAPTER OPERATIONS - As a chapter officer, you become an essential point of contact for members to ask you questions, get information, and receive help throughout the year. In order to make sure that every chapter officer can do this, our chapter holds a “DECA 101” course at our officer boot camp. This course covers all parts of DECA’s comprehensive learning program from conferences throughout the year to corporate challenges. Every officer leaves our boot camp with the knowledge to answer almost every question they could be asked by current or potential members.

4. WORKING IN SMALLER GROUPS TO SET SPECIFIC GOALS AND CREATE PLANS - As we look to work on planning for the year or brainstorming ideas to implement, we usually have a wide variety of goals we are trying to accomplish or events we are trying to execute. Instead of doing this planning as a large group all at once, we assign different groups based on roles to plan out different aspects of our chapter. During July for example, The hospitality team worked on planning out our recruitment tactics for the beginning of the year while our outreach team brainstormed different community service ideas. By working in these smaller groups throughout the summer, our officer sub-teams are able to efficiently pave the way for a successful year ahead.

5. CONSTANT COLLABORATION AND IDEA SHARING - Following our small group meetings, each officer team ends up with a document or list full of ideas and plans for the year ahead. At our annual officer boot camp event, officer teams present their ideas to the group and hold discussions to review each idea. All 20+ people in attendance participate in refining and evaluating each idea to maximize its potential impact later in the year. Throughout this process each officer gains an understanding of what the chapter has lined up for the year and has the ability to impact the chapter at a large scale.

Overall, the summer and beginning of the school year is when our chapter officers truly create the difference that helps our chapter to be the one throughout the school year. The brainstorming, planning, and outlining that happens during that time creates a powerful framework that is then carefully implemented throughout the year in order to keep a large chapter moving that works to enable every member to BE THE ONE!

Check below to see what our boot camp schedule looked liked and a copy of our officer handbook.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Ideas for Hosting a Chapter Meeting

By Rudy Sathish

Heritage High School

Howdy Texas DECA! As school is starting for many of us, chapter meetings and recruitment activities will soon begin, and updated information will be provided for DECA members. To ensure everyone is able to ‘Be the One’, here are some meeting ideas that would be beneficial to your chapter:

INTRODUCTORY MEETING

At the beginning of the year, a primary goal is recruitment to allow as many people as possible to experience and compete in DECA. Whether you have a chapter of over 300 members or a chapter with just 10 members, you need to welcome members in some way. At an introductory meeting, it is necessary to explain DECA to existing and prospective members to effectively market your chapter, ensure member retention, and boost membership for the upcoming year. Chapter officers should also save some time at the end to answer any questions members may have. 

WELCOME SOCIAL

Incorporating a welcome social could further entice joining a local chapter. In the Texas heat, allowing members to cool down with a cold treat such as popsicles or ice cream could make members connect with each other in a more inviting environment (and who doesn’t love free food!). If this isn’t allowed, just allowing members to network through icebreakers could be beneficial as new members could make new friends in DECA and form a bond early on in the year.

COMPETITION SELECTION 

Officers and other experienced DECA members can assist new members in helping choose a competition for the year. Since members are only allowed to compete in one competition a year, it is of the utmost importance that they choose something aligned with their interests that they will want to stick to for the academic year.  Chapter officers should emphasize that an event should not be chosen simply on how difficult the event is (no DECA event is easy!), but rather how much the student will enjoy competing in it and the success they could find in it. Speaking from personal experience, an event that you thoroughly enjoy doing will reap more rewards than something uninteresting that you do not enjoy. If your chapter has DECA+, encourage members to view sample events there to see something that catches their eye.

MOCK COMPETITIONS

After members choose their events, competition season is in full swing! Members are busy completing market research, coming up with business ideas, practicing performance indicators, studying for tests, and so much more. To allow members to become more comfortable with competing and help relieve nerves before the real day - whether it's District CDC, State CDC, or ICDC-  mock competitions can be offered to all members to give them experience prior to actual competition day. Whether it's allowing students to take a practice test in a timed environment, preparing a role-play to present to other members/officers, or allowing members to present their project, mock competitions are very helpful and will give members the opportunity to improve prior to CDCs--leading to further success.

