DECA Direct | January-February 2014

THE MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY IS

ADVOCACY MONTH DANBURY DECA EARNS

$100,000 IN 8 DAYS GOAL FOR 2014:

MAKE IT COUNT

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

EDITORIAL Publisher Edward Davis Editor Christopher Young Managing Editor Janelle Scudder Editorial Committee Jeff Collins, Adrienne Grant, Sandra Tucker Advertising Cindy Allen Art Direction and Design Chuck Beatty

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION?

DECA NATIONAL OFFICERS President Carter Christensen North Atlantic Region Vice President Jack Fenton Central Region Vice President Connor Brashear Southern Region Vice President Lexy Parsons Western Region Vice President Trevor Dickerson

Michael Santillan

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jim Brock President-elect Ev Vaughan Secretary Lynore Levenhagen Treasurer Mary Peres Members Marsha Bock, Jacklyn Schiller, Dave Wait, Brycen Woodley NAB Chair Roger Glenn Ex-Officio Members Edward Davis, LeAnn Dinsdale, Wayne Kutzer

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE DECA Direct Magazine 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 communications@deca.org

SUBSCRIPTIONS & CHANGE OF ADDRESS DECA Direct Circulation 1908 Association Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-1594 DECA Direct (ISSN 1080-0476) is published four times each year—September/October, November/December, January/February and March/April. Copyright ©2014 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 2, Number 3.

Postmaster—Send form 3579 for change of address to: DECA Direct, 1908 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-1594.

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GET YOUR DECA CHAPTER TO ICDC

GET MORE DECA DIRECT ONLINE CHAPTER BUZZ

COLLEGIATE DECA NATIONAL OFFICERS President Cara Gooch Vice President Thomas Fitzpatrick Vice President Brittany Keating Vice President Alexander Louden Vice President

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FEATURES COMPETITION TIPS TO HELP YOU MAKE IT ON STAGE

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Are you ready to rock the role-play?

Check out these competitive event tips that will help you Make It Count all the way to Atlanta!

FEBRUARY MEANS IT’S TIME TO ADVOCATE! Before you can spread the word about DECA, you first need to understand what advocating is all about. Discover the real meaning behind the word and how you can fulfill its mission.

CAN YOU PROVE IT? As a DECA member, you’ve experienced the impact of DECA firsthand, but how can you prove its worth to others? Learn the proof points you need to convince anyone of DECA’s value.

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MAKE IT COUNT GOALS FOR 2014 What are your goals to Make It Count in the New Year? Find out what DECA members and advisors are putting on their 2014 Make It Count list.

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ADVOCACY ARCHIVE Get top secret advocacy tips from DECA members who experienced it firsthand while in Washington D.C. for DECA’s 2013 Emerging Leader Summit.

ADVOCATE SO YOU CAN CELEBRATE Now that you have the tools to advocate, find out how your chapter can earn valuable recognition through DECA and Collegiate DECA’s Advocacy Campaigns.

3 DECA MEMBERS, 8 DAYS, $100,000

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Discover how three Danbury DECA members motivated their entire town to work together and advocate for safe driving.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

DECA DIRECT

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CHAT

@DECACarter

TIMELINE JANUARY 6 Virtual Business Challenge II begins

10 chool-based Enterprise S certification documentation due

15 ssociation Administrator of the A Year Award recipients due

17 orporate & Applegate scholarship C applications due (submitted directly online)

31 DECA Emerging Leader Honor Award applications postmark deadline Virtual Business Challenge II ends

FEBRUARY 1–15 Online voting for ICDC T-shirt Design Contest

1–28 Career and Technical Education Month

5–9 Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference, Orlando, Fla.

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DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION? CARTER CHRISTENSEN | DECA NATIONAL PRESIDENT We are halfway through the school year, so for many, the first level of DECA competition in your association is near. You have been practicing, perfecting and realizing that every single moment you put into DECA now might take you all the way to DECA’s largest and most competitive conference—the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

The high school ICDC will feature over 17,000 DECA members and advisors in the heart of Atlanta, Ga. DECA’s top members will perform at their highest level in the hopes of taking the stage in the Georgia Dome in acceptance of an award, trophy or scholarship. Not only is this conference DECA’s largest and most intense competitive event, it is a perfect opportunity to network, connect and make friendships that will last a lifetime. I guarantee there is nothing like ICDC. You will walk into the Georgia Dome, hear the roaring music, see the flashing lights and be surrounded by thousands of members just like you enjoying this once in a lifetime experience.

How will you Make It Count all the way through your local and association conferences to the ICDC stage in Atlanta? You have to be prepared, be unique, be innovative and most of all, be passionate about what you are doing. Never lose sight of the feeling of success you will have once you accomplish your dream of attending ICDC. Don’t let anything stop you from realizing that you have the ability to make it to Atlanta. All it comes down to is your time, your effort and your willingness to recognize that you can climb all the way to the top. You can be an ICDC competitor. You can be an international champion!

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

Advocacy Campaign due

MARCH 1 I CDC competitors’ final membership eligibility

3 Advisor scholarship applications postmark deadline

7 National Officer Candidate applications due

26 I CDC registration and hotel rooming list/deposit due from chartered associations

MAY 3–6 DECA International Career Development Conference, Atlanta, Ga.

