SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019
When your vision transcends boundaries, anything is possible. The world is changing. But most business schools are not. Hult is different. At Hult, you will do more than learn the fundamentals of business and earn your Bachelor degree. You will learn to see the world differently. Find out more hult.edu/DECA
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DECA DIRECT
HERE WE GO!
MEET YOUR 2019-2020 DECA OFFICER TEAMS
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WELCOME TO A NEW DECA YEAR!
HERE WE GO! 2019-2020 CONFERENCES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
#GOALS FOR YOUR YEAR
EDITORIAL
DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS President D’Andre Vasquez Central Region Vice President Dalton Green Southern Region Vice President Garrett Elkins Western Region Vice President Sam Sawale North Atlantic Region Vice President Will Theodore
COLLEGIATE DECA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
YOUR CHAPTER’S BEST YEAR YET
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President Anthony Fakhoury Vice President Drew Duboff Vice President Lindsay Joyner Vice President Max May Vice President Michelle Le
President-Elect Mary Peres Secretary John Stiles Treasurer Dave Wait Members Shannon Aaron, Ginger Hill, Scott Jones, Olga Plagianakos National Advisory Board Chair M. Andy Chaves Ex-Officio Members Richard Faulkner, Frank Peterson
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE DECA Direct Magazine 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 communications@deca.org
DECA Direct (ISSN 1080-0476) is published four times each year—September/ October, November/December, January/ February and March/April. Copyright ©2019 by the Distributive Education Clubs of America, Inc., 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594. All rights reserved. Annual non-member subscription rate is $5.00. Periodicals postage paid at Herndon, Virginia and additional mailing offices. $1.00 of membership fee goes toward subscription to DECA Direct, a publication of DECA, (USPS 566-200), Volume 8, Number 1. Postmaster—Send form 3579 for change of address to: DECA Direct, 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594.
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BEHIND THE SCENES AT DISNEY WORLD
16 ALL EYES NORTH TO CRLC
TAKE A LOOK: DECA’S NEW PROJECT MANAGEMENT EVENTS
CHAPTER BUZZ
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CLASSROOM CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
Publisher Frank Peterson Managing Editor Danny Spors Editorial Committee Christopher Young, CAE Debbie Taylor Advertising Cindy Allen Design Shawna Hession
This issue of DECA Direct includes instructional content focused on the following performance indicators from National Curriculum Standards: • Set personal goals. • Determine the nature of organizational goals. • Explain the need for innovation skills. • Assess personal interests and skills needed for success in business. • Utilize resources that can contribute to professional development. • Explain the nature of project management.
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HERE WE GO! HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION PRESIDENT @decapresident
On behalf of your DECA Executive Officer Team, welcome to the 20192020 year of DECA! We are thankful for your trust in our team and look forward to serving you, the BEST leaders on this planet. Our theme for this year is HERE WE GO! Together, we will go reach our full leadership potential, we will go build our network, we will go crush the competition, and we will go show the world what our 228,000+ members are made of at the 2020 #DECAICDC in Nashville! To maximize our organization’s success, you have challenged us to go represent the goals, values and dreams of every single member. As your executive officer team, we look forward to doing just that to the best of our abilities. To maximize this year of DECA, we also encourage every single one of you to: •
Go connect with @decainc, your officers and your fellow members on social media
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Go collaborate within your local chapter and chartered association
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Go serve in your community
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Go fundraise for your members
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Go compete and earn DECA Glass
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Go build lifelong memories and friendships
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Go have fun!
We are excited to embark on this journey of learning, opportunity and success with you. Be sure to stay connected on DECA Direct and all social media platforms to stay in the loop on all things DECA this year. If you are excited for the best year of DECA, get ready… because HERE WE GO!
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
D’ANDRE VASQUEZ
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FIDM.EDU
WELCOME TO A NEW DECA YEAR! ANTHONY FAKHOURY COLLEGIATE DECA PRESIDENT @cdeca_anthony
New school year, new people, new friends, new memories to make, and for tens of thousands of students, it’s a new DECA year. WELCOME BACK! As chapters begin the member recruitment process, as members begin the path to DECA Glass and as associations begin planning conferences, it is important we stay focused, create goals and have fun throughout this journey.
