October State Officer Blog

Hello Mass-DECA!
Hopefully you are all having a blast this school year! During the month of October, we have many updates and events to remind all of our members of! On October 7th at Bentley University, Team 53 held their Fall State Leadership Conference. The FSLC consisted of many ice breakers, challenges, team building activities, and workshops. Each workshop at the conference was held by some of Mass-DECA’s sponsors, teachers, friends, and our very own Team 53. Team 53 was also officially inducted as a team into Massachusetts DECA by the 2010-2011 North Atlantic Vice President, Nate Keeney, who so kindly took a couple days off from college to attend our conference. On behalf of Team 53 and Mass-DECA, we would like to thank all of our members, friends, and sponsors for attending our conference.
October is also the month to start the Virtual Business Challenge! There are two rounds, one in which begins very soon! The deadline to sign-up for the VBC is October 24th and begins that day. Participants in the DECA Virtual Business Challenge (VBC) operate a computerized business simulation of a retail environment or sports franchise utilizing a competition version of the Virtual Business Retailing 3.0 software or the Virtual Business Sports software. It is a fun and alternative way to earn a spot at the State Career Development Conference in March of 2012. Ask your advisor on how to join in on all of the fun!
Looking for another shot at being able to attend the State Career Development Conference in March of 2012? There’s a way! Beginning this month, you and one other DECA member can enter yourselves into the “Who Can Sport DECA the Best” challenge. In this challenge, you must take photo with no more than two DECA members in one photo sporting your most favorite DECA gear/attire. Be creative! You don’t have to limit yourself to just a DECA t-shirt. Think of other ideas such as cutouts, banners, blazers, etc. For guidelines and rules, please see your advisor for the flyer included in the Chapter Advisor Guide.
For the month of November, Team 53 and some of Mass-DECA’s members will be traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend the North Atlantic Region Conference (NARCON). At this conference, all of the attendees will participate in activities pertaining to team building, leadership roles, communication skills, and networking.
Look out for more updates during the month of November. We look forward to seeing you at NARCON this year!
-Valerie Szeto
Team 53

Member of the Month, Sean Reinold

Sean Reinold, is a senior at Billerica high school. Sean is the first
DECA member of the month for his showing at our Fall State Leadership
Conference. He is an bright individual that stood out to me because of
his willingness to take on something new and present it to the audience.
He portrayed qualities DECA looks to enhance like leadership, being
prepared, and responsibility. Good job Sean keep it up!

September State Officer Blog

Hello MASS-DECA! What a crazy past couple of months it has been. I hope everyone had a great end of the school year and an even better summer. Now that school has begun again it is time to get prepared and get excited for the upcoming DECA year.

As all of you may or may not know, when a person is elected to be a State Officer, they attend a week long training at Bunker Hill over the summer. Team 53 did this, despite some difficulties, and had a successful week planning the year for you guys to not only enjoy but even “Aspire Higher” also known as the National DECA theme for the 2011-2012 year. Each State Officer is in charge of a blog, specific tasks for the year and electing a member of the month, so make sure you let us see how you contribute to your DECA chapter.

While at training we planned our first kickoff event- Fall State which will be held on October 7th at Bentley University! Next, DECA has entirely gotten rid of the saying “An association of Marketing students” and changed too “DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.” NARCON, the North Atlantic Region Conference previously known as the DECA Power Trip, the State Officers will be attending in Philadelphia and we welcome you to come join, learn, and expand your network with others. Don’t forget to look at the MASS-DECA website and find out about your state officers, when your district competitions are, or even to see the newly updated website done by our own Anthony Carrancho.

Be sure to follow MASS-DECA on Twitter and like the Facebook page. Also, don’t be afraid to add the officers and ask us with any questions you may have!

Team 53 has a great year planned for all of you and we can’t wait for the DECA season to start!

