Executive Council Communicator
Issue 1
E xecutive
A Publication of the High School Division of the
New York Association of DECA
C ouncil
September 2015
C ommunicator
Inside this Issue
Welcome, New Chapters!
1
Chapter Campaigns
2
Social Media
2
Power Trip Information
3
State Charity
3
Competition Updates
4
Share Your DECA Story
4
Officer Contact Information
5
Important Dates
5
285 Hill Road
Goshen, NY 10924
www.newyorkdeca.com
Editorial Correspondence
Elizabeth Vinton, Vice President
vinton.elizabeth@gmail.com
Articles welcome for publication
Welcome, New Chapters!
Irene Kowalski, President
DECA as an organization would be nothing
without its highly valued members. As a
proud member myself, it gives me great pride
to welcome our new chapters into the everever expanding network of business students around the globe.
With a newly founded chapter in their school, members new to
DECA can create their dream chapter; one that both suits their
needs and gives them the groundwork required to reach their
DECA goals. The best time to begin setting these goals
immediately. In order to test the waters, a good way to begin
practicing and honing the skills of your new chapter is to devote
meetings to certain competitive events and practice both
competing and judging those categories with their online
rubrics. This gives members that aren’t competing a way to
participate meaningfully in club activities, and members that
are competing constructive feedback on their presentations.
Another way to encourage chapter bonding is to participate in
chapter campaigns, which help the community by helping to
fundraise money for important causes. Campaigns also help a
new chapter break the ice and get more involved in the DECA
network. To all new members and advisors, best of luck in all of
your future DECA endeavors; and don’t forget to [BE EPIC]!
September 2015
2
Chapter Campaigns
Nicole Nissan, Parliamentarian
As the school year approaches, be on the lookout for DECA’s Chapter Campaigns and their
dates! DECA offers five unique campaigns that are perfect for developing your chapter’s
Program of Leadership, building lasting partnerships within your school and community, growing of your chapter,
and giving your chapter the opportunity to gain the recognition it deserves!
Chapters who complete each campaign have the opportunity to receive a certificate, flag, pennant, plaque, at
their State Career Conference and even three allocations to attend the THRIVE Academy at DECA’s International
Career Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
DUE DATES:
Membership Campaign- December 1st, 2015
 Have a contest to see which class can recruit the most alumni, business partners and parents to join your
DECA chapter.
Global Entrepreneurship Week Campaign- November 16-23, 2015
 IDEA CHALLENGE ENTRIES
• Have a contest among classes for the best Idea Challenge entry.
• Invite administrators and school staff to participate in your entry videos.
Promotional Campaign- December 1st, 2015
 Ask DECA members to select underclassmen and invite them to donuts or pizza, and show a slideshow of
activities and the DECA promotional video.
Community Service Campaign- December 1st, 2015
 COATS FOR KIDS - Sponsor a coat drive to collect gently used warm winter coats and jackets for children.
Donate the collected coats to a local agency serving underprivileged families.
Advocacy Campaign- March 1st, 2016
 Promote DECA to middle school students by conducting a business, marketing, financial literacy or
entrepreneurship activity.
Social Media
Did you know that teenagers spend an average of 7 1/2 hours on social media a day? That's
a lot of tweeting, Instagram likes, and Facebook views! The school year is about to start,
and whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, share what you did this
summer with your DECA friends or chapter. Show us how you're being Epic
@NewYorkDECA (Twitter), liking our Facebook page (New York DECA), and following New
York DECA on Instagram for updates on what's new! Don't forget to [BE EPIC]!
September 2015
3
Power Trip Information
Riya Shah, Secretary
The 2015 Ultimate DECA Power Trip is coming up and you don’t want to miss out! Join the
North Atlantic, Southern and Western Regions on a quest that will awaken your thirst for
knowledge. This year’s trip will be taking place from November 20th-22nd in Austin, Texas at the JW Marriott Austin.
It will be a perfect way to get your students into the DECA spirit early before our regional and State conferences.
The registration deadline is approaching quickly on October 20 th, 2015, so be sure to sign up ASAP. This is the
perfect way to expand one’s DECA experience. Members will be able to network with thousands of DECA students
from across the nation, especially during the “DECA after Dark” event. Conference highlights include learning labs,
competitive excellence, and college and career exhibits. The labs will focus on one powerful component each hour
to engage DECA members. In addition, members can pre-register to compete in a DECA role-play. Not only will the
top performers be recognized during the closing session, but it is a great way to start practicing for competition
season! You definitely don’t want your students to miss out on the featured speakers, who will portray inspiring
messages at the general sessions. Everyone who has attended the Power Trip in the past recommend it to their
fellow DECA members. With seminars such as “How to successfully run a state officer campaign” to sessions on
leadership and team-building; our New York DECA members will definitely leave the conference feeling more
confident about their upcoming DECA year. If members from your DECA chapter had a great time at SCC and ICDC
in the past, then we assure you that the Ultimate DECA Power Trip will be just as much fun, if not more!