Louisville, KY mbaresearch.org/conclave
deca.org/engage
When first starting in DECA, I always had an elevator pitch that I could give at a moment’s notice. This helped me stay prepared for the moment someone expressed interest in DECA. Creating an elevator pitch will help you be prepared and confident enough to approach people at school. A great elevator pitch should range from 30-60 seconds and include a short summary of your DECA story, the opportunities you have in DECA and your goals moving forward. Creativity will also play a huge role in recruitment. How are you attracting people to your booth? How are you ensuring they feel comfortable and are having a good experience? Those are questions you and your officer team should answer before any recruitment opportunity. If you’re stuck, start with these ideas: DECA poster boards, pull-up banners, giveaways (snacks, flyers, gift cards, DECA swag, etc.) and (of course) a positive attitude! “Wake up with determination; go to sleep with satisfaction.” The growth of our organization begins with the individual member. DECA season is here. Whether you’re a returning member or a new member, you probably have a big goal for the upcoming year. Maybe you want to attend every conference, maybe you’ve set your sights on DECA Glass or maybe you’re interested in running for executive office. No matter your goal, you have the skills necessary to accomplish it. So grab your suitcase, set up those competition prep sessions and get those applications ready, because HERE WE GO.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
deca.org/competitions/college
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “With the new day comes new strengths and new thoughts.” When recruiting new members this year, remember you have only a split second to make a good impression on a potential new member. Your passion for DECA shows in your tone and presence. If people see how impactful DECA has been to you and hear how beneficial it can be for them, there’s no doubt they’ll be at that first meeting.
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WILL THEODORE
North Atlantic Region Vice President
SAM SAWALE Western Region Vice President
D’ANDRE VASQUEZ President
DALTON GREEN Central Region Vice President
GARRETT ELKINS Southern Region Vice President
@decanarvp
@decawrvp
@decapresident
@decacrvp
@decasrvp
@decanarvp
@decawrvp
@deca_dandre
@decacrvp
@decasrvp
MEET YOUR 2019-2020
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
OFFICER TEAMS
LINDSAY JOYNER Vice President
MAX MAY
Vice President
MICHELLE LE Vice President
@cdecavplindsay
@cdecavpmax
@cdecavpmichelle
@cdecavplindsay
@cdecavpmax
@cdecavpmichelle
ANTHONY FAKHOURY President
DREW DUBOFF Vice President
@cdecavpdrew @cdeca_anthony @cdeca_anthony
@cdecavpdrew
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HERE WE GO! 2019-2020 DECA CONFERENCES INNOVATIONS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE
CENTRAL REGION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 15-17, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C.
DECEMBER 6-8, 2019 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
This is the springboard for DECA members to unleash their innovative and creative ideas. Attendees will engage in exercises to learn about lean startups, rapid prototyping, ideation and pitching their ideas.
Members and advisors from all across the Central Region come together with industry partners each year at this exciting conference. Attendees learn how to excel in DECA’s competitive events program by participating in leadership development activities. Learn more on page 22.
ULTIMATE DECA POWER TRIP
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 15-17, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C..
FEBRUARY 5-9, 2020 ORLANDO, FL
NEW YORK EXPERIENCE NOVEMBER 20-23 & DECEMBER 4-7, 2019 NEW YORK CITY, NY It’s the concrete jungle where dreams are made and the city will become a living classroom for DECA members as they explore marketing, finance, fashion, hospitality and so much more.
ENGAGE CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 21-23, 2019 CHICAGO, IL
Join Collegiate DECA in Chicago to connect with leading professionals and explore career opportunities. Attendees will gain experience through networking opportunities, attending unique site visits, participating in a case study competition and more!
Whether you are planning a career in sports and entertainment marketing, competing in DECA’s sports and entertainment marketing competitive events or simply want to learn more, this is the place experience the thrills of working in these industries.
COLLEGIATE
INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE APRIL 22-25, 2020 ATLANTA, GA
Join more than 1,500 Collegiate DECA members engaged in professional development, sales challenges, management institutes and competitive events.
HIGH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE APRIL 29-MAY 2, 2020 NASHVILLE, TN
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
Join over 1,200 of DECA’s most engaged students and advisors from the North Atlantic, Southern and Western Regions for a weekend packed with leadership development, college preparation, career exploration and competition.
As DECA’s pinnacle event of the year, ICDC never disappoints. Last year, 21,000 people attended ICDC to compete for DECA Glass. This year in Nashville will surely be even more memorable.