DECA DIRECT

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CHAT

@CaraCDECAPres

TIMELINE JANUARY 15 Association Administrator of the Year Award recipients due

17 Corporate and Applegate Student Scholarship applications due (submitted directly online)

FEBRUARY 1–15 Online voting for Collegiate DECA ICDC T-shirt Design Contest

1–28 Career and Technical Education Month

15 MAKE IT COUNT Membership Campaign Goal—membership increase Collegiate DECA membership submission and dues deadline for International CDC event competitors.

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GET YOUR DECA CHAPTER TO ICDC

FUN FUNDRAISING IDEAS YOU CAN START TODAY CARA GOOCH | COLLEGIATE DECA NATIONAL PRESIDENT With every mock competition and practice presentation, Collegiate DECA members keep their eyes on one goal—qualifying for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC)! Competition expertise can take you there, but with plane tickets, food, hotel rooms and registration fees, preparing the logistics may become a challenge.

That is why it is important for chapters to begin fundraising NOW, so members can fully enjoy the ICDC experience this spring.

Collegiate DECA provides fundraising ideas for chapters through decadirect.org and DECA’s Pinterest page (pinterest.com/decainc). Here are my top three favorite fundraising ideas to help your chapter Make It Count in Washington D.C.: 1. Business Sponsors Go beyond the typical car wash and make connections with local businesses in the area.

Ask if they would like to sponsor your DECA chapter to compete at ICDC. This form of fundraising can be easier and takes fewer members than planning an event.

2. Community Wide Fundraiser Step outside your campus contacts and hold a fundraising event for your entire community!

Host a movie night or dodge ball tournament on campus in support of your Collegiate DECA chapter.

3. Campus Support Speak with the student government on campus or the dean of business to raise funds for your DECA chapter. Universities and colleges love to have their name recognized at the international level, and competing at ICDC will do just that.

How does your chapter raise funds for ICDC? Share your ideas on Twitter @CollegiateDECA and good luck fundraising! We can’t wait to see you #MakeItCount in ICDC this April!

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

I ntent to Run for National Office Form due Collegiate DECA Academic Honor Award applications due

MARCH 3 Leadership Passport Award submission deadline (chapter and individual) Community Service Award submission deadline Chapter Leadership Award submission deadline Advocacy Campaign submission deadline Advisor of the Year Award submission deadline Advisor Scholarship Applications postmark deadline

17 National Officer Candidate applications due

24 ecipients of student, advisor and R chapter recognition programs posted online at www.collegiatedeca.org.

I CDC Registration (to DECA Inc.) and Housing (to Hotel) due

APRIL 23–26 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference, Washington, D.C.

DECA DIRECT

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TRENDING

@decainc or @collegiatedeca

#DECA TWITTER STREAM

@DECA_margarita: DECA. One word, four letters, and infinite opportunities. @DECAInc #DECAmonth @FosterDECA: Only the committed stay after school to take a test!! Competition prep session. @DECAInc #DECAMonth @kaisahc: Good luck #UMassD #DECA at NYC #CollegiateDECA CLA this week!! @UMassD @UMassD_DECA

GET MORE DECA DIRECT ONLINE

@MaterDECA: Day 10: Our DECA goal is to become a Gold Chapter!!! #decamonth #deca #decainc #fldeca

RECOGNIZE THE SENIOR LEADERS IN YOUR CHAPTER WITH DECA’S EMERGING LEADER HONOR AWARD

@AlvaroR_H: One week left before I go to New York. #DECACLA

http://bit.ly/decaleader

@Sox_777: I love my DECA family. #WRLC is going to be the best! #DECALOVE #DECAMonth #mesahigh

GET COMPETITION SECRETS THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE IT ON STAGE THIS YEAR http://bit.ly/decasecrets

@IllinoisDECA: #DECAmonth Day 10: What’s your DECA goal?

ATL, here we come!

LEARN SIX STEPS TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT MAJOR FOR YOU

@Braigen_Mac: In honor of #DECAmonth I’d like to thank @DECAInc for connecting me with my best friends!!

http://bit.ly/major6steps

TAKE YOUR DECA EXPERIENCE TO COSTA RICA OR LONDON http://bit.ly/decaglobal

LEARN HOW TO INTEGRATE DECA’S COMPETITIVE EVENTS PROGRAM INTO THE CLASSROOM http://bit.ly/decaclassroom

Leave your comments on DECA’s Facebook pages at facebook.com/decainc or facebook.com/collegiatedeca.

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@xoxoAryana: WRLC on Thursday! Can’t wait to be out on Phoenix with my chapter! #wrlc #deca

DECA DIRECT

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

@SBHS_Guerrero: Happy Virginia DECA Day, SB DECA! #DECAMonth #MakeItCount @JennChillman: The #DECA NYC trip never fails to be a thrilling and exhausting adventure. Hope everyone had a great time! @LorisDECA: Thank you everyone who helped and participated with DECA Week! #DECA @JamieSchlaugat: We are totally “working.” Pretty sure learning is fun in New York City! #DECACLA

A CLASSROOM PROJECT

FROM

PostNet is one of DECA’s most important business partners and has served on the National Advisory Board since 2012. Together, PostNet and DECA are working to: • Develop the next generations’s workforce in business services and franchise entrepreneurship.

• Demonstrate the importance of community engagement.

• Promote PostNet’s brand, products and services as dynamic opportunities that support classroom teaching, student achievement and overall college and career readiness.