Thanks everyone,

Nicholas Aliquo

Ideas for DECA Socials

Ideas for DECA Socials

Introduction
Socials are a great way to raise money and awareness about your local
DECA chapter. Not only can they raise funds for those trips to ICDC, but
they can also showcase to your community the skills you have developed
through your participation in DECA. You can also use these activities to
demonstrate Civic Consciousness by donating proceeds to charity. Put the
money you make towards a good cause such as MDA and show your community
that DECA members are not only the best student leaders, but that they also
care about the society they live in.
However your chapter chooses to use the proceeds from DECA socials, it
is important to promote the events throughout the community. Be sure to
write a pitch letter before to media outlets and a press release following
the event so members of the community can see how successful your DECA
events are. The publicity generated by doing so will increase interest in
your next social and may reignite alumni’s interest in helping out your
chapter’s program.

Dances
Dances are an awesome way to raise money for DECA! Most students in high school enjoy them and will go to one if it is well organized and publicized. Dances are great because they involve your chapter members and their friends. Events like this work as fundraising, marketing, and recruiting tools!
You may be thinking, “Our schools dances are already planned.” If this is the case, you only need to get creative. Has your school ever had a post-game sock hop? What about a Halloween dance? A father-daughter dance? An underclassmen prom? If administrators are reluctant to hold another dance, tailor your approach in a way that will benefit the school. If the proceeds are going to charity, they may be more likely to support the activity. Also, include information about chaperones, security, and maintenance/clean-up in your proposal to show that your chapter has planned every aspect of the event.
Dances also must include music, food, and decorations. There are
several ways to economize in these areas. First, the DJ will probably be
the most expensive component. Check who your school uses for other dances
because many times they will offer a discounted price due to the number of
times your school uses them. Also, ask around the school. Nowadays, it