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Continue your DECA career at Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business, located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, a city with a thriving business industry. At Belmont, you’ll find faculty with real-world experience, state-of-the-art facilities, career-focused internships and study abroad opportunities. Set in the backdrop of Nashville, home to industries including healthcare, professional sports, tourism, entertainment, banking, automotive, technology, government, real estate, publishing and more, Belmont can position you to go From Here to Anywhere.
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AS A DECA MEMBER, YOU CLEARLY HAVE A PASSION FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
Before jumping into your goals for the year, it’s important to start with that passion. Why is DECA important? What can DECA do for the students in your school and your community? In a few sentences, explain your vision for your DECA chapter. If it was everything that it could be, what would it be? Use this vision as a guide as you are setting goals for your chapter. Goal setting is important for many reasons:
Here is a simple process that can help with goal setting and realizing those goals: 1. BRAINSTORM: Gather together and record all ideas. No matter what, don’t evaluate or criticize ideas at this point. 2. NARROW FOCUS: Discuss the ideas created during brainstorming. Now, narrow the list to a more manageable and practical list. 3. STATE GOALS: Now you have a few attainable goals. They should be stated broadly at first, then narrowed to the details. Raise money . . . Add $200 to our budget by the end of the semester. Secure speakers . . . We will host educational guests speakers during the year. 4. SET OBJECTIVES: Objectives are smaller steps necessary to achieve your goals. To set objectives, follow the same guidelines for starting goals. By the end of the semester, we will add $200 to our budget . . . We will raise money by holding two bake sales. We will secure educational guest speakers during the year . . . Our chapter will host two speakers each semester. 5. SET UP A TIME LINE: Frame your ideas in the context of other goals - and your obligations as students - or they might fall by the wayside. Pencil in dates on a calendar and distribute a copy of it to each member. 6. FOLLOW THROUGH: Refer to your goals every time you meet to make sure you are remaining focused. If adjustments need to be made, feel free. 7. INVOLVEMENT: Involve as many members as possible in the process from brainstorming to when goals are actually accomplished. Involvement leads to commitment.
YOUR CHAPTER’S BEST YEAR YET LINDSAY JOYNER + MAX MAY COLLEGIATE DECA VICE PRESIDENTS
A NEW SCHOOL YEAR BRINGS A FRESH START. No matter your goals for the year, membership is the foundation of every DECA chapter. It’s important to plan ahead to reach potential new members and find innovative ways to engage your current members as well. With more than 10 years of DECA experience under their belts, Collegiate DECA Executive Officers Lindsay Joyner and Max May share their secrets to successfully growing chapter membership.
At the beginning of the school year, there’s bound to be a variety of recruitment events hosted right on campus! Tabling at these events can provide an amazing opportunity to get valuable face time with potential DECA members. Make your table fun by offering interactive games or activities with prizes for the winners.
2. SPEED DATE WITH DECA One fun setup for a recruitment event is in the style of speeddating, with two circles of chairs facing one another! Let the potential members take a seat in the inner circle while existing members rotate around, getting to know everyone and sharing their own DECA experiences. After the event is over, take down phone numbers or email addresses for the potential members and have the existing members they spoke with reach out to them with more information!
3. HOST A MINI-COMPETITION If you want to host a recruitment event with great opportunities for learning, host an informal, mini-competition! Invite potential members to try their hand at role plays and case studies by breaking them into small groups and encouraging them to present their ideas to mock judges. This is a great way to teach potential members how DECA competitions work, and allows for some awesome networking opportunities.
4. DINE TOGETHER AT DECA DINNERS Invite potential members to a local restaurant for a meal with the chapter. Before the food is served, answer icebreakers and share fun DECA memories as a group! You can even pair existing members with potential members in order to foster more personal conversations. After the meal, share ideas as a group for fun future activities.
5. CELEBRATE A DECA WEEK DECA Week is a hit at many chapters across the DECA world. DECA Week gives you the opportunity to show your community what you are all about, and helps other members get a taste of what DECA is like. Throughout the week, you can set up events that you think will get members to be engaged with. Here’s a sample DECA Week: MONDAY: Trivia night TUESDAY: Dodgeball tournament WEDNESDAY: Karaoke night THURSDAY: Dinner
6. RAISE MORE THAN FUNDS A lot of chapters have fundraisers, but it’s always great to think outside of the box. Fundraisers are a great marketing opportunity and a fun way to engage current members. Organize an event and spend a month or two promoting the event on your campus and in your community.
