Congratulations! You are about to begin on a journey with your marketing, management and entrepreneurship classes. DECA, An Association of Marketing Students, works along with your classroom activities to develop your students’ leadership, occupational, and social skills. Starting a DECA chapter is easy and fun for both yourself and your students. With a minimum of 10 members (students currently enrolled in marketing, management, business or entrepreneurship classes or students who have previously taken classes) and one advisor, you will have the opportunity to establish your chapter.

•Recruit interested students
Meet with marketing, management, business and entrepreneurship students to determine
interest and recruit for membership. Present a brief orientation to DECA and its benefits so
students can see the opportunities afforded with DECA membership. Students that have
taken a marketing, management, business or entrepreneurship course are also eligible to join
DECA. They are referred to as “in-school alumni”.

•Meet with the appropriate school administrator
After recruiting interested students, meet with the appropriate school administrator to present
DECA and it’s benefits. Explain that DECA is a student association for marketing and business
students that offers opportunities for students to develop career job skills, leadership
abilities, an understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility and ethical values. Also
include in your presentation the additional opportunities students have for recognition
through the competitive events program and extensive scholarship program. Stress that you
would like for your students to take advantage of these opportunities.

•Membership Procedures
With you schools approval register as a new chapter with National DECA's Online Membership System.
http://membership.deca.org/app_main.htm Dues in Pennsylvania are currently $14 per student, advisor, professional, & alumni members. (Eight dollars is national dues and six dollars is state dues.) You will then receive a new chapter charter, membership pins, and membership cards. Send your check to National DECA.

•Start planning meetings and activities
Now that you have started your chapter, take some time to start planning meetings and
activities. At an orientation meeting, explain the benefits of membership, goals of the organization
and discuss the development of a chapter constitution. Officers play an important role
in the success of your chapter. Discuss the responsibilities and duties of officers, as well as
the campaign and election procedures. Other key topics on your agenda may include chapter
activities, community service, social events, fund raisers and conferences.
Current DECA advisors have provided some suggestions about starting a new chapter:

•Get involved in your community.
Business and charitable organizations are always willing to work side by side with your DECA chapter.

•Ask other advisors in your area for advice and ideas.
Pennsylvania DECA offers a “mentor” program for new advisors.

•Order “how to” materials/resources from National DECA.
The Chapter Management System is an excellent resource.
Shop online at http://decaimages.stores.yahoo.net/

•Attend a fall leadership conference in your state or region.
Many Pennsylvania districts offer a fall DECA orientation workshop. Many chapters attend the North Atlantic Regional DECA conference in November. This will put you in contact with other chapters and advisors, as well as give you and your students a great sense of the benefits of DECA membership. It is a great way to kick off your DECA year.

•Have social outings
With your students such as bowling or pizza parties .

•Make fundraising fun!
Car washes, cookie sales and a school store are all ways for your
students to learn about running a small business.

•Integrate DECA into your curriculum
With your new chapter, begin to integrate DECA into your curriculum.

Good luck!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jerry DiGiovanni
PENNSYLVANIA DECA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
1001 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
PHONE: 215-327-5618
E MAIL: jerry@padeca.org
www.padeca.org