State Charity:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Shaan Legros, Treasurer
This year, the Executive Council has chosen St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the 2015-2016 State Charity.
St. Jude’s is helping the world understand and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. They
focus on making big discoveries, which are mainly funded by public donations, to ensure that young children are
able to grow up. As founder Danny Thomas said, “No child should die in the dawn of life.” Our goal this year is to
raise $5,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Happy Fundraising!
Please send all donations to Treasurer Shaan Legros.
Shaan Legros
C/O Kristen Casto
Orchard Park High School
4040 Baker Rd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
September 2015
4
Competition Updates
Elizabeth Vinton, Vice President
DECA’s competitive events allow members to expand their knowledge of Marketing,
Management, Finance, and Hospitality and Tourism. Competitive events directly
contribute to every DECA member being college and career ready when they graduate
Schopo
from high school. Duefrfom
to thehigh
impact
of DECA’s competitive events, it is important to stay up to date on all
changes made to the competitive events program. Below is a brief summary of all changes made for this year. A
more detailed version can be found on page 54 of DECA’s 2015-2016 Guide at http://www.deca.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/08/HS_Guide_2016.pdf .
Written and Prepared Events
•
For all 30-page events, the executive summary may be up to three pages single or double-spaced.
•
There will no longer be a presentation time for each component. The total presentation time will be 15
minutes including the time for judges’ questions.
Entrepreneurship Events (formerly Business Management and Entrepreneurship Events)
•
Innovation Plan (formerly Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan) and Start-Up Business Plan (formerly
Entrepreneurship Participating-Creating an Independent Business) will have new guidelines that follow a
portion of the lean start-up model (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o8uYdUaFR4).
•
Independent Business Plan (formerly Entrepreneurship Written) will require financial projections and will
have new guidelines that follow a portion of the lean start-up model.
•
Franchise Business Plan (formerly Entrepreneurship Participating-Franchising Business) will have new
guidelines that follow the Small Business Administration’s business plan model.
•
Business Growth Plan (formerly Entrepreneurship-Growing Your Business) will have new guidelines.
•
International Business Plan will have guidelines similar to the Independent Business Plan with a section
on the country where the business is to be conducted.
Pilot Event: Accounting Virtual Business Challenge
The new Virtual Business Accounting Simulation will allow students to use forensic accounting to identify fraud
and errors in a simulated business for the fall qualifying round. Scores will be based on accuracy and rate
identification of issues and speed. The winter qualifying round will involve the use of managerial accounting to
maximize profits. At ICDC, students will race to identify fraud and accounting errors.
Share Your
Story!
New York DECA wants to hear from YOUR chapter! Send us your articles and pictures and they will be
published in our next issue of the ECC. Articles can cover fundraising strategies, chapter events,
member recruitment strategies, and any other chapter activities. To submit articles and pictures
please contact Elizabeth Vinton. Additionally, please send your chapter president’s email to Elizabeth
Vinton (vinton.elizabeth@gmail.com) to receive our ECC and additional updates.
September 2015
5
Contact Your State Officers
P
Irene Kowalski
President
Calhoun HS
irekowalski@bmchsd.org
Elizabeth Vinton
Vice President
Brighton HS
vinton.elizabeth@gmail.com
Riya shah
Secretary
WT Clarke HS
riya6868@gmail.com
Shaan Legros
Treasurer
Orchard Park HS
shaan.legros@gmail.com
Abigail Peralta
Historian
Freeport HS
peraltaabigail0@gmail.com
Nicole Nissan
Parliamentarian
Roslyn HS
nnissan17@roslynschools.org
Important Dates
October 20th: Registration deadline for The Ultimate DECA Power Trip
November 15th: Deadline for final membership rosters
November 19th: DECA Idea Challenge entries due
November 20th-22nd: Ultimate DECA Power Trip in Austin, TX
January 8th: State Awards and fundraising due
State Officer Applications due
March 9th-11th: State Career Conference in Rochester, NY
April 23rd-26th: International Career Development Conference in Nashville, TN