A key element in DECA and PostNet’s partnership strategy is PostNet’s sponsorship of DECA’s Business Services Operations Research Event.

DECA and PostNet have developed this classroom project/lesson plan to help you teach the knowledge and skills needed by management personnel. PostNet owners are also available in your community and online to support you with in-class presentations and community-based activities.

This is a tremendous resource that supports DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program.

Steve Greenbaum, PostNet CEO and star of “Undercover Boss,” served as keynote speaker at DECA’s 2013 ICDC.

For more information and to download the classroom project/lesson plan, visit www.deca.org/partners/postnet.

Tweet: How do you rock the role-play? Tell us @DECAInc.

COMPETITION TIPS TO HELP YOU MAKE IT ON STAGE Happy New Year, DECA members! With the holidays and winter break over, the New Year can feel bittersweet. However, the New Year signals the start of competitions! This month, I want to share some tips to help you rock your role-play and ace your cluster exam.

DON’T OVERTHINK IT. Upon first glance, the role-play may appear daunting. Just realize that it doesn’t have to be!

Focus on breaking it down to identify three key items: the role you will be fulfilling, the task at hand and the role of the judge. These are the most basic pieces of information you need to understand in your role-play. Don’t let the extra information beyond these points confuse you.

Keep it simple!

KEEP AN EYE ON PERFORMANCE INDICATORS. After identifying the three essential pieces of information of your case, look at your performance indicators. These are the exact criteria you are being evaluated on! Make sure you pay close attention to each, as overlooking one could cost you up to 20% of you total score, depending on the event. Even if you do not fully comprehend a performance indicator, do your best to mention it in your presentation to cover your bases.

JACK FENTON

RECORD YOURSELF.

NORTH ATLANTIC REGION

VICE PRESIDENT While going through sample role-plays and reading the grading rubric is @DECAJACK helpful, recording yourself as you act out the entire role-play is an even better way to prepare. This will provide an accurate representation of how long you have to prepare and present, while allowing you to reflect on your nonverbal cues and speaking strength. Work on replacing any anxiety with confidence before the real competition. Practicing in front of an audience or camera provides a more realistic scenario that will better prepare you for the competition.

PRACTICE EXAMS IN CONDITIONS. Doing a practice exam also is a very effective way to prepare for the real deal. Taking it under realistic testing conditions is even better (i.e. having a time limit and outside exam proctor).

While reviewing the answer key, work to understand what you got wrong to be fully prepared for those tricky questions in the future.

Hopefully these tips will give you an edge to help you make it to the stage this competition season. Most importantly, remember to be yourself and find out what works best for you. Study diligently now; it will pay off. Try implementing a few of my tips and get ready to Make It Count in your competitions!

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

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Tweet: How does your chapter celebrate CTE Month? Share your advocacy activities with @DECAInc and @CollegiateDECA!

FEBRUARY MEANS IT’S TIME TO ADVOCATE! February is Career and Technical Education Month, but before you get started, take a minute to understand what advocacy truly entails. Advocacy is defined as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. Advocates aim to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic and social systems as well as institutions.

DECA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CSTO) which is part of Career and Technical Education (CTE). CTE compliments the traditional school curriculum by offering students the chance to explore career options while they are still completing their high school or college degree.

CTE classes allow students to take classroom content and apply it to their MICHAEL SANTILLAN COLLEGIATE DECA lives in a meaningful and beneficial way, while building their professional VICE PRESIDENT experience. @MIKEDECAVEEP So why does DECA feel so strongly about advocating for Career and Technical Education? Here are just a few numbers to provide an insight to its effectiveness: • 81% of high school dropouts say relevant, real-world learning opportunities would have kept them in high school.

• The average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 90.18%, compared to an average national freshman graduation rate of 74.9%.

• More than 70% of students who completed CTE courses pursued postsecondary education shortly after high school.

• 4 out of 5 secondary CTE graduates who pursued postsecondary education after high school had earned a credential or were still enrolled two years later.

• A person with a CTE-related associate degree or credential will earn on average between $4,000 and $19,000 more a year than a person with a humanities associate degree.

Source: acteonline.org/advocacy

One of the most powerful advocates for CTE, DECA and other CTSOs is you! There are many ways for you to get involved and ensure that organizations like DECA receive the necessary support to remain influential in preparing students for college and careers. If you would like more information on being an advocate for CTE and CTSOs, visit https://www.acteonline.org/ advocacy/.

Together, we can make sure that future generations of aspiring leaders are provided the same DECA experience and opportunities that we were afforded. Make Career and Technical Education Month count this February for all DECA and CTSO members!

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

Support Career and Technical Student Organizations and go “like” facebook.com/CTSOs!

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Create Conversation: How can you use these proof points when your chapter is advocating for CTE and CTSOs? Share your ideas on Facebook with DECA Inc.!

CAN YOU

PROVE

IT?

DECA members understand that becoming an active participant in DECA is one of the best choices you can ever make. You can feel that being a part of DECA is something big and exciting.

As a result, you want to share your experiences with others. Odds are you have attempted to “sell” another student or an adult on the value of DECA, or you may have taken it to another level and spoke with an administrator or even a legislator about its merits.

If you choose to become an advocate for DECA, the hope is that you already have your elevator speech prepared. If someone were to ask you, “Can you tell me about DECA?,” you likely would have a lot to say. While no two members have identical experiences, there would be significant common ground in members’ responses. You might talk about the way DECA provides unique and exciting learning opportunities or the way DECA immerses you in leadership and team environments. You might also describe ways that DECA connects you with business leaders and the community-at-large.

