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 - I've Picked My Competitive Event, Now What? Prepared Events

By pranav sarma

Texas DECA Vice President, Vista Ridge High School

So, you’ve picked your event for DECA’s prepared event category—congrats! Now comes the exciting part: the research and planning stage. Whether you're working on a marketing campaign, or an entrepreneurship pitch, getting organized early will set you up for success.

While each event has unique requirements, there are some key steps that are common across all prepared events. Let's break it down.

1. Outline Your Paper

Before diving into writing, it’s essential to have a clear roadmap. Outlining helps you organize your thoughts and ensures that your paper flows logically. Start by reviewing the guidelines for your event and identifying the major sections required in your paper (e.g., Executive Summary, Market Research, Financial Plan).

Create a rough structure of your paper based on the sections outlined for your event:

1. Operations Research Events

2. Project Management Events

3. Entrepreneurship Events

4. Integrated Marketing Campaign Events

5. Professional Selling & Consulting Events

2. Do Background Research

Research is the backbone of any successful DECA prepared event. Start by collecting data related to your event. Whether it's market trends, consumer behavior, or new technologies, you'll need credible information to back up your ideas. DECA judges love to see well-researched content, so dive deep!

Here are some ways to approach research:

1. Industry Reports: Find reports relevant to your event’s industry or topic. Sources like IBISWorld, Statista, and government websites can be a goldmine.

2. Surveys/Interviews: If applicable, reach out to potential customers or professionals in the field to gather firsthand insights.

3. Competitor Analysis: Look at similar projects or businesses to see what’s working, and identify any gaps in the market.

3. Contact Stakeholders and Resources

Often, it’s helpful to involve others who can provide insights, advice, or feedback on your project. Stakeholders could be mentors, business owners, or even DECA alumni who have experience in your chosen field. Reach out to them early to get their input, as they can help guide your approach and validate your ideas. Consider setting up meetings, sending out emails, or organizing interviews with people who can add value to your project. DECA is all about networking, so don’t hesitate to leverage your connections!

4. Begin Working on the First Section of Your Paper

With your outline and research ready, it’s time to start writing. The introduction or executive summary is often a good place to begin. This section should set the stage for your entire paper, so make it compelling. Provide a brief overview of your project, highlight your goals, and touch on why your approach is unique or impactful.

Keep the following in mind:

• Clarity: Your paper should be easy to follow and well-organized. Avoid jargon unless necessary.

• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal tone, but also make it engaging. Remember, you’re presenting a business idea, so keep it polished.

• Creativity: Stand out by presenting your ideas in a creative and innovative way. DECA judges appreciate original thinking.

By taking these steps, you’ll be off to a strong start in your DECA prepared event journey. Remember, this is just the beginning—your paper will evolve as you refine your research and ideas. Stay focused, seek feedback, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed. Good luck, and let’s get that glass!

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 - First Chapter Meeting Recap (Dawson DECA)

By jp jewell

Texas DECA Vice President, Glenda Dawson High School

3….2…1…Go!

Dawson DECA’s chapter meeting started with exciting music, lights, and ICDC/SCDC promo videos as all of our interested students walked into our auditorium, over 250 in total! After a few minutes, our countdown began and everyone slowly joined in to get the meeting started!

The Dawson DECA hype squad got right to it as they introduced our meeting agenda and the 2024-2025 Dawson DECA officers. Our chapter president then ran through DECA’s key components, touching over competition, outreach, and socials. We layed out an easy-to-picture timeline for the year that included all of our most exciting events. Towards the end, our chief of operations touched on the key membership details regarding forms, dues, and dates before handing out our ice pops. These were an amazing way for us to draw in members and promote the meeting for a low cost with an easy cleanup.

In the end our meeting was a success! We maintained a focus on the engagement and making a good first impression on potential meetings throughout the planning and preparation for the event. All of our more technical pieces like the visuals and countdown were rehearsed ahead of time to make sure our team was fully prepared!

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 - I've Picked My Event, Now What? Role Play Events

By henry nguyen

Creekview High School

Congratulations on selecting your DECA role-play event! This is an exciting step in your DECA journey, and you're probably wondering how to prepare effectively. Whether you're new to DECA or looking to up your game, here's a guide to help you navigate the next steps and set yourself up for success.

Understand the Role-Play Format

Before diving into preparation, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the structure of your chosen event.

● Read the Guidelines: Visit the DECA website and download the official guidelines for your role-play event.

● Know the Basics: Understand the time allotted for preparation and presentation, the performance indicators, and the evaluation criteria.

Tip: Knowing the format will help you manage your time and focus on what's important during the competition.

Master the Performance Indicators

These indicators are the backbone of your presentation.

● List Them Out: Write down all the performance indicators for your event.

● Understand Them: Ensure you fully grasp each one and how it applies in real scenarios.

● Practice Explaining: Be able to discuss each indicator clearly and confidently.

Polish Your Presentation Skills

How you deliver your message is just as important as the content itself.

● Body Language: Maintain eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and exhibit confident posture.

● Clear Communication: Speak clearly, and avoid filler words like "um" or "like."

● Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence.

Manage Your Time Effectively

Time management can make or break your performance.

● Prioritize Points: Focus on the most important aspects first in case you run out of time.

● Keep Track: Be mindful of the time without letting it distract you.

Tip: Practice under timed conditions to get comfortable with the pace.

Adopt a Positive Mindset

Your attitude can significantly impact your performance.

● Stay Confident: Believe in your preparation and abilities.