END OF YEAR BANQUET

You made it; It’s the end of the year! After a long, tedious season of competition, you have made it to the end and members and advisors deserve recognition, appreciation, and celebration. Having an end-of-year banquet, while not informative like the other meetings, Serves as a way to highlight your chapter and member accomplishments from the year, allows your chapter to be together for one last time after ICDC,  and can provide an opportunity to formally announce the following school year's officer team. A banquet can be an extremely fun celebration showing the incredible things your chapter has accomplished throughout the year and having people show their appreciation for DECA. What a great way to end the year! 

Texas DECA members, I hope you have an amazing year in DECA in competition, service, and all of your other endeavors! I hope these meeting ideas were useful and that you all have a successful year and bring home some glass! Good luck to all this year!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - How to Host a Successful DECA Recruitment Meeting

By Anvi Saxena

Liberty High School

When you choose to do something in your free time, what is the #1 reason you decide to do it? Passion, incentive, and joy are the top three reasons people execute any activity. For example, right now, you decided to read this article because you are PASSIONATE about growing your DECA chapter, you want to GAIN knowledge by reading a fresh perspective (incentive), and a good chapter turnout will make events more FUN (joy). Now, when planning your next recruitment meeting, you must consider incorporating those three main things into the meeting so attendees feel compelled to join!

1.Set the Stage with a Theme

Who doesn't love a good theme? Choose a fun and exciting theme for the year that sets the tone for the year. It could be something like "DECA Olympics," "Hollywood Red Carpet," or "DECA Superhero." A theme adds an element of excitement and makes every event more memorable. Specifically for your recruitment meeting, it brings a fresh perspective to attendees and intrigues them as it is something out of the ordinary. Your games, slideshows, and presentations should all follow that theme to keep consistency and create a fun environment for all! (Also, a theme makes the planning process so much more fun!)

2. Make an Engaging AND Effective Meeting Itinerary

Keep the energy high with a variety of activities that show and tell what DECA is all about. Here are some ideas:

- Icebreaker Games: Start with fun icebreaker games to help everyone get to know each other. DECA is all about networking, and this can be their first taste of getting to know everyone!

- Informational Slideshow: Make this like an “elevator pitch” for DECA where you go over the most important and exciting parts of DECA! (Make sure to include pictures and graphics and always allow time for questions)

- Mini Competitions: Set up stations with mini versions of DECA competitions, such as small role-plays or even a fun Kahoot about the information you told them! (Keep prizes so that everyone is motivated to play)

- Guest Speakers: Invite successful DECA alumni, current members, or local business/sponsors to share their experiences and inspire new members. Share stories of past successes and highlight the benefits of joining DECA. Use a mix of personal testimonials, videos, and photos from previous events. Showing DECA's real impact on members' lives will motivate newcomers to join.

-Provide Snacks and Swag: Nothing draws a crowd like free food and goodies (joy & incentive). Provide snacks and refreshments to keep everyone fueled and happy. You can also create DECA-themed swag bags with pens, notebooks, and buttons. You can always use items earned from previous year or check out the Texas DECA Store!

There is a lot of multimedia that DECA Inc. posts, such as recruitment videos, graphics, etc., that you can utilize throughout your meeting. Remember, you also want to be effective with your planning!

3.Market, Market, Market!

You need to get the word out and use the skills you have learned in DECA! Use social media, school announcements, posters, and word of mouth to inform everyone about your upcoming recruitment meeting. Create eye-catching graphics and catchy slogans to grab attention and mention key leverage points such as snacks, swag, and fun activities. Don't forget to include all the essential details: date, time, location, and theme.

Additionally, collaborate with other organizations that attract people at your school to market DECA & your next meeting there. Attend your school’s club fairs and community events and utilize every opportunity available to you.

4.Have a Clear Call to Action in Meetings & Marketing 

Make it easy for interested students to join your chapter. Have sign-up sheets, QR codes for online registration forms, and information packets ready. Clearly explain the next steps and how they can get involved right away. (Remember, people have short attention spans, so make it easy to understand)

5.Follow Up

After the meeting, follow up with all attendees. Send a thank-you email, include information about the next meeting, and remind them of any upcoming events. This shows that you value their interest and keep the momentum going. This also makes them feel comfortable asking you questions!