But what would you say next if the follow-up question was, “Can you prove it?”

While you may be experiencing the benefits of DECA firsthand, it may not MICKEY KOSLOSKI be as easy to convince others without facts and figures regarding the benefits of PROFESSOR DECA. Those facts do exist, but you may have never been exposed to some of OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY the evidence generated. If that’s the case, let’s fix it.

Other than firsthand examples, what information is out there that has proven that Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), and more specifically DECA, make a difference?

Carl D. Perkins legislation, the primary piece of legislation that defines and supports Career and Technical Education (CTE), mandates that we use “scientifically based research and data to improve instruction.” Simply put, it means that regardless of what we believe to be true, we need to use strategies that have been proven to work through research.

While this is surely an abbreviated list, below is a snapshot of what we have proven through research in the past decade or so regarding CTSO involvement: • CTSOs assist in developing good skills and habits. A U.S. Department of Education study revealed positive classroom outcomes from participation in a CTSO. Students taking a course linked to a CTSO had more highly developed classroom habits than their non-CTSO counterparts.

• There are four types of non-academic experiences developed from participation in a CTSO: leadership, professional development, competition and community service.

• CTSOs help youth to link academic work with technical work, and provide labor market advantage both during and following high school.

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• Students who actively participate in CTSOs earn an average of 7% more income out of high school than non-CTSO students. Seven years after high school graduation, CTSO members earn 2% more annually for each CTE course they took. This is regardless of postsecondary activity such as college.

• At-risk students involved in CTSOs are significantly less likely to drop out of school and are also likely to earn more income following high school.

• Because student organizations provide a career related and relevant educational venue for its members, students often become more motivated and engaged in related educational activities and tend to take more control of their own educational progress, causing learning achievement to increase.

• Students involved in competitive events—especially at high levels of competition— experience more positive learning outcomes than do those not involved in competition.

More often than not, studies regarding CTSOs tend to span across multiple CTSOs. While there are many commonalities between CTSOs, each is still unique and has its own relative strengths and weaknesses.

A recent study of DECA members attempted to find a relationship between DECA membership and academic achievement as measured by grade point average increases and decreases. It factored in how active each member was in DECA’s activities, as well as how multiple years of membership impacted the results. In other words, does DECA involvement help you do better in school? The results of the study showed that over a two-year period, 18% of DECA members’ GPAs decreased, 10% stayed the same, and 72% of DECA members experienced an increase in GPA. The study included DECA members with varying levels of involvement, so it was not examining only the “best” or most active members. In fact, part of the findings was that the more involved the member was in DECA’s activities, the greater the academic gains. It also showed that members with multiple years of experience had greater gains during their second year of membership than they did during their first.

In another study of DECA members, research was conducted to find out what factors might predict what makes members successful in DECA’s competitive event. The study examined 2,816 DECA members from Virginia who competed in DECA’s competitive events. While 14 different factors were examined, one stood out head and shoulders above the crowd as it related to competitive events success. The factor that most predicted success was not grade point average or how smart the member might be. Rather, the factor that made the most difference— by more than a 2 to 1 margin—was the amount of time spent in preparation for the events, regardless of academic background.

Does this mean that you have to be an international champion to benefit from DECA? Absolutely not! It’s all about the process that starts at the local level, not to mention the proven benefits with respect to leadership, professional development, community service and even income.

Now you simply have some facts to back up what you already knew was true. The next time someone asks you, “Can you prove it?,” give them an unequivocal “Yes!” Then return to your elevator speech and combine your personal experiences with research-based facts that we know to be true. You now have all the tools you need to share the value and benefits of DECA with others this February, which is Career and Technical Education Month.

While you may be experiencing the benefits of DECA firsthand, it may not be quite as easy to convince others without facts and figures regarding the benefits of DECA.

Michael “Mickey” Kosloski, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and program director of marketing education and training at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. After 17 years of sales and business ownership, Kosloski became a marketing education teacher where he developed Virginia’s first internet marketing curriculum. He also spent seven years as Virginia DECA’s association advisor. Now in his 14th year at Old Dominion University, Kosloski has authored many published works. His research interests include the academic impact of career and technical education and the corresponding student organizations, as well as teacher recruitment in the career and technical education field.

? QUICK QUESTIONS Brainstorm three occasions when these proof points of DECA’s impact on student learning would be beneficial to know.

Based on your own DECA experience, do you agree or disagree with the findings in this article? Explain why or why not.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

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this year

MY MAKE IT C GOAL IS TO …

“Show the students what DECA is about and all the places it can take you.” @PeabodyDECA

“Represent the new University of Iowa Collegiate DECA chapter as we compete at ICDC 2014 for the first year.”

Kevin Noe

“Earn a gold certification for my chapter’s SBE.”

Chris Parsell “To make our informal dance fundraiser “Raise money a success!” to go to @lifespiechy ICDC.” Krislyn Canary

“To have Southington DECA reach over 100 members this year!”

Teresa Brooks

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l opp DE m

Create Conversation: Does your chapter have a Make It Count goal for 2014? Let DECA know on Facebook and use #MakeItCount!

“Help build two more chapters from other schools and have a stronger presence at the conferences.”

COUNT

y

“Deliver the message that DECA really is for more than just high school; it’s for life!”

