Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Where to look for scholarship opportunties

By aneesh chintala

Lebanon Trail High School

Money, Money, Money: Finding Scholarships

What are scholarships?

For those of you applying to college soon (juniors and seniors), you probably know that paying for college is quite... expensive. However, scholarships, which are usually monetary awards given to students to help pay for education, typically based on merit, need, or specific qualifications, and don't have to be repaid. They can help students pay for specific needs when it comes to paying for housing, food, classes, and more!

So how can they help?

For students who may struggle paying tuition or other areas of their college life, scholarships provide a gateway to lessen the burden of these heavy costs. They can support students without financial stress paving the way for potential opportunities.

Some helpful examples include:

• Tuition Assistance: Scholarships can cover part or all of a student's tuition fees, making higher education more affordable.

• Living Expenses: Some scholarships provide funds for housing, meals, and other living costs.

• Textbooks and Materials: Scholarships can help pay for textbooks, laptops, and other school supplies, which can be expensive.

• Study Abroad: Scholarships often cover international study programs, allowing students to experience education in other countries.

• Specialized Programs: Scholarships targeted at specific fields (like STEM or the arts) support students pursuing their passions and encourage further expertise.

DECA inc. Scholarships

As a student organization, DECA has various examples of scholarships that can support members, alumni, and advisors! These scholarships range between the district, state, and international levels.

These DECA scholarships can be found on the DECA website for students to apply to.

There are various scholarships for members interested in several fields of business, finance, hospitality, administration, and entrepreneurship.

There are two scholarship programs with various scholarships within!

• Corporate Scholarship Program

• Harry Applegate Scholarship Program

To apply, log into your DECA student member portal, and complete the application found there!

Texas DECA Scholarships

Our chartered association of Texas offers our own Texas DECA Scholarships. “Texas DECA offers seven (7) $1,000 scholarships for the purpose of giving recognition and financial support to senior students who are official members of Texas DECA and intend to pursue a career in the area of business/marketing.”

For more information and the application information:

https://www.texasdeca.org/scholarships

Other Scholarship Sources

Whether you are a senior finishing up college applications, or a sophomore just starting our DECA journey, I highly recommend starting the search for scholarship opportunities! But you may not know where to start so here are a few resources to help you begin!

• www.fastweb.com

• www.scholarships.com

• http://www.cappex.com/scholarships

• www.bold.org/scholarships

• www.collegescholarships.org

• www.chegg.com/scholarships

• www.unigo.com/scholarships

• www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships

• www.myscholly.com

I would highly suggest applying to as many scholarships as possible–there’s tons of them available for students–in order to eventually lessen the costs for higher education.

How can I start?

The search for scholarships does not have to be tedious and complicated! An easy way is creating a spreadsheet of potential scholarships, their description, and the due date! It can be as simple as that. Finally, DO NOT WAIT, scholarships can be earned before senior year and most organizations that offer them will hold onto them until necessary. Therefore, the earlier the better so start your scholarship search now! With the right planning and effort, you're one step closer to securing funding for your education.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - How Your Chapter Officer Team Bonds

By cameron gutierrez

Clear Brook High School

At Clear Brook DECA, our number one goal is helping our members reach success through competition and bonding. This is something that is of extreme focus for our officer team. With that, our officer team also enacts a unique set of strategies to focus on officer team bonding as well! Below, we’ve provided some things that have worked for us so that you can bring your chapter officers closer together.

1. Group chat strategy

• If you’re an officer team, chances are you have a group chat with your fellow officers to keep each other updated on all things DECA. While Clear Brook DECA has a group chat, we also enact a super informal strategy to foster a sense of friendship between us. After all, DECA isn’t just all business: we’re here to have fun! Throw in a funny profile picture, and open your group chat up to more than just DECA.

2. Officer Meetings 

• Officer communication is key. At Clear Brook DECA, we host biweekly officer meetings with our chapter advisor to keep up with all things DECA. Plus, our officer meetings are pretty laid back: we have lunch together, engage in funny conversation, and overall keep it pretty casual!