Bonus Tips

• Delegate Tasks: Involve your chapter officers and members in meeting planning and executing. This not only lightens your load but also builds teamwork and leadership skills.

• Stay Positive and Enthusiastic: Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Keep the atmosphere positive and welcoming, and make sure everyone feels included.

By following these steps and keeping passion, incentive, and joy at the forefront, you'll host a recruitment meeting that's fun and engaging and effective in attracting new members. Good luck, and happy recruiting!

Professional & Alumni Promotion Resources

PROFESSIONAL + ALUMNI NETWORK PROMOTION KIT

DIGITAL EDITABLE RESOURCES

More Promotion Resources Coming Soon

Chapter Calendar Template

The calendar template comes with all of the Texas DECA & DECA events on them. Make the calendar your own! Delete the events your chapter doesn’t need and add your own chapter events/deadlines! You may also use this calendar as a social media planning calendar.

Creating a Program of Leadership

By combining your ideas, resources, and the people involved, you can create a strong strategy that will allow you to achieve results. Having a solid strategy is key for achieving the goals that you set forth for the year. A program of leadership is a guide to creating that solid strategy so that you are setting your team up for a successful year of achieving, and hopefully exceeding your goals.

Your ‘Program of Leadership’ or POL guides you to create goals for the year in the areas of PROGRAMS, OPERATIONS, and LEADERSHIP. Check out the resources below to get started with your planning!

See the guide below to help your chapter officer team in planning your strongest year yet!

WHAT DOES THE FILE INCLUDE?

Fundraising Ideas and Resources

Click on the fundraising ideas listed below to see more information about it.

used book sale

sky lantern sendoff

movie night

Community garage sale

Candy Bar Sales

Texas Roadhouse Roll Sales

Balloon popping event

game night

cash calendar

fall festival/carnival

Krispy Kreme Sales

Little Caesars pizza kit sales

craft fair

bake sale

5k walk/run

Concession Stand at Sporting Event

Cookie Dough Sales

sports tournament

pumpkin carving

Car wash

Restaurants with Percentage Programs

Nothing Bundt Cake Sales

have a great fundraiser that’s not listed? or a modification to one listed that will make it more productive? Let us know so we can add it!

This list is curated by Texas DECA with ideas/suggestions from chapters & state officers.

Used Book Sale

DESCRIPTION
This is a great project you can conduct with your chapter that has no overhead cost. Members and students across the school can donate books to your chapter and you can conduct a used book sale to gain a profit through all the books sold.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Reach out to your school administrators to seek approval for this book sale to happen in school.

• Promote the book sale on social media and in school.

• Organize a donation drop-off point and conduct the donation drive → 1 week.

• Price books and organize them into genres → 0.5-1 week.

• Hold the book sale → 1 week.

• Report on amount fundraised.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Donation drop-off point

• Used books (through donations)

• Bookshelves

• Flyers/Banners to put up before and during event

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval on the project.

• School librarian for help with organizing book sale.

• Teachers, students, and parents to notify them of the book sale (through school newsletter, social media, etc).\

Balloon Pop

DESCRIPTION
Host a school-wide event where you fill an area with opaque balloons and hide small prizes in a select few. Sell thumbtacks or darts (or other objects to pop balloons) to event-goers for a chance at popping balloons and possibly winning the prizes.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Buy appropriate materials to conduct the event (balloons, small prizes, thumbtacks/darts).

• Note: Make sure you allocate your budgets appropriately so that you can ensure you make a profit by the end of the event.

• Create social media content to advertise the event (flyers in school, Instagram posts/stories/reels).

• Conduct in-person marketing by having officers promote the event in their classrooms, during lunch, etc.

• Host the event! This can be throughout the day, over the course of a few days, during an advisory period, after school, etc.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Opaque balloons

• Small prizes

• Thumbtacks/darts/something to pop balloons with

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval on the project.

