2010-09-28

Nine DECA state associations participated in DECA’s first-ever focus on membership development meeting held at DECA Inc.’s headquarters in Reston, Va., on September 20-21, 2010.

“Our new mission offers great opportunities for our chapters and state/provincial associations to provide the DECA experience to more students with expanded career interests,” said Ed Davis, executive director of DECA Inc. “This meeting was an opportunity to use our new messages and programs across the career areas of marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality and management to develop highly targeted membership campaigns.”

A team of one state advisor and one chapter advisor from Arkansas, California, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah participated in a series of case studies, discussions and activities designed to develop a state-specific comprehensive membership campaign. Participants included:

• Jim Brock, Arkansas DECA
• Chris Dorman, Arkansas DECA
• Brycen Woodley, California DECA
• Laurie Andrews, California DECA
• Emily Eaton, Indiana DECA
• Amanda Graham, Indiana DECA
• Paul Grethel, Louisiana DECA
• Sandra West, Louisiana DECA
• Pat Lamborne, New Jersey DECA
• Sandy Helfand, New Jersey DECA
• Mary Peres, New York DECA
• Ellen Katz, New York DECA
• Jerry DiGiovanni, Pennsylvania DECA
• Michelle Jackson, Pennsylvania DECA
• Deanna Shepard, Texas DECA
• Vince Merrell, Utah DECA
• Karsten Walker, Utah DECA
  

Each state association developed two plans – one for building membership in current chapters and one for expanding its membership base through new chapters – with goals, action steps, accountability measures and incentives. At the conclusion of the working session, the teams shared their campaigns that they will execute in their state associations.

The campaigns will be posted on DECA’s website to provide best practices and ideas to all chapters and state/provincial associations. The nine state associations will be engaged in a variety of on-going activities throughout the membership year.

Scott Ferguson, assistant state advisor for Georgia DECA, a state association that has experienced high growth rates in the past five years, served as a membership coach, and Melissa Zelinski, Tennessee DECA state advisor, shared membership development ideas via Skype. Ryan Witzig, Virginia DECA state advisor, also provided ideas.

About DECA


DECA Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. With more than 200,000 members, DECA operates in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education and the state and international departments of education authorize DECA’s programs. For more information, visit www.deca.org.