isn’t hard to find somebody with the equipment and music library to be a
full-fledged amateur DJ. Finding somebody your chapter knows also makes it
easier to create playlists that you know the audience will enjoy. One way
to make more money during the dance is with food. All those
students trapped in a dance are a great market for water, soft drinks, and
snacks. Due to a lack of options, they will buy even if the cost is
greater than it would be in a store. Also try selling DECA memorabilia,
items from the school store, or fun dance items like glowsticks. Finally,
decorations are an optional and relatively inexpensive addition. While
they are not the most important, they can help create the atmosphere you
are trying to set.
Make sure to market the event well in advance. Put up posters, write
scripts for your school’s announcements, and offer a discounted pre-sale
price. You should determine the ticket price only after you know the costs
of the DJ, decorations, food, and miscellaneous expenses.
Concerts
Just like dances, music events are a great way to bring people
together. Planning a concert requires many of the same principles used in
organizing a dance. Rather than finding a DJ, though, you must find a live
band. If you can’t find one that fits in your budget or that you think
will draw an audience, why not host several bands? Battle of the Bands is
a popular program that allows the audience to choose a winner from a number
of acts. In a high school, it is even more effective if some of the bands
are made up of peers that the audience will know. Still, make sure to
audition every band and set a firm set time for them to play.
There are several benefits to using bands of your peers. First, much
of the advertising will be free. Word-of-mouth by the bands will encourage
their friends and fans to attend. Also, it is more exciting for students
to see people they know performing rather than a band they have neither
seen nor heard before. Encourage bands to put up their own advertisements
and assure them you will do the same for the event.
The small price of a prize for the winning band will be offset by the
money raised through ticket and food sales. Again, make sure to offer pre-
sale prices and a slightly higher price at the door to encourage
attendance. If the event is large enough, you might also be able to profit
by making concert t-shirts or other concert items. There will need to be
time between bands for setup, so plan small intermissions or programs
between them. This is a great time to inform the audience about DECA, show
off items from your school store, or just have fun while they are waiting.
Auctions
Auctions are also a great way to raise money and promote DECA. The
first thing to do in organizing an auction is to solicit local businesses
for donations. Many times business people are more than happy to donate a
gift certificate or other item from their inventory, especially if the
proceeds are going to a charitable cause. While soliciting, be sure to
bring a letter from your advisor on your school or DECA letterhead that
briefly explains the event. Remind them that their business will be
DECA Socials
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receiving free publicity with everyone that attends the auction and they
can also write off the donation on their taxes. Also, bring flyers with
you while picking up the donations and ask if you can display it in their
storefront. Now, not only do you have items for your auction, but every
business person you contacted knows about DECA and your chapter program!
A silent auction may be an option. You simply lay out the items on
the tables with a piece of paper next to them describing the object and its
value if you like. People then place their bid, providing a name, address,
and phone number. At the end of the auction you notify the people with the
highest bid for an item or service. Arrangements are then made for
delivery and payment of the item.
You should also consider auctioning off services. If people wanted a
carwash, they could simply go and pay for one, but a car wash by your
school’s basketball team is something they cannot buy. Parents will be
especially more likely to spend more money putting their children’s friends
to work!
Work Exchanges
Contact local service-oriented businesses about collaborating on this
fundraiser together. With a little planning, some manual labor, and a lot
of promotion, your chapter can raise funds while having a great time. For
one afternoon or night, members from your chapter work in a business under
the agreement that they will receive a certain cut from the profits. For
example, if your town has a popular pizza hangout, for every pizza that is
sold, your chapter will receive $1.
Work exchanges like this have many benefits to both the DECA chapter
and the business. For the business, they have extra help and a large
amount of free promotion. As a chapter, members will be able to see a
different work environment than they are used to, reach out to the business
as a prospective sponsor, and promote their program to the community. By
inviting their friends to the event, members make the event more social and
create a better chance for dialogue with other guests throughout the night.
Fundraisers like this are also good because they can be repeated
several times in a school year and at different businesses. Every work
exchange is a new chance to learn about a different organizational setup
and raise money for the chapter or charity!
Golf Outings
If raising big bucks is your goal, consider planning a golf outing in
your community. Events as big as this are usually most successful if they
are for charity causes. First, you must be sure that there is a nearby,
accessible golf course. It is also necessary to get the administration of
the course on your side during the planning process. The next most
important step is signing up golfers. Work with the golf course to
determine a suitable admission price for the charity event before you begin
promoting it. Promotions should reach out to the entire community, with special attention to golf and sporting businesses. These places could
quite possibly be the donators of the prizes as well.
DECA members can contribute during the actual event by serving as free
caddies to golfers. This is a way for chapter members to meet individuals
from their community and possibly market DECA on a one-on-one basis. Also,
create a booth or outdoor area with information about the DECA program and
your chapter’s contributions to the area you live in. Then, invite the
charity to set something up as well. A collection area at one of these
booths will allow non-participants to donate to the cause.
Another good time to engage the participants is by providing a free
lunch. Here, you can say a few words about DECA, encourage them to support
your chapter in the future, and make business connections for upcoming
projects. With a charity event, always try contacting several local
businesses to have things donated. Lunch can become a weighty cost, but if
it’s for charity, many restaurants will be more willing to help.
* Variations of this activity can be created with almost any sport or
recreational activity.

Learn about leadership programs

MEET YOUR NATIONAL OFFICERS

The student members of the high school and college divisions elect their peers to provide student leadership for each academic year. DECA’s national officers represent their respective divisions at various corporate events, conferences and meetings while completing a program of work.

• Run for high school national office. 

EMILY DZIATLIK EXPLAINS THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY 2011-08-14

Hello…? Hellooo? Looking around the store, I can’t see any employee to help me check out. I have been waiting at the front desk ready to leave for about 30 minutes, and I have not seen a single employee yet. If you listen, you can faintly hear a small voice gossiping on the phone. It sounds like whoever is on shift is in the back talking to her friends on the phone. I think to myself, if she is too busy talking on the phone, and unable to help me purchase my items, then I will go somewhere else. Just like that, this clothing store lost a purchase from me, and more importantly, they lost a valuable customer. Why would I ever shop there again? Has this ever happened to you?