7. HOST TOURNAMENTS Host a tournament of a game or sport that most interests your school community. Whether it’s a certain video game or a fun outdoor activity, you’ll engage more potential new members (and raise more money) if you know your audience already enjoys it. Allow people to register in teams. Partner with local businesses to provide food or swag for teams when they pay. For example, each team pays $10 to get entry into the tournament and pizza for four members. While tournaments definitely require a lot of planning and promotion, the impact could be huge for your chapter’s finances and membership. PRO TIP: Leverage leadership in younger members by asking for committee chairs to lead certain aspects of the tournament.
8. PIE A DECA MEMBER Pay a few dollars, pie a member. It seems pretty simple, but it’s also very effective at getting some attention for your chapter. You could even work with educators and administrators on your campus who are willing to be good sports for a good cause. Not only can this event draw a crowd, it can get a lot of attention on social media if you post pictures or livestream it. PRO TIP: While this is a huge opportunity to get some eyes on DECA, make sure your message isn’t lost in the mess (literally). You should strategically have members signing people up, sharing information and getting to the real reason you are there. When trying to engage potential new members, focus on fun. Students have busy schedules, so while you’re getting down to business at meetings, use these ideas to build a stronger membership base, engage new students and show your current members how much you appreciate them.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
1. PARTICIPATE IN AN EVENT HOSTED BY YOUR SCHOOL
FRIDAY: Informational night This helps students and others to get to know who is in DECA, and become friendly with them throughout the week. Even if they aren’t interested, they could tell a friend who might become your next chapter president. 13
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o you aspire to attain some #DECAGlass this year in DECA’s Competitive Events Program this year? Set yourself up for success in DECA’s competitive events by using a two-fold method: first, find a career area that you have immense interest in learning more about, and second, find a format that suits your learning style. These few questions will help you be well on your way to choosing a competitive event that best matches you!
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What are your career interests? One of the best advantages of DECA’s competitive events is that they encourage you to explore your career interests. If you have a career interest that you are passionate about, find a competitive event that aligns with that passion, because you’ll likely be more motivated and interested in learning as much as you can about that career pathway. That will make learning the knowledge and skills necessary for that competitive event, as well as the additional competition preparation and trends in the industry, all the more enjoyable.
Do you have job experience? If you’ve had a part-time job, an internship or any work experience, think about how that may help you in DECA’s competitive events. For example, if you have worked in the retail career field, then a retail event may be a perfect fit for you because you can use the knowledge and skills you learned on the job when solving the challenge in your role-play or case study. For example, some of DECA’s role-plays challenge you to handle an issue with an upset customer, so if you have done that in real life, you’ll easily be able to relate to the challenge in the role-play. Or, perhaps you have managed chapter projects and activities. That experience may help you in DECA’s Project Management Events. Consider using your previous job experience to find a competitive event that matches your onthe-job training.
How can you match your personal strengths to the format of the competitive event? ARE YOU A STRONG TEST TAKER? If so, you may want to
consider a competitive event that has an exam component. If you’re not, you may find a written event more suitable, or at least know that you need to practice strategies to improve your test taking skills
ARE YOU A STRONG PRESENTER? If so, most of DECA’s competitive events are a perfect fit for you because they require a presentation in front of a judge. The real question is: how much time do you like to prepare? If you like to think quickly, then a role-play or case study event may be optimal for you. However, if you like time to map out your presentation and rehearse it, you will likely want to consider one of DECA’s prepared or written events. And if you don’t like to present at all, consider one of DECA’s Virtual Business Challenge events that uses a computer-based simulation.
DO YOU WORK WELL WITH OTHERS? This is a big question
when deciding if you are looking to tackle a competitive event that allows you to work in a team of one to three members. Teamwork is undoubtedly an important 21st century skill, so making sure you find teammates who complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses is key. You also have to make sure that your teammates will be accountable, and sometimes that may require branching outside of your network of friends. For some people, they just prefer to work independently. Whether you choose a role-play event or a prepared event, DECA’s competitive events will undoubtedly prepare you for your future. Be sure to use the DECA Guide, competitive events poster and decadirect.org as you navigate your competition preparation – and treat it as such! Athletes practice for their sport almost daily, so make DECA your sport and practice daily as well. DECA will help prepare you for college and a career.
