By Wilsey Zahner, @deca.wilsey | Tolland High School, CT
With CTE Month right around the corner, many chapters are gearing up to advocate for DECA. For most, advocacy doesn’t mean you need to stand in front of a legislature or have a perfectly memorized script. It starts small: sharing your DECA story, building relationships with school and state leaders and helping others understand how DECA prepares students for college, careers and life. When students advocate, it carries weight because we are the ones living the impact.
Whether you are part of a local chapter or a state association, advocacy is something every member can take part in. Below are advocacy tips shared by DECA members and officers who have seen firsthand how speaking up can create opportunities, protect funding and grow DECA for future members
Advocacy Tip #1: Making Real Connections
Shared by: Craig Shade, VP of Advocacy for Glendale High DECA
One of the most effective advocacy strategies is telling real stories, not just sharing statistics. When advocating for DECA or your chapter, focus on how the organization has impacted you or someone you know. Personal experiences make your message more relatable and memorable, especially when speaking with administrators, school boards or potential partners.
Pair your story with a clear call-to-action - whether that's attending a meeting, supporting funding or following your chapter on social media. Advocacy isn't just about being loud; it's about being authentic, consistent and intentional with your message.
Additionally, advocacy is visibility! No one knows what your chapter is doing if you're not sharing it publicly. Never be scared to share your work and your message with the world!
Advocacy Tip #2: Staying Consistent
Shared by: Sean Bailey, Massachusetts DECA Officer
My biggest piece of advice on advocacy is that it is a consistent practice, not just a one-off. Advocacy is most authentic and persuasive in everyday conversations, and it doesn't need to be a major initiative. Although days at state legislatures or meetings with key officials are essential to advocacy, everyday conversations are often the most effective way to advocate for CTSOs!
Advocacy Tip #3: Using Socials
Shared by: Packer Smith, Utah DECA Central Region VP
My biggest piece of advice for advocacy is to use social media to your advantage. Using social media is amazing for informational and promotional posts, but it is also an amazing source for messaging other members personally. Using social media to get advice from association or executive officers, set up in-person collabs with nearby chapters and simply get to know the incredible members of this organization is a powerful way to use it.
For example, when I was first elected as a Utah state officer, I messaged as many former and current association officers as I could about what their association does, their role in it, and any tips they might have. It really is incredible how much you can learn from a simple DM.
Advocacy Tip #4: Reaching Out First
Shared by: Kendra Wilson, Arizona DECA Vice President of Hospitality
One amazing way to advocate for DECA at a chapter/association level is to share personal experiences of how influential DECA is on social media or with local government. Whether through advancing leadership and communication skills or building a network for the future, the best way to understand the impact of DECA is to hear from personal stories and journeys.
One personal experience I love to share is my leadership journey from my freshman year to now, from being a chapter member to representing Arizona DECA as a state officer! Through showing how DECA has allowed me to further my leadership skills, it emphasizes the importance of DECA.
Why Advocacy Matters
Advocacy is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing responsibility that ensures DECA continues to grow and reach more students each year. When members speak up, we are not just advocating for ourselves. We are advocating for future DECA members who deserve the same opportunities, experiences and sense of belonging. Every conversation, email, meeting or story shared makes a difference. When DECA members advocate, leaders listen. And when we work together, we help shape the future of Career and Technical Education.
