Three Ways to Get your DECA Chapter in the Holiday Spirit

What better way is there to spend the holiday season than with your DECA chapter? December opens up a multitude of opportunities for your chapter to either grow together as a group, outreach to the community, or host fundraisers to earn money for upcoming competitions! Here are a few ideas from the Magnolia West DECA chapter for your DECA chapter to do as well!

DECA Team Bonding

Competitions are coming up, so use the time between now and competition to build up your DECA chapter! One of the traditions we have at Magnolia West is having a big movie night at someone’s house, where we eat food, watch tons of movies, and just get to know each other better! This is an even better event to do during December because it is chilly outside, and you can enjoy blankets, hot chocolate, and movies with your other chapter members!

Community Outreach

The holiday season opens up a multitude of different opportunities to help out the community around you, and doing this with your DECA chapter is also a great way to build friendships! Start a food drive, a toy drive, a clothing drive, adopt a family to buy Christmas gifts for, package food for families, package and hand out snowman soup to holiday workers, the possibilities are endless!

Fundraisers

Competitions are coming up quickly and you need to make sure your chapter has enough funds to send everyone to competition!  In the past, we’ve hosted movie nights.

The holiday seasons are awesome, make sure you utilize all the opportunities you have to grow as a chapter!

BY: MERRITT COLEMAN

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Chapter Social Ideas

School has started for most of us, which also means that a new DECA season is beginning, as well! One of the most effective ways to increase membership is by hosting socials. Events like these encourage new members to get involved and meet others in your chapter. Teamwork events can also help your chapter grow together as a whole. Below are five social ideas to help your DECA chapter kick off this season:

1) Kickball Social - Everyone’s favorite elementary school game has made a comeback! Find a local park or field and gather your DECA chapter for a day of fun. Ask members to bring refreshments such as cookies and lemonade. Form teams and face off within your own chapter or even ask a nearby school’s DECA chapter to join in.

2) Reverse Scavenger Hunt - This twist to a common game is sure to be a hit! Prior to the event, create a list of 20-25 common things that everyone has or can easily access. These can be items like coins, scissors, sticky notes, etc. Split your DECA chapter into random groups based on something like color or birthday month. Give the teams 30 minutes to locate each item on the list. To help increase the incentive to win, provide a prize for the winning team. `

3) Ice Cream Social - Everyone loves ice-cream! Those who don’t are lying. There is a reason this method is used often: it works. Purchase ice cream sandwiches or cones from your local grocery store. This can be done after a DECA meeting or on a separate day. You can also try hosting the social at a local park so your chapter can take advantage of the additional recreational facilities available there.

4) Color Wars - Who doesn’t love to get messy? You can easily purchase pigmented powder at a low cost from trustworthy online distributors. Pick a date and invite your DECA chapter out for a day of colorful fun.

5) Build Your Own Taco - Fact: Tacos taste good. You can easily buy basic taco ingredients from your local grocery store. The possibilities are endless! While chapter members are making their tacos, you can have a movie or music playing in the background. I’m getting hungry just thinking about the amazing tacos your chapter will make.

BY: SARAH JOSHI

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Five Chapter Bonding Ideas

Bonding is a great way to grow as a family. Arranging social time doesn’t have to be overly complicated or extravagant. Applying these strategies and ideas to your own chapter will truly pay off. So, what are you waiting for? This year help your chapter become a team!

1) Meet & Greet - There are two parts to this plan. First, your own officers should know most your members, if not, make it a priority to get to know them! This helps with adding that personal touch, and letting your members feel involved. Next, a more elaborate plan would be to get to know your neighbors, DECA neighbors. Bring the whole family and have a pizza party!

2) Breakfast Feast – “The way to someone’s heart is their stomach”. This activity is all about having a delicious potluck! Have everyone bring a dish or drinks of their desire. Remember just mingle and make some new friends!

3) #DECAHalloween – This contest is for those who enjoy competition and love a twisted traditional pumpkin carving. Here’s the plan, have everyone bring their own Pumpkin, meet up at the local park (or the place of your choosing) and carve on! Link to the official carving contest and registration: http://www.decadirect.org/2017/09/29/2017-deca-pumpkin-contest/

4) Sharing is Caring – Getting community service hours with your friends? Yes, please! It’s up to your chapter to find a place, volunteer, receive hours, and at the same time work with each other to reach the same goals. It’s all about putting yourselves out there!

5) Anytime, Anywhere – If you want to take a more relaxed approach to an planning an event: here is the way to go! Meet up at your local coffee shop for lattes, or go for a slice of pizza down the street. The possibilities are endless!

The purposes of chapter socials are to have fun, make new friends, inspire one another, and to attack this year as a team! Be Limitless with your chapter socials this year!

BY: JESSICA GALLARDO

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