WHETHER YOU CHOOSE A ROLE-PLAY EVENT OR A PREPARED EVENT, DECA’S COMPETITIVE EVENTS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT
DISNEY WORLD
Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.� -Walt Disney
THIS SUMMER, DECA’S EXECUTIVE OFFICER TEAM got a chance to peek behind the curtain (and underground) to see what makes Walt Disney World truly magical. Officers took part in training sessions through the Disney College Program, exploring leadership and culture through the Disney lens.
A company’s organizational culture, or corporate culture, is the set of values, traditions and customs that influence employees’ motivation and behaviors. Disney’s corporate culture ensures that employees reflect ideals that align with target customers’ preferences and expectations in the mass media, parks and resorts, and entertainment industries. There’s a lot that goes into creating a positive workplace culture that inspires employees to provide incredible customer service. But there has to be an essential foundation on which all service decisions can be developed—a common purpose. Disney’s key to creating magical Guest interactions stems from the cast members’ understanding of the company’s common purpose, which they describe this way—
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We create happiness by providing the best in entertainment for people of all ages everywhere.”
THE PEOPLE BEHIND
THE DISNEY MAGIC Every individual who works at a Disney park is known as a cast member. This includes everyone from the costumed character performers to the ride operators to the people working in retail. The park also reflects a show business-like environment by requiring cast members to stay "in character" while in the presence of Guests. When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, approximately 5,500 cast members worked at Walt Disney World Resort. Today, the resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States, employing more than 74,000 cast members in over 3,000 different job classifications.
IMAGINEERS Imagineers are the ones behind all of the Disney parks and experiences. The title combines the terms “imagination” and “engineering”. Imagineers can take on a wide variety of roles, from research and development to scientists to rock work designers who are actually carving rocks.
PROTECTING THE MAGIC To keep the less-than-magical parts of the job unseen, there are designated “backstage” areas of all Disney parks. If a cast member is anywhere they could be seen by a Guest, they are “onstage”. While onstage, though, everything they do is contributing to the larger “show” that is a magical Disney experience for their Guests. They must learn certain lingo based on where they are working, whether that’s in
Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom or the Disneyland Hotel. Each place has a specific vocabulary as well as a certain feel that cast members try to create for the Guests. For example, at a French restaurant in Epcot, the cast member would likely say something like “Bonjour,” whereas a cast member would say “Attention, Space Rangers!” on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. At Magic Kingdom, there is an underground tunnel system that allows cast members to get around the park unseen. The utilidor system allows Disney employees to perform park support operations, such as trash removal, and for costumed characters to quickly reach their destinations on the surface out of the sight of Guests to avoid ruining the illusion that is being created. For example, a Frontierland cast member can’t be seen walking through Tomorrowland. If you spotted a gingham and denim clad cast member while waiting for Space Mountain, it would remove the magic of the immersive experience that Disney World provides. The underground corridors are set up to allow cast members to quickly get where they need to go in the park, with well-marked doors and color-coded walls to ensure they know exactly where they are before stepping “onstage”. Along with the tunnels, cast members have access to underground cafeterias, dressing rooms and even a salon called Kingdom Kutters. Working onstage or backstage, cast members are curious, enthusiastic, dynamic and driven by a real love of the resort and the Disney universe. Disney World is one of the few companies where every individual shares an exceptional common goal: to make dreams come true for Guests of all ages!
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
CAST MEMBERS
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DISNEY TRAINING
TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR CHAPTER How many people can truly say they know a great deal about their employer’s history? More Disney cast members than other employees can most likely say this. Every Disney cast member is required to take a class called Traditions, that much like it sounds, teaches the traditions of the company. In addition to the founding of the company, and Walt Disney’s early life that inspired so much of the parks we see today, the class focuses on the top-notch Guest service that has been present since day one, and how this service can continue to be shown to Guests with each new set of cast members. Much like Disney, DECA has a rich history full of inspiring stories and passionate people. When starting your year, from leadership retreats to new member meetings, find ways to invest your chapter in the history of the organization. This will help build a stronger connection between each individual and the organization as a whole.
CAST MEMBERS ARE 100% FOCUSED ON THE GUESTS. There are a number of rules that Disney cast members must follow in order to keep their jobs. Though the rules may seem strict, they are most definitely beneficial in training cast members and creating the best possible Guest experience. One of the strictest rules pertains to cell phone usage. Cast members could be terminated for even one instance of using their cell phone while onstage, even if it is just one text or a quick check on their Instagram post. This rule exists for the same reason as every other one – cast members don’t do anything unless it is somehow serving their Guests. If you are a leader in your chapter or association, follow Disney’s lead by creating rules for yourself or your team that hold you accountable to putting your members first.