• Students to participate in the event (in-person, social media)

Craft Fair

DESCRIPTION

Use DECA as a way for students to showcase their crafting abilities by hosting a craft fair. Student artisans can put their work on display in exchange for volunteer hours and you can charge tickets at the door or for each piece bought by students. This can be done during the holiday season as people always love to get authentic, crafted items for loved ones.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Reach out to student artists for help in providing gifts during the craft fair.

• Decorate the room where the event will be at.

• Promote “submissions for volunteer hours” and attendance at the fair with in-school flyers and social media content.

• Create a one-week submission window for gifts and host the fair the next week.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Tables for gift display

• Fair decorations

• Gifts (provided by students who submit work)

• Tickets

• Cash counter

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval on the project.

• Students to submit gifts for the event with the incentive of receiving volunteer hours (in-person, social media).

• Students to participate in the event (in-person, social media).

MAKE IT A SILENT AUCTION!
To make this event a silent auction, print out a page with 20 lines to go with each item. Attendees will ‘bid’ on the items they wish to purchase with the price they’re willing to pay on the sheet. After the allotted amount of time, the sheets will be taken up and you will announce the winner of each item. The winner will pay whatever their highest ‘bid’ amount was.

Sports Tournament

DESCRIPTION

Host a school-wide sports tournament where you charge teams to enter, charge admission, set up concessions, and have a prize for the winning team. You could also charge individuals to enter and then draft teams on-site.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Reach out to potentially interested students to sign up with a team.

• Set prices for admission and teams.

• Create a sign-up form for teams to register themselves for the tournament.

• Set up a concession stand.

• Promote the tournament (to gain more viewer admissions) on social media and in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Sport equipment

• Admission tickets

• Score tracker

• Winner’s prize

• Concessions

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval on the project.

• Students to register into the tournament and attend the tournament.

• Athletics department for sports equipment.

Sky Lantern Sendoff

DESCRIPTION

Host a one-night sky lantern sendoff event where people can purchase paper lanterns to make wishes on, light a flame inside, and send it off in the sky. Alternative: You could host this event at a body of water and lanterns could be released to float on the water.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set prices for lanterns.

• Buy lanterns, pens, and other materials needed for the sendoff.

• Promote the event (to gain more attendees) on social media and in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Lanterns

• Markers

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

Game Night/Trivia night

DESCRIPTION

Bring in board games and other fun games to host a one-day game night where you can charge a small fee for attendees to be a part of the fun!

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set prices for admission.

• Bring in board games and more.

• Create mini-concessions stand for an extra form of fundraising.

• Promote the event (to gain more attendees) on social media + in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Board games

• Snacks

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

Bake Sale

DESCRIPTION

Host a bake sale at your school. You can partner with a local bakery or with a baker, partner with your school’s culinary department, or have members bake items to sell baked goods to fundraise for your chapter.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set prices for baked goods.

• Decide who will provide food for the event.

• Promote the event (to gain more attendees) on social media and in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Tables to display baked goods on sale

• Cash counter

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

• Person/people making baked good for the event

MAKE IT A SILENT AUCTION!
To make this event a silent auction, print out a page with 20 lines to go with each item. Attendees will ‘bid’ on the items they wish to purchase with the price they’re willing to pay on the sheet. After the allotted amount of time, the sheets will be taken up and you will announce the winner of each item. The winner will pay whatever their highest ‘bid’ amount was.

Pumpkin Carving Contest

DESCRIPTION

An October classic, host this contest where you invite people to pay a small fee to carve a pumpkin and enter it into the competition. Get participants and viewers to vote on their favorites, and have prizes for the winners.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set price for participation.

• Get carvable pumpkins and other appropriate materials.

• Create a mini-concessions stand for extra fundraising opportunities.

• Promote the event (to gain more attendees) on social media and in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Carvable pumpkins

• Carving supplies

• Concessions food

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

Movie Night

DESCRIPTION

Watch a movie with your friends while charging for admissions and concessions! This event could be hosted in an inside space on a large screen, or it could be hosted outside as a ‘drive-in’ style event. Consider making your event a themed event with holiday movies!

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Decide on a location for the event.

• Set price for admission.

• Decide on a movie to watch.

• Create a mini-concessions stand for extra fundraising opportunities.