In today’s economy, for any goods or services offered on the market, there are at least three different companies that offer the exact same thing. What sets a business apart is their customer service. If employees are rude and unhelpful, they can drive their customers away. No matter how great of a promotion the store is offering, it won’t matter because customers will never shop there. Think back to bad customer service you had to go through. You remember being so angry that you vowed to never shop there again! You wanted to go home and tell everyone what a horrible experience you had there. You have started a ripple effect. When you had a negative experience with that company, chances are you went home angry and told your family and friends about it. Then your friends told their other friends and so on. One bad experience can have a major effect on that company that treated you badly. This could potentially cause lose that company both returning and future customers.

With DECA and Collegiate DECA, many students compete in some type of customer service. These tips will not only help you in competition but they will also benefit you at work. There is nothing more impressive to an employer than an employee with GREAT customer service. It shows that you can be trusted with customers and that you are a good representation of the company itself. Would you like to know the secrets to GREAT customer service?

Answer your phone. How many times have you called a business and nobody answered? Or when you finally get through to someone you are put on hold? This can be so frustrating! Whenever your phone is ringing at work – pick it up! Good customer service is answering the phone in three rings or less. When putting someone on hold, leave them on hold for no more than 30 seconds. Sometimes this can be impossible when you are helping another customer. If you think you are going to be a while, get the caller’s contact information and let the person on the phone know you will call them back that same day.

Don’t make promises unless you plan to keep them. When you are talking with a customer and trying to close a sale, don’t promise things that you can’t deliver. If you promise them a discount, but you didn’t check with your boss, you are going to feel pretty embarrassed when you have to go back to your customer and explain to them why you can’t give it to them. Save yourself the humiliation and only promise customers things you know you can actually do.

Listen to your customers and calmly deal with their complaints. When a customer comes into your business complaining about a product that they’ve recently purchased, listen to what they have to say! Don’t jump into the middle of the conversation thinking that you know what to do. Listen to the whole complaint. Have you ever tried to tell a store employee what’s wrong with your product and they just kept interrupting you? As soon as the customer is done explaining their problem, repeat to them what you understood them to say. This shows that you were listing to them and not wasting their time. It displays that you understand their complaint and you will do whatever you can to work with them. Any businesses customer service can show sympathy, but great customer service will show empathy.

Be helpful – even if there’s no immediate profit visible. Always go out of your way to help your customers. This is the best way to show your customer service goes above and beyond. When a customer has a question, listen to the whole question, repeat it back to them, and then solve it! Think about what would make you satisfied if you were in their shoes.

Customer service is the essential key to gaining and maintaining customers. One bad conversation with a customer could lead to losing that customer and all their friends and family. DECA is a great organization that demonstrates through role plays and competition how to give excellent customer service. Apply what you learn through DECA and use it when you are dealing with any customer – content or upset. When you have to deal with negative customers, think back to your role play and treat the situation as if you were presenting to a judge. Never be afraid to go above and beyond for a customer and always give 110%!

CLAIRE’S JUNE BLOG 2011-06-15

Whenever most of introduce ourselves we start with the introductory statement, “Hello, my name is _______ and I am from ________.” For a majority of us, the most important part of this statement is our name. It is who we are. In my contradictory opinion though, I feel that the latter of the two blanks is the most significant. Where we come from, our community, is often times what molds us into our own character. Whether it is your hometown, your neighborhood, your school, or your DECA chapter, every one of us is part of our own special community.

My name is Claire Coker. I have known this my whole life and my name is and always will be the beginning of my own characterization. I am from Knoxville, TN. This claim is what I believe is more important. Growing up in a small neighborhood community in Knoxville, Tennessee, known as Fourth and Gill, has given me a sense of belonging; and so has my West High School DECA Chapter. They have taught me the importance of building strong relationships, caring for others, and giving back. Because of that, I try and give back to my community as much as possible through volunteering. Communities are in our lives to provide us with a foundation, and a support system for our future. It is important that we give back to them so that they can continue to make an impact on others’ lives.