CAST MEMBERS STICK TO THE LINGO. Disney uses a number of words and phrases that are different from how other companies would communicate. There are certain phrases that only cast members know, to describe things that do not concern Guests. There are also phrases that Guests are aware of, such as “Guest” instead of “customer,” and “onstage,” instead of “on the clock.” By referring to customers as Guests, it is clear that Disney cast members are taught to truly appreciate everyone in the parks as Guests, and not as simple customers in a transaction. “Onstage,” reinforces the importance of the show for cast members, as it makes it evident that something special is being “performed” in a sense to all of their Guests. DECA members are just that – they are members of one of the greatest organizations in the world (not that we’re biased at all). This term may seem simple, but it sets each of your
members apart from every other student and it is a title they earned when they first made the decision to join DECA. Using common language can help build community within your chapter.
CAST MEMBERS CONTINUE TO LEARN AND GROW IN THEIR ROLES. Disney University is a training facility where Disney cast members take classes related to their specific roles and work locations. Rather than completing computer or video training, cast members sit in actual classes, and are able to take away a lot of valuable information from each session. When you are planning events or meetings, think about what members are taking away and how you can use that time the most purposefully for them. Consider creating differentiated workshops or meetings at times for members competing in certain events, members interested in leadership roles or first-time competitors.
CAST MEMBERS HAVE A COMMON SET OF PRIORITIES. The Four Keys– safety, courtesy, show and efficiency, are at the heart of everything Disney cast members do. The keys work together, and the parks would not function properly without all four. This simple training model makes it easy for cast members to evaluate what they should do in difficult situations, and it helps provide the best Guest service possible as they are all used together. Think about creating team norms or chapter values that are simple enough to reference while embodying everything you hope to see from your chapter.
CAST MEMBERS FOCUS ON THE FUN. Many Disney roles have a focus on the fun cast members can have with their Guests. During training, many cast members will learn about pin trading and be given a pin lanyard so that they can trade with Guests during their shifts. Another example of this is with merchandise cast members, who “merchantain,” (entertain Guests with merchandise.) Disney is different from other companies, in that cast members are trained to have fun with their Guests, rather than treat each sale or conversation like an ordinary job or transaction. Your chapter might be focusing on recruiting more members this year. When interacting with potential new members, be authentic and have fun with them. You are much more likely to “sell” the organization and your chapter if you show them how much you enjoy DECA, rather than trying to inform them.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
CAST MEMBERS LEARN THE ORGANIZATION’S HISTORY.
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you already know that DECA’s regional conferences are the highlight of the season! This years it’s ALL EYES NORTH as the Central Region Leadership Conference (CRLC) will be hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 6-8, 2019. Don’t miss your chance to network with over 1,200 of the most dedicated Central Region members and advisors, enhance your leadership and elevate your competitive event skills, all while having an unforgettable time in the Twin Cities! Tour the stadiums of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins and Vikings. Experience the shops and attractions at Mall of America – the largest mall in the United States. Visit renowned art museums at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center and much, much more!