3. Organization

• While your officer team should have a close bond, it’s also important to realize that you all serve a specific purpose: guiding your chapter members to success! Therefore, some level of organization and clarification must be done so that your chapter operates as efficiently as possible. At Clear Brook DECA, for example, we utilize a shared Google Drive and a shared Google Calendar in order to ensure that all information we have is centered and easy to access, eliminating any stress.

4. Host a Social

• Socials aren’t just for chapter members: they can also be for officers specifically! If your chapter has a large amount of officers, then great: a simple ice cream social between everyone is a great way to foster unique connections! At Clear Brook DECA, our officer team only consists of 6 people. Therefore, we try to host socials with other officer chapters in our school district. Not only do these bring us together, but they foster a sense of district spirit and allow us to bounce ideas off of each other! 

5. Connect with your Advisor

• Your advisor is the backbone of your DECA chapter, and without them, your DECA chapter simply wouldn’t exist. Therefore, make sure that you include your advisor in some officer events as well! As mentioned, at Clear Brook DECA, we loop our advisor in on officer meetings, as well as any events we host. 

6. Participate in Campaigns

• From service campaigns to the “Bring a Friend” campaign, national and Texas DECA campaigns serve the great purpose of bringing together your chapter. However, they can also directly connect your officer team! Try working on campaign ideas together, as well as partaking in them together and, along the way, helping members Be the One when they participate in campaigns. Not only will you foster that unique officer and chapter connection, but you’ll be making a difference in your community. 

7. But… why even focus on officer connections?

• Connecting with your officer team is one of the greatest ways that you can bring your chapter together. When your chapter sees your officer team connecting, it encourages its members to do the same, thus increasing your chapter spirit! 

Whether you’re a team of 2 or 30, bringing your officer team together is key to a successful membership year. On behalf of your Clear Brook DECA officers, we hope that this list of tips proves helpful in your Texas DECA chapter!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Choosing the Right Event

By Yashitha chunduru

Texas DECA President, Coppell High School

With a new DECA year ramping up, choosing a competitive event can be an overwhelming task. With over fifty different competitive events to choose from in Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, Management, and Entrepreneurship, finding the right event can be challenging. However, there are a few steps you can take to make it easier for you to choose an event!

Role Play vs. Prepared Events:

The first thing you can do to narrow down your options is picking between a role play event and a prepared event. A role play event will usually consist of one role play at the District and State CDC level and two preliminary role plays at ICDC (as well as a third finalist role play for those who advance at ICDC). Role Plays can be characterized as made up scenarios that are modeled after the tasks and challenged within a corporation. You would be given a role play and have a set amount of time (10-30 minutes based on the event you choose) before you get to present your ideas to a judge. For example, in a Business Services Marketing role play, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a role play asking you to make a promotional plan for a new product. Role plays are broken down into instructional areas. These instructional areas are broad  topics that your role play will fall under. For District CDC, your instructional area can be found ahead of time. Within these instructional areas, there are performance instructors. These PIs are the specific idea or skill that you have to show that you know through your role play. Along with the role play, you must take a one hundred question exam in your career cluster as part of a role play event. Role play events are recommended for students that can think quickly on their feet.

Here is a sample Business Services Marketing Role Play. It includes the competitor’s scenario, the judge’s scenario, and the rubric. Here is a sample Marketing Cluster exam.

In a prepared event, as the name suggests, you get to prepare for months before you present your final product to a judge. Based on the event you choose, you could be making a written proposal, a pamphlet, or a poster. These events usually take more research and preparation to excel in. If you’re the type of person that likes to walk into a presentation completely prepared with a thought out written paper and maybe a poster, a prepared event would be perfect for you!

How to Pick A Role Play Event:

If you are leaning towards a role play event, the next decision you should make is whether you enjoy working by yourself or with a partner. The Individual Series Events consist of fourteen different events to choose from. For these events, you have a ten minute role play preparation time and ten minutes to present your ideas to the judge (you also have time to answer the judge’s questions during these ten minutes). Individual Series role plays have five performance indicators that the judge grades you on.

