This is what showing up looks like.

Just like in business, continued growth is one of the keys to success. DECA's membership campaign is designed to help your chapter grow by making the DECA experience available to more student members, keeping alumni involved and engaging professional members such as administrators, teachers, parents and business partners.

Ideas to try:

• Build a chapter website landing page explaining DECA and the benefits of joining
• Produce a series of TikToks or Reels promoting membership to the student body
• Set up an email funnel for interested students, alumni, and professionals
• Reach out to recent grads directly, or start an alumni Facebook group
• Run a contest for which class can recruit the most alumni or professional members
• Share testimonial posts from current and alumni members on why they joined
• Host a "Find a Freshman" challenge — each upperclassman recruits and mentors a freshman all year
• Throw an ice cream social or pizza party for current and prospective members
• Put together a membership package (t-shirt, framed certificate, chapter swag) to land professional members

DECA members are always finding unique ways to serve their community. Get recognized for your efforts through this campaign.

Community service campaign ideas:

• Volunteer to help with social media for a local charity or organization
• Helping at a food bank or homeless shelter
• Partnering with a local charity for a community event
• Putting together thanksgiving baskets for families in need
• Write letters to local hospitals, veterans or seniors
• Working with the counselors at your school to organize a school supply drive
• Organize an event at a local elementary school or after school organization to tutor or read stories to younger students
• Conduct an MDA Miracle Minute by designating one minute during a school day dedicated to raising as many funds as possible for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Organize a financial literacy workshop for middle schoolers or senior citizens in your community

This campaign provides chapter members an opportunity to share with their school and community what DECA is all about and how their chapter is making a positive impact on its members and community.

More ways to promote the chapter:

• Produce a DECA chapter promo video
• Host a competitive-event info session or mock competition
• Launch a DECA podcast or blog with your upper-level class or officer team
• Run a social media takeover of your school's accounts
• Set up a "Wall of Fame" in your classroom for member accomplishments
• Host an alumni panel — invite grads back to share competition tips and how DECA is showing up in their lives now
• Partner with a local business for a "DECA Day": members work a shift, the business gives back a percentage to the chapter
• Design a DECA bulletin board somewhere high-traffic at school
• Set up a booth at your school's club fair
• Run a contest or giveaway on chapter social media
• Share a DECA fact each day on morning announcements

Innovation and entrepreneurship are the driving forces behind today's business success stories. This campaign gives DECA members the opportunity to explore the entrepreneurial spirit in their own community.

Each team delivers a 3-minute pitch to the chapter — or a panel of guest judges — covering the customer profile, ownership type, and unique selling proposition. Real business concepts, real stakes.

Official recognition requires:

• At least 75% of members complete the Innovation Activity
• Three interviews and profiles of local businesses, submitted
• One local entrepreneur or guest speaker hosted for the chapter

Other ways to build toward it:

• Interview three local entrepreneurs and profile their journeys — turn the interviews into content
• Host a guest speaker event with a local entrepreneur
• Run a chapter "Innovation Showcase" for the student body or community
• Spotlight local businesses or student ventures in a social media mini-campaign
• Partner with the school on a student pitch competition for school-community problems
• Recognize local entrepreneurs on announcements, in newsletters, or with a certificate

This campaign takes place in February, during Career and Technical Education Month®. Completing three school outreach activities, three public policymaker outreach activities and three community outreach activities will get your chapter recognized for this campaign.

Ideas to try:

• Present a DECA project to your school board, city council, or county commission
• Get your mayor to sign a "DECA Day" proclamation
• Write your school and district leaders advocating for CTE classes and CTSOs like DECA
• Host a project showcase for DECA parents and community members
• Visit the state capitol to meet legislators and advocate for CTE funding
• Produce short PSA videos encouraging middle schoolers to sign up for CTE classes
• Run a month-long social campaign sharing DECA and CTE facts
• Host a luncheon for chapter business partners
• Have officers visit other classes and feeder schools to talk about DECA