SO WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR’S CRLC? Picture this… you and hundreds of DECA members fly into Minneapolis, eager to engage and explore. Your first stop is the hotel to gather your conference materials and prepare yourself for a full day of activities. Next, you embark on your journey throughout the city, discovering all that Minneapolis has to offer while taking behind-the-scenes tours of different industries. Then, it’s back to the hotel to earn your very own digital badge certification and explore the many exhibits of the Business & College Fair. Now, you’re hyped and ready for the Opening Session where all attendees come together to kick-off the conference Central Region-style. This is it, the conference has officially begun! You leave the session energized and ready to grow as a leader as you dive into two rounds of interactive workshops. But the day is not over… Unwind as you enjoy a hypnotist show featuring your fellow DECA members (and maybe even an advisor or two). The day is now winding down and you reconvene with your chapter or association to prepare for day two! You wake up, get dressed in your business finest, and as DECA members do, grab a coffee and sprint to the Morning General Session. Now the fun ensues. You spend the morning in workshops presented by top industry professionals. All workshops are focused on preparing you as a DECA member with topics including Business Management & Administration, Finance, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Marketing and Leadership & Personal Development. You then leave these workshops feeling refreshed and empowered about the knowledge you will be taking back to your association and chapter! You now go out to lunch with your new friends and enjoy a meal in the “Mini-Apple”! Next, it’s time to flex your competitive skills as you participate in a role play and DECA exam. What better way to prepare for your DECA competitions?! Then it’s off to the Mall of America for unforgettable shopping, rides and experiences. There is no way to see it all in just five hours, but it will definitely leave you with
a desire to come back and visit soon! The day has been super so far, but what is about to happen next will escalate the day! You are on your way back to the hotel to prepare for the CRLC Bold North Gala! This gala will be nothing short of exceptional, but it is also bittersweet because this is your last full day at CRLC and the Post-DECA Conference Depression (PDCD) will soon begin to set in. But we’re not done yet… The last day of the conference has arrived as we gather at the Closing Session for the announcement of the competitive event winners. Then, it’s time to be amazed by mindset expert, Ricky Kalmon. What better way to leave CRLC?! Though the closing session is over and CRLC has officially ended, your time in Minneapolis has still not come to a close! Now it is your time to visit all of the sites you have yet to see in Minneapolis along with your chapter or association! Year after year, the Central Region continues to shine as bright as the North Star. We are thirteen associations with one goal in mind – greatness! It’s time for all eyes to look north to the Central Region for the most interactive, immersive, and handson conference yet. You won’t want to miss #DECACRLC! DALTON GREEN CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT
NOT PART OF THE CENTRAL REGION? Don’t worry! Members of DECA’s North Atlantic, Southern and Western Regions will gather in Washington, D.C. this November for The Ultimate DECA Power Trip. Visit deca.org/powertrip to learn more.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
IF YOU’RE A VETERAN DECA MEMBER,
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TAKE A LOOK: DECA’S NEW PROJECT MANAGEMENT EVENTS
Participants in the Project Management Events will: •
Identify a problem
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Develop a project management plan related to the problem
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Implement the project using project management skills
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Develop a written report and presentation on the project
The five process groups of project management are: 1. INITIATING: Defines and authorizes the project. 2. PLANNING: Describes how the project will be managed. 3. EXECUTING: Describes how the project groups work together to complete the work. 4. MONITORING AND CONTROLLING: Checks the progress of the project and corrects problems. 5. CLOSING: Formally closes each phase or project and receives approval of the project work for the phase or project.
CAREER SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT MANAGER The career path of a project manager requires strong communication and organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and an understanding of the functional roles of departments throughout the organization. Project managers (PM) always work in a team. They are most often sociable and great team players. As a PM, you will need to adapt to different people, cultures, environments and situations. Being flexible is key to team communication since you’ll be the builder and controller of the team. Some of your duties in your career as a project manager will include: taking part in the creation process, executing the project, preparing communication methods, finding solutions to recurring issues, monitoring the project’s progress from start to finish, ensuring your team is actually getting things done and many more. To put it briefly, you’ll be responsible for connecting each project to the business world and to its clients. Results from the Project Management Institute (PMI) survey predicts that between 2010 and 2020, 15.7 million new project management roles will be created globally across seven project-intensive industries. China and India will lead the growth in project management, generating approximately 8.1 million and 4 million project management roles through 2020, respectively.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT EVENTS require participants to use project management skills to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project.
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BACK TO SCHOOL
BACK TO DECA Check out Shop DECA’s new products! VISIT SHOPDECA.ORG
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CHAPTER BUZZ Desert View DECA members had a great time learning about leadership and how to better lead their chapter during Arizona DECA’s Leadership at Lost Canyon camp.
MILLENNIUM DECA ARIZONA
Millennium DECA members were spotted living it up this summer at #DECAELS in San Diego! They took part in leadership training with officers from across the world of DECA.
NILES NORTH DECA ILLINOIS
Congratulations to Sarah Feroz, Class of 2019, for being chosen as the business department award winner at the Annual Honors of Distinction ceremony held last May. She was presented by Mary Nagelvoort, retired DECA advisor and Most Inspirational Teacher award recipient.
KING PHILIP DECA MASSACHUSETTS
Pinnacle DECA’s chapter officers attended Arizona’s “Leadership at Lost Canyon” camp where they learned how to improve their chapter and how to network with other leaders.