If you think you would be more successful working with a partner, the Team Decision Making Events might be a better option. There are eight TDM events. For these events, you are given a thirty minute preparation time with your partner and a fifteen minute presentation time in front of your judge. You will have seven performance indicators.

Another option that is only available to first year DECA members is the Principles Event category. The Principles events are a great introduction to the DECA competition structure and are considered to be more foundational knowledge. You will have ten minutes to prepare and ten minutes to present in front of a judge. There are four performance indicators on a Principles role play. All Principles events take the Business Administration Core Exam.

After figuring out which type of role play event you would like to compete in, I would recommend looking through the different event situations and exams to figure out which cluster (Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, Management, and Entrepreneurship) you like the most. After this, you can decide which event you like the best and start preparing!

How to Pick A Prepared Event:

Prepared events consist of many different types of events that can be filtered into Written events and Professional Selling events. Your written component and presentation component are judged separately. The Business Operations Research events require students to research and come up with a strategic plan for the topic that year (the topic does change every year). There are four different BOR events that all have a maximum of twenty pages for your written entry. The Entrepreneurship events allow you to get a glimpse into various stages of the entrepreneurship process. There are six different Entrepreneurship events within the prepared events. For the Project Management Events, you are supposed to plan and manage a product. There are six PM events. There are three Integrated Marketing Campaign Events which require you to create a marketing plan. The IMC events also require you to take a one hundred question exam (like the role plays). Regardless of which of the written events you choose, there is a fifteen minute interview time where you will present your plan to the judge and they will have the opportunity to ask you and questions they have. These events can have one to three participants in a team.

All of the above events were Written Events. The Professional Selling events are considered a little different. These events require you to take a one hundred question exam. There is a prompt that changes every year for the Professional Selling Events and you are supposed to make a sales pitch to the judge based on the prompt. Visual aids and notes are allowed. You have fifteen minutes to present to the judge and answer any questions they might have. If you are a good test taker, but are still someone that likes to have a plan instead of thinking on their feet, this might be a good option for you.

While the process of choosing an event may seem daunting, remember that every event will teach you something new along the way! Good luck for this DECA year!

Check out this resource from Texas DECA to help you select an event if you’re still unsure!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - 5 Tips for College Applications

By NIKITA SURESH

Emerson High School

Applying to college can be overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can make the process smoother and more successful. Here are five tips to help you navigate your college applications:

1. Start Early and Plan Ahead

• CREATE A TIMELINE: List important deadlines for applications, scholarships, and financial aid.

• STAY ORGANIZED: Use a planner or digital tool to track tasks and deadlines.

2. Highlight Your DECA Experience

• SHOWCASE LEADERSHIP & ACHIEVEMENTS: Use your DECA involvement to demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

• INCLUDE AWARDS & ACCOLADES: Make sure to highlight any DECA awards or recognitions in your applications.

3. Research Colleges Thoroughly

• EXPLORE DECA-AFFILIATED SCHOOLS: Some colleges have strong DECA programs or offer scholarships for DECA members.

• VISIT CAMPUSES: Whether virtually or in person, get to know the schools you're interested in.

4. Prepare for Interviews

• PRACTICE YOUR RESPONSES: Be ready to discuss your DECA experiences and why you're interested in each school.

• DRESS PROFESSIONALLY: First impressions matter, even in virtual settings.

5. Use DECA Resources

• DECA DIRECT: Find articles and advice on college applications.

• ATTEND DECA WORKSHOPS: Participate in college planning sessions and webinars.

These tips can help you present yourself as a well-rounded and prepared applicant. Good luck!