DECA members, it is our duty to give back to our communities. They give us support, and in turn we should support them. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen, clean up a park with some other DECA members, and give back to your school in any way you can. Everyone in this world is connected in some way, and it is important to give back to the places that have given us so much. Never forget where you have come from, and who has made a difference in your life. Never forget what comes after your name that helps define you. Give back to those places and people, because that’s what being community oriented is all about.

Best Wishes,
Claire Coker
National DECA President
2011-2012

DECA/COLLEGIATE DECA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINE

DECA’s scholarship program provides over $300,000 in scholarships at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. Many corporate partners of DECA provide scholarships through the DECA Scholarship Program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit based.

Examples of companies or organizations that partner with DECA to provide scholarships to DECA members include:

• Don DeBolt—two (2) $2,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who have an interest in pursuing franchising and entrepreneurship course of study.
• Finish Line—fifteen (15) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are Finish Line associates.
• Harry Applegate—scholarship that corporate supporters contribute to but actually in the company’s name. Scholarship is based on DECA/Collegiate DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and grades.
• Kmart—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are associates of Kmart.
• Marriott International—ten (10) $1,500 scholarships to DECA members who have hospitality experience or interest.
• Men’s Wearhouse–four (4) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are also associates of Men’s Wearhouse.
• NAPA—nine (9) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are NAPA associates or have an interest in automotive.
• NTHS (National Technical Honor Society)—two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are also members of NTHS.
• Otis Spunkmeyer—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school store and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.
• Publix Super Markets—seven (7) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are associates of Publix.
• Safeway—ten (10) $1,000 scholaships awarded to DECA members who are Safeway associates or associates of one of their brands (i.e. Vons, Dominick’s, Randalls, Tom thumb, Genuradi’s, Pavillion, Carrs)
• SEARS—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are assoicates of Sears.
• TJMaxx/Marshalls—three (3) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are associates of TJMaxx and/or Marshalls. Students working in all TJX divisions are also welcome to apply.
• Walgreens—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who can show evidence of DECA activities, leadership ability, community involvement.
• Western Region-two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members in the Western Region who are in good standing and who participated in the Ultimate Power Trip in Washington, DC this past November.

