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.