References

• DECA Direct

• Texas DECA

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Understanding the Differences in the Types of Competitive Events

By LEWIS REID

Ben Barber Innovation Academy

With 60 different competitive event options to choose from - including traditional competitive events & online opportunities - in 6 different clusters, the possibilities to demonstrate your leadership and entrepreneurial skills are endless. When thinking about competition, it may seem overwhelming at first, but there truly is something for everyone. Whether you want to share your passion for entrepreneurship through a community service project or your love for sports through a roleplay with your DECA bestie, DECA’s comprehensive competitive events program allows you to compete in something YOU are passionate about and interested in. If you’re lost, that’s okay too. Consider this your one-stop shop to learn about all of the different DECA competitive event categories! 

DECA’s competitive events program is split into 10 different categories, each varying in requirements and expectations. Pro Tip: When choosing your competitive event, consider your strengths, interests, and passions and how much of a time commitment you are willing to put into competition. 

Role-plays + Case Studies 

When thinking about competition, most people think of roleplay events as the “typical” competitive events that come to mind. Roleplays don’t require as much of a time commitment prior to competition days, but tend to carry a lot more pressure the day of. Members who are good at extemporaneous speaking, creatively and critically thinking, and working well under pressure thrive in the following event categories: 

Principles of Business Administration 

Designed for first-year members, the Principles events allow members to demonstrate their knowledge of basic business concepts and scenarios. Members compete individually and can compete in any career cluster event. 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Business Administration Core Exam Business Administration Core Exam - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Individual Series 

DECA’s individual series is the largest competitive event category and features an event in each cluster. From marketing communications to human resources management, members who thrive individually and can think of creative ideas on the fly fit perfectly in this category. 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Cluster Exam Score - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Team Decision Making 

Team Decision Making events are one of the most popular categories and are designed for dynamic duos who think creatively and thrive working synchronously. TDM events allow competitors to play off their partner's strengths and strategically provide innovative solutions to scenarios. 

30-Minute Preparation Time + 15-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Averaged Cluster Exam Scores - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Prepared Events 

DECA’s prepared events allow members to exercise knowledge and skills in several areas of business in a creative and technical way. Although prepared events require a large amount of time and effort before competition, you can walk into your CDC knowing exactly what you want to say and how you want to say it. For most people, this reduces a lot of the stress that a roleplay competitor might have. Members who prefer prepared speaking, working on long-term projects and plans, and completing in-depth research excel in the following prepared event categories: 

Business Operations Research 

The BOR events allow members to complete a research project on a business model, and provide a solution/innovation to a modern-day issue! The competitive event topic changes every year, and the project allows you to create applicable innovative solutions for real-world businesses! 

15-Minute Presentation + 20-Page Written Plan 

Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Project Management 

DECA’s project management events allow competitors to demonstrate their interest in business management through a project focused on community service, financial literacy, business solutions, and more! This event is designed for people who want to leave a greater impact on their local communities and DECA chapters 

15-Minute Presentation + 20-Page Written Plan 

Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Integrated Marketing Campaigns 

The Integrated Marketing Campaigns allow competitors to design a marketing initiative for an event, product, or service. After completing the marketing cluster exam, teams of 1-3 work diligently to design a 10-page paper and deliver an oral presentation detailing the campaign and its intended benefits. 

15-Minute Presentation + 10-Page Marketing Campaign Proposal + Marketing Cluster Exam Oral Presentation - 33.3% + Written Proposal - 33.3% + Marketing Cluster Exam - 33.3% 

Entrepreneurship Events 

DECA’s prepared entrepreneurship events combine every aspect of business administration. Competitors design a plan to start, innovate, and/or grow a business uniquely and creatively. Members can choose from a variety of events to start or improve a business. 

15-Minute Presentation + 10 or 20-Page Written Plan (depending on the event) For 10-page events: Oral Presentation + Written Plan Reviewed Together to Determine Final Score; For 20-page events: Oral Presentation - 40% + Written Plan - 60% 

Professional Selling and Consulting 

This event category allows members to demonstrate their sales and consulting knowledge and skills in marketing, finance, or hospitality and tourism. If you’ve ever been told you’d make a good salesperson, this event is for you! Competitors host a sales presentation or consultation with a potential client (the judge) to sell/consult on a yearly topic! 