Calender of Events

• Aug 18, 2011 – Aug 20, 2011 | State Association Management Conference | Salt Lake City, UT
  The State Association Management (SAM) Conference is a professional development experience for state/provincial advisors and key leaders. Read More +
• Sep 1, 2011 – Jan 20, 2012 | DECA/Collegiate DECA Student Scholarships Deadline
  DECA’s scholarship program provides over $300,000 in scholarships at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. Many corporate partners of DECA provide scholarships through the DECA Scholarship Program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit based. Read More +
• Sep 6, 2011 | DECA Stock Market Game Begins
  Develop and manage an investment portfolio online. Read More +
• Oct 3, 2011 | DECA / DeVry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge Submission Deadline
  Participants in the DeVry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge will present ideas to launch innovative business concepts. Challenge participants will make presentations to DeVry University faculty, administrators and executives via videos posted on YouTube. Read More +
• Oct 9, 2011 – Oct 15, 2011 | DECA Week
  Thousands of DECA chapters will celebrate DECA Week by promoting the organization in their schools and communities. Read More +
• Oct 24, 2011 | DECA Virtual Business Challenge I Begins
  Participants in the DECA Virtual Business Challenge (VBC) operate a computerized business simulation of a retail environment or sports franchise utilizing a competition version of the Virtual Business Retailing 3.0 software or the Virtual Business Sports software. Read More +
• Oct 24, 2011 | DECA H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge – Round I Begins
  Participants in the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge compete on personal financial knowledge. The challenge occurs using computerized simulations in a competition version of the Virtual Business Challenge – Personal Finance software. The qualifying rounds are conducted online. Read More +
• Nov 3, 2011 – Nov 5, 2011 | DECA Innovations and Entrepreneurship Conference | Chicago, IL
• Nov 10, 2011 – Nov 12, 2011 | DECA Western Region Leadership Conference | San Diego, CA
• Nov 11, 2011 – Nov 13, 2011 | DECA Southern Region Leadership Conference | Little Rock, AR
• Nov 14, 2011 – Nov 20, 2011 | Global Entrepreneurship Week
  DECA members will join millions of young entrepreneurial people around the world to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of accomplishing goals. Continuing its annual celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, DECA goes coast-to-coast this year encouraging its members to unleash ideas. Read More +
• Nov 17, 2011 – Nov 19, 2011 | Collegiate DECA Leadership Academy | New York City
  Collegiate DECA members looking to enhance their leadership skills are invited to attend the Collegiate Leadership Academy (CLA). Sponsored by Collegiate DECA and Finish Line, the CLA is held each fall in New York City. Read More +
• Nov 18, 2011 | DECA Virtual Business Challenge I Ends
• Nov 18, 2011 – Nov 20, 2011 | DECA North Atlantic Region Leadership Conference | Philadelphia, PA
• Nov 30, 2011 – Dec 11, 2011 | DECA New York Experience | New York City
  The New York Experience Conference highlights the career fields of fashion, finance, and hospitality and tourism in the world’s most exciting city. Read More +
• Dec 1, 2011 | DECA Membership Campaign
  DECA’s new membership campaign encourages chapters to aspire higher when developing their membership. Read More +
• Dec 2, 2011 – Dec 4, 2011 | DECA Central Region Leadership Conference | Omaha, NE
• Dec 16, 2011 | DECA Stock Market Game Ends
• Dec 19, 2011 | DECA / Finish Line Challenge Submission Deadline
  In this innovative real-world activity, DECA members in teams of one to three will conduct market research studies at Finish Line retail stores, develop recommendations for improvements and turn their findings into a ten-minute YouTube video. Read More +
• Jan 2, 2012 | DECA Virtual Business Challenge II Begins
  Participants in the DECA Virtual Business Challenge (VBC) operate a computerized business simulation of a retail environment or sports franchise utilizing a competition version of the Virtual Business Retailing 3.0 software or the Virtual Business Sports software. The VBC qualifying rounds are conducted via the Internet.

   

  Read More +

• Jan 2, 2012 | DECA H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge – Round II Begins
  Participants in the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge compete on personal financial knowledge. The challenge occurs using computerized simulations in a competition version of the Virtual Business – Personal Finance software. The qualifying rounds are conducted online.Read More +
• Jan 20, 2012 | DECA / FIDM Runway Challenge Deadline
  Information coming soon! Read More +
• Jan 27, 2012 | DECA Virtual Business Challenge II Ends
• Feb 1, 2012 – Feb 5, 2012 | DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference | Orlando, FL
  The DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference educates participants on this exciting career field in a location that is home to world-class sports and entertainment venues.Read More +
• Feb 1, 2012 | DECA Emerging Leader Honor Award Applications Deadline
  The DECA Emerging Leader Honor Award provides recognition of students studying marketing, finance, hospitality and management for being an academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leader through participation in DECA. Read More +
• Apr 21, 2012 – Apr 24, 2012 | Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference | Salt Lake City, UT Read More +
• Apr 23, 2012 – May 1, 2012 | Judging at the International Career Development Conference | Salt Lake City, UT
  More than 1,000 business professionals are needed to judge and evaluate DECA members at the 2012 International Career Development Conferences (ICDCs) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Read More +
• Apr 28, 2012 – May 1, 2012 | DECA International Career Development Conference | Salt Lake City, UT
  More than 16,000 high school members, advisors and business partners will converge in Salt Lake City for the pinnacle event of the year. Read More +