Chapter Strategy
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Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Lisa Cline
Lisa Cline, DECA advisor at North Forsyth High School in Georgia, has built an SBE program that not only raises funds for her DECA chapter, but also prepares students with skills they will use for life.
Taking your Chapter’s SBE to the Extra Level
Once your SBE is up and running, the real challenge begins: growing it. Expanding your customer base, increasing sales and elevating your chapter’s presence takes strategy, creativity and a team ready to level up.
Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Sean Lewis
Sean Lewis, DECA advisor and marketing teacher at Hillgrove High School in Georgia, has built a thriving chapter by blending classroom instruction with real-world business experiences.
8 Ways To Use the Membership Video for Back-to-School Recruitment
Discover eight ways members are using the 2025-26 DECA membership video during their events and meetings this back-to-school season and get ideas for your own chapter!
4 Strategies to Elevate Your DECA Association or Chapter Brand
A strong brand not only attracts new members but also energizes current ones, engages partners, and positions your chapter or association as a leader in preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.
From Small Chapter to Big Impact
Learn how to grow your small chapter while building strong connections, creating meaningful opportunities and turning your size into your greatest advantage!
How to Host the Ultimate First DECA Meeting: Engage, Excite, Enroll
Your first DECA meeting sets the tone for the year. Start with energy, make leadership personal and get everyone moving. When members feel connected and excited from day one, they'll want to stick around.
Go The Extra with DECA's Membership Recruitment Toolkit
Ready to Go The Extra this recruitment season? We've got you covered with DECA’s Membership Recruitment Toolkit, packed with resources to help your chapter succeed this back-to-school season!
Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Zach Lisella
Zach Lisella of Northern Highlands Regional High School in New Jersey is our first DECA Advisor Spotlight of the Week! Check out Mr. Lisella's innovative competition preparation methods for helping his members get on stage and win big.
DECA Advisors - Show Us How You’re Going the Extra!
We want to see how your chapter is setting up for success this year using the Go The Extra theme and the competitive events resources from your back-to-school box.
Behind the Booth: How to Run an Impactful DECA Recruitment Table
Your DECA recruitment booth is your chapter's initial impression. Learn how to develop a captivating booth, tell your story authentically and turn interest into enrollment. This guide contains the essentials of what exactly works to get prospects to pause, listen and sign up.
Watch Now: DECA's 2025-2026 Membership Video
Check out DECA's 2025-2026 membership video to help your chapter show students why joining DECA empowers members to Go The Extra.
Watch Now: The 2020-2021 Collegiate DECA #NextLevel Membership Video
This is not just another year. This is the year we push our limits and set our sights higher than ever before. No matter what your dreams and goals for the future, propel yourself to the #NextLevel with Collegiate DECA.
Leadership Team Building Ideas
While social distancing, it can be difficult to connect with the members of your leadership team. However, it is vital to continue being productive and connected. We want all teams to have an extra strong start to the next school year in order to make up for lost activities and events. Below are my top five tips to keep the DECA spirit alive with your leadership team!
Using Zoom to Unlock New Learning Opportunities
It’s safe to say that 2020 has thrown just about everyone for a loop. Like many educators, Sharon Cutler, a 15-year DECA chapter advisor and teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, has been looking for unique ways to engage her students through distance learning.
Partner with Purpose: Developing Partnerships for a Stronger DECA
For your DECA chapter or association to thrive, it is valuable to find individuals or organizations that can help you achieve your mission and goals. Forming partnerships allows multiple groups to receive benefits while also contributing to the greater good of their respective markets.
Tell Your DECA Story in 4 Easy Steps
The next opportunity to advocate for DECA is here as February is Career and Technical Education Month®! During this month we will raise awareness and celebrate the value of Career Technical Education (CTE) and the accomplishments of DECA members around the globe!
CTE Lingo: Key Terms to Know
It's Career and Technical Education Month® and you may suddenly find your social media feed full of new terms and acronyms. Don't get overwhelmed! Here are the top terms you need to know to be part of the #CTEMonth conversation and help advocate for DECA and career and technical education.
Fundraise Your Way to ICDC
Fundraising often gets a bad reputation for being too hard or not producing the desired outcome. However, by following the six keys to fundraising, you will soon find yourself with money to fund your chapter’s trip to ICDC.
6 Ways to Celebrate #CTEMonth
How can you celebrate CTE Month and show support for DECA and your school’s program? These are the six best ways you can help celebrate and advocate for support of CTE.
DECA Direct Magazine: Here We Go
The Back to School issue features tips on selecting your competitive event, a guide to setting goals for the upcoming year and everything you need to get started this year in DECA!
#Goals for Your Year
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.
Your Chapter's Best Year Yet
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.
How to Incorporate an Entrepreneurial Attitude into Your DECA Chapter
You may be asking, “How does entrepreneurship apply to my chapter?” Well, the mission of DECA is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. So why not get a head start? The same basic principles that apply to starting a business also apply to your chapter.