Sales Presentation or 15-Minute Consultation + Cluster Exam 

Selling Events: Sales Presentation - 50% + Cluster Exam - 50% 

Consulting Event: 15-Minute Consultation - 50% + Cluster Exam - 50%

Personal Financial Literacy 

The PFL Cluster/Category is one event that tasks competitors with demonstrating personal financial skills based on facts and systematic decision-making! For all the aspiring personal bankers and financial consultants, these events are for you! 

10-Minute Preparation Time + 10-Minute Presentation Time + Cluster Exam 

Cluster Exam Score - 50% + Roleplay with a Judge - 50% 

Online Simulations 

DECA has 9 online competitive events available for members. These events are for members who prefer to work on long-term online projects and don’t want to do much extemporaneous or public speaking. Members can compete through online simulations to rise up the ranks within their chartered association, region, and organization as a whole! Both of the following events are ICDC Qualifying events, and competitors must place at the top of their respective regions in order to advance: 

Virtual Business Challenges 

Sponsored by KnowledgeMatters, the VBC events allow members to compete in simulation games, centered around a certain aspect of business. From hotel management to forensic accounting, the VBC events are designed to expose real-world business life to our emerging leaders! 

2 ICDC Qualifying Rounds - The Top 2 Teams from Each Region Qualify for ICDC - Visit www.deca.org/compete for more VBC information! 

Stock Market Game 

Each year, DECA’s Stock Market Games puts members to the test by simulating a stock market portfolio for teams of 1-3 to control and compete with. This competitive event is highly-renowned and competitive, but incredibly impressive after hard work and dedication! 

1 ICDC Qualifying Rounds - The Top 25 Teams from Each Region Qualify for ICDC 

Visit www.deca.org/compete/stock-market-game for more information! 

Check out the resources below for more information on understanding DECA’s different competitive events! 

DECA Competition Homepage: www.deca.org/compete 

DECA Competitive Events Poster: 

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/635c470cc81318fc3e9c1e0e/669029b758cf2963d40ad46a_2024-25 _CE_Poster.pdf 

2024-2025 DECA Guide: https://issuu.com/decainc/docs/deca-24-hs-guide?fr=xIAEoAT3_NTU1 

2024-2025 Competitive Events Topics: https://www.decadirect.org/articles/deca-announces-competitive-event-topics-for-2024-2025

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Let's Get Started - How to Be The One from the Beginning

By Gargi chaudhari

Heritage High School

When the school year gets under way, DECA chapters—especially new ones—are full of possibilities. A good start often translates into a great pace for the remainder of the year. Whether you are an advisor or student leader, here is a specific plan to get your chapter off on the right foot and ensure a worthwhile beginning immediately.

Lay the Groundwork

A solid base is the start of an effective and successful year in DECA, and this is derived through effective recruitment and membership drives. Hold an introductory meeting that highlights the benefits and opportunities for students through DECA. This must be engaging yet informational, showing a clear vision of what DECA can do for its members. By promoting your chapter on popular social networking sites, you raise your chapter's visibility while attracting the interest of prospective members. School officials are another group of people with whom communication is necessary. Their approval is the equivalent of resources and publicity for your chapter.

Plan and Organize

After your chapter has been established, the next thing to do would be to plan and organize your events for the upcoming year. Next, you'll want to make a yearlong plan for your chapter, including goals of your chapter, key dates of events, competition dates, and fundraisers. Having clearly defined goals will direct you in a purposeful direction. Also, having assigned roles and responsibilities within the chapter will help generate ownership and ensure specific duties are taken care of. Set a regular meeting schedule and place them on the school calendar so that everyone can be on the same page. In these meetings, compelling formats and engaging interactions will keep members motivated and participating.