King Philip DECA hosted an orientation meeting for their 108 DECA members and families to welcome them into the organization and outline the goals of this DECA year. Highlights included Copresident, Braedyn Moore, sharing her DECA journey, and DECA alumna, Melissa Campbell, sharing how her time in DECA continues to affect and influence her life in college
HAR-BER DECA ARKANSAS
JOHN GLENN DECA MICHIGAN
Har-Ber DECA members created a one-ofa-kind “suit up” bulletin board display that you just have to see.
John Glenn DECA members celebrated #SummerofDECA with a day at Comerica Park cheering on the Detroit Tigers.
HAMDEN DECA CONNECTICUT
WEST BLOOMFIELD DECA MICHIGAN
PINNACLE DECA ARIZONA
In addition to excelling in both state and international competition and raising funds and awareness for a variety of charities, the Hamden High School DECA students also manage and operate their school store. The store specializes in designing and creating custom apparel for the high school, other schools, teams, organizations and businesses. The most recent order completed by the students was 90 T-shirts for the Dunbar Hill Fire Department. To the surprise of the DECA members, the fire department arrived at Hamden High School to pick up their order in their fire truck.
West Bloomfield members hosted a “Cookies in the Courtyard” event to welcome incoming freshmen.
CAMPBELL DECA GEORGIA
Crossroads Flex DECA members participated in their school’s parent open house to showcase all that DECA has to offer.
This past summer, Campbell DECA students hosted a Summer Leadership Institute with their corporate mentors to encourage students to explore the characteristics of being an effective leader and activist.
NORTH PAULDING DECA GEORGIA
North Paulding DECA knows how to host a kick-off event! Over 200 students attended the chapter’s first meeting of the year.
Desert View DECA
Pinnacle DECA
Niles North DECA
SALINE COUNTY CAREER CENTER DECA MISSOURI
Saline DECA members served up a unique “Back to DECA” volleyball tournament to introduce incoming marketing students to DECA. Their local Sonic donated prizes and allowed the chapter to host the event on their court.
Saline County Career Center DECA
CROSSROADS FLEX DECA NORTH CAROLINA
MARVIN RIDGE DECA NORTH CAROLINA
Marvin Ridge DECA members created a new eye-catching set of bulletin boards to jazz up the hallways of their school.
Marvin Ridge DECA
NORTH LENOIR DECA NORTH CAROLINA
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2019
DESERT VIEW DECA ARIZONA
This past year was North Lenoir High School’s first as a DECA chapter and firstyear members Karrie-lyn Deaver and Gracie Herring hosted a community service blood drive.
North Lenoir DECA
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CHAPTER BUZZ CLAY DECA OHIO
Clay DECA members enjoyed the #SummerofDECA by taking part in Ohio DECA’s Summer Leadership Retreat.
COPPERAS COVE DECA TEXAS
Copperas Cove DECA members and officers received a proclamation from Mayor Bradi Diaz to kickstart their “Start with Hello” program which will begin during September. They would like to thank Mayor Diaz, the city council and the community for their continued support.
J.J. PEARCE DECA TEXAS
J.J. Pearce DECA traveled to San Diego for #DECAELS in July to make connections with other chapter and chartered association leaders.
LAKEVIEW CENTENNIAL DECA TEXAS
Lakeview Centennial DECA hosted a packed kickoff meeting to start the new year. Over 75 students packed their classroom to learn all about DECA. The chapter is ready for a great year!
BROAD RUN DECA VIRGINIA
Broad Run DECA chapter officers served up a unique team building exercise at their Summer Officer Training. Modeled after the TV show, Chopped, officers were divided into two teams and given a basket of mystery items. The leadership team had a blast devising a main entre, a side item and a dessert!
FAIRFAX DECA VIRGINIA
Fairfax DECA members where shining bright and representing DECA at “Back to School Night.”
Broad Run DECA
ARROWHEAD DECA WISCONSIN
Arrowhead DECA members took part in a Chapter Officer Workshop at Camp Whitcomb Mason. From planning their Program of Work to fun leadership activities, they did it all!
WAUSAU WEST DECA WISCONSIN
Arrowhead DECA
Wausau West DECA officers participated in their school’s “Warrior Welcome Night” to greet incoming freshman and share the benefits of joining DECA. Their recruitments efforts help promote DECA before school even begins.
Wausau West DECA
WANT TO BE FEATURED? TELL US WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR CHAPTER! Submit your Chapter Buzz news and photos and you could be featured in the next issue of DECA Direct the magazine.
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Find out more at: goarmy.com/rotc or text ABY3 to 462769.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2017
APPLY NOW FOR A FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP!
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