Sample Professional Members Sponsorship Packages
Soliciting Sponsorships Phone Script
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Professional & Alumni Member Outreach Letters - Editable
parents - professional
businesses - professional
competition - professional
Alumni
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Century, Diamond, and Epic Chapters
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Alumni & Professional Membership Information
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Chapter Campaigns Explained
Always perusing growth within your chapter is the key to success. This fundamental of "always perusing growth" creates a strong backbone to keep your chapter growing and reaching new heights. For these reasons are why DECA makes it a priority to recognize and reward these chapters who practice these principles and successfully carry out these goals. DECA rewards these chapters in multiple ways. DECA awards certificates, pennants, plaques, and flags for proving that your chapter has shown outstanding growth and determination. Chapters can also be provided three spots to attend ICDC's Thrive Level Academy.
Sometimes, a few of us might get carried away in the individualistic competition aspect of DECA and forget to view your chapter as a team instead of your competitors. Chapter campaigns allow chapters to work together and each a common goal. It creates a sense of unity and teamwork. All of these campaigns rely on group effort and team coordination. For example, in the community service campaign, at least 75% of your chapter are required to participate in a single community service activity in order to receive this award. In another example, the promotional campaign requires that your chapter coordinate outreach activities to show your passion for DECA and to get your name out to the community, showing all that DECA is good for. This requires members to truly express and demonstrate the impact they have made on the community and how it has impact them.
Altogether, chapter campaigns will bring your chapter closer together, increase the presence of DECA in your community, and provide to be recognized and rewarded for your hard work and achievements. I strongly recommend that you encourage your chapter to participate in chapter campaigns for limitless opportunities for your chapter to grow and develop into a stronger and positive influence.
BY: KAITLYN SMITH
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How to Recruit Professional and Alumni Members
Recruiting members can be difficult, but it seems to be more difficult when it is adults. Professional members and alumni members are a phenomenal resource when it comes to creating a successful chapter. They count towards your chapter’s overall membership and they provide monetary support. When beginning your search for these members, start simple. Ask your parents and other family members, friends of your family, your boss, etc. By beginning with people you know, you will get more comfortable doing it.
The best way to convince someone to do something for you is to tell them what it will do for them. First of all, paying the membership dues are considered a donation and can be used for tax write-offs. Second, if it is a business, they can advertise to customers that they invest in the youth by supporting the local DECA chapter. And third, they will receive a really cool DECA sticker.
Another idea is to put together packages for different levels of donations. Potential sponsorship packages ideas are on the the Texas DECA website under chapter management resources. Additionally, there are editable letters to send to those who you are trying to recruit to be a professional or alumni member. (Side note, if you ever need assistance with something, check the website because there are so many helpful articles and resources!)
The most important thing in this is for the student members to be doing the work not the advisors. It looks a lot better to businesses when they see that the people they are investing in care enough about DECA to be seeking more support.
Also, let the new members know they can be as little or as much involved as they wish to be, keep them updated on what is happening in your chapter, and be sure to thank them (a nice letter or some yummy cookies will definitely let them know they are appreciated)! Happy recruiting!
BY: MIRI DEAHL
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How to Increase Membership
1. Reach out to students in marketing or business classes! Invite these potential members by having your officers speak about the benefits of being a member, or deliver a letter to each of the eligible students with reasons why they’d love to join. The time spent to do these show those students that they are valued. Generally, students enrolled in business or marketing classes will have a greater inclination to join DECA because their curriculum and projects may work well together.
2. Promote on social media! Share on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and any other social media platform the perks of joining DECA. It’s even better to have your officers post on their personal pages, because it may be likely that the people following your chapter’s DECA page are already members. (Bonus Tip! Take advantage of DECA’s Geofilter Library, use them at your school.)
3. Did someone say freshmen? At many schools, there are “club nights” or “freshman orientation” where every student organization is encouraged to set up a booth and share information on what they do. It’s important that you make a great, lasting impression by being the loudest, proudest, and most exciting booth. Think about handing out flyers, making a poster, and giving out candy!
4. Share your DECA story. If people hear how great of an impact your DECA experience has had on you, they’ll be compelled to join and be involved. It’s as simple as sharing how you learned about DECA or insight on the competitive events or anything else you find meaningful.
5. Advertise and market yourself! Create flyers, banners, giveaways – really anything – that will increase your chapter’s exposure around school. The more people read, hear, and know about DECA, the more likely they will consider joining. However, it’s good to keep in mind that your promotion materials should brand DECA appropriately and professionally.
6. Set specific goals! Your Chapter Officer Team should get together to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, and Time-based) and determine the best way to achieve those goals. Discuss the number of members you hope to achieve, how you will get their attention, and what will captivate your target audiences.
7. Find ways to engage and challenge members! One idea is to create a competition for who can recruit the most members, and have members submit ideas for parties and reward the best one. Creating more opportunities for members to practice leadership will attract members who are looking for a club to invest in. For instance, social groups can be a great way for members to help officers with group activities and get involved.
8. Recruit professionals and alumni! These types of members are underrepresented on a statewide standpoint. Try hosting a parent night which can serve to inform parents about DECA and give you the opportunity to network with community leaders. Or maybe host a presentation for the school board about what DECA is and what it can do for students. It will give faculty and counselors insight as to why it would be a beneficial program for students looking to get involved. Another tip is to try getting your own chapter officers to interact with old members to make sure they’re coming back. Even if they were ghost members, encourage them to participate! It means more when an officer is trying to recruit you compared to an advisor. We ❤ our elders (and advisors)!
BY: EMILY NGUYEN, JESSICA GALLARDO, KAITLYN SMITH
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TEXAS DECA MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
TEXAS DECA MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
MORE MEMBERS = MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Texas DECA continues to promote and encourage membership growth on the basis that increased membership leads to increased opportunities. Not only are our new members getting to experience the world of DECA, but returning members now earn additional opportunities as well.
We have created three campaigns for this year, inviting your chapter to #BeTheOne and earn more rewards for your chapters!
To see your membership campaign goals, click on the link to the right.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN - DUE OCTOBER 15
GROW +10 STUDENT MEMBERS (from 23-24 membership)
Recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development ConferenceGROW +30 STUDENT MEMBERS (from 23-24 membership)
Recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference + a DECA BlazerGROW +50 STUDENT MEMBERS (from 23-24 membership)
Recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference + a DECA Blazer + $150 Shop DECA Gift Card
ALUMNI & PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN - DUE DECEMBER 1
20 Alumni Members OR 20 Professional Members
Earn recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference20 Alumni Members AND 20 Professional Members
Earn recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference + a DECA Blazer + you’ll meet the national membership requirements to receive two(2) Thrive Academy spots at ICDC
NEW CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS - DUE OCTOBER 15
20 Total Members
Recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference35 Total Members
Recognition ribbons at the Texas DECA State Career Development Conference + a DECA Blazer