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A well-prepared chapter is one that builds skills and strengthens knowledge. Skill-building workshops are a good way to prepare members for competition and business. Business session topics should focus on public speaking, business etiquette, and strategies in competing. To that end, DECA has provided much useful online training material and a series of webinars which will help advance the members' prowess and knowledge. Applying these assets will keep the chapter competitive and up-to-date with information.

Participate in Community Service

Community service is another important aspect of a successful DECA chapter. Planning and executing community service activities develops teamwork and serves the community. More than that, however, engaging in the local business community can lead to networking opportunities leading to sponsorships to support your chapter. Building those relationships now will pay dividends in both fundraising and community exposure.

Prepare for Competition

With DECA competitions, it is important that preparation is involved if success is to be achieved. This starts by going over competition guidelines so all members are aware of the rules and categories involved. The hosting of mock competitions can also acclimate members to the experience; this will help them build confidence and improve their performance. The more prepared they are, the better they will feel, and the more likely they are to actually win at a competition.

Communicate and Celebrate

This will be an effective method of sustaining morale and motivation through communicating effectively and celebrating the achievements along the way. Publishing your chapter's news through newsletters, social media, and school announcements will also keep everyone in the know and inclusive. You will create a positive and energetic atmosphere in your chapter by celebrating milestones and acknowledging each member's achievements.

With these building a firm foundation, planning and organization, developing skills, community involvement, competition preparation, and celebration of achievements-your DECA chapter has the potential to get off to a great start at the beginning of the year and stay successful through the school year. 

Citations

“DECA Inc. - DECA Inc.” DECA Inc, 2014, www.deca.org/. 

Partner. “Texas DECA.” Texas DECA, 2014, www.texasdeca.org/txdecapartnerr.

“DECA Direct Online | High School Division.” Decadirect.org, 2024, www.decadirect.org/.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Tips & Tricks for Mastering your Exam

By Gabriel Melo

Rouse High School

Mastering your career cluster exam is an often overlooked portion of qualifying for ICDC and becoming “the one”. A top score can make all the difference at both the state and international levels, with your cluster exam score being worth a third of your total score when compounded with your presentation (and written report for IMC) in any testing event. Maximizing your score can propel you to new competitive heights, maybe even helping you earn that ICDC Top 10 Test Score medal (and even better, glass!). Here are a couple of steps I recommend taking to increase your test score and master your cluster exam.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR CLUSTER EXAM’S STRUCTURE

As ICDC top 10 test scorers, my teammate and I found that knowing what sections will be tested on your exam and how much each section is tested is key to navigating your way through a DECA test. The exam blueprint is a great resource that goes into detail about what sections are tested for each cluster exam at the district, state, and international levels. The blueprint shows you the specific sections that will hold more importance on your cluster exam. Analyzing these sections and their order can help you better deduce what information you need to dedicate time to studying. Crucially, you need to know, and expect, to see certain concepts be asked on the test because you’ve familiarized yourself with your cluster exam’s structure. This basic knowledge can help guide your study sessions and determine your pacing on test day.

STUDY UP!

Simply knowing what questions are coming next won’t matter if you don’t know the definition of the answer choices or if you can’t conclude what the question is asking. DECA exams will test your business acumen, and for that, you’ll need to know your way around your cluster’s terminology. I recommend using Quizlet and doing a quick search for “DECA *insert cluster here* Terms Flashcards”. There will be multiple sets of hundreds of flashcards you can study for every cluster, so access to information won’t be an issue. And if for example, you’re a Marketing test taker struggling with the Finance section of the Marketing exam, that won’t be a problem either: just search for the finance flashcards and attack the terms you’ve been having trouble with! The best way to get terms nailed down in your brain is to write them on paper, as it has been proven that writing down information makes you more likely to remember it later (trust me). Make sure to revisit any terms you may be confused about and try to incorporate them in your presentations too! Using the terms you study in a presentational setting will help you grasp their definitions even better.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Just like any test, practice makes perfect when it comes to your DECA career cluster exam. Repeatedly seeing and answering questions over and over again will aid in your pattern recognition and help you understand the broader concepts behind each section of the exam. Each test is equipped with an answer key at the end of the document featuring detailed explanations of every answer choice and question. After taking a practice test, mark the questions you missed, then refer to your exam’s key to understand the concepts you originally answered incorrectly. You can find practice exams on DECA+, AnswerWrite, and even online by searching “DECA *insert cluster here* Exam PDF”. In conjunction with studying terminology and knowing your cluster’s exam structure, knocking out hundreds of exam questions will give you the best preparation for test day. More importantly: don’t burn yourself out! While it is important to keep practicing, cramming the night before the test and losing out on important sleep is a no-go. Consistently practicing questions plus habitually studying for a short time daily will be the most effective method to retain terms and concepts. Be prepared well in advance and take those practice tests early!