• Promote the event (to gain more attendees) on social media and in person.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Projector for the movie

• Screen for movie

• Movie (if you’re not watching digitally)

• Cords for Projector

• Computer (if movie is digital)

• Concessions food

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

Cash Calendar

Put info here

5K Walk/run

DESCRIPTION

Host a 5K race at a community park or near your school and charge a registration fee to enter as a runner all profits will go to whatever cause you’re fundraising for minus any expenses such as prizes. You may also choose to charge a little more and include a t-shirt with the registration fee.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set registration fee

• Prepare the race location.

• Create water/break stands in the middle of the race.

• Promote the event on social media.

• Design t-shirts (if included)

• Order t-shirts

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Start/finish line markings

• Directional signage for the path

• Water cups & water

• Snacks (if provided)

• Prize for winners

• T-shirt (if included)

• Poster/Flyers for marketing

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

MAKE IT VIRTUAL!

• https://neonone.com/blog/virtual-5k-fundraiser/

• https://www.racedirectorshq.com/how-to-organize-a-virtual-race/

• https://www.mobilecause.com/blog-7-tips-for-organizing-a-virtual-run-walk/

• https://runsignup.com/Race/GoVirtual/Page/planning

Car Wash

DESCRIPTION

This classic fundraising event works great to build teamwork and spirit. Host a car wash and have chapter members take shifts doing different tasks: promoting with signs and washing cars. You could add an extra touch and run it like a true business with thank you floor mats explaining what DECA is and how they’ve contributed to the organization (print a thank you on 11x14 copy paper and place on the driver’s side).

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Scout location to host event (must have access to water hookup)

• Set date/time/location for the event

• Promote the event via social media

• Make signs to hold up and promote during the event

• Collect materials for car washing

• Print floor mats (if you’re going to use them)

• Host the event

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Water Hose(s)

• Water Hook Up

• Soap

• Sponges

• Buckets

• Towels

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

community garage sale

DESCRIPTION

Most people have tons of stuff they are secretly dying to get rid of. Have them donate it to your sale with proceeds going to DECA. You may be able to get a local company to donate a POD or storage unit to store items during the donation period and pick them up after the sale is over.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

• Set donation location and duration

• Promote donating on social media

• Set date and time for sale

• Promote the event on social media.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Donated items

• Poster boards for signs promoting the event

• Tables to display items

WHO TO CONTACT

• School administrators and chapter advisor for approval of the event.

• Community members to donate items

Fall Festival/carnival

DESCRIPTION

A carnival is always a fun way to raise funds. And you can invest whatever level of overhead feels appropriate. Skip the antique carousels and make up your own games with homemade booths and costumes for a lower cost and more personalized event experience. You could even invite other organizations to join in and make it a bigger event. Charge attendees to play the games! Be sure you have prizes for the winners. You could even sell concessions such as drinks and popcorn to earn a little extra money.

Example Carnival Games: Ring Toss, Corn Hole, Cake Walk, Face Painting, Bobbing for Apples

Concession Stand at Sporting Events

Restaurant Spirit Night

Chipotle
Panera
Panda Express
Buffalo Wild Wings
BJ’s Restaurant
Applebee’s
California Pizza Kitchen
Raising Cane’s

Find More Companies Here

Candy Bar Sales

https://worldsfinestchocolate.com/

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sales

https://www.krispykreme.com/fundraising/home

Cookie Dough Sales

Nothing bundt cake sales

https://www.groupraise.com/nothingbundtcakes

Texas Roadhouse Rolls Sales

To get started with an order-taker fundraiser, contact the Managing Partner of your closest Texas Roadhouse.

little caesars Pizza kit sales

https://www.pizzakit.com/how-it-works

auntie anne’s pretzel sales

https://www.justfundraising.com/auntie-annes-pretzels-3708.html

Additional Fundraising Resources:

• https://www.abcfundraising.com/

• https://blog.groupraise.com/nothing-bundt-cakes-fundraising/

• https://www.snapraise.com/

• https://www.bonfire.com/

• https://butterbraid.com/products/

• https://shopraise.com/

• Blast Athletics Online Fundraising