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.