By following these steps, you’ll be much better prepared to tackle your exam on test day and ace it. Not only will exam mastery guarantee a top score, but gaining knowledge of your cluster’s concepts and terminology will take your presentations to the next level. Good luck this DECA season and I can’t wait to see you all become the one!

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.

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - What if I don’t want to compete?

By ANVI SAXENA

Liberty High School

Do you think DECA is all about the spotlight of competition? Well, picture this: You're at a concert, and while the performer steals the show, the real magic happens backstage—where the sometimes overlooked heroes create unforgettable experiences. DECA is no different! While competition might be the star, a whole world behind the scenes is just as exciting and impactful. Whether you don't have enough time to prepare for competition, missed registration, or haven't met the business credit requirements for your chapter, there are still plenty of ways to stay actively involved in DECA.

As an officer last year, I faced the challenge of engaging hundreds of members who couldn't compete. As a leader and someone passionate about DECA, it became crucial for me to involve members in the many activities DECA offers. Here are three main opportunities beyond competition that my chapter took advantage of:

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CHAPTER CAMPAIGNS

DECA's Chapter Campaigns are like the viral dance challenges of the DECA world—everyone can join in, and the more creative you are, the better! There are five national campaigns your chapter can participate in, along with several state-specific campaigns. These campaigns help develop your chapter's leadership program and provide a chance for your chapter to earn recognition on a national level. 

By participating in these campaigns, your chapter can earn awards such as certificates, pennants, plaques, flags, and even allocations to attend the Thrive Academy at DECA's International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Familiarize yourself with the guidelines to ensure your chapter meets the qualifications.

Many chapters need to be made aware of these opportunities. As a chapter leader, you can introduce these campaigns to your members or delegate their management to fellow officers. If your chapter already participates in these campaigns, attending related events can be a great way to network and have fun with friends. For chapter officers, these campaigns are also a fantastic way to engage members who might not be competing.

Texas DECA Case Study Challenges

If you're more into strategy than spectacle, think of Texas DECA's Case Study Challenges as the "escape rooms" of DECA. They're intense, immersive, and require quick thinking. These challenges allow you to participate in mock role-plays that simulate real-world business scenarios. By engaging in these challenges, you'll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as you analyze cases and devise strategies on the spot.

Participating in the Case Study Challenges also hones your ability to communicate effectively under pressure, a vital skill in any business environment. You'll learn how to present your ideas clearly and persuasively, essential for leadership roles within DECA and beyond. Plus, your submission could earn you a spot at ICDC and scholarship opportunities, keeping you connected to the DECA community.

Even if you're not competing in the traditional sense, the Case Study Challenges allow you to experience the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of applying your knowledge in a practical setting. You'll still be part of the DECA community, contributing to your chapter's success and building relationships with fellow members.

DECA Corporate Challenges

If you're the kind of person who loves a remix—taking something old and making it new—then DECA's Corporate Challenges are your jam. These challenges, designed in partnership with corporate sponsors, allow you to work on real-world problems that society faces today. Participating will give you valuable experience in project management, teamwork, and innovation.