“Have a bigger impact in the community.”

Jessica Dowdy Aydlette

Alyssa Nikoley

Juston Glass

“Get our school to know about DECA and experience the wonder that DECA has to offer.” @DECA_PHHS

“Spread the life changing portunities that ECA offers to as many people I know.”

“Encourage involvement in the community and give back.” @Anthony_Vandy3

“Have more people qualify for ICDC! ATL watch out for GFHS!” @ksned

@DECA_Juan JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

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All DECA Members Apply Now For Scholarships High school seniors who are members of DECA may be eligible for partial- and full-tuition scholarships.

Here’s how to get started: • Download and complete the DECA Scholarship Application (BerkeleyCollege.edu/DECA)

by February 28, 2014 • Submit a letter of recommendation from your DECA advisor • Submit your high school transcript Scholarships are renewable yearly based on GPA and consecutive full-time enrollment*.

For more information, call 800-446-5400 ext. GD7 Apply at BerkeleyCollege.edu/DECA Find us @BerkeleyCollege Contact us at #BCInfo

Locations in New York, New Jersey, and Berkeley College OnlineTM

Berkeley College reserves the right to add, discontinue, or modify its programs and policies at any time. Modifications subsequent to the original publication of this document may not be reflected here. For the most up-to-date information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu.

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*Award amounts applied after all other federal and state grants and scholarships are calculated, and will not exceed the remaining cost of tuition and fees. Cost of books and supplies not included.

P3542 - 10.2013

Instagram: Share your favorite #DECAELS throwback photo and tag @DECAInc!

Advocacy Archive DECA’s annual Emerging Leader Summit was held in Washington, D.C., this past July and offered many DECA chapters and association leaders the unique opportunity to practice what they preach: advocacy. During their time in D.C., many DECA officer teams scheduled meetings with their congressional representatives. While each group’s advocacy experience was a little different, they all shared a positive outcome. Here are their accounts.

VALARI ESPOSITO NEVADA DECA VICE PRESIDE NT OF PUBLICITY

Nevada DECA association officer s met with representatives from the offices of Senator Dean Hel ler, Representative Steven Hor sford and Representative Dina Titu s. In addition, the team met wit h Representative Joe Heck, as wel l as Senate Majority Leader Har ry Reid in his ceremonial office in the Capitol.

When advocating for DECA, the most powerful information you can share are your personal stories. The representatives wer e extremely interested in how DEC A has personally impacted our lives. We prepared talking poi nts on how we found DECA, The Nevada DECA association why officer team we joined, how it helped us and with Senate Majority Leader Harry how it has positively affected our Reid inside his ceremonial office. lives. When speaking about Car eer and Technical Education (CT E), share how it has improved you r educational experience in a way that simply cannot be substitute and DECA go hand in hand, so d. CTE always make sure you talk abo ut the equally important role both students’ lives. play in

DOUG LAICHE REGION VICE PRESIDENT LOUISIANA DECA CENTRAL senator while attending The opportunity to meet my was incredible. While DECA’s Emerging Leader Summit advocacy tips all DECA on the trip, I picked up a few First, be familiar with members should keep in mind. much your association Carl D. Perkins funding and how is different, so do your receives each year. Every state rself with DECA. There research. Second, familiarize you uding DECA fact sheets, are many resources online, incl s about the organizawith several different statistic le you’re advocating. tion that may come in handy whi ting to involved with Finally, get those you are advoca s you can achieve this.

DECA. There are a variety of way Congressional Advisory Individuals can join the DECA te that person to attend Board, or you may want to invi meeting. In doing so, your next chapter or association w them how amazing you may have the chance to sho DECA members really are!

on Villemarette and Central Louisiana DECA President Clayt e with Senator Mary Laich Doug Region Vice President Landrieu.

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MADDIE REDMOND NEW MEXICO DECA PRESIDENT My fellow New Mexico DECA association officers and I arrived at Senator Martin Heinrich’s office and were taken on a private tour under the Capitol and through the hallways congressmen l and congresswomen travel every day. We even took the Capito “subway,” which quickly shuttles legislators to the Capitol when an the President calls them to session. This personal tour was amazing, informative experience.

Upon returning from the tour, we met with Senator Heinrich’s r legislative aide. Although we could not meet with our senato what s discus to office the directly, we spoke with interns from inDECA means to us. We soon found out that each of the four out New Mexico DECA association officers in terns were actually DECA alumni! This was awesome to find Senator Martin Heinrich’s office before meeting and served as just another example of why our legislators should with one of his legislative aides. support CTE and all the outstanding Career and Technical Stule simply because I emailed our legisladent Organizations (CTSOs). This great opportunity was possib tors; that’s it.

EMILY DALEY VIRGINIA DECA PRESIDENT The Virginia DECA association officer team began planning our visits months in advance by contacting each representative’s office to set up a meeting. The team met with five offices; som e with the congressman themselves, while others wit h a representative of their office. We presented info rmation about DECA, including a form to become a me mber of DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board (CA B). We also shared our individual experiences as DECA members. It was great to know that those we spoke wit h truly listened to our opinions and wanted to suppor t us. What made the experience even greater was disc overing a few weeks later that one of the representa tives we met with had joined DECA’s CAB. While the thought of advocating on Capitol Hill may be scary, it is not as hard as it seems. Here are a few small tips that will make it a bre The Virginia DECA association eze: officer team met with • Come prepared with informa Congressman Frank Wolf durin g Capitol Hill visits. tion. You should bring a few handouts or a fold er to leave with your congressm an so that they will remember and the issue(s) you are advoca you ting on behalf of. Make sure to kee p your information and handou brief to quickly grab the attentio ts n of your representatives.

• Always practice! Have a genera l idea of how you want to format the meeting and practice with tho taking part in the meeting. How se ever, do not make the presentati on overly scripted. These meetin have a conversational format, so gs be prepared to answer any que stions they might throw at you • Last but not least, have fun! .

Your congressman or representa tive will be more responsive to you meeting if they see how passion r ate you are about DECA, so sho w them your DECA love!

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AUSTIN DAMRON OREGON DECA PRESIDENT While in D.C., the Oregon DECA association officer team visited the entire Oregon congre ssional delegation. The opportunity to meet with the se legislators proved invaluable and the officer team was able to advocate for DECA and the amazing work stu dents are doing in Oregon, as well as across the Uni ted States. The officers shared stories about their own CTSO involvement and really promoted DECA on a mo re personal level.

These meetings provided the entire officer team a deeper insight into how govern ment and non-profit organizations, like DECA, work together to improve the educational landscape.

NS

SE MUNICATIO APOORVA PAN DENT OF COM SI E R P E IC V ECA CALIFORNIA D

DECA associer, the California This past summ ngressional contacted our co am te er fic of n io at gs prior to d set up meetin an es tiv ta en es repr e officer n D.C. Overall, th to ng hi as W to our visit tives and both four representa team met with addressed an . The meetings es fic of ’ rs to na se the organiinformation on E, CT of ew vi over A sped California DEC an le ho w a as zation out the impact rsonal stories ab cifically, and pe eir staff were gislators and th of DECA. The le ECA has to opportunities D e th by d se es any of impr DECA had on m ce en flu in e th d offer an s. their constituent not stop at meet Senator were honored to DECA team did a ni ociation officers ass n CA ro DE The Califor a By rni The Califo officers, the U.S. Capitol. gh! Two of our Barbara Boxer at an m ss Capitol Hill thou re ng Co Lee, met with beyond just Lo and Thomas ice during ections that go tw nn e co fic of ish t bl ric ta st es his di the year lped us ers throughout Eric Swalwell at ak of Congress he m rs w la be e em es m th ith ith ting w ue connecting w our D.C. trip. Mee striving to contin is A EC D a ni or advocacy. Calif state events. ture district and fu to em th g tin by invi

? QUICK QUESTIONS Imagine you are about to meet with your association’s representative and brainstorm three ways you would convince him or her support Career and Technical Education.

Although these meetings are conversational, why is it still important to come prepared with talking points and handouts?

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Tweet: Share your chapter plans to complete the Advocacy Campaigns @DECAInc and @CollegiateDECA.

ADVOCATE

SO YOU CAN

CELEBRATE

Is your chapter ready to advocate? Then show off your skills by participating in DECA’s Advocacy Campaigns! DECA and Collegiate DECA have two exciting campaigns that will help your chapter earn the recognition you deserve for all your advocacy efforts.

Since February is Career and Technical Education Month, it serves as a perfect opportunity to spread the word about Career and Technical Students Organizations (CTSOs), especially DECA! Not only will your advocacy efforts help CTSOs across the country continue to receive much needed funding and support, but you might also earn recognition from DECA Inc. Here’s how to get started!

DECA ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN (HIGH SCHOOL) Meet the requirements in the Advocacy Campaign during February and receive a pennant, special plaque from DECA’s Congressional Advisory Board and a letter of recognition sent to your school administrator and government officials. Submit your campaign activities online at www.deca.org/page/campaigns by February 28 to qualify.

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DECA ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN DEADLINE

SCHOOL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

PUBLIC POLICYMAKER OUTREACH

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

GUIDE YOUR CHAPTER’S ADVOCACY EFFORTS DURING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH IN FEBRUARY.

COLLEGIATE DECA ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN The Collegiate DECA Advocacy Campaign is designed to recognize chapters for their advocacy efforts. Activities may include sending letters, speaking to groups, giving presentations and submitting success stories. Individual members who are not part of a campus-based chapter are also eligible for this award.

Description Chapters must complete the reporting form available at www.deca.org/membership/college/ and submit it directly to askcollegiatedeca@deca.org by March 3, 2014.

1. Write a letter from your Collegiate DECA chapter to a U.S. Senator, member of Congress or a local legislative representative.

2. Submit two DECA alumni or professional member success stories, including photos, to communications@deca.org 3. Participate in three school advocacy outreach projects - Local high school - School admissions/recruitment - Academic Department (dean, department chair) Along with the individual activity forms, please indicate the total number of Advocacy Campaign participants from your chapter who will attend the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Award recipients will be posted on the Collegaite DECA website no later than March 24. If you have submitted for the above campaign program, please go to www.collegiatedeca.org/resources/ college on this date to verify that the information is accurate.

Recognition Chapters will be recognized at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference. All chapter members who attend ICDC will receive a ribbon or similar item as further recognition of their chapter’s accomplishments.

The deadlines for these two campaigns will be here before you know it! Talk with your chapter officers, members and advisors today about creating an action plan to tackle DECA’s Advocacy Campaigns and make your advocacy efforts count all the way to ICDC this year.

Download advocacy resources at www.ctsos.org.

? QUICK QUESTIONS What are some immediate actions or steps your chapter can take now in order to complete the Advocacy Campaign in February?

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ONL YAR D

INE

SALE

Imag Check o u grea es online t the DE t dea CA yard l s s a o le n from Unde merchan for more r Armo dise u ! Ava ilable r and whi supp lies l le ast.

FOR ALL YOUR CHAPTER’S NEEDS

703.860.5006 www.deca.org/shop deca_images@deca.org Every dollar of profit earned goes to support programs for DECA members and advisors.

Tweet: Want to find out more about this incredible campaign? Connect with @DanburyDECA on Twitter!

3 DECA MEMBERS, 8 DAYS &

100,000

$

Dan Maffucci, Nick Goetz DECA members are known for making an impact in their communities, and Dan Maffucci, Nick and Nick Mortara of Danbury Goetz and Nick Mortara of Danbury DECA (Danbury, Conn.) are examples of how members can DECA, with their award from State Farm. take the knowledge they learn in the classroom and use it in a DECA chapter project within the community.

These three DECA members not only rallied their entire school and community together to get over 200,000 safe driving pledges in only eight days, but also won Danbury High School a $100,000 check.

This incredible feat started when Danbury DECA advisor, Carmella Calafiore, suggested they take on State Farm’s “Celebrate My Drive” safe driving campaign challenge. The DECA members decided the challenge would be perfect for their DECA chapter to lead, along with help from the Danbury student council.

JANELLE SCUDDER The goal of the project was to promote “Celebrate My Drive” and get as MANAGING EDITOR many people as possible to make a pledge for safe driving on a website the @JJSCUDDERDECA students created.

“We began by meeting every day for two months just getting our plans in place,” said Goetz.

The plan was to divide the campaign into two divisions: inside the school and outside to the surrounding community. Luckily, these guys had some experience utilizing technology for promotional efforts thanks to DECA.

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They participated in DECA’s marketing research project last year and had done extensive research on website development and promotion. Using that background knowledge, they divided their target audiences and reached them in the most effective ways.

“Using social networking, the guys were able to locate and reach out to almost 5,000 alumni members through Facebook and targeted email campaigns over a three-week period (before, during and after the campaign),” Calafiore said.

Twitter also played a huge role in this campaign thanks to one very prominent Danbury resident, Mayor Mark Boughton.

“The mayor of Danbury is very big on Twitter, so we had him make a pledge and then tweet frequently with a link to our website,” said Maccuffi. “He really got the word out to his followers about our mission.”

While their social networking skills came in handy, they also heavily relied on the personal networking skills they gained through DECA. “We were trying to spread the word about safe driving and thought the best idea would be to go to the most highly populated area, which for us was our local mall,” stated Goetz. So they headed to their local Microsoft store and negotiated a deal with the store to use some of their space to get people to pledge on the spot for safe driving.

They didn’t stop at Microsoft. They contacted local newspapers and radio stations to cover their campaign, worked with the local movie theater to play a public service announcement (PSA) they created before every movie and negotiated with Comcast to broadcast their PSA to the local area as well.

“These guys really learned the importance of making a contact and then following up with that contact,” Calafiore said. “The follow up is so important.”

Outside the promotional efforts of social and traditional media, they used creative thinking skills to attract attention for the cause.

“Our most creative promotional effort was contacting a local junkyard to donate two crushed up cars. We put one in front of our school and another on a highway exit to really show the impact unsafe driving can have,” explained Maccuffi.

Throughout the planning and execution process of this campaign, the trio constantly used valuable skills gained in DECA. Whether it was networking with local business, contacting companies, targeting audiences or communicating with groups, DECA played its part in their success.

“Had it not been for DECA, this whole contest would have been a lot harder,” Mortara said. “I attended the Ultimate DECA Power Trip in Boston last November, and throughout the sessions and workshops, I realized the topics being covered were all things we had done in this campaign.”

More than just a DECA project, this campaign became a community-wide effort that joined the school and town together like never before.

“We don’t have too many projects or school spirit activities that get the entire school involved like this,” Maccuffi said. “The ‘Celebrate My Drive’ campaign brought everyone together, from freshman to seniors.”

What started out as a small project grew into a campaign that engaged everyone but more importantly, made a difference.

“After the eight-day campaign ended and even before we knew we had won, we were so excited about the impact it had on our community,” Mortara added. “We didn’t know the results yet, but we were receiving so much publicity from the outcome we felt like winners just the same.”

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2014

Danbury DECA members working hard to register safe driving pledges for the campaign.

One of the wrecked cars used to drive home the point of the “Celebrate My Drive” campaign.

Danbury DECA set up promotional advertisements throughout the town of Danbury to get the word out.

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BUZZ

Send a photo and caption of your chapter activity to communications@deca.org.

WHAT’S YOUR CHAPTER BEEN UP TO? t Manzano DECA (Albuquerque, N.M.) celebrated its 10th anniversary!

The banner shown was crafted with photos of DECA activities and trips taken during the past ten years. The chapter plans to Make It Count with activities celebrating the milestone, culminating with an end-of-year luau where former chapter presidents will be invited.

q Worcester Technical DECA (Mass.) chapter members dressed up as the Jabbawockeez for their group costume entry in the Ultimate DECA Power Trip #DECAAfterDark Costume Contest in Boston, Mass., last November.

REGIONAL

CONFERENCE BUZZ #DECAPOWERTRIP @SabrenaDove: Couldn’t ask for a better weekend #DECA #Boston #DECAPowerTrip @Ziyaad_Khay: Thanks to @decachrisyoung @decajack @lexyparsdeca for giving me the opportunity to see some of the Boston Celtics players! #DECAPowerTrip @MattCapobianco: Best weekend I’ve had in a long time #DECAPowerTrip #MASSDECA

#WRLC2013 @YOKOlyfe: Ready to watch the Phoenix Suns take on the Brooklyn Nets! #WRLC2013 #GoNets @rohooo777: There’s no feeling better than having your name called up on stage to receive medals at a DECA conference. @DECAInc @Arizona_DECA #WRLC2013 @jacqjuljay667: The past 4 days were seriously incredible, such amazing experience! Can not wait till next year! #DECA #WRLC2013

#CRLC2013 @CRLC2013: The conference may be over, but be sure to continue the revolution in your DECA chapters! #CRLC2013 @mainsworth13: had the best time in milwaukee! first nba game, mustachio bashio, new people, new friends! #CRLC2013 #DECA @xo_haleeyyy: if you didn’t come home from #CRLC2013 wanting to just go back, you did it wrong.

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p Members of Ardrey Kell DECA (Charlotte, N.C.) transformed their car into the ultimate DECA mobile for the annual homecoming parade. These members drove around the local South Charlotte area promoting what they love the most, DECA!

u Delsea DECA (Franklinville, N.J.) members volunteered at the annual Community Day event in September. The chapter set up a tent to sell school spirit items and promoted their school store with an “Ultimate Fan Gear” gift basket raffle.

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t Cascade DECA (Turner, Ore.) chapter officers spoke at a school board meeting where Bodie Crist, chapter president, talked about the DECA Month membership campaign.

From that meeting, Cascade DECA received membership from two board members.

p Caddo Career and Technology Center DECA (Shreveport, La.) officers held an open house in conjunction with back to school night. The “See DECA for Yourself” promotional video was shown to students and parents in attendance.

u Seniors from Appleton East DECA (Appleton, Wis.) showed school spirit in their “Toga Day” attire during their school’s homecoming week.

t Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Collegiate DECA (Green Bay, Wis.) members provided food and refreshments for runners in the Africa Hope 5K/10K Run/Walk for the second year in a row. Proceeds go to providing clean water, food, education and medical care to AIDS orphans in Africa.

t Grayson County DECA (Leitchfield, Ky.) Muscular Dystrophy Association project leaders were recognized for their chapter efforts at the MDA Show of Strength Telethon premier in Louisville, Ky.

p Brookfield Central DECA (Brookfield, Wis.) won the student council annual poster contest, which challenged students to create a poster with their club, activity or sport’s logo and incorporate the homecoming theme, “New Millennium.” Pictured are senior officers with the chapter’s winning poster.

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BUZZ

Send a photo and caption of your chapter activity to communications@deca.org. t Wausau West DECA (Wausau, Wis.) chapter members hit the streets for their annual “Trick or Can” event on Halloween.

Chapter members collected 1,514 nonperishable food items for the Salvation Army - their largest collection yet!

q University of Nevada–Las Vegas Collegiate DECA officers participated in the annual involvement fair at the beginning of last semester. The officers recruited more than 60 UNLV students who wanted to learn more about Collegiate DECA.

u Copperas Cove DECA (Texas) members gave a helping hand as greeters and ushers for the state of the city address, where the city manager and business owners update the community on the progress of the city and what new plans are in the works.

p Capital DECA (Boise, Idaho) members hosted a Make-AWish child at their homecoming assembly, where games and activities are planned for the child and he or she wins prizes from the student body, followed by a Miracle Minute. This year, Capital DECA honored 5-year-old Isaiah, whose wish is to go to Disney World. DECA earned over $4,500 during this three-week campaign!

p Northern DECA (Dillsburg, Pa.) members showed their Polar pride by participating in the “Spirit Sleeve Campaign.” Members and students were encouraged to wear their “sleeves” for a black-out football game.

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BUZZ

t Johnsburg DECA (Ill.) chapter members got in the seasonal spirit and threw a pumpkin-carving gathering as a kick off promotion for DECA Month! Johnsburg DECA is currently in its third year and has grown tremendously from having just six members its first year to now having 19.

u Southington DECA (Conn.) stopped

by Fenway Park during their Ultimate DECA Power Trip experience. It was an exciting time to be in Boston, Mass., since the Boston Red Sox had just won the World Series Championship for the first time at Fenway Park since 1918.

p Vicksburg DECA (Miss.) received a $3,000 check from the Outlets at Vicksburg for their participation in this year’s “Shopping Extravaganza” event. Chapter members assisted the outlet mall with the coordination of the event and was challenged to sell 100 tickets to the event in order to receive the $3,000 check. With some hard work and dedication, Vicksburg DECA beat their expectations and sold 109 tickets!

p Highlands Ranch DECA (Colo.) members showed their DECA pride outside the annual homecoming dance.

p Stone Bridge DECA (Ashburn, Va.) officers shared DECA love before attending their homecoming dance in October.

p Middletown DECA (Conn.) chapter members posed together at the Ultimate DECA Power Trip in Boston, Mass. Members experienced college, career and competitive events sessions, as well as a Boston Celtics basketball game, while attending #DECAPowerTrip!

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