Chapter Buzz

You know those shoes you don’t wear anymore? Alma DECA is taking donations of gently worn shoes from their community for a shoe drive in partnership with funds2orgs. The shoes will be distributed by microentrepreneurs in developing countries like Honduras and Haiti. The chapter’s goal is to collect 100 bags of 25 pairs of shoes each!

American DECA held a five-day boot camp to introduce new members to the world of DECA and allow returning members to brush up on their skills for upcoming competitive events. Each day included workshops, guest speakers and lessons that brought in over 50 students. Guest speakers included Oliver Zhang, NorCal DAT Officer, finance TikTokker, Errol Coleman, and DECA alumni. After the event, members were invited to participate in a virtual conference hosted by the chapter.

East Paulding DECA participated in each day of DECA SBE Week by posting on their Instagram account. Their decorated-forfall SBE, The Raider Trader, will be selling pumpkin spice coffee and apple cider for the fall season. This year they are also selling customized stickers.

Mill Creek DECA kicked off the year by taking it to the next level! They held their first virtual kickoff meeting with great success and gave out DECA swag bags to all members—including a t-shirt, custom sticker and other great items. They are also getting ready to start a virtual Krispy Kreme fundraiser. They know this year is going to be great!

While Georgia DECA’s Fall LDC looked a bit different this year, South Forsyth DECA still had a blast! Members split into teams and decked themselves out in their assigned color from head to toe. Their two-day Ultimate Leadership Challenge involved competing in a role-play, learning from local leaders, competing in marketing trivia, participating in a scavenger hunt and painting pumpkins. They can’t wait for competition this year!

Lakeland DECA’s Aubree Hall is turning her SBE dream into a reality. After developing a business plan to launch a school-based coffee shop with her DECA partner last year, Aubree has been working to secure the funding needed to launch The Lighthouse. She recently received a Dream Young Visionaries Grant for $1,000 from Believe in a Dream and several other grants and sponsorships.

Kapion DECA members in Japan hosted an online business contest with ten teams from nine high schools competing. The leaders provided mentorships to every team to assist in the two-week competition, sharing tips on effective problem solving and presentation skills. Kapion DECA in Japan also developed a policy proposal for the Ministry of Education to increase business education and create an opportunity for high schoolers’ voices to be heard by the government. They hope to ignite changes in Japan for the future generation.

Elk River DECA purchased an enclosed trailer and converted it into a mobile store called the SWAGON. This has allowed their SBE to go where the people are since no outside visitors are allowed into their school. With the new SWAGON, they can set up in the parking lot before and after school and during football games. They plan to bring the SWAGON to the local farmers market and community events, pull it through parades and continue to set up at sporting events.

Saline County Career Center DECA members have been hard at work to get ready for #DECAMonth! Chapter leaders have been creating DECA diamond messages for members and appreciation items for teachers who support the program.

Timberland DECA hosted their first social of the year—a Hawaiian Luau—including tons of fun games like Simon Says, Wah!, cornhole and volleyball. They held several ice breaker activities to welcome new members and introduce veteran competitors. Following health and safety regulations, they required masks and gave out prepackaged food. Their officers networked with members, answered questions about competition and led the games and activities. The event had a great turnout with lots of prospective members!

Hillsboro Deering DECA members have been out and about making a difference in their community. Students partnered with members of their local Rotary organization to do a roadside cleanup.

Plymouth Whitemarsh DECA members wrote postcards to all incoming freshmen to welcome them and promote joining DECA. Previous members picked up postcards from school, wrote personalized messages and returned the postcards to be mailed. The postcards were a great way to appeal to incoming high schoolers and gain some new members! Their campaign was even recognized by Pennsylvania DECA as the winner of September’s marketing challenge

Lakeview Centennial DECA’s leadership team lives by a work hard, play hard mantra. They took time to catch-up in person, while getting some serious DECA work done over frozen yogurt.

Los Fresnos DECA members met virtually before class every Wednesday of October to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Wednesdays, the chapter members wore pink! Even while virtual, the chapter is finding unique ways to raise awareness and make a difference in their community.

Over the summer, Millbrook DECA welcomed their 2020-2021 officers with gift bags filled with tie-dye supplies and a DECA officer shirt. They took on the challenge of dyeing their shirts and showing them off on social media!

A virtual start to the school year won’t stop Wausau West DECA from having an awesome year! Practicing social distancing and wearing masks, the officers are allowed to meet at school and have been hard at work to develop their Program of Leadership, including creating new activities and events for their members.

Submit your updates and photos at deca.org/chapterbuzz to be featured in the next issue of DECA Direct.