These challenges require you to think outside the box, develop creative solutions, and work within specific timelines—highly sought-after skills in any career field. You'll also improve your ability to collaborate with others, as many of these challenges involve teamwork and collective brainstorming.

In addition to these practical skills, participating in the Corporate Challenges keeps you actively involved in the DECA community. The top performers are recognized on-stage at ICDC, providing a sense of accomplishment and allowing you to network with peers and professionals. You'll be part of a broader effort to make a positive impact, all while building a solid foundation for your future career.

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So, whether you're on stage, behind the scenes, or remixing something unique, DECA has a place for you. Just like at a concert, where the magic isn't just in the spotlight but in every role that makes the experience unforgettable, DECA offers a variety of ways to shine. Even if competing isn't on your agenda, dive into the many opportunities DECA has waiting for you—you're sure to find your rhythm in the DECA community!

Ideas, Insights, and Inspirations - Ideas for Fall Fundraisers

By Ananya Gogula

Uplift North Hills Prep

Fall is the perfect time for fundraisers – before DECA competitions and before school becomes too busy! 

Here are some basic ways to promote all of these events: 

• Flyers – Make eye-catching flyers to hang around school or even local businesses (for some events). Make sure to include information like time, date, location, and cost of the event!

• Announcements – Take advantage of lunch or morning announcements! 

• Social media – Make consistent posts, videos, and stories leading up to the event! 
  

BAKE OFF

1. Having a baking competition with winners being voted on by students/guests can be a great fundraising idea – I mean who doesn’t like baked goods! You can charge an entry fee for tasting as well as for competing. 

2. Promotion:

1. Flyers! – Make sure the flyer contains important information like prices to enter or taste the baked goods; you can even include a QR code to sign up. Post these around school and even local businesses. 

3. Planning: 

1. Make sure your school allows the sale of homemade food and get the event approved!

2. Materials: tables, signs, cutlery + bowls, etc. 

3. You may need volunteers to guide people coming and to manage the food.

4. To incentivize joining the contest, add a prize to win; it could be anything from a gift card to a DIY themed trophy. 

Game Night

1. Game nights are very versatile events; you can pick the type of game, make it a competition, or make it more of a hangout! 

2. Promotion: 

1. Social media – Use social media not only to promote, but to give people coming choices! Make polls or open-ended responses to figure out the type of games people want. 

3. Planning: 

1. Make sure you get all the games you need! Borrow them from people or buy them. These could be board games, video games, or even games like chess. 

2. If you are making it a tournament/competition have an idea for how you want to run it, brackets or free-for-all? 

3. If you want the event to be more self-paced, maybe you could have a movie running in the background! 

Movie Night 

1. This is also a very versatile event that can be very low cost! Play a movie (themed for fall or Halloween) and that’s it! 

2. Promotion

1. Social media – Use social media not only to promote but to give people choices! Make polls or open-ended responses for movie selection. 

3. Planning: 

1. Depending on the number of people coming, you may want to use a classroom projector or a movie screen with a projector. 

2. If you want to sell snacks for the movie, have those ready! 

Pie a teacher/officer

1. This is a fun, low-cost fundraiser! Have people come and pie a volunteer teacher or club officer for a price. 

2. Promotion: 

1. Flyers! – There is a lot of opportunity for a fun, eye-catching flyer! Take advantage of visuals of the event.   

3. Planning

1. Make sure you have people willing to be pied! 

2. Have supplies like whipped cream and pie tins ready! 

Hot Chocolate Stand

1. A hot chocolate stand is a very fun and seasonal event idea! There’s not too much planning as well! 

2. Promotion: 

1. Announcements! – Be specific with the announcements to let people know what they can get (this is important if you are selling more than just hot chocolate). 

3. Planning

1. Figure out the logistics of making and distributing the hot chocolate! Buy a hot chocolate mix and use a thermos! 

2. Sell extra treats if you want – things like cookies and cupcakes!

Hopefully these fundraisers can help your chapter raise money in fall! Make sure to have fun with these ideas!