● Be Adaptable: If something doesn't go as planned, stay flexible

Remember: A positive demeanor can leave an impression on the judges.

Seek Feedback and Support

Don't hesitate to reach out for help.

● Consult Advisors: Your DECA advisor can provide valuable insights and tips.

● Peer Practice: Team up with other members to practice and critique each other.

● Learn from Others: Watch example role-plays to see what works well.

● Collaboration: Sharing experiences can enhance your understanding and boost your confidence.

Final Thoughts

By understanding the event format, mastering the content, and improving your presentation skills, you'll be well on your way to success.

Believe in yourself, stay dedicated, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Empowering the Future: The Importance of CTSOs for High Schoolers from a students perspective

By aneesh chintala

Lebanon Trail High School

Empowering the Future: The Importance of CTSOs for High Schoolers from a students perspective

What even is a CTSO?

Entering high school, I was an introvert. I remember how hard it used to be to talk to new people and engage in conversation or activities with my peers. However, it was during my school’s club fair, that I came across DECA. 

DECA is an organization for aspiring professionals in the business world and provides an opportunity for me to meet new people, learn more about business and all it entails, and take risks! DECA is a CTSO - Career and Technical Student Organization. CTSOs are nonprofit organizations that help students gain knowledge of real-world scenarios through experiences, competitions, and opportunities. 

Career and Technical Education 

CTSOs go hand-in-hand with CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses, which is vital for students to start developing their professional skills early on. CTSOs offer a variety of leadership opportunities, conferences, competitive events, and services for our communities. In this blog, I’m going to go over the role of CTSOs, the skills students learn, the future careers involved, and the foundation they give their members from my perspective. 

My Experience

Throughout these past two years of high school, I’ve been heavily involved with CTSOs. Some of my biggest achievements include serving as my DECA chapter Co-President, HOSA Historian, TSA Director of Membership. Additionally, I was a national finalist for BPA this past year, and an international finalist the past two years for DECA. 

Nationally Recognized CTSOs

There are eight nationally recognized CTSOs in the United States:

• Business Professionals of America (BPA)

• DECA

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

• Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

• FFA

• HOSA-Future Health Professionals

• SkillsUSA

• Technology Student Association (TSA)

Leadership and Foundational Skills

Within CTSOs, there are a variety of leadership opportunities that students can take on. They can seek to take on roles within their own school chapters by becoming chapter officers and leading the students of their respective schools or seek roles to become officers of the organization at the district/region level, state level, or national/international level. Additionally, students may choose to lead projects for their community, volunteer work, or competitive events, presenting an opportunity to grow their skills as a leader and learn about taking initiative. 

Real-world Skills

There are a variety of skills students can learn by being part of a CTSO! Some of these skills are generalized like communication, presentation skills, and soft skills that are applicable to any field. For example, during my time as DECA Co-President, I used my communication skills to support my chapter officers and relay information to ensure seamless operations. 

One specific example was during submission for our chapter campaigns. We almost missed the deadline, but luckily I was able to round up our officers to submit their various campaigns in time! It’s times like these that I remember how important skills like leadership are for students to utilize. 

Discovering Future Careers

When I attended my first DECA meeting I didn’t think I would actually end up as someone who would want to pursue a business related career. However, as the year progressed, I fell in love with everything business. From presenting about financial strategies to creating graphic designs for promotional materials: I enjoyed all of it. Thus, I realized that the business field would be the perfect fit for me. 

During the summer after my sophomore year, I decided to look for summer internships, and I applied thinking that I couldn’t possibly compete with other applicants. During my first interview, I realized it was just like a DECA competitive role play and by using my prior experience I aced it!

There are lots of future opportunities that await members of CTSOs after high school. By joining a CTSO, you gain access to real-world experience with career fields, and this can help you determine which ones are right for you.

Taking a career aptitude can help you as well!

https://www.princetonreview.com/quiz/career-quiz

https://www.theforage.com/blog/basics/career-aptitude-test

Building a Network & Resume

Each CTSO has its own conferences and events: use these to your advantage! I had the opportunity to attend DECA’s International Career Development Conference in 2023 and met some of my best friends to this day! There are so many new people you have the ability to meet and include in your potential professional network. And a professional network is one of THE MOST important parts of future careers.

With CTSOs, you have the opportunity to connect with local leaders in your communities for mentorship, advice, and support!

Having these connections from an early age is vital to having a successful career, especially in certain fields and career pathways.

For sophomores and juniors, these CTSOs provide some of the best ways to enhance your college applications and strengthen your resumes.

There are various ways that they can help, from accolades and awards to highlighting your traits and skills. Many of these organizations offer scholarships, some of the most vital factors when applying for higher education. You can effectively tie in any achievements and experiences with CTSOs in your applications, essays, and more!

So Now What?

Well let’s recap what we learned: 

• CTSOs (Career and Technical Student Organizations) provide real-world experience and help students develop professional skills early on.

• CTSOs offer leadership opportunities, competitions, and community service to enhance student growth.

• CTSOs cover various fields, including business, healthcare, technology, and trades, helping students explore future careers.

• Participation in CTSOs builds a professional network and strengthens resumes and college applications.

• CTSOs offer scholarships and accolades that can be valuable for higher education and career advancement.

So… JOIN A CTSO TODAY! If you have any established chapters at your school, I highly suggest grabbing a friend and joining for the various opportunities for your future. Additionally, if you don’t have one at your respective school, grab a teacher and start one today! 

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.