Starting a New ChapterOnce you begin to familiarize yourself with all that DECA is and what DECA does, there are steps you can take toward starting a new chapter. Starting a new DECA chapter is a very exciting process. As you work through this process, please remember that the Washington DECA staff is here to help you. For more information contact Ron Cooper, Advisor Development Mentor, ron@wadeca.org or 206.285.1195. Where to Begin...
How do I get students excited about DECA? In a survey conducted at Manchester West High School in New Hampshire students were asked why they joined the school clubs that they did. Overwhelmingly, students cited Fun and Social Activities as the top two reasons why they joined clubs at school. DECA is not, strictly speaking, a "club", but these results show that there needs to be an element of fun in all the activities of your chapter. If students can see DECA as an opportunity to have fun and socialize, while at the same time learning things and gaining wonderful points for their résumés and college applications you will have no problem attracting enthusiastic students. Because DECA members must be enrolled in a marketing education class you have a natural captive audience to encourage to join DECA. You will have several opportunities to promote your marketing class to the student body as a whole in order to get students to sign up. Marketing and DECA, since they go hand-in-hand, can be promoted simultaneously to the school. Many DECA advisors/marketing teachers hang posters in their school encouraging students to join, as well as speaking to classes about the many benefits of DECA. One of the greatest resources for encouraging students to sign up for marketing is in selling the concept to the school counselors/registrar. Contact the person, or persons in your school that work with student scheduling. If these people are convinced that marketing is worthwhile they will be more likely to recommend that students take it to fulfill requirements, or simply as an elective. In promoting DECA to students it is important to remember the following points.
What Paperwork Should be Done?The wonderful part about DECA is seeing students grow and learn through the many programs that are offered. Unfortunately, there are times when it is necessary to do a bit of paperwork to make sure that you have a successful chapter.  The amount of paperwork that is required to start a new chapter will depend on each individual school district. For the requirements of your school, talk to your school administrator to find out exactly what is required to charter a new chapter. Please see "Membership" for the paperwork that is necessary at the state and national level. Many school districts will ask for a set of well defined goals from not only you the advisor, but also interested students. By involving students in this process, it gives them ownership in their DECA chapter. This list of goals can be generated at a meeting for interested students. Another way to encourage student ownership is to involve them in the framing of a chapter constitution. This constitution is also a tool that many school districts use in granting a charter, as well as a tool that you will use in future years to run an organized and efficient chapter. The following is a sample chapter constitution for you to adapt and change to your specific needs. Suggested Chapter Constitution How Do I Excite My Administration About DECA?Administrators and school board members may already know about DECA and all of the wonderful things that this organization has to offer potential students. However, this is not always the case, and it may take some convincing on your part for them to allow a DECA chapter in your school. The following page is a collection of information that can be used to encourage school officials to charter a new DECA chapter. First and foremost, promote the idea that DECA falls in line with the marketing curriculum. (Refer to the "Integrating DECA into a Marketing Curriculum" page for more information.) Remind your school officials that DECA is a valuable teaching tool and reinforces all of the Washington State Essential Learning Requirements. Bellow are just a few ways that DECA enhances the EARLs. Writing: As a part of DECA's Competitive Events Program students may chose to do a project that requires a thirty (30) page written manual. DECA members may also be responsible for writing letters to members of the business community to encourage their involvement in the local DECA chapter. Communication: Every event in the Competitive Events Program requires a presentation of some kind. Because of this, DECA members spend a great deal of time perfecting their communication skills, so as to excel at competition. Mathematics: Categories within the Completive Events Program involve a great deal of mathematics. For more information about the Marketing and DECA alignment to state and national standards visit the Business and Marketing Pathways website. In addition to being fully in line with the Marketing Curriculum in Washington State, the United States Department of Education and National Advisory Council on Vocational Education endorse Vocational Student Organizations. How Do I Pay Dues and Get Recognized by the State and National DECA Associations?If you have gotten to this point in the process, you have cleared all of the major hurtles. You must now fill out your member registration packets and register through Washington DECA's Online registration, as well as send your State and national dues to Washington DECA by the assigned deadline. These materials should be sent to you when you initially contact Washington DECA about starting a chapter. If you have not received these materials, please contact Washington DECA soon so that you can finalize the process of chartering a new DECA chapter. Remember: In the eyes of National DECA you are not a DECA chapter until you pay your dues and receive a new chapter certificate. Elect Officers and Start Planning Meetings and ActivitiesOnce you've officially started your chapter, it's time to get organized! With the help of fellow DECA Advisors and your students, you can begin planning